B.S. in Computer Engineering

Admission to the CENGR major is competitive. Please review the following prerequisites and application process carefully.

Prerequisites

Students may be conditionally admitted into the CENGR program with certain prerequisites in progress, but all prerequisites must be completed in order to enroll. To qualify for admission to CENGR, you must be on track to complete the following by the end of summer quarter before starting the major*: 

• Calculus I (TMATH 124), Calculus II (TMATH 125), and Calculus III (TMATH 126).
• Differential Equations (TMATH 207).
• Physics I (TPHYS 121), Physics II (TPHYS 122).
  • If the physics series is completed at UW Tacoma, no additional lab science is required. 
  • Transfer students may need one additional approved lab-based science course (e.g. Chemistry or Biology) to meet the total number of lab science credits required (18 minimum) for graduation. 
• Introduction to Programming (TCSS 142).
• Object-Oriented Programming (TCSS 143).
• Electrical Circuits (TCES 215- must have AC/DC).

*All pre-requisite courses must be completed in the last seven years

GPA Requirements

• Cumulative prerequisite GPA of at least 2.5, with a minimum grade of 2.0 in each individual prerequisite course.
• Required minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all college coursework.

Notes for Transfer Students:

• You may need one additional approved lab-based science course (e.g. Chemistry or Biology) to meet the total number of lab science credits required (18 minimum) for graduation. 
• UW Seattle and UW Bothell students seeking to transfer to UW Tacoma also need to have a transfer application on file to be considered for admission.
• If you are not admitted to UWT, you cannot be admitted to the CENGR/EE major, but you may hold off on accepting your offer of admission to UWT until you have your program admissions decision. 
• Transfer students at Washington State community colleges are encouraged to pursue the Associate in Science - Transfer Track 2 to meet the admission requirements. Use the UW Course Equivalency Guide to determine the equivalent prerequisites at your school. 

Strong applicants typically have grades of 3.0 and higher in prerequisite math, science, engineering and programming courses, as well as a solid cumulative GPA.

Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Completion of all prerequisite courses
• Grades in prerequisite courses -- individually and cumulatively (competitive applicants will have earned at least a 2.5 in each prerequisite course)
• Overall previous academic performance
• Completion of at least 45 college-level credits

Admissions Review

The admissions committee reviews applications on a rolling basis with decisions taking 2-3 weeks. Students will be notified of decisions by email.

Before starting the application, make sure you're ready to apply:

• You've been admitted to UW Tacoma and met the requirements to apply to the major (previous tab).
• You have completed at least 45 college-level credits.
• You completed the prerequisite courses listed in the Admission Requirements tab.
• You've earned a minimum grade of 2.0 in each prerequisite course and maintain a minimum cumulative prerequisite GPA of 2.5.
• You're meeting the July 1 priority application deadline. The application may close at any time after the priority deadline once the program reaches capacity.

The CENGR curriculum incorporates the fundamentals of electrical engineering as well as required CENGR courses. Consult the CENGR Schedule Planning Grid to complete all required courses. 

Computer Science Fundamentals    

• TCES 203 Programming Practicum
• TCSS 342 Data Structures

Electrical Engineering Fundamentals

• TCES 310 Signals and Systems
• TCES 312 Electronic and Analog Systems

Computer Systems

• TCES 372 Computer Organization and Architecture
• TCES 420 Operating Systems for Engineers

Math/Theory 

• TCSS 321 Discrete Structures I
• TCES 380 Stochastic Signal Theory for Engineers 

Ethics and Society

• TCSS 325 Computers, Ethics and Society

Computer Engineering    

• TCES 230 Introduction to Logic Design
• TCES 330 Digital System Design
• TCES 430 Microprocessor System Design
• TEE 451 Control Systems
• TCSS 460 Embedded Systems Design
• TCES 480 Senior Design Project I
• TCES 481 Senior Design Project II
• TCES 482 Senior Design Project III

Electives    

10 credits from Approved Elective List

Additional Math and Science Requirements

• T PHYS 123 Physics III (Waves)
• TMATH 208 Matrix Algebra

The Computer Engineering Schedule Planning grid (PDF) shows a sample pathway to complete the B.S. in Computer Engineering  degree. Work with your advisor to make sure you are completing required courses for the program.

Download the CENGR Planning Grid

These courses are approved as senior elective courses. In addition, CENGR students may also choose courses from the approved CSS senior electives list.

• TCSS 343 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms 
• TCES 421 - Digital Integrated Circuit Design 
• TCES 431 - Essentials of VLSI Circuit Testing and Hardware Security 
• TCES 461 - Hardware for Cryptography
• TCES 490 - Special Topics 
• TEE 453 - Digital Signal Processing
• TCES 497 - Internship 
• TCES 498 - Directed Readings 
• TCES 499 - Undergraduate Research 

TCES 390 Undergraduate Seminar in Computer Engineering  is a workshop style course to help you solve problems and develop a deeper understanding of CENGR material. The course, overseen by a faculty member and a student mentor includes lectures and problem sessions in mathematics, programming, problem solving, and CE applications.

See also:

• The Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) at UW Tacoma provides academic support in math, science, statistics and writing to all UWT students. 
• The Learning and Research Commons (LARC) is the hub of support for all members of our campus community for teaching, learning, conducting research, and using technology to support all of these endeavors.