The Department of Computer and Information Science and Engineering is concerned with the theory, design, development and application of computer systems and information processing techniques.

The computer engineering curriculum provides a proper balance of computer systems, hardware and software as well as theory and applications. Graduates can pursue graduate studies for any computer science and engineering degree or they can choose from among many different career paths related to computers and their applications in high technology environments.

Opportunities for cooperative education provide students a better understanding of the industrial applications of computer and information technologies. By properly choosing electives, students can specialize in computer systems, computer communications, networking, computer vision, pattern recognition, expert systems and multi-media systems.

• To educate undergraduate and graduate majors as well as the broader campus community in the fundamental concepts of the computing discipline,
• To create and disseminate computing knowledge and technology, and
• To use our expertise in computing to help society solve problems.

The objective of the program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering is to provide students with a strong theoretical and practical background in computer hardware and software, along with the engineering analysis, design, and implementation skills necessary to work between the two. A computer engineer is someone with the ability to design a complete computer system from its circuits to its operating system to the algorithms that run on it. Although one can consider software and hardware separately, a computer engineer must take a more holistic approach. If an electronic device is to be called a computer, it must produce mathematically meaningful results. Similarly, any useful theory of computing must be physically realizable. The synthesis of the theory and algorithm that must take place before any useful computing can be achieved is the job of the computer engineer, and to produce such engineers is the mission of this program.

A computer engineer will:

• Be adept at the fundamental theory and practice of computer science and electrical engineering, as it applies to computer hardware and software.
• Understand all the elements required to design a complete computer system (hardware and software).
• Understand the interaction between hardware and software.
• Have the analysis, design and implementation skills necessary to solve problems using computer engineering principles and techniques.
• Understand the ethical, legal, and social issues in the computing discipline, and in the engineering discipline in general.

The department offers the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and the Bachelor of Science in Digital Arts & Sciences. In addition, the CISE department offers a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Computer Science through the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Computer & Information Sciences through the College of Business Administration. For more information on these programs please refer to the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and College of Business Administration sections of the undergraduate catalog.

A minimum grade of C or higher is required in ENC 2210 and CIS 3020. In addition, the CISE department requires all computer engineering students to maintain a cumulative, upper-division and departmental grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Students who do not meet these requirements will be placed on academic probation and be required to prepare a probation contract with a CISE academic adviser. Students normally are given two terms in which to remove their deficit points, however, students who do not satisfy the conditions of the first term on probation may be dismissed from the department.

Computer Engineering (Software Emphasis)

To remain ‘on track’ for this major a student must meet the following critical tracking criteria. The critical tracking courses appear in bold.

• 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
• 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking course work for semesters 1-5
• Complete 1 of 8 tracking courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts. (CHM2045, CHM2046 or approved Biological Science course, MAC2311, MAC2312, MAC2313, MAP2302, PHY2048, PHY2049)

• Complete 1 additional course with a minimum grade of C within two attempts

• Complete 2 additional courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts

• Complete 2 additional courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts

• Complete all 8 critical tracking courses with a minimum grade of C in each course within two attempts