Computer Engineering
Hardware-software integration, embedded systems, and digital design.
Who It's For
You love both hardware and software and want to understand how they work together. If you enjoy tinkering with electronics, building circuits, and also writing code, computer engineering bridges those interests. Students who like physics and math equally, and want to design the physical devices that run software, tend to do well here.
If you prefer working purely in software without worrying about hardware constraints, a computer science degree may be a better fit. Students who dislike physics or hands-on lab work with oscilloscopes and circuit boards may find the hardware side frustrating.
How Your High School Classes Connect
How much each subject matters in this degree
Common Coursework
Cover mechanics, waves, electricity, magnetism, and optics through problem solving and lab experiments.
Solve equations describing how systems change over time, from circuits to population growth.
Extend single-variable calculus into 3D with multivariable functions, vectors, and surface integrals.
Work with matrices, vectors, and systems of equations used in graphics, AI, and engineering.
Calculate voltage, current, and power in electrical circuits using Ohm's law and Kirchhoff's rules.
Build circuits from logic gates and design components like adders, multiplexers, and flip-flops.
Study electric and magnetic fields, Maxwell's equations, and how antennas and waves work.
Analyze how signals change through systems using transforms and frequency-domain techniques.
Learn how to organize data and write step-by-step procedures that make programs run fast.
Program and interface with microprocessors to control hardware at the chip level.
Explore how CPUs, memory, and hardware components work together to execute software.
Write software for small dedicated computers inside devices like robots, cars, and appliances.
Learn how operating systems manage memory, schedule tasks, and handle files and devices.
Design integrated circuits with millions of transistors packed onto a single chip.
Common Next Steps
Brightest = most common path
Top Colleges for Computer Engineering
Related Careers
Primary Path
Also Common
Job Market Outlook
Explore Career Paths
Interactive map showing how Computer Engineering connects to 10+ careers
Is Computer Engineering right for you?
Take our free 20-minute assessment to find out if computer engineering matches your personality, interests, and strengths.
Take the Free Assessment