Computer Engineering Program Outcomes Definitions

CpE01: Math, Sci. & Engr:
Students demonstrate this outcome when they apply scientific reasoning and mathematical techniques to develop and evaluate solutions to software and hardware problems in upper level courses. Examples include, but are not limited to the use of probability and stochastic processes to analyze digital communication systems, the use of discrete mathematics in the analysis of algorithms, the use of the scientific methods of hypothesis and experimentation in circuit debugging, and the use of the Laplace Transform to solve linear system problems.

CpE02: Experiments:
Students demonstrate this outcome when they develop expected outputs and test inputs for software and hardware. They compare program outputs, simulation outputs, and measured signal values to expected values to determine if the circuit or program under test meets its objectives, and then diagnose any discrepancies.

CpE03: Design and Analysis:
Students demonstrate design and analysis skills when they can analyze software and hardware to determine functionality and when they can design software and hardware from a specification. They demonstrate understanding of hardware and software tradeoffs when they design systems and make informed decisions about whether to implement the system, or parts of the system in hardware or software.

CpE04: Teamwork:
Students demonstrate this skill when they successfully complete team projects in courses, design competitions and capstone design projects. Successful completion will include demonstration of the following skills: (a) balancing multiple tasks, (b) seeking and sharing information, (c) sharing credit and responsibility, (d) brainstorming and constructive criticism, (e) cooperation with students from other disciplines, through design reviews and team project reports.

CpE05: Problem Solving:
Students demonstrate this ability when they specify and model digital systems using hardware description languages, analog systems with transfer functions or block diagrams, and software systems using software engineering tools, followed by the development of a solution to the problem.

CpE06: Ethics:
Students demonstrate understanding of ethical and professional issues and appropriate responses in assignments in the capstone seminar. Demonstration can include appropriate application of ethical theories in writing and discussions, engaging in professional disagreements, and achieving conflict resolution in team assignments.

CpE07A: Communication (Writing):
Students demonstrate technical writing skills in laboratory reports, course design reports, and in their capstone project final report.

CpE07B: Communication: (Oral):
Students demonstrate oral communication skills when presenting course projects and capstone design projects. They demonstrate listening and comprehension skills when they learn effectively from material presented in lecture format.

CpE08: Broad Education:
Students demonstrate this outcome when they participate in their general education courses, including the required component in other cultures, and when they make connections between the general education and engineering components of their curriculum.

CpE09: Lifelong learning: CpE10: Contemporary Issues:
Students demonstrate these outcomes when they attend talks and workshops outside the curriculum related to contemporary topics in their field, when they go beyond the syllabus of a course to pursue an interest, and when they pursue further study beyond their required courses. They also demonstrate knowledge of contemporary issues when they successfully complete the modules in the capstone design seminar on current electrical and computer engineering topics.

CpE11: Engineering Tools:
Students demonstrate this outcome when they use tools such as programming compilers and debuggers, MatLab, Spice, MaxPlus and other engineering tools to solve problems.