Program Overview

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Introduction to the Computer Engineering Program

The Computer Engineering program at the Zhejiang University-University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Institute (ZJU-UIUC Institute) is a jointly operated engineering college that offers a medium of instruction in English for undergraduate programs. The program is designed to develop students' understanding of computer systems from top to bottom, preparing them to create a wide array of computing systems and devices.

Program Overview

The Computer Engineering program focuses on the development of vital computing technologies, ranging from chips to computers to networks to programming tools to key algorithms for building exciting applications. The program addresses the problem of building scalable, trustworthy computing systems, and the faculty's interests span a broad spectrum of issues pertinent to this theme.

Distinctive Characteristics

The program has a broad and solid foundation of mathematics and computing skills, with a large degree of flexibility in the curriculum that enables students to pursue topics of interest among the many sub-disciplines in computing.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the Computer Engineering program will work in all segments of the broad and thriving computer industry, including software engineering, programming, computer system architecture, microprocessor/hardware design, real-time and embedded systems, operating systems, human-machine interfaces, artificial intelligence, image and speech processing, cloud computing, and big data.

Sample Course

The program includes a range of courses, such as:

• Introduction to Computing
• Computer Systems & Programming
• Computer Systems Engineering
• Digital Signal Processing
• Digital Systems Laboratory
• Applied Parallel Programming
• Computer Organization and Design
• Computer Security
• Distributed Systems
• Computer Networks

Curriculum

The Computer Engineering curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in computer engineering, with a focus on fundamental concepts and basic laboratory techniques. The curriculum includes:

1. Overview

The Computer Engineering program core curriculum focuses on fundamental computer engineering knowledge, including circuits, systems, electromagnetics, computer systems, electronics for information processing and communication, and computer science.

2. Graduation Requirement

To graduate, students must meet the following requirements:

1. Grade Point Average Requirement: A student must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 (A=4.0) to remain in good standing and graduate.
2. Junior Eligibility Requirement: To be eligible to enroll in the ECE courses listed in the third year of the curriculum, a student must have completed the mathematics, physics, computer science, and electrical and computer engineering courses listed in the first two years with a combined GPA of 2.25.
3. Curriculum Requirement: The curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering at UIUC requires 128 hours and is organized into required courses and elective courses.

3. Required Courses

The required courses include:

3.1 Orientation and Professional Development

• ENG 100: Engineering Orientation

3.2 Foundational Mathematics and Science

• MATH 221: Calculus I
• MATH 231: Calculus II
• MATH 241: Calculus III
• MATH 257: Linear Algebra with Computational Application
• MATH 285: Introduction to Differential Equation
• PHYS 211: University Physics: Mechanics
• PHYS 212: University Physics: Elec & Mag
• PHYS 213: Univ Physics: Thermal Physics
• PHYS 214: Univ Physics: Quantum Physics
• CHEM 102: General Chemistry I
• CHEM 103: General Chemistry Lab I

3.3 Technical Core

• ECE 110: Introduction to Electronics
• ECE 120: Introduction to Computing
• ECE 210: Analog Signal Processing
• ECE 220: Computer Systems & Programming
• CS 173: Discrete Structures
• CS 225: Data Structures
• ECE 313: Probability with Engineering Application
• ECE 374: Introduction to Algorithms & Models of Computation
• ECE 385: Digital Systems Laboratory
• ECE 391: Computer Systems Engineering

3.4 Composition

• RHET 101: Principles of Writing
• RHET 102: Principles of Research

3.5 Advanced Composition

• ECE 445: Senior Design Project Lab

4. Elective Courses

The elective courses include:

4.1 Technical Electives

• EE Foundations Courses
• Advanced Computing Electives
• ECE 445: Senior Design Project Lab
• Others

4.1.1 EE Foundation Courses

• ECE 310: Digital Signal Processing
• ECE 329: Fields and Waves I
• ECE 330: Power Circuits & Electromechanics
• ECE 340: Semiconductor Electronics
• ECE 461: Digital Communications
• ECE 486: Control Systems

4.1.2 Advanced Computing Electives

• CS 357: Numerical Methods I
• CS 411: Database Systems
• CS 412: Introduction to Data Mining
• CS 414: Multimedia Systems
• CS 418: Interactive Computer Graphics
• CS 419: Production Computer Graphics
• CS 420: Parallel Programming: Scientists and Engineers
• CS 421: Programming Languages & Compilers
• CS 423: Operating Systems Design
• CS 424: Real-Time Systems
• CS 425: Distributed Systems
• CS 426: Compiler Construction
• CS 431: Embedded Systems
• CS 436: Computer Networking Laboratory
• CS 438: Communication Networks
• CS 439: Wireless Networks
• CS 440: Artificial Intelligence
• CS 446: Machine Learning
• CS 450: Numerical Analysis
• CS 461: Computer Security I
• CS 473: Algorithms
• CS 475: Formal Models of Computation
• CS 476: Program Verification
• CS 477: Formal Software Development Methods
• CS 483: Applied Parallel Programming
• ECE 407/CS 407: Cryptography
• ECE 408/CS 483: Applied Parallel Programming
• ECE 411: Computer Organization & Design
• ECE 412: Microcomputer Laboratory
• ECE 419/CS 460: Computer Security Laboratory
• ECE 422/CS 461: Computer Security I
• ECE 424/CS 463: Computer Security II
• ECE 425: Intro to VLSI System Design
• ECE 428/CS 425: Distributed Systems
• ECE 434: Mobil Computing and Application
• ECE 435/CS 436: Computer Networking Laboratory
• ECE 438/CS 438: Communication Networks
• ECE 439/CS 439: Wireless Networks
• ECE 448/CS 440: Artificial Intelligence
• ECE 449/CS 446: Machine Learning
• ECE 462: Logic Synthesis
• ECE 470: Introduction to Robotics
• ECE 478/CS 477: Formal Software Development Methods
• ECE 484: Principles of Safe Autonomy
• ECE 491/CS 450: Numerical Analysis
• ECE 492/CS 420: Parallel Programming: Scientists and Engineers

