Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Computer Engineering, BS Major in


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Program Description

Students desiring intensive study at the undergraduate level to develop proficiency in the fields of computer engineering, such as hardware, software, and systems that arise in the design, analysis, development, and application of computers and digital systems, will find this program to be a challenging and rewarding experience. The curriculum provides a broad foundation in the science and engineering of computers and digital systems with emphasis on theory, analysis, design, natural science, and discrete and continuous mathematics in a liberal arts setting. The broad range of Hofstra University resources in the humanities and social sciences make the liberal arts component especially enlightening.

Students will develop analytical, computer, and applied skills which will enable them to analyze, design, and test digital and computer systems, architectures, networks, and processes. Graduates will understand the various areas of computer engineering such as applied electronics, digital devices and systems, electromagnetic fields and waves, and computer architectures, systems, and networks. Graduates will also have an understanding of hardware issues, software issues and models, the interactions between these issues, and related applications. This thorough preparation in theoretical tools and laboratory experimentation will give graduates the skill and flexibility required to meet the ever-changing demands on the computer engineer. The program is responsive to suggestions posed by industry leaders from the Long Island community. 

Students will develop design skills progressively, beginning with their first courses in programming, circuit analysis, digital circuits, computer architectures, and networks, and they will apply their accumulating knowledge to practical problems throughout the curriculum. This process culminates in the capstone design course, which complements the analytical part of the curriculum.

The thorough preparation afforded by the computer engineering curriculum includes the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context. Hence, graduates will be well prepared for professional employment or advanced studies.

Program Objectives


Graduates of  the BS in computer engineering program will:

  • Advance in graduate studies or be successful practitioners in applied or theoretical fields.
  • Apply communication and organizational skills in the context of ethical issues affecting the discipline or society.
  • Think critically and creatively to solve local or global problems and become lifelong learners and contributors to society.
  • Apply knowledge and skills to solve problems effectively and efficiently and to contribute to the technical advancement of computer engineering.

Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 132


Candidates for graduation with the BS degree in this area must fulfill the following requirements:

1. The Successful Completion of at Least 132 Semester Hours


The successful completion of at least 132 semester hours and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 for all courses required for the major. Student may not count Military Science toward this total semester hour requirement.

2. Liberal Arts


Students must complete at least 57 credits in the liberal arts excluding courses in computer science and engineering. Students may use ENGG 019  for liberal arts credit.

3. Residency Requirements


There are two requirements that must ordinarily be completed in residence at Hofstra: 15 semester hours in the major field of specialization and the last 30 semester hours. The 15 semester hours need not be included within the last 30 hours.

4. General and Major Requirements


The general and major requirements are listed under the “Suggested Four-Year Sequence” below. As outlined there, the following courses must be successfully completed. WSC 001  or placement examination* and WSC 002 ; 6 semester hours in Humanities distribution and 6 semester hours in Social Sciences distribution. Students transferring in with previous social science/humanities credits may use them in place of requirements in the same category as the transferred credits. Students may not take courses on a Pass/D+/D/Fail basis

5. Major Cumulative Average


A cumulative average of C or better is required in all engineering courses. A grade of  C- or better is required in all computer science courses.

6. Overall Average


An overall average of C or better is required in CSC 014 , CSC 015 , CSC 016  for continuing in the major. In addition students may not take any of these courses more than twice.

Suggested Four-Year Sequence (132 s.h.)


First Year


  1st. Sem. 2nd. Sem.
MATH 071 , 072  4 4
CSC 014 , 015 , 016  7 4
ENGG 015  or TPP 019  3 -
PHYS 011A , 011B  - 5
WSC 001 , 002  3 3
Total 17 16

 

Second Year


  1st. Sem. 2nd. Sem.
MATH 073 , 143  4 3
CSC 017 , 110 , 112  6 3
ENGG 030 , 032A , 034  3 4
CHEM 003A , 003B  - 4
PHYS 012A , 012B  5 -
Social science or humanities distribution  ** - 3
Total 18 17

 

Third Year


 

