CPE.BSE - BSE in Computer Engineering

Electrical and Computer Engineering Majors 

General Information  

Electrical and computer engineers are at the forefront of today’s technological revolution, and they continue to be in demand in all types of public and private enterprises. The value added in today’s products is primarily in digital and analog electronics and software. The internet has filled our lives with their influences. Electrical and computer engineering touch every aspect of today’s modern world, using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make our lives better by making homes, automobiles, phones, speakers, and miscellaneous everyday devices smarter and exploiting the Internet of Things (IoT) to make the world more connected. WNE graduates are uniquely qualified to become engineers, capable of designing hardware and software. Electrical and computer engineers work in the communications, controls, signal and image processing, biomedical, aerospace, electronics, computer hardware, optics, integrated photonics, embedded systems, materials, energy, defense, data gathering/analysis, and other diverse commercial sectors. 
 
The Electrical and Computer Engineering programs provide students with a thorough background in electronic/hardware and systems design. Individual students can tailor their program to his or her specific interests by selecting appropriate technical or design electives. Elective areas include electronics, digital systems, IoT, VLSI, digital signal processing (DSP), controls, robotics, image optics, integrated photonics, and embedded systems. In all of our courses, we stress the balance of theory and practice. The theory, presented in class, is coupled with extensive, practical, hands-on laboratory projects and experiments. 
 
WNE laboratories are well equipped and all facilities are available for undergraduate use, and laboratory equipment is updated on a rotating basis allowing for a continued renewal and state-of-the-art technology in a rapidly changing world. 

Electrical and Computer Engineering Laboratories: 

• Embedded Systems Laboratory 

• Controls and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory 

• Internet of Things (IoT) Laboratory 

• Circuits Laboratory 

• Electronics Laboratory

• RF/Wireless Laboratory 

• LEAP@WNE Optics/Photonics Laboratory

• Computer Architecture & Security Laboratory 
   

 Access is also provided to the following laboratories in other engineering departments as needed: 

• Bioinstrumentation Laboratory 

• Biomedical Engineering Physiology Laboratory 

• Industrial Engineering Laboratory 

• Mechanical Engineering Laboratory 

 Additionally, a fully equipped Machine Shop is available to students as well as a Rapid Prototyping STL machine. 

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

Design Experience 

Students in the Electrical Engineering program and Computer Engineering program are introduced to engineering design in the freshman year in the Introduction to Engineering courses. Sophomore and junior courses and labs provide progressively more sophisticated design experiences within the electrical engineering program and computer engineering program respectively. Both programs culminate in a year-long capstone Senior Design Project course in which each student works on an independent project under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Most of the projects are sponsored by industry. Students involved in these projects have the opportunity to work with the industrial sponsor in an actual engineering environment. 

Electives 

Electives, in both programs, supplement the engineering student’s technical program. These electives must be selected in such a way that all General Education “perspective of understanding” requirements are covered. In addition, technical, design, and general electives provide the opportunity for specialization within a chosen field. An assigned departmental faculty advisor must approve selection of electives from engineering, mathematics, science, or business. 

Vision 

The Electrical and Computer Engineering programs at Western New England University will become nationally and internationally recognized for graduating students who have experienced putting theory into practice and are also capable of succeeding in advanced studies. 

Mission 

The mission of the Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering programs is to provide students with a supportive environment that facilitates learning to solve problems in electrical and computer engineering. 
 
The Electrical and Computer Engineering programs are committed to excellence in student learning. Graduates of the programs will be problem solvers, able to apply engineering principles to electrical and computer systems. The faculty and staff of the programs use their background in teaching, research, and industry to prepare students to be successful as they move into the workforce or graduate school. 
  
 Program Educational Objectives 

Within a few years after graduation, Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Computer Engineering (BSCPE) program graduates will:

1. Have successfully designed, built, tested complex systems.

2. Have a proven track record of being productive team members / leaders.

3. Have assumed leadership roles in their career.

4. Have contributed in professional and civic service.

5. Have pursued advanced learning through professional education, training, advanced degrees and used their knowledge to solve problems with global impact.
    

Student Outcomes 

Accordingly, the program has documented student outcomes that support the program educational objectives. Attainment of these outcomes prepares graduates to enter the professional practice of engineering.  
 
An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.

1. 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.

2. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.

6. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
    
    Career Opportunities 

 The application areas for electrical and computer engineering are fairly ubiquitous and our Electrical and Computer Engineering programs provide a broad based education that leads to employment in a diverse spectrum of industries in both private and public sectors, for example, aerospace, defense, telecommunications, automotive, medical electronics, multimedia and consumer electronic industries, energy, and power. In particular we offer courses in electronic communications, robotics, artificial intelligence, controls, digital signal/image processing, digital design, computer architecture, software and hardware design, embedded systems, optics, and integrated photonics.  

To provide additional depth in some of these areas the department offers Program Sequence Options as listed below. 

• Robotics/Mechatronics Sequence 

• RF/Microwave Engineering Sequence 

• Controls/Artificial Intelligence Sequence 

• Optics and Integrated Photonics Sequence 

These Sequence Options have been described in detail following the Electrical Engineering program and Computer Engineering program degree requirements. 

Degree Requirements 

First Year- Fall

Subtotal: 16 

First Year - Spring

Subtotal: 16 

Sophomore Year - Fall Semester 

Subtotal: 17 

Sophomore Year - Spring

Subtotal: 17 

Junior Year - Fall

Subtotal: 17 

Junior Year - Spring

Subtotal: 17 

Senior Year - Fall

Subtotal: 14 

Senior Year - Spring

Subtotal: 15 

Total Credit Hours: 129

General Education courses must be selected in such a way to insure that all requirements have been satisfied.  

CPE Technical electives are CPE courses numbered 300 or above and approved by the advisor. 

General elective must be selected with approval of the academic advisor. 

The 2.000 required minimum grade point average in the major is based upon all CPE and EE major courses pursued as a part of the student’s degree program. 

Program Sequence Options 

There are several program sequence options within the Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering programs as listed below. 

• Robotics/Mechatronics Sequence 

• Modern Controls/Artificial Intelligence Sequence 

• RF/Microwave Engineering Sequence 

• Optics and Integrated Photonics Sequence 

The student can select a sequence option by appropriately tailoring their choice of electives during their junior and senior years. Each sequence option has been described below, along with a list of typical courses used to provide the required depth in the area. These lists are by no means exhaustive; the student makes his or her selection of sequence electives in consultation with their faculty advisor. 

Robotics/Mechatronics Sequence 

Robotics/Mechatronics represents an integrated technology approach for the design of intelligent systems and products. Intelligent systems driven primarily by human operator inputs are considered mechatronic systems; smart washing machines would be a good example. Intelligent systems driven primarily by automatic/sensor and adaptive inputs are robotic systems; the Google Driverless car would be a good example. The Robotics/Mechatronics sequence is intended for students who want to focus in this area while working on their Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) in Electrical Engineering degree. Students in the Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering programs can elect to take this sequence by an appropriate selection of technical electives during their junior and senior years and completing their senior project in this area. 

The sequence electives provide coverage of the following topics: 

• Embedded programming and computing 

• Sensors and actuators  

• Adaptive control and environmental interactions 

• Computer vision and navigation 

Typical courses: 
 EE 302 Introduction to Digital Signal Processing 

CPE 360 Microprocessors II 

EE 422 Control Systems 

CPE 470 Real-time Embedded Controls 

CPE 462 VHDL—Simulation and Systems 

RF/Microwave Engineering Sequence 

RF/Microwave Engineering Sequence represents an integrated technology approach for the design of high frequency systems and products. The students in the RF/Microwave Engineering Sequence are exposed to different aspects of applied electromagnetics including antennas design, the design of high frequency passive and active circuits, the design high frequency systems, etc. This sequence is designed to meet the growing needs of companies for engineers skilled in high frequency circuit design. The RF/Microwave Engineering Sequence is intended for students who want to focus in this area while working on their BSE in Electrical Engineering degree. Students in the Electrical Engineering program can elect to take this sequence by an appropriate selection of technical electives during their junior and senior years and completing their senior project in this area. 

The sequence electives provide coverage of the following topics: 

• Fields and Waves 

• Microwave Engineering 

• RF & Microwave Wireless Systems 

• RF & Microwave Active Circuit Design 

• Wave Transmission and Reception 

• Software Defined Radio  

Typical courses: 

EE 314 Fields and Waves 

EE 414 Microwave Engineering 

EE 416 Electromagnetic Compatibility 

EE 455 RF and Microwave Wireless Systems 

EE 456 RF and Microwave Active Circuit Design 

EE 457 Wave Transmission and Reception 

Modern Controls and Artificial intelligence Sequence 

Modern Control Theory    
Utilizing state-space analysis, where the dynamics of the processes are described by first-order differential equations in matrix form, has made an enormous impact on the analysis and design of controllers for complex systems. In recent years, modern control theory has advanced rapidly and is now recognized as an indispensable and practical technique for the design and analysis of feedback control systems in diverse areas such as aeronautics, robotics, autonomous vehicles, space craft systems design, etc. 
 
Artificial Intelligence    
The field of artificial intelligence or soft-computing utilizes Neural Networks, Deep Learning, Machine Learning, and Fuzzy Logic. In recent years, there has been an explosive growth in applications of neural networks and deep learning, in part due to the advances in computational power. Neural networks, neurocomputing, or 'brain-like' computing is based on the hope that we can reproduce at least some of the flexibility and power of the human brain by artificial means. Self-driving (Autonomous) vehicles are one example of applied neural networks. Similarly, Fuzzy Logic tries to mimic the human cognitive processes. Applications of these technologies abound in many consumer products such as camcorders, air conditioners, refrigerators, automobiles etc. These technologies are applied in a variety of fields such as; signal processing, speech recognition, visual perception, control, robotics/mechatronics, and many more. Smart phones, Alexa ©, Siri ©, driverless cars, smart homes, etc. are all examples of applied artificial intelligence. 
 
Our Controls and Artificial Intelligence sequence will give students expertise in the areas of industrial automation, robotics, mechatronics, aerospace/aeronautics control systems, and artificial intelligence. 
 
The sequence electives provide coverage of the following topics: 
• Linear Systems Theory 
• Fuzzy Logic 
• Neural Networks, Deep Learning/Machine Learning 
• Computer Controlled Systems 
• embedded programming and computing 
• sensors and actuators 
• adaptive control and environmental interactions 
• computer vision and navigation 
 
Typical courses: 
 
EE422 Control Systems 
EE445 Neural Networks 
EE470  Computer Controlled Systems 
EE435 Fuzzy Logic 
EE425 Linear Systems Theory 
CPE320 Microprocessors I 
CPE470 Real-time Embedded Controls 
CPE462 VHDL—Simulation and Systems 

Optics and Integrated Photonics Sequence 
 
The Optics and Integrated Photonics Sequence enables students to pursue educational opportunities in the emerging technology areas of optics and integrated photonics. The students are exposed to different aspects applied optics and photonics including the design of free space optical systems, the design of integrated silicon photonics passive and active circuits, and the design of laser systems with applications in medical technology or light detection and ranging (LiDAR). Many of the courses offered in the sequence utilize the LEAP@WNE optics/photonics laboratory space, which is comprised of over $2.5M of equipment funded by the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2) that adds WNE to the established national ecosystem dedicated to global manufacturing leadership in integrated optics/photonics. The sequence is designed to meet the growing needs of companies for engineering skilled in optics/photonics design. The Optics and Integrated Photonics Sequence is intended for students who want to focus in this area while working on their BSE in Electrical Engineering degree. Students in the Electrical Engineering program can elect to take this sequence by an appropriate selection of technical electives during their junior and senior years and completing their senior project in this area. 
 
The sequence electives provide coverage of the following topics: 
 
• Optics 
• Integrated Photonics 
• Electro-Optics 
• Quantum Optics 
• Fields and Waves 

Typical courses: 
 
EE 212 Fundamentals of Electro-Optics 
EE 314 Fields and Waves 
EE 448 Silicon Photonics 
EE 449 Optical Engineering 
EE 457 Wave Transmission and Reception