Computer Engineering Technology

Computer Engineering Technology Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree

Computer Engineering Technology

Be an integral part of the high-tech economy.

PennWest California's computer engineering technology program equips you with the latest knowledge and skills in applying current technologies to practical problems and situations. This undergraduate program will give you a comprehensive technical education in computer systems hardware and software, with an emphasis in embedded systems design.

PennWest California's hands-on approach to education will prepare you for a wide range of rewarding careers as a computer engineering technologist. Upon graduation from this accredited program, you'll also be eligible to sit for a pre-licensing Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.

Learn today's top skills as you prepare for the future.

As a PennWest California computer engineering technology major, you'll gain in-demand job skills in:

  • Digital electronics.
  • Microprocessor engineering.
  • Embedded systems.
  • Computer networking.
  • Computer systems design.
  • Software.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: COMPUTER ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Internships: As an undergraduate in PennWest California's computer engineering technology program you'll be encouraged to complete a for-credit internship. You'll be placed with an organization related to your career goals to gain on-the-job experience in applying computer engineering knowledge and skills. 

Top Accreditation: PennWest California's computer engineering technology program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.

Learn more about applying

 

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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 15% growth in computer and information technology jobs between now and 2031. The median annual salary for these workers was $97,430 in 2021, significantly higher than the median annual wage for all occupations.
$82,860 
Median annual salary for all computer and information technology occupations. Network architect salaries average $101,210, and software developer salaries average $102,280 per year. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.)
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Degree Benefits

There are many advantages to studying computer engineering technology at PennWest California:

  • Small class sizes and individualized attention from highly qualified faculty.
  • State-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment.
  • A hands-on experiential approach to education.
  • A broad range of career-oriented courses that give you an understanding of key technological, scientific and mathematical concepts.
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Graduate Outcomes

As the economy becomes increasingly high-tech, the demand for computer engineering technology graduates is rising. PennWest California's computer engineering technology bachelor's degree program will qualify you for well-paying engineering technologist positions in a range of industries from aerospace to communications and beyond. Career opportunities are diverse and plentiful in the areas of:

  • Software development/software engineering.
  • Hardware systems design.
  • Microcomputer/microcontroller system designs.
  • Computer
  • Product sales and marketing.
 Computer Engineering Technology Bachelor's Degree
A computer engineering lab at PennWest California.

Computer Engineering Technology Labs

PennWest California has four state-of-the-art computer engineering technology laboratories, including:

  • Labs with high-quality instrumentation packages appropriate for beginning students.
  • Laboratories with a more advanced set of instrumentation devices.
  • A dedicated senior projects lab.
Two computer engineering students.

Engineering Technology Club

Conduct experiments, go on industrial tours, participate in technology competitions and more by joining PennWest California's Engineering Technology Club (ETC). A student-run club for electrical and computer engineering technology majors and enthusiasts, ETC is registered with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

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Which Computer-Focused Degree Is Best for You?

Compare PennWest California's computer engineering technology with other computer-focused technology programs at PennWest California, including computer information systems, computer science and information technology.

Bachelor's Degree Courses

PennWest California's computer engineering technology courses offer you a strong blend of theoretical and practical concepts in electrical engineering technology, software engineering technology, hardware engineering technology, mathematics, computer science, natural science and general education.

Curriculum

Course Credits
General Education Courses 41
Building a Sense of Community
UNI 100 First-Year Seminar
1
Composition
ENG 101  English Composition I
3
Public Speaking
Any Public Speaking Course
3
Mathematics and Quantitative Literacy
MAT 199  Pre-Calculus
3
Health and Wellness
Any Health and Wellness Course
3
Technological Literacy
GET 130  Introduction to Engineering Technology
3
Humanities
Any Humanities Course
3
Fine Arts
Any Fine Arts Course
3
Natural Sciences
PHY 101  College Physics I
4
Social Sciences
ECO 100  Elements of Economics
3
General Education Options
  • Any Ethics and Multicultural Awareness Emphasis Course
  • CSC 120  Problem Solving and Programming Constructs
  • ENG 217  Scientific and Technical Writing I
  • MAT 281  Calculus I 
12
   
Required Major Course 68
CET 235  Digital Electronics Design 4
CET 270  Introduction to Microprocessor Design 4
CET 335  Microprocessor Interfacing 4
CET 350  Technical Computing using JAVA 3
CET 360  Microprocessor Engineering 4
CET 440  Computer Networking 4
CET 490  Senior Project I 3
CET 492  Senior Project II 3
CSC 124  Computer Programming I 3
CSC 265  Object-Oriented Programming 3
CSC 328  Data Structures 3
CSC 378  Computer Architecture 3
CSC 400  Operating Systems 3
EET 110  Electrical Circuits I 4
EET 160  Electrical Circuits II 4
EET 215  Introduction to Instrumentation 3
MAT 195  Discrete Mathematical Structures for Computer Science 3
MAT 282  Calculus II 3
MAT 341  Linear Algebra I 3
PHY 202  College Physics II 4
   
Related Electives* 11
   
Total 120

* Select related electives from the following:

  • CET 485  Special Topics in CET (var)
  • CET 495  CET Internship (single instance, 4 credits max)
  • CSC 306  Fortran 
  • CSC 308  Python 
  • CSC 323  Assembly Language
  • CSC 360  Analysis of Algorithms
  • CSC 420  Artificial Intelligence
  • CSC 455  Structures of Programming Languages
  • CSC 460  Language Translation
  • CSC 475  Theory of Languages
  • CSC 485  Special Topics in Comp. Sci.
  • MAT 381  Calculus III
  • MAT 382  Calculus IV

Additional requirements, not counted toward the General Education requirements, include:

  • Special Experience Course (1 course required): CSC 492 Senior Project II
  • Writing-Intensive Component Courses (2 courses required): CET 360 Microprocessor Engineering AND CSC 492 Senior Project II
  • Laboratory Course (1 course required): EET 110 Electrical Circuits I

Program Note: College Algebra (3 credits) and College Trigonometry (3 credits) may be substituted for Pre-Calculus, if math placement score does not permit direct entry into Pre-Calculus or if the student desires a less intense math coverage.

Engineering Technology

Associate Degrees
Bachelor's Degrees

Mission, Accreditation and Enrollment Data

Mission Statement

 
The mission of the computer engineering technology program at PennWest California is to provide its students with a well-rounded education that meets the needs of the commonwealth. Specifically, graduates are to be prepared for technically oriented careers involving both hardware and software technologies of computer systems with an emphasis in embedded systems design using a hands-on approach. The program integrates teamwork and leadership skills in a blend of theoretical and applied competencies. Also, the program prepares students for changing technologies and lifelong learning. The program prepares students to take personal responsibility and to apply the highest professional and ethical standards to their activities in computer systems and to understand local, national and global issues related to the field.

Accreditation

 
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering Technology degree program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC) of ABET, http://www.abet.org. All graduates from this program receive accredited degrees. Seniors and graduates of the programs are eligible to sit for a prelicensing Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.

Educational Program Objectives


The general goal of the computer engineering technology program is to provide students with a broad understanding of fundamental engineering knowledge and technical skills as well as in-depth knowledge in the areas of computer science, computer engineering technology, digital electronics, mathematics and physical sciences. The objectives of the CET program are to produce graduates who can:

1. Function effectively individually and in team-oriented, open-ended activities with critical thinking to assess and evaluate complex technical and nontechnical problems in an industrial environment;

2. Communicate effectively in oral, written, visual and graphical modes in interpersonal and group situations at a level of effectiveness expected by industry employers;

3. Remain technically current and adapt to rapidly changing technologies through further formal or informal education;

4. Identify and understand professional ethical situations in business, industry and society;

5. Blend theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to solve technical problems;

6. Apply embedded-based technologies and software engineering to solve technical problems; and

7. Understand and apply project specifications, documentation and standards requirements within the engineering design process.

Program Outcomes


Program outcomes are statements that describe what units of knowledge or skills students are expected to acquire from the program to prepare them to achieve the program educational objectives. The program outcomes are demonstrated by the student and are measured by the program at the time of graduation.

By the time of graduation, computer engineering technology students will demonstrate the following:

  1. An ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to solve broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline; 
  1. An ability to design systems, components, or processes meeting specified needs for broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline; 
  2. An ability to apply written, oral, and graphical communication in broadly-defined technical and non-technical environments; and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature; 
  3. An ability to conduct standard tests, measurements, and experiments and to analyze and interpret the results to improve processes; 
  4. An ability to function effectively as a member as well as a leader on technical teams; 
Employment Opportunities


The curriculum provides students with a comprehensive education to help them find employment in several areas in the private, public or government sectors. Graduates of the bachelor's degree program are qualified for engineering technologist positions. As the economy is becoming increasingly high-tech, the demand for computer engineering technology graduates is expected to escalate. The curriculum prepares students for positions in aerospace, embedded systems design, software design/implementation/verification, automotive, utilities, medical, computer and communication industries. Employment opportunities with excellent salaries are diverse and plentiful in the areas of software development, hardware systems design, microcomputer/microcontroller system designs, computer networking, product sales and marketing.

Enrollment Data

YEAR

MAJORS

GRADUATES

2013

46

5

2014

60

7

2015

57

8

2016

45

11

2017

42

6

2018

41

5

2019

44

2

2020

35

5