  1st. Sem. 2nd. Sem.
CSC 190 , 175  3 3
ENGG 032B , 033 , 036 , 104  7 3
CSC 185 /ENGG 185 /ENGG 189 *** 3 -
CSC 153 /ENGG 153  3 -
CSC 113 , CSC 154 /ENGG 154  - 4
Free elective** - 3
Technical electives**** - 3
Total 16 16

 

 

Fourth Year


  1st. Sem. 2nd. Sem.
CSC 197A 197B  † 1.5 1.5
CSC 198F , CSC 198S  †† 0.5 0.5
ENGG 172 , 192  - 4
ENGG 177 /ENGG 176  3 3
CSC 163  - 1
Social science or humanities distribution  ** 3 -
Social science or humanities distribution ** 3 -
Social science or humanities distribution ** - 3
Technical electives**** 6 3
Total 16.5 15.5

 

Footnotes


* If this requirement is fulfilled by passing the exemption examination, 3 semester hours in the humanities or social sciences should be taken with adviser’s approval.
**  Students may not take these courses on a Pass/D+/D/Fail basis.
*** ENGG 189  may substitute for CSC 185 /ENGG 185  with program director’s approval, but students can no longer use ENGG 189  as a technical elective. Note: ENGG 189  is a prerequisite for ENGG 171 .
****Computer engineering majors will choose four technical electives from any computer science elective courses numbered higher than 100, excluding CSC 194 , and from the following list of engineering courses: ENGG 111 , 113 , 166B , 171 , 173 , 179 , 180 , 187 , 188 , 193 , 194 , or another engineering elective with the approval of the director of the computer engineering program. In addition, only one of the electives may be selected from the following group of five courses: CSC 143 A-Z , 144 A-Z , 199 , 199E , or 199 . Students may select either CSC 187  or ENGG 188 , but not both, for credit as a technical elective. 
† Students must register for CSC 197A  and 197B  for a total of 2 s.h. See Computer Engineering program director for approval.
†† Students must register for CSC 198F  and 198S  for a total of 1 s.h. See Computer Engineering program director for approval.

OLIC and CLIC



Option in Leadership and Innovation in Computing (OLIC)


Like the Concentration in Leadership and Innovation in Computing (CLIC) , the option targets students who are interested in pursuing innovations in the computing field that can have an impact on society. Through an intensive, 9-semester-hour program, students in the option will be taught to identify and pursue innovative entrepreneurship opportunities in high-technology computing areas, to develop basic skills needed to start their own company or to work for a start-up company, and to work effectively in globally distributed teams. This option is particularly suited for Computer Engineering students whose program permits only a limited number of free electives. The option does not include the business courses offered by the Zarb School of Business that are part of the concentration.

Students majoring in Computer Science or Computer Engineering who have successfully completed CSC 014 , 015  and 016  , and have an overall average of at least C in these courses, are eligible to declare the option. If interested, they should speak with the program coordinator prior to declaring the option.

OLIC Requirements - Semester Hours: 9


1. Major requirements


All the requirements for the major in Computer Science or Computer Engineering.

2. CSC 194 - Semester Hours: 3


3. CSC 195 - Semester Hours: 3


4. Senior Requirements


(a) Senior Design Project - Semester Hours: 2


(b) Two senior seminar courses - Semester Hours: 1


  • Semester Hours: .5
  • Semester Hours: .5
  • to be paired with the Independent Senior Design courses: in one semester a student must take simultaneously an Independent Senior Design Course and a Senior Seminar course. Interested students will have the opportunity to work in globally distributed teams.

5. Grade requirement


All courses in the option must be taken with a grade of C- or better.

 


Concentration in Leadership and Innovation in Computing (CLIC)


This concentration targets students who are interested in pursuing innovations in the computing field that can have an impact on society, who want to bridge their technical degree with business, and who are motivated to further increase their knowledge of the entrepreneurship and business functions of the computing industry. Students will be taught to identify and pursue innovative entrepreneurship opportunities in high-tech computing areas, to understand the computing business environment and the roles of core business divisions (such as marketing and accounting), to integrate entrepreneurial and computing skills, and to work effectively in globally distributed teams.

Students majoring in Computer Science or Computer Engineering, who have successfully completed CSC 014 , 015 , and 016  and have an overall average of at least C in these courses, are eligible to declare the concentration. If interested, they should speak with the program coordinator prior to declaring the concentration.

CLIC Requirements - Semester Hours: 18


1. Major Requirements


All the requirements for the major in Computer Science or Computer Engineering.

2. The following four courses offered by the Zarb School of Business*:


3. Internship in Computer Science and Computer Engineering - Semester Hours: 3


4. Senior Requirements


A. Senior Design Project


A two-semester Independent Senior Design Project sequence (2 s.h.) as follows:

B. Two Senior Seminar Courses


  • Semester Hours: .5
  • Semester Hours: .5
  •  

    NOTE: to be paired with the Independent Senior Design course. In both semesters students must take simultaneously an Independent Senior Design Course and a Senior Seminar course. Interested students will have the opportunity to work on globally distributed teams.

5. Grade requirement


All courses in the concentration must be taken with a grade of C- or better.

Footnotes (*/**/***)


*Non-business majors may take no more than 25 percent of their course work in business subjects.

**IT 014 , usually a prerequisite for ENTR 120  and ACCT 101 , is waived for Computer Science students enrolled in CLIC.

***Note that MKT 101  is a corequisite for ENTR 120 .

 

Concentration in Gaming and Graphics


The Concentration in Gaming and Graphics is aimed at educating students in the design and development of video games and game engines.  This is a very exciting and growing industry. Video games have permeated all segments of population and industry from entertainment to educational. All courses in this concentration include a significant experiential component. 

Students majoring in Computer Science or Computer Engineering, who have successfully completed CSC 014 , 015 , 016 , and 017  and have an overall average of at least C in these courses, are eligible to register for this concentration.

Concentration Program Requirements – Semester Hours: 12


Semester Hours: 9


Semester Hours: 3


The remaining 3 s.h. will consist of a senior design project in a topic related to Gaming and Graphics. The senior design project consists of a two-semester or yearlong sequence, as follows:

First Semester:

Second Semester:

Concentration in Web and Mobile Engineering


The concentration in Web and Mobile Engineering is aimed at educating students in the field of Web and mobile computer applications. This is a continually growing and changing field. Almost all computer applications must provide access on the Web and/or mobile devices. Courses in this concentration offer a hands-on approach to learning Web and mobile programming.

Students majoring in Computer Science or Computer Engineering, who have successfully completed CSC 014 , 015 , 016 , and 017  and have an overall average of at least C in these courses, are eligible to register for this concentration.

Concentration Program Requirements – Semester Hours: 12


Semester Hours: 9


Chosen from the following:

Semester Hours: 3


The remaining 3 s.h. will consist of a senior design project in a topic related to Web and Mobile Engineering. The senior design project consists of a two-semester or yearlong sequence, as follows:

First Semester:

Second Semester:

Concentration in Networking and Cybersecurity


The concentration in Networking and Cybersecurity is aimed at educating students in the growing field of cybersecurity.  Security of data and computer systems is one of the most important topics in today’s online world. Any application or system must have ways to prevent and protect from cyber attacks, to allow secure access and protection of data stored in distributed locations accessible online. Courses in this concentration offer a hands-on approach to learning networking, security and systems programming. All courses include a significant experiential component. 

Students majoring in Computer Science or Computer Engineering, who have successfully completed CSC 014 , 015 , 016 , and 017  and have an overall average of at least C in these courses, are eligible to complete this concentration.

Concentration Program Requirements – Semester Hours: 12


Semester Hours: 9


Chosen from the following:

Semester Hours: 3


The remaining 3 s.h. will consist of a senior design project in a topic related to Networking and Cybersecurity. The senior design project consists of a two-semester or yearlong sequence, as follows:

First Semester:

Second Semester:

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