4.1.3 Other Electives

• Civil & Env. Eng. (CEE): 310, 330, 408, 410, 416, 430, 447, 491
• Mechanical Eng. (ME): 200, 310, 320, 330, 340, 370, 371, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 410, 411, 412, 420, 430, 431, 440, 445, 450, 451, 452, 460, 461, 471, 472, 485, and 487
• Theoretical & Applied Mechanics (TAM): 211, 212, 251, 324, 335, 412, 435, 445, 451
• Computer Science (CS): (101, by approval), 242, 357, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 431, 433, 436, 438, 439, 440, 445, 446, 447, 450, 460, 461, 463, 465, 466, 467, 473, 475, 476; 477, 481, 484; CS 398 & 498 Special Topics, as approved
• ECE: 297, 304, 307, 310, 311, 314, 329, 330, 333, 340, 342, 343, 350, 365, 380, 395, 396, 397, 402, 403, 408, 411, 412, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 422, 424, 425, 428, 431, 432, 435, 437, 438, 439, 441, 443, 444, 446, 447, 448, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 461, 460, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 470, 472, 473, 476, 478, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, 495, 496, 499; ECE 398 & 498 Special Topics, as approved

4.2 Liberal Education

The liberal education courses develop students' understanding of human culture and society, build skills of inquiry and critical thinking, and lay a foundation for civic engagement and lifelong learning. To satisfy the General Education requirements, students must take all courses for grade and complete courses based on the table below:

• Humanities & Arts (Two courses)
• Social & Behavioral Sciences (Two courses)
• Culture Studies
  • Western/Comparative Culture(s) (One course)
  • Non-Western Culture(s) (One course)
  • U.S. Minority Culture(s) (One course)
• Aesthetic Education (One course)

4.3 Free Electives

These unrestricted electives give the student the opportunity to explore any intellectual area of unique interest. This freedom plays a critical role in helping students to define research specialties. Students are encouraged to take cross-discipline courses as free electives.

5. ZJU Required Liberal Education

These courses introduce Chinese modern history, social development, government policies, etc., help students to improve their English and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Domestic students must complete all courses below, which can be taught in Chinese, to fulfill the graduate requirement along with the above 128 credit hour courses towards the Bachelor of Engineering Degree from ZJU.

6. Sample Schedule by Semester

The following is a sample schedule for the Computer Engineering program:

6.1 First Year-First (Fall) Semester

• Rhet 101: Principles of Writing
• Chem 102: General Chemistry I
• Chem 103: General Chemistry Lab I
• Math 221: Calculus I
• ECE 110: Intro to Electronics
• CS 101: Introduction to Computing: Engineering & Science
• Eng 100: Engineering Orientation

6.2 First Year-Second (Spring) Semester

• Rhet 102: Principles of Research
• Math 231: Calculus II
• Phys 211: University Physics: Mechanics
• ECE 120: Intro to Computing
• MATH 257: Linear Algebra with Computational Application

6.3 Second Year-First (Fall) Semester

• Math 241: Calculus III
• Phys 212: University Physics: Elec& Mag
• ECE 220: Computer Systems & Programming
• Math 213: Basic Discrete Mathematics
• GenEd 1: Liberal Education Elective

6.4 Second Year-Second (Spring) Semester

• Math 285: Intro to Differential Eq
• Phys 213: Univ Physics: Thermal Physics
• Phys 214: Univ Physics: Quantum Physics
• ECE 210: Analog Signal Processing
• CS 225: Data Structure
• GenEd 2: Liberal Education Elective

6.5 Third Year-First (Fall) Semester

• EE Foundation: One of ECE 310, 329, 330, 340, 486
• ECE 391: Computer Systems Engineering
• ECE 313: Probability with Engrg Applic
• Tech Elec: Technical Elective
• GenEd 3: Liberal Education Elective

6.6 Third Year-Second (Spring) Semester

• ECE 374: Introduction to Algorithms & Models of Computation
• ECE 385: Digital Systems Laboratory
• Tech Elec: Technical Elective
• Tech Elec: Technical Elective
• GenEd 4: Liberal Education Elective

6.7 Fourth Year-First (Fall) Semester

• Tech Elec: Technical Elective
• Tech Elec: Technical Elective
• Tech Elec: Technical Elective
• Free Elec: Free Elective
• Free Elec: Free Elective

6.8 Fourth Year-Second (Spring) Semester

• ECE 445: Senior Design Project Lab
• Tech Elec: Technical Elective
• Tech Elec: Technical Elective
• Free Elec: Free Elective
• Free Elec: Free Elective

7. Curriculum Flow Map

The following flow map offers a quick summary of the main features of the Electrical Engineering curriculum.