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Computer Engineering

College of Engineering

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering combines education in hardware and software development, with students gaining the background necessary to become broadly educated professionals who are knowledgeable in both domains, understanding how the domains interact, restrict or enable interdependent capabilities. Core coursework encompasses the physical and mathematical sciences, object-oriented programming, algorithms, data structures, software engineering, technical communications, circuits and systems, microprocessors, embedded systems and operating systems. The major also offers the opportunity to build a strong foundation in network design and development, signal processing, mobile computing, sensor systems, semiconductor devices, testing and quality assurance and project management, among others.

Major category: Capacity-constrained

Topic(s): Computing, Engineering

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Degree requirements

Applicant type

Applicant type

Freshmen can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)

Read more about applying to the UW as a freshman, including details for programs that provide high school students with college credit (like Running Start).

The primary pathway to Computer Engineering is through direct admission as a freshman. If you want to major in computer science, be sure to list it as your first-choice major on the freshman application.

Quarters of general admission to UW: autumn / winter (U.S. applicants only) / spring / summer

Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.

  • Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree
  • Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
  • Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
  • UW college and school graduation requirements

Department admission information

Departmental application deadline: April 5 for Autumn; January 15 for Spring
Please contact the department for details about the application process.

This major is capacity-constrained. Completion of prerequisites does not guarantee admission.
  • To be eligible to apply, you must have a 2.0 (“C” grade) minimum GPA in each prerequisite course and a 2.5 cumulative GPA in all the prerequisites. These are minimums; the actual GPA of those admitted is much higher.
  • To plan your transfer, be sure to utilize the College of Engineering transfer admission website and contact the department if you have additional questions.
  • A separate departmental application is required in addition to the UW application for admission. For more information, please visit the department’s website.

Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.

Courses required for the major:

  • CSE 123 NSc RSN – Introduction to Computer Programming III or CSE 143 NSc RSN – Computer Programming II
  • MATH 124 NSc RSN – Calculus Analytic Geometry I
  • MATH 125 NSc – Calculus Analytic Geometry II
  • MATH 126 NSc – Calculus Analytic Geometry III
  • PHYS 121 NSc RSN – Mechanics or PