Santa Clara University

Undergraduate Computer Engineering
 

Major in Computer Science and Engineering/Computer Engineering

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering features a balanced core program in which each student studies the engineering aspects of software and hardware as well as the mathematical foundations of computation. The computer engineering electives permit students to build on this core with varying emphasis, depending on their interests.

(The name “Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering” is the new name for the “Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering” degree. Students may choose either degree name during the period of transition.)

Students must also complete the University Core Curriculum requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in the engineering school, Engineering 1 (Introduction to Engineering), and sufficient electives for a total of 190 units (formerly, 187 units).

Computer Science and Engineering
  • ENGR 1 — Introduction to Engineering
  • COEN 10 — Introduction to Programming
  • COEN 11 — Advanced Programming
  • COEN 12 — Abstract Data Types and Data Structures
  • COEN 19 — Discrete Mathematics
  • COEN 20 — Embedded Systems
  • COEN 21 — Logic Design
  • COEN 70 — Formal Specification and Advanced Data Structures
  • COEN 122 — Computer Architecture
  • COEN 146 — Computer Networks
  • COEN 171 — Design and Implementation of Programming Languages
  • COEN 174 — Software Engineering
  • COEN 175 — Formal Language Theory and Compiler Construction
  • COEN 177 — Operating Systems
  • COEN 179 — Theory of Algorithms
  • COEN 194, 195, 196 — Design Project I, II, III
  • Three upper-division electives (12 units minimum) selected from COEN 100–180, ELEN 123, 133, and 134

COEN 10 (Introduction to Programming) may be waived by demonstrating equivalent programming proficiency, such as by having AP credit or by passing the department’s programming diagnostic exam. In March 2012, the department clarified the minimum unit total for electives, since some students opted to take 2-unit graduate classes as electives.

Electrical Engineering
  • ELEN 50 — Electric Circuits I
  • ELEN 115 — Electronic Circuits I
  • ELEN 153 — Digital Integrated Circuit Design

Effective Fall 2012, ELEN 115 has been replaced by COEN 171 as a required class.

Social Sciences
  • ENGL 181 and ENGL 182 — Advanced Writing
Mathematics and Natural Sciences
  • MATH 11, 12, 13, 14 — Calculus and Analytic Geometry I, II, III, IV
  • PHYS 31, 32, 33 — Physics for Scientists and Engineers I, II, III
  • CHEM 11 — General Chemistry I
  • AMTH 106 (or MATH 22) — Differential Equations
  • AMTH 108 (or MATH 122) — Probability and Statistics
  • One of the following:
    • MATH 53 — Linear Algebra
    • MATH 166 — Numerical Analysis
    • AMTH 118 — Numerical Methods

Effective Fall 2009, students may replace CHEM 11 with an advisor-approved natural science elective, and may replace AMTH 106 with an advisor-approved mathematics or natural science elective.

Effective Fall 2010: approved substitutions for CHEM 11 are BIOL 18, CHEM 1, ENVS 21, and PHYS 34; approved substitutions for AMTH 106 are CHEM 12, BIOL 21, MATH 101-178, and any CHEM 11 substitution (if not already used for CHEM 11).  All substitutions require the completion of a petition to substitute or waive.  This list is subject to change without notice.

Educational Enrichment Requirement

An educational enrichment experience selected from one of the following options:

  • Eight or more units in a study abroad program (cannot duplicate other coursework)
  • Six-month co-op experience in industry (COEN 188 and COEN 189)
  • Six or more units of undergraduate research (cannot also be used as an elective)
  • Twelve or more units selected in consultation with an advisor (cannot be used to satisfy University Core requirements, but a minor or second major may be used)
  • Admission to one of the department’s master’s degree programs and completion of twelve or more units of graduate coursework
 

Program Concentrations

Students may optionally complete one of four concentrations with certification by the department and on the student’s transcript. The concentration in information assurance is also certified by the National Security Agency. All courses taken as part of a concentration may be used to satisfy other program requirements.

