Computational Engineering (BSCompE)
Bachelor of Science in Computational Engineering
Computational engineering is a relatively new field in engineering that recognizes the increasing demand for advanced computational methods in engineering practice. Computational engineering in this context refers to the study and development of computer algorithms that translate mathematical and physical descriptions of engineering problems into languages and software that computers can process. This emphasis distinguishes computational engineering from computer science and computer engineering. Computational engineers must have basic knowledge of fundamental engineering and science, with more advanced knowledge of mathematics, algorithms and software engineering and design. Because of their extensive education in these disciplines, computational engineers can work in a variety of areas.
The objectives of the computational engineering degree program are to prepare students for professional practice in engineering; to prepare students for such post-baccalaureate study as their aptitudes and professional goals may dictate; to instill in students a commitment to acquire and apply new knowledge and to ethical behavior throughout their professional careers; and to make students aware of the global and societal effects of technology. To meet these objectives, the faculty has designed a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes fundamentals in the basic sciences and the humanities, integrates classroom and laboratory experiences in engineering, with advanced instruction in mathematics, statistics and computational science. The curriculum requires students to use modern engineering tools and computer technology, to work individually, and to practice teamwork.
The initial coursework in the computational engineering curriculum emphasize fundamental material along with engineering sciences, while the later coursework goes into further depth in mathematics, algorithms, computer languages, software engineering and design, and experimentation. The major offers technical electives in the third and fourth years where students may choose from a variety of courses that orient them towards different engineering applications and better prepare those students who may choose to pursue a graduate degree.
Program Educational Objectives
Within a few years of graduation, computational engineering graduates should:
- Contribute to the economic development of Texas and the nation through the ethical practice of computational engineering in industry and public service
- Exhibit leadership in technical or business activity through engineering ability, communication skills, and knowledge of contemporary and global issues
- Continue to educate themselves through professional study and personal research
- Be prepared for admission to, and to excel in, the best graduate programs in the world
- Use their engineering ability and creative potential to create technology that will improve the quality of life in society
Portable Computing Devices
Students entering computational engineering are required to have access to a portable computing device capable of running the software tools required for undergraduate engineering analyses (MATLAB, SOLIDWORKS, Word, Excel, etc.) and accessing to the remote server for the department. This device does not need to be brought to campus on a daily basis, but individual courses may require that the device be brought to certain lectures, labs, and/or exams. Minimum and recommended specifications may be found on the department website.
Student Outcomes
Attainment of these outcomes prepares graduates to enter the professional practice of engineering. Computational engineering graduates should demonstrate:
- 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 judgment to draw conclusions
- An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
Total Hours Required: 122
Plan of Study
The Plan of Study is a suggested four-year course sequence to support academic planning and serves as a helpful guide. Currently enrolled students should meet with their academic advisor to tailor their course selections and timelines to their individual goals and circumstances.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
| CH 301 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| M 408C | Differential and Integral Calculus | 4 |
| RHE 306 | Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (080) | 3 | |
| First-Year Signature Course (090) | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| COE 301 | Introduction to Computer Programming | 3 |
| M 408D | Sequences, Series, and Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| PHY 303K | Engineering Physics I | 3 |
| PHY 105M | Laboratory For Physics 302K, 303K, and 317K | 1 |
| M E 210 | Engineering Design Graphics | 2 |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| E M 306 | Statics | 3 |
| COE 322 | Scientific Computation | 3 |
| M 427J | Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | 4 |
| PHY 303L | Engineering Physics II | 3 |
| PHY 105N | Laboratory For Physics 302L, 303L, and 317L | 1 |
| M E 310T | Applied Thermodynamics | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| COE 311K | Engineering Computation | 3 |
