Give Your Computer Engineering Career BYTE @ Gonzaga University

Computer Engineering combines the disciplines of electrical engineering and computer science, providing engineers the skills that will enable them to add intelligence to devices and systems. Computer engineers are able to design the hardware and software that make devices effective and easy to use.

Computer engineers design real-time systems. Real-time means that the system is able to solve the problem at hand- such as video graphics- fast enough to entertain someone playing a video game, or to enable a jet fighter to react rapidly to inbound fire from hostile aircraft.  Computer engineers also design, build, program and maintain the embedded computer systems that are found in most modern conveniences such as compact disc players, heart monitors, cellular phones, children’s toys, automobiles and almost any type of technology.

 

We can thank computer engineers for our modern way of life!

A degree in computer engineering is highly marketable in this unprecedented time of reliance on technology. In addition to the intellectual stimulation of being involved with cutting-edge technology, computer engineers are among the most needed and highest paid entry-level professionals in today’s workforce. And because of the high demand, opportunities for employment, choice of location and job security abound. According to a recent salary survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, computer engineers command the highest average starting salary of all engineering disciplines.

Gonzaga University combined the resources of the Computer Science and Electrical Engineering departments to start a Computer Engineering program in 1997.  The program is fully accredited. Small class size and a strong sense of community make Gonzaga an ideal learning environment. Professors are easily accessible and make teaching their first priority.

Coursework organized into three disciplines: hardware, software, system design

The courses and laboratories offered in the Computer Engineering program at Gonzaga are organized into three disciplines: hardware, software and system design. The hardware component provides students with an understanding of how microprocessors, microcontrollers and different families of logic devices can be integrated into a hardware subsystem.

The software component of the program exposes students to topics such as algorithms, data structures, operating systems and object-oriented software engineering. The system design component of the program exposes students to the design of an operating system and its use in the integration of hardware and software modules. Students gain an understanding of the architecture, functionality and use of multitasking real-time operating systems.

Prior to graduation, students are assigned to work on industry-sponsored projects. Each project is undertaken by a team of students, an industrial liaison and a faculty advisor. Teamwork promotes participatory decision making and sharing of implementation responsibility.