Computer Engineering Minor

The minor in Computer Engineering is designed to allow students with quantitative and scientific aptitudes and interests to acquire a basic level of competence in a particular area of computer engineering. It can bring significant career benefits to majors in science or other engineering programs.

A minor must be completed at the time of the degree and will be so noted on the student's transcript.  A student cannot be readmitted to the University to complete only a minor.

Admission and Constraints

Any degree candidate who has earned at least 24 credits, with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.000 and with at least a 2.500 GPA in the major, may request admission to a minor in Computer Engineering from the Chairperson of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. A total of at least 20 credits, of which 9 must be at the upper division (300-400) level, of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) courses must be taken, following a plan of study approved by an advisor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and signed by the Chairperson of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. At least half of the credits required for the minor must be taken at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and the GPA in the minor must be at least 2.000.

Each plan must include the following courses (11 credits):

  • ECE 160 or CIS 180
  • ECE 201 or ECE 211 & ECE 251 or EGR 302
  • ECE 260

In addition, a minimum of nine credits at the 300-level or higher must be completed. For students interested in focusing the minor in a particular area, consult the ECE Department. Typical specializations are listed below.

Computer Engineering Minor Tracking Sheet

Computer Architecture (19.5 credits)

  • Choose one of the following two courses:
    • ECE 161 Foundations of Computer Engineering II
    • CIS 181 Object Oriented Programming II
  • ECE 256 Foundations on Cyber Security
  • ECE 263 Embedded System Design
  • ECE 368 Digital Design
  • ECE 370 Design and Implementation of Real-Time Embedded Resource Management Systems
  • ECE 468 Advanced Computer Architecture

Computer Networks (13 credits)

  • Choose one of the following two courses:
    • ECE 161 Foundations of Computer Engineering II
    • CIS 181 Object Oriented Programming II
  • ECE 369 Computer Networks
  • ECE 370 Design and Implementation of Real-Time Embedded Resource Management Systems
  • ECE 489 Network Security

Cybersecurity (13 credits)

  • Choose one of the following two courses:
    • ECE 161 Foundations of Computer Engineering II
    • CIS 181 Object Oriented Programming II
  • ECE 369 Computer Networks
  • ECE 370 Design and Implementation of Real-Time Embedded Resource Management Systems
  • Choose one of the following two courses:
    • ECE 488 Cyber Threats and Security Management
    • ECE 489 Network Security

Database Systems (13 credits)

  • Choose one of the following two courses:
    • ECE 161 Foundations of Computer Engineering II
    • CIS 181 Object Oriented Programming II
  • ECE 370 Design and Implementation of Real-Time Embedded Resource Management Systems
  • ECE 466 Database Programming
  • ECE 486 Database Systems I

Digital Circuits (16 credits)

  • ECE 202 Circuit Theory II
  • ECE 263 Embedded System Design
  • ECE 368 Digital Design
  • ECE 388 Embedded Systems Design Project
  • ECE 413 Introduction to VLSI