Computer Science and Engineering

Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) educates students to become leaders in the design and implementation of the computing systems that touch every aspect of modern society. Our courses cover everything from the mathematical foundations of what computers can and cannot do; to hands-on experiences building software and hardware artifacts with a range of programming languages and tools; to advanced courses in software engineering, human-computer interaction, computer graphics and animation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, large-scale data management, natural language processing, computer networking, computational biology, robotics, computer security and privacy, and much more. Computer scientists and computer engineers combine creative problem-solving, rigorous design, and the creation of algorithms, software, and hardware systems to build solutions that change the world.

Undergraduate Programs

Computer Science and Engineering

Program of Study: Major: Computer Engineering

Program Overview

CSE offers two undergraduate degrees: Computer Science (through the College of Arts and Sciences) and Computer Engineering (through the College of Engineering). Students working toward either degree have the same broad opportunities to take the wide array of courses that CSE offers. The Computer Engineering major may be more appropriate for students who are interested in building systems that include both hardware and software components and that must be engineered to meet a variety of cost and performance constraints.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are considered in three groups - Entering Freshmen, Currently Enrolled UW Students, and Entering Transfers. Admission is capacity constrained. Completion of minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

  1. Entering Freshmen: The largest pathway for admission to Computer Engineering is directly out of high school, prior to completion of university-level prerequisites. Freshman applicants listing Computer Engineering as their intended major are automatically considered. Competitive applicants have usually taken the equivalent of four years of high school mathematics and at least one year of high school laboratory science upon entering the University. Admission is for autumn quarter only.
  2. Currently Enrolled UW Students: A portion of each year's class is admitted after matriculating to UW.
    1. Admission is for autumn or spring quarter. Application deadlines: July 1 for autumn quarter and January 15 for spring quarter.
    2. Minimum course requirements for application: MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126 (or MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 136); CSE 123 or CSE 143; PHYS 121 (or PHYS 141); five credits of English composition; all courses completed prior to the application deadline.
    3. Minimum 30 graded college credits completed by the application deadline.
    1. Admission is for autumn or spring quarter. Application deadlines: April 5 for autumn quarter and January 15 for spring quarter
    2. Minimum course requirements for application: MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126 (or MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 136); CSE 123 or CSE 143, PHYS 121 (or PHYS 141); five credits of English composition; all courses completed prior to the supplemental Allen School application deadline.
    3. Minimum 30 graded college credits completed by the supplemental Allen School application deadline.

    Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering degree

    Completion Requirements

    General Education Requirements

    1. Written and Oral Communication (12 credits):
      1. English Composition: 5 credits from the University list
      2. Writing: ENGR 231 (or department-approved alternative); 4 additional writing (W) credits

      Areas of Inquiry

      1. Arts and Humanities (A&H) and Social Sciences (SSc) (30 credits)
        1. A&H (10 credits)
        2. SSc (10 credits)
        3. Additional credits in A&H or SSc to bring total to 30 credits
        1. Mathematics (15-18 credits) complete one of the following:
          1. MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 208
          2. MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 136

          Major Requirements (72-73 credits)

          1. Fundamental Courses (32-33 credits): CSE 123 (or CSE 143), CSE 311, CSE 312, CSE 332, CSE 351, CSE 369, E E 371/CSE 371, E E 215 (or E E 205)
          2. Core and Elective Courses (40 credits):
            1. One course chosen from: CSE 403, CSE 474/E E 474, CSE 480 (2 credits), or CSE 484.
            2. Three additional courses chosen from the Computer Engineering Systems Electives list on the Allen School website.
            3. Two additional courses chosen from the CSE Core Courses list on the Allen School website.
            4. One course from the CSE Capstone list on the Allen School website
            5. Additional courses chosen from the CSE Electives list (which can include additional courses from the CSE Core Courses list), CSE 121, or CSE 122, to bring total CSE electives to 40 credits (including CSE 121 or CSE 122 if taken).
            6. Additional Engineering or CSE credits, if needed, to bring the total Engineering and CSE credits to 40, not including any of the Fundamental courses.

            Free Electives to bring total for the degree to 180 credits

            Program of Study: Minor: Neural Computation and Engineering

            Program Overview

            The Minor in Neural Computation and Engineering is designed to provide students with a background in quantitative, mathematical, engineering, and computational approaches to problems in neuroscience.

            • Minor in Neural Computation and Engineering

            Minor in Neural Computation and Engineering

            Completion Requirements
            1. Either NBIO 405/BIOEN 466, or both NBIO 301 and NBIO 302
            2. BIOEN 460
            3. Either AMATH 342 or NBIO 303
            4. One course from PHIL 442 (preferred), PHIL 242, or PHIL 409
            5. Capstone: BIOEN 461
            6. Electives At least 12 additional graded credits from the Neural Computation and Engineering elective list, available on the program website
            7. Minimum cumulative 2.00 GPA for courses counted toward the minor
            8. Minimum 18 credits outside the student's major
            9. Students make a presentation during the Mary Gates Undergraduate Research Symposium or Computational Neuroscience Connection Program. With approval, other presentations may satisfy this requirement.
            Additional Information

            Student Outcomes and Opportunities

            • Learning Objectives and Expected Outcomes:
              • Engineering Quality: Graduates engage in the productive practice of computer engineering to identify and solve significant problems across a broad range of application areas.
              • Leadership: Graduates engage in successful careers in industry, academia, and public service, providing technical leadership for their business, profession, and community.
              • Economic Impact: Graduates enhance the economic well-being of Washington State through a combination of technical expertise, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
              • Lifelong Learning: Graduates adapt to new technologies, tools, and methodologies to remain at the leading edge of computer engineering practice with the ability to respond to the challenges of a changing environment.

              The computer engineering undergraduate degree is housed in the College of Engineering and is thereby accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, phone: (410) 347-7700. The Allen School has adopted the following student outcomes. Upon graduation from the computer engineering program, students will have:

              • An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
              • An ability to 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
              • An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
              • An ability to 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
              • An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
              • An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgement to draw conclusions
              • An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

              Graduate Programs

              Computer Science and Engineering