The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Systems Engineering program at the University of Alaska Anchorage teaches students the fundamental principles of computer systems engineering and topical issues in computing so they may pursue advanced degrees or enter the workplace as productive, competent engineers. The program seeks to further the profession of computer systems engineering through professional activities and public service within the local community and beyond. Faculty engage in and disseminate research to advance the development of computer systems engineering and provide innovative technological solutions to address the needs of modern society.
The BS in Computer Systems Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Licensure and/or Certification
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Computer Systems Engineering gain four years of education credit toward obtaining a Professional Engineer license in Alaska.
Please go to UAA's Authorization by State website for information about licensure or certification in a state other than Alaska.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees
Special Considerations
- Students who intend to enroll in this degree of study are strongly encouraged to complete the following content in high school with a grade of C or better: Trigonometry (1/2 year), Physics (1 year), Algebra (2 years), Chemistry (1 year), and English (3 years). Insufficient preparation may increase the number of semesters required to complete the degree.
- A student who is unable to earn a minimum grade of C in any course offered by the college may retake that course up to two additional times. A student who fails to earn a minimum grade of C on the second attempt will be required to meet with an academic advisor and a member of the College of Engineering professional advising staff to develop a plan for improvement of academic performance before continuing in the program. Failure to earn a minimum grade of C on the third attempt will result in removal from the program. Re-admittance requires a letter of appeal from the student with an explanation of any mitigating factors and how these factors have been addressed. Re-admittance is subject to approval by the department chair of the program.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- Complete the General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- The 3 credit Tier 1 Quantitative Skills GER will be met and exceeded by the following degree requirements: MATH A251, MATH A252, and MATH A253.
- The 7 credit Tier 2 Natural Science GER will be met and exceeded by the following degree requirements: PHYS A211, PHYS A211L, PHYS A212, and PHYS A212L.
- All computer systems engineering majors must take a standardized test of knowledge of computer science approved by the CS&E faculty for the purpose of evaluating program effectiveness. There is no minimum score required for graduation. This test will normally be taken during the senior year.
- Complete the following major requirements with a minimum grade of C:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| CSCE A101 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| CSCE A201 | Computer Programming I | 4 |
| CSCE A211 | Computer Programming II | 4 |
| CSCE/EE A241 | Computer Hardware Concepts | 4 |
| CSCE A248 | Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming | 3 |
| CSCE A311 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 |
| CSCE A321 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| CSCE A342 | Digital Circuits Design | 3 |
| CSCE A365 | Computer Networks | 3 |
| CSCE A448 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| CSCE A465 | Computer and Network Security | 3 |
| CSCE A470 | Computer Science and Engineering Capstone Project | 3 |
| EE A203 | Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering I | 4 |
| EE A333 | Electronic Devices | 4 |
| EE A353 | Circuit Theory | 3 |
| ESM A450 | Economic Analysis and Operations | 3 |
| MATH A251 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH A252 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH A253 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH A261 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| MATH A302 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHIL A305 | Professional Ethics | 3 |
| PHYS A211 & A211L | General Physics I and General Physics I Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS A212 & A212L | General Physics II and General Physics II Laboratory | 4 |
| STAT A307 | Probability and Statistics | 4 |
| Advanced Engineering Electives | ||
| Complete 12 credits from the following: 1 | 12 | |
Any upper-division elective with a CSCE prefix | ||
| Electromagnetics | ||
| Electromagnetics II | ||
| Electromagnetics Laboratory II | ||
| Engineering Signal Analysis | ||
| Integrated Circuit Design | ||
| Digital Signal Processing | ||
| Communication Systems | ||
| Telecommunications | ||
| Total | 98 | |
A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 credits must be upper-division.
Honors in Computer Systems Engineering
The BS in Computer Systems Engineering recognizes distinguished achievements by conferring programmatic honors in Computer Systems Engineering. In order to receive honors in Computer Systems Engineering, a student must meet the following requirements:
- Complete all program requirements.
- Earn a GPA of 3.50 or above in the courses required for the major.
- Gain approval for, complete and present a design or research project prior to applying for graduation. The project proposal, presentation and final written report must be approved by the program faculty.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a BS in Computer Systems Engineering will be able to:
- Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- 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.
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences, including technical and non-technical audiences for business, end-user, client, and computing contexts.
- 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.
- Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Sample Plan
The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.
Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.
- Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
- GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
- Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
- Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CSCE A101 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| MATH A251 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| WRTG A111 | Writing Across Contexts | 3 |
| GER Oral Communication Skills | 3 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSCE A201 | Computer Programming I | 4 |
| MATH A252 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH A261 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| GER Written Communication Skills (200-level) | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CSCE A211 | Computer Programming II | 4 |
| CSCE A241 | Computer Hardware Concepts | 4 |
| MATH A253 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PHYS A211 & A211L |
General Physics I and General Physics I Laboratory |
4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSCE A248 | Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming | 3 |
| CSCE A311 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 |
| PHYS A212 & A212L |
General Physics II and General Physics II Laboratory |
4 |
| STAT A307 | Probability and Statistics | 4 |
| GER Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CSCE A342 | Digital Circuits Design | 3 |
| EE A203 | Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering I | 4 |
| MATH A302 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| GER Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| GER Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSCE A321 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| CSCE A448 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| EE A353 | Circuit Theory | 3 |
| ESM A450 | Economic Analysis and Operations | 3 |
| Upper Division Program Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CSCE A365 | Computer Networks | 3 |
| PHIL A305 | Professional Ethics | 3 |
| GER Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Division Program Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSCE A465 | Computer and Network Security | 3 |
| CSCE A470 | Computer Science and Engineering Capstone Project | 3 |
| EE A333 | Electronic Devices | 4 |
| Upper Division Program Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 119 | |
- 1
MATH A251 has prerequisites.
- 2
Choose a course that also fulfills the Alaska Native-Themed GER.