Program Overview

Bachelor of Science in Computational Engineering

The Bachelor of Science in Computational Engineering is a degree program that prepares students for professional practice in engineering, with a focus on the development of computer algorithms that translate mathematical and physical descriptions of engineering problems into languages and software that computers can process.

Program Objectives

The objectives of the computational engineering degree program are to prepare students for professional practice in engineering, to prepare students for post-baccalaureate study, to instill in students a commitment to acquire and apply new knowledge and to ethical behavior throughout their professional careers, and to make students aware of the global and societal effects of technology.

Curriculum

The curriculum requires students to use modern engineering tools and computer technology, to work individually, and to practice teamwork. The initial coursework in the computational engineering curriculum emphasizes fundamental material along with engineering sciences, while the later coursework goes into further depth in mathematics, algorithms, computer languages, software engineering and design, and experimentation.

Student Outcomes

Attainment of these outcomes prepares graduates to enter the professional practice of engineering. Computational engineering graduates should demonstrate:

• An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
• An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
• An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
• An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
• An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
• An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
• An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

Program Educational Objectives

Within a few years of graduation, computational engineering graduates should:

• Contribute to the economic development of Texas and the nation through the ethical practice of computational engineering in industry and public service
• Exhibit leadership in technical or business activity through engineering ability, communication skills, and knowledge of contemporary and global issues
• Continue to educate themselves through professional study and personal research
• Be prepared for admission to, and to excel in, the best graduate programs in the world
• Use their engineering ability and creative potential to create technology that will improve the quality of life in society

Portable Computing Devices

Students entering computational engineering are required to have access to a portable computing device capable of running the software tools required for undergraduate engineering analyses (MATLAB, SOLIDWORKS, Word, Excel, etc.) and accessing the remote server for the department.

Curriculum Requirements

The curriculum requires students to take all courses required for the degree on the letter-grade basis and must earn a grade of at least C- in each course, except for those listed as Remaining Core Curriculum Courses. Students must also maintain grade point averages of at least 2.00 in the major area of study and in required technical courses as described in Academic Standards, and a cumulative University grade point average of at least 2.00 as described in General Information.

Technical Electives

The technical electives allow students to focus in a specific area. Of the 15 hours in the degree plan, the following distribution is required:

• Advanced Elective: At least six hours must be chosen from the approved list of advanced electives.
• Math/Computational Elective: Up to six hours may be chosen from the approved list of math/computational electives or six more hours of advanced electives.
• Foundational Elective: Three hours must be chosen from the approved list of foundational electives.

Integrated Bachelor of Science in Computational Engineering/Master of Science in Computational Science, Engineering, and Math Program

The integrated degree program leads to sequential awarding of a Bachelor of Science in Computational Engineering (BSCompE) degree followed by a Master of Science in Computational Science, Engineering, and Math (MSCSEM) degree. The Integrated BSCompE/MSCSEM program is designed to prepare students to become leaders in Computational Science, Engineering, and Math in academia and in industry. The program requires completion of a total of 152 credit hours: 122 SCH for the BSCompE degree and 30 SCH for the MSCSEM degree. Students can complete the integrated program in five academic years of full-time study.

Course Requirements

The following courses are required for the Bachelor of Science in Computational Engineering degree:

• COE 301: Introduction to Computer Programming
• COE 311K: Engineering Computation
• COE 321K: Computational Methods for Structural Analysis
• COE 322: Scientific Computation
• COE 332: Software Engineering and Design
• COE 347: Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics
• COE 352: Topics in Advanced Scientific Computation
• COE 374: Senior Design Project
• ASE 320: Low-Speed Aerodynamics
• ASE 330M: Linear System Analysis
• ASE 375: Electromechanical Systems
• CH 301: Principles of Chemistry I
• E M 306: Statics
• E M 311M: Dynamics
• E M 319: Mechanics of Solids
• M 408C: Differential and Integral Calculus
• M 408D: Sequences, Series, and Multivariable Calculus
• M 427J: Differential Equations with Linear Algebra
• M 427L: Advanced Calculus for Applications II
• COE 362: Engineering Probability and Statistics
• M E 210: Engineering Design Graphics
• M E 310T: Applied Thermodynamics
• PHY 105M: Laboratory For Physics 302K, 303K, and 317K
• PHY 105N: Laboratory For Physics 302L, 303L, and 317L
• PHY 303K: Engineering Physics I
• PHY 303L: Engineering Physics II
• E S 333T: Engineering Communication
• RHE 306: Rhetoric and Writing
• Remaining Core Curriculum Courses:
  • E 316L: British Literature
  • American and Texas government
  • American history
  • Social and behavioral sciences
  • Visual and performing arts
  • UGS 302: First-Year Signature Course

Total Hours: 122

Core Component Areas

• 010 Communication
• 020 Mathematics
• 030 Natural Science and Technology, Part I
• 040 Humanities
• 050 Visual and Performing Arts
• 060 U.S. History
• 070 American and Texas Government
• 080 Social and Behavioral Sciences
• 090 First-Year Signature Course
• 093 Natural Science and Technology, Part II