(Effective for students matriculating in Fall 2021)

The following degree information pertains to current degree requirements for Computer Engineering. 

The basic Computer Engineering curriculum requires 124 credits for graduation. All major courses must be completed with a minimum grade of a "C-". The courses comprising these credits can be categorized into seven areas:

  • Lower-level Mathematics and Basic Science Courses
  • Introduction to Engineering Design
  • Introduction to Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Disciplinary Foundation of Computer Engineering
  • Computer Engineering Technical Electives
  • Professional Writing
  • General Education Requirements

Lower-level Mathematics and the Basics Science Courses - 25 credits

These courses cover the mathematical techniques and scientific principles upon which engineering is based and include the following:

  • MATH140: Calculus I (4 credits)
  • MATH141: Calculus II (4 credits)
  • MATH246: Differential Equations for Scientists & Engineers (3 credits)
  • CMSC250: Discrete Structures ( 4 credits)
  • PHYS161: General Physics, Mechanics and Particles Dynamics (3 credits)
  • PHYS260/261: General Physics, Vibrations, Waves, Heat, and E/M (4 credits)
  • CHEM135: General Chemistry for Engineers (3 credits)

Introduction to Engineering Design - 3 credits

ENES100: Introduction to Engineering Design, covers basic science and engineering principles. You will be assigned to a team that will prepare reports and presentations that summarize the design process and product performance of a specific technological device. You will learn how to work successfully in teams, expand your understanding of group dynamics, and improve your communication skills. You will develop various computer skills including familiarity with internet and library databases for research, basic spread sheets, and essential word processor and graphical presentation software. Other objectives include learning about the role engineers play in modern society and an introduction to engineering ethics concepts.

Introduction to Electrical & Computer Engineering - 3 credits

ENEE101: Introduction to Electrical & Computer (3 credits) An exploration of topics within Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE). Students will be introduced to key elements of both the Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering curriculum, including: computing systems and software, communications and controls, electrodynamics and waves, microelectronics, signal processing, and power systems.

NOTE: Transfer students who have already taken foundation courses in Electrical Engineering, may substitute this course with ENES489P Hands-On Systems Engineering Projects.

Engineering Ethics - 3 credits

ENEE200 Technology and Consequences: Engineering, Ethics, and Humanity (3 credits).  What makes a technology socially responsible? At UMD, the Fearless Ideas campaign asks us to aim our enthusiasm for technology at big real problems. At the same time, we are coming to appreciate the increasingly complex nature of technological systems as they become integrated into all forms of infrastructure, we realize they may be unpredictable, interdependent on social and biological systems, and have unintended consequences. In this midst of this complexity, people make decisions with far reaching impacts. How then do we follow our passion for technology and innovation but also stay skeptical in a way that allows us to consider the potential and shortcomings of technology? Designed for both engineering and non-engineering students wishing to explore and assess the impact of engineering technology on society and the role of society in generating that technology.

NOTE: ENEE200 will satisfy both a Humanities (DSHU) and I-Series (SCIS) GenEd requirements.

Disciplinary Foundation of Computer Engineering - 43 credits

This area consists of core courses in both electrical engineering (25 credits) and computer science (18 credits).

For the electrical engineering component, students are required to take courses that cover the fundamental electrical engineering concepts and laboratory skills common to any professional working in the field of computer engineering.

  • ENEE205: Electric Circuits (4 credits)
  • ENEE222: Elements of Discrete Signal Analysis (4 credits)
  • ENEE244: Digital Logic Design (3 credits)
  • ENEE245: Fundamental Digital Circuits and Systems Lab (2 credits)
  • ENEE303: Analog and Digital Electronics OR ENEE322: Signal and System Theory (3 credits)
  • ENEE324: Engineering Probability OR STAT400 Applied Probability and Statistics I (3 credits)
  • ENEE350: Computer Organization (3 credits)
  • ENEE446: Digital Computer Design (3 credits)

For the computer science component students are required to complete a rigorous introduction to computer programming through a Java-based sequence of courses.

  • CMSC132: Object Oriented Programming II (4 credits)*
  • CMSC216: Introduction to Computer Systems (4 credits)
  • CMSC330: Organization of Programming Languages (3 credits)
  • CMSC351: Algorithms (3 credits)
  • CMSC412 or ENEE447: Operating Systems (4 credits)

*Students are required to complete CMSC131 prior to taking CMSC132 unless they have AP credit for CMSC131 (5 on the JAVA A exam, 4 or 5 on the JAVA AB) or have satisfactorily passed the Computer Science exemption exam.

Computer Engineering Technical Electives - 26 credits

Students must complete 26 credits of computer engineering technical spanning these six different categories:

  • Category A: Mathematics and Basic Sciences (Minimum 6 credits)
  • Category B: Computer Science Theory and Applications (Minimum 3 credits)
  • Category C: Electrical Engineering Theory and Applications (Minimum 6 credits)
  • Category D: Advanced Laboratory (Minimum 2 credits)
  • Category E: Capstone Design (Minimum 3 credits)
  • Category F: General Technical Electives (Minimum 3 credits)

An additional credits must be selected from any of the categories A-F.

For a list of courses approved for each category, please see the Computer Engineering Technical Electives page.

Professional Writing - 3 credits

Effective Fall 2021, students may now take any ENGL39(-) version of Professional Writing, as long as it satisfies the FSPW GenEd requirement.
NOTE: Engineering students are not exempt from this requirement even if they earn an 'A' in ENGL101.

General Education Requirements – 18 credits

A degree from the University of Maryland signifies more than just mere technical or narrowly defined career training. Students are offered a liberal education that prepares them to achieve the intellectual integration and awareness they need to meet challenges in their personal, social, political, and professional lives. As such, all graduates are required to complete the University's general education requirements. Students must complete a minimum of 40 credit hours in general education. The equivalent of twenty-four (24) of these credits can be satisfied by simply completing the requirements of the major. Thus, general education typically requires students to complete an additional eighteen (18) credits beyond the major requirements. For details on the general education program please visit the General Education website.


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