Computer Engineering Bachelor's Degree

Computer engineering is a steadily growing field, and the world needs skilled professionals who can work comfortably on both the software and hardware sides of a computer system. A computer engineering degree from Michigan Tech will make you uniquely qualified to bridge this gap and succeed as a computer-integration specialist.

As a Michigan Tech student, you will be taking advantage of some of the best opportunities in the nation for laboratory-based learning, real-world design, and engineering entrepreneurship.

  • 20
    ECE Advisory Board members from top levels of major US corporations
  • 1
    student per bench in labs
  • 1,230
    square feet in our Plexus Innovation Lab and electronics makerspace

 

Tomorrow Needs Computer Engineers Who Bridge the Gap

Computer engineering (CpE) is a true hybrid of computer science (CS) and electrical engineering (EE), combining knowledge from both fields into a single discipline.

What is Computer Engineering?

Computer engineers study the whole computer system in its entirety, and are thus equally comfortable working with both hardware and software. They also understand how the hardware and software interact with each other, and can evaluate design trade-offs between the two. This ability to work both sides of the hardware/software divide makes the computer engineer uniquely qualified to design, build, and program complete computer systems from scratch.

By contrast, a computer scientist primarily focuses on only the theoretical and software (programming) aspects of a computer system, while an electrical engineer primarily focuses on the circuitry and hardware (electronic) aspects of the system with less emphasis on software

Be Career-Ready

As a graduate of the computer engineering program, you will have developed the versatility to work in numerous fields, including embedded systems, computer networks, robotics, or VLSI system design. Your career options can range from movie special effects to designing nanotechnology for bionic implants and beyond.

Career Opportunities for Holistic Computer Engineers

Many computer engineers choose jobs that exploit their hardware/software integration abilities to design complete systems in automotive, aerospace, and many other industries. Another popular field is embedded systems.

More than 350 companies come to campus to recruit Michigan Tech students each year, and over  60 percent of those are looking to hire electrical and computer engineers. Our graduates have a job placement of nearly 100 percent within six months of graduation.

Companies interested in our graduates include: Amazon, Nvidia, Microsoft, ArcelorMittal, ITC, Ford, Boston Scientific, Rockwell-Collins, GM, Caterpillar, Dow Chemical, Mercury Marine, IBM, Google, Microsoft, and Consumers Power, among many others.

Engineering Enterprise Concentration

Pursue an Enterprise concentration as part of your degree by taking part in Michigan Tech's award-winning Enterprise Program. It's a great way to enhance your undergraduate degree with client-based teamwork. Enterprise is when students work in teams on real projects, with real clients, in an environment that's more like a business than a classroom. Choose any one of 20-plus Enterprise teams on campus to invent products, provide services, and pioneer solutions. Apply the skills learned in your major and gain some valuable new skills. Tackle real-world design projects for industry sponsors or take part in a national competition (or both). This concentration adds courses in business and entrepreneurship.

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about studying computer engineering at Michigan's flagship technological university.

 

"I can be hired as any computer major in a job anywhere. The diversity of options I get for jobs and where I'm able to work is great."Abby Nelson, undergraduate computer engineering student

Earn an ABET Accredited Engineering Degree

With ABET accreditation, you can be sure that your Michigan Tech degree meets the quality standards that prepares you to enter a global workforce.

And, because it requires comprehensive, periodic evaluations, ABET accreditation demonstrates our continuing commitment to the quality of your program—both now and in the future.

Sought Worldwide

ABET's voluntary peer-review process is highly respected. Its criteria are developed by technical professionals and focuses on what you, as a student, experience and learn. It adds critical value to academic programs in technical disciplines—where quality, precision, and safety are of the utmost importance.

Computer Engineering Educational Objectives

A computer engineer views a computer-based system as a continuum of technologies spanning both sides of the traditional analog/digital systems boundary and the traditional hardware/software boundary. The ability to integrate all of these technologies into a single system, and to make hardware/software trade-offs, makes the computer engineers uniquely qualified to conceive, design, and build complete computer-based systems to serve a wide variety of applications.

Read more about computer engineering accreditation, educational objectives, and student outcomes.

ABET logo

Computer Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria.

The ECE Department

Innovation is key in the growing fields of electrical, computer, and robotics engineering.

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Michigan Tech is a world leader in providing high quality education, something we’ve done for nearly 100 years.

During your time at Michigan Tech, you’ll experience the difference faculty mentoring has on the quality of your education. You’ll take the skills you learn in the classroom to the lab, shop, makerspace or out in the world— to create, innovate, and design.

Integrated with key courses, access to our multimillion-dollar labs will allow you to learn with cutting-edge equipment—from lasers and microcontrollers to robots, power stations, and more—along with industry standard software and current generation computer systems.

You’ll benefit from many additional opportunities for hands-on experience, ranging from Enterprise and Senior Design, to internships and co-ops. Our excellent programs give you the chance to work directly with industry well before graduation.

And you’ll gain the personal attention and support you need—not only for your academic success, but for a positive overall experience at Michigan Tech.

Electrical and Computer Engineering Programs

Or, start with our General Engineering option and give yourself time to decide.

MTU engineering

Real Engineering. Meaningful Work.

We are committed to inspiring students, advancing knowledge, and innovating technological solutions to create a sustainable, just, and prosperous world. With an entering engineering class of about 1,000 students, 17 degrees to choose from, and 160 faculty in the College of Engineering alone, we provide a world-class education with the trusted reputation of Michigan Tech.

As a student at Michigan Tech you’ll work closely with faculty mentors, immerse yourself in experience-powered learning, and gain a thorough understanding of engineering practice. Collaborate and innovate in laboratories, coursework, Enterprise, and Senior Design—you'll work with industry partners on real engineering projects and develop strong skill sets for your future.

You could study abroad, with engineering opportunities ranging from a few weeks to one full year. Or focus on problems facing disadvantaged communities in countries around the world. Michigan Tech’s Global and Community Engagement program offers you a range of options.

More than 400 employers regularly recruit our students for internships, co-ops, and full-time employment. Engineering students average seven interviews, and 98 percent are employed within their field of study, enlist in the military, or enroll in a graduate school within six months of graduation. A degree in engineering from Michigan Tech can take you anywhere.

Tomorrow Needs You

Engineers do a lot of things, but there's one thing we do first and foremost: we help people. We use creative ideas and technologies to solve problems in health care, energy, transportation, hunger, space exploration, climate change, and more—much more. Become an engineer who is ready for what tomorrow needs.

Student Stories

"Computer engineering provides opportunities to work on autonomous robotics: I joined the SAE AutoDrive project in the robotics system Enterprise."Haden Wasserbaech, computer engineering