| COE 332 | Software Engineering and Design | 3 |
| E M 311M | Dynamics | 3 |
| M 427L | Advanced Calculus for Applications II | 4 |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| ASE 320 | Low-Speed Aerodynamics | 3 |
| E S 333T | Engineering Communication | 3 |
| COE 352 | Topics in Advanced Scientific Computations | 3 |
| E M 319 | Mechanics of Solids | 3 |
| COE 362 or M 362K |
Engineering Probability and Statistics or Probability I |
3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| ASE 330M | Linear System Analysis | 3 |
| COE 321K | Computational Methods for Structural Analysis | 3 |
| COE 347 | Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics | 3 |
| Technical Elective | 3 | |
| Humanities (040) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| COE 374D | Computational Systems Senior Design I | 3 |
| ASE 375 | Electromechanical Systems | 3 |
| Technical electives | 3 | |
| Visual and Performing Arts (050) | 3 | |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| COE 374E | Computational Systems Senior Design II | 3 |
| Technical electives | 6 | |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 122 | |
Requirements
All requirements are listed below, starting with the most specialized moving to the most general. Additional requirements may follow the table, so be sure to read the entire page. Some required courses listed below may also satisfy General Education requirements, including Core Curriculum.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | ||
| COE 301 | Introduction to Computer Programming | 3 |
| COE 311K | Engineering Computation | 3 |
| COE 321K | Computational Methods for Structural Analysis | 3 |
| COE 322 | Scientific Computation | 3 |
| COE 332 | Software Engineering and Design | 3 |
| COE 347 | Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics | 3 |
| COE 352 | Topics in Advanced Scientific Computations | 3 |
| COE 374D | Computational Systems Senior Design I | 3 |
| COE 374E | Computational Systems Senior Design II | 3 |
| ASE 320 | Low-Speed Aerodynamics | 3 |
| ASE 330M | Linear System Analysis | 3 |
| ASE 375 | Electromechanical Systems | 3 |
| CH 301 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| E M 306 | Statics | 3 |
| E M 311M | Dynamics | 3 |
| E M 319 | Mechanics of Solids | 3 |
| M 408C | Differential and Integral Calculus | 4 |
| M 408D | Sequences, Series, and Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| M 427J | Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | 4 |
| M 427L | Advanced Calculus for Applications II | 4 |
| COE 362 | Engineering Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| or M 362K | Probability I | |
| M E 210 | Engineering Design Graphics | 2 |
| M E 310T | Applied Thermodynamics | 3 |
| PHY 105M | Laboratory For Physics 302K, 303K, and 317K | 1 |
| PHY 105N | Laboratory For Physics 302L, 303L, and 317L | 1 |
| PHY 303K | Engineering Physics I | 3 |
| PHY 303L | Engineering Physics II | 3 |
| Approved technical electives | 12 | |
| E S 333T | Engineering Communication | 3 |
| RHE 306 | Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| Free electives: Additional coursework to reach total hours required. | 0 | |
| Subtotal | 98 | |
| General Education | ||
| Remaining Core Curriculum (42 hours total) | 24 | |
| Foreign Language other than English, Beginning Proficiency | ||
| Subtotal | 24 | |
| College Requirements - Engineering | ||
| General University Requirements | ||
| Total Hours | 122 | |
Additional Requirements and Policies
Courses used to fulfill technical elective requirements must be approved by the computational engineering faculty before the student enrolls in them.
The student must take all courses required for the degree on the letter-grade basis and must earn a grade of at least C- in each course, except for those listed as Remaining Core Curriculum Courses. Students must also maintain grade point averages of at least 2.00 in the major area of study and in required technical courses as described in Academic Standards, and a cumulative University grade point average of at least 2.00 as described in General Information.
Technical Electives
The technical electives allow students to focus in a specific area. Of the 12 hours in the degree plan, the following distribution is required. The course selections can vary based on the student's needs. A current list of approved electives is available on the department's website.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Math/Computational Elective | 3 | |
| Discrete Mathematics | ||
| Matrices and Matrix Calculations | ||
| Numerical Methods for Applications | ||
| Elements of Data Science | ||
| Elements of Regression Analysis | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Elective | 3 | |
| Compressible Flow | ||
| Spacecraft Dynamics | ||
| Aerial Robotics | ||
| Dynamic Systems and Controls | ||
| Gateway to Robotics | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Elective or Math/Computational Elective | 6 | |
| Introduction to Machine Learning and Data Sciences | ||
| Simulation-based Aerodynamic Design and Analysis | ||
| Computational Methods | ||
| Software Design for Responsible Intelligent Systems | ||
| Introduction to Real Analysis | ||