Information Assurance
  • AMTH 387 — Cryptology
  • COEN 150 or 250 — Introduction to Information Security
  • One of COEN 252, COEN 253, COEN 350, and CSCI 182
  • Co-op experience or 8 units of additional coursework from COEN 178, COEN 252, COEN 253, COEN 350, COEN 351, and CSCI 182.
  • Design project directly related to the concentration
Web Technologies
  • COEN 161 — Web Programming I
  • COEN 162 — Web Infrastructure
  • COEN 163 — Web Usability
  • Design project or co-op experience directly related to the concentration
Robotics
  • COEN 120 — Real-Time Systems
  • COEN 165 — Modeling and Control of Rigid Body Dynamics
  • COEN 166 — Artificial Intelligence
  • Design project or co-op experience directly related to the concentration
 

Major in Web Design and Engineering

Students must also complete the University Core Curriculum requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in the engineering school, Engineering 1 (Introduction to Engineering), and sufficient electives for a total of 175 units.

Web Design and Engineering

Note: The following changes become effective for students entering in Fall 2013:

  1. Additional required courses: COEN 60 (Introduction to Web Technologies), COEN 164 (Web Programming II), COEN 174 (Software Engineering) and COEN 169 (Web Information Management).
  2. The upper-division elective (COEN 150, 164, 174 or 178) will be eliminated.
  3. ENGL 138 will no longer be allowed in place of ENGL 181 and 182.
  4. The Core ethics requirement no longer has to be discipline related.




  • COEN 10 — Introduction to Programming
  • COEN 11 — Advanced Programming
  • COEN 12 — Abstract Data Types and Data Structures
  • COEN 146 — Computer Networks
  • COEN 161 — Web Programming I
  • COEN 162 — Web Infrastructure
  • COEN 163 — Web Usability
  • COEN 194, 195, 195 — Design Project I, II, III
  • One upper-division elective chosen from COEN 150, COEN 164, COEN 174, and COEN 178

COEN 10 (Introduction to Programming) may be waived by demonstrating equivalent programming proficiency, such as by having AP credit or by passing the department’s programming diagnostic exam.

Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
  • ENGL 138 or ENGL 181 and 182 — Advanced Writing
  • ARTS 174 — Computer Imaging
  • ARTS 175 — Graphic Design
  • ARTS 177 — Website Graphic Design
  • COMM 2 — Introduction to Mass Communication
  • COMM 12 — Technology and Communication
  • COMM 30 — Intro to Digital Filmmaking
  • SOCI 49 — Computers, the Internet, and Society (Fall 2009: SOCI 149 may also be used)
  • An advisor-approved discipline-related ethics course
Mathematics and Natural Sciences
  • MATH 11, 12, 13, 14 — Calculus and Analytic Geometry I, II, III, and IV
  • AMTH 108 (or MATH 122) — Probability and Statistics
  • A lab-based natural science course, such as Chemistry, Biology, Physics, etc.
Educational Enrichment Electives

Same as for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering.

 

Minor in Computer Science and Engineering

Students must complete the following requirements for a minor in Computer Science and Engineering:

  • COEN 11 (or COEN 44, or CSCI 10, or OMIS 30) — Advanced Programming
  • COEN 12 (or CSCI 61) — Abstract Data Types and Data Structures
  • COEN 20 — Embedded Systems
  • COEN 21 — Logic Design
  • Four additional courses selected from COEN 70 and COEN 100–180

Work completed to satisfy these requirements must include at least two courses beyond any free electives or other courses required to earn the bachelor’s degree in the student’s primary major.

 

Five-Year Dual B.S./M.S. Degree

Under the combined B.S./M.S. Program, a full-time SCU undergraduate student can begin work on courses required for a master’s degree before the B.S. degree requirements are complete, typically leading to a master’s degree within a year of obtaining the bachelor’s degree. This program is open only to students at Santa Clara University who are completing a B.S. degree in either computer science and engineering, web design and engineering, computer engineering, or computer science.

No course can be used to simultaneously satisfy requirements in both the B.S. and M.S. degree programs. However, completion of 12 or more units of courses in computer engineering taken for the master’s degree will satisfy the Educational Enrichment Electives of the undergraduate program.

Students in this program will receive a B.S. degree after satisfying the standard undergraduate degree requirements. To earn the M.S. degree, students must fulfill all the requirements for the M.S. degree specified in the graduate catalog, including the completion of 45 units of coursework beyond that applied to the bachelor’s degree.
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