Learn at The Citadel School of Engineering, one of the top-25 ranked engineering programs in the nation and at the top institution in the Southeast. With a national median annual salary of $100,000+, computer engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components such as processors, circuit boards, memory devices, networks, and routers.
Computer engineers typically do the following:
- Design new computer hardware, creating schematics of computer equipment to be built
- Test the computer hardware they design
- Analyze the test results and modify the design as needed
- Update existing computer equipment so that it will work with new software
- Oversee the manufacturing process for computer hardware
Many computer engineers design devices used in manufactured products that incorporate processors and other computer components and that connect to the Internet. For example, many new cars, home appliances, and medical devices have Internet-ready computer systems built into them.
Computer engineers ensure that computer hardware components work together with the latest software. Therefore, computer engineers often work with software developers. For example, the hardware and software for mobile phones and other devices frequently are developed at the same time.
(Information obtained and adapted from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. News & World Report)
Program Educational Objectives
Within a few years (3-5 years), Citadel Computer Engineering graduates are expected to:
- Succeed in the practice of Computer Engineering, by ethically and judiciously applying engineering methods to solve problems facing a technologically complex society.
- Sustain awareness of engineering-related issues through employment, professional development, professional registration, or graduate education.
- Be principled leaders with strong communications and team-building skills.
Student Outcomes
The Citadel’s Electrical and Computer Engineering programs includes assessment to demonstrate that students obtain an ability 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
- 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
Cadet Academic Classifications
Cadets at The Citadel are classified academically as freshmen (4A,4B), sophomores (3A,3B), juniors (2A,2B), or seniors (1A,1B) according to the progress they have made toward meeting course requirements for their designated academic majors.
These academic classifications are based on the number of hours earned at The Citadel or transferred to The Citadel from another college or through Advanced Placement (AP) or the College Level Equivalency Program (CLEP). For example, to be classified as a second semester sophomore (3B) as an Electrical Engineering major the cadet must have earned at least 45 credit hours at The Citadel or through transfers.
Cadet Classification
| Academic Classification | Credit Hours Required |
|---|---|
| 4A | 0 |
| 4B | 15 |
| 3A | 30 |
| 3B | 45 |
| 2A | 60 |
| 2B | 75 |
| 1A | 90 |
| 1B | 105 |
View the Major Academic Plan (Map) for Computer Engineering or our undergraduate course descriptions.
These courses and others offered outside of the major can be found at The Citadel’s Corps of Cadets’ Catalog online.