Computer Engineering program already contributing to community

In its first full year of operation, the University of Washington Tacoma's new Computer Engineering and Systems program has filled its first class and is prepared to grow. Twenty new students are enrolled this fall, and some of them are already involved in projects that will enhance the community.

Created last year for aspiring computer engineers who want to master both hardware and software design, the program has attracted even more students than anticipated, said Dr. Larry Wear, associate director of the UW Tacoma's Institute of Technology and coordinator of the Computer Engineering program. The program was approved by the Higher Education Coordinating Board in December 2006.

"We didn't know exactly what to expect, but it's very encouraging to have this many students involved so early," Wear said. "Students in this program are here because they need a broad-based high-tech education. In this program, students learn to design both hardware and software systems, and that's very attractive to students and employers."

Computer Engineering students learn fundamental aspects of both computer science and electrical engineering through classes such as programming, data structures, computer architecture, electronic circuits and microprocessor system design.

The community is already seeing the benefits of work being done by students and professors in the Computer Engineering and Systems program. For example, steering ocean-going ships through Puget Sound's waterways safely into port can be difficult in Northwest weather. Last year, the Port of Tacoma contacted Wear and asked him to help investigate ways to provide electronic navigation aids for pilots bringing ships into the Port. Under Wear's direction, Institute student Charles Bryan investigated a variety of hardware and software tools that could be used to help pilots safely bring ships into the harbor. The Port is considering the proposed solutions, which also could be adapted for use in other Puget Sound ports.

The Computer Engineering program also benefits the region by bringing in new faculty who can share their expertise with local companies. Faculty perform research that can improve the products and services offered by local companies and may lead to new commercial applications. As the Institute expands its pool of faculty, it is hoped that more companies will choose to stay or to locate in the South Sound region and because they will have access to the Institute's highly qualified staff and students.

Graduates of the program will likely find work with high-tech companies like Intel or Boeing that seek employees who understand both hardware and software design. Intel, which has supported the Institute of Technology since its inception, hires many computer engineers, as do other smaller local companies.

"It is our hope that the CES program provides the workforce to the South Sound that our Computer Software and Systems program has," says Andrew Fry, assistant director of industry partnerships for the Institute. "We have several graduates from the CSS program working at companies like Prepared Response and Avue Technologies, and these companies have become established and have grown in Tacoma because they are finding well-prepared employees—many of whom graduated from the Institute."

The Institute of Technology was launched in 2001 to cultivate a highly educated and knowledgeable workforce to support the state's high-tech sector and spur economic development in the South Sound region. With the addition of the Computer Engineering and Systems degree, the Institute becomes a true polytechnic, offering degrees in both hardware and software design and development, as envisioned when the Institute was established. The Institute also offers Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees in Computing and Software Systems, focusing on the field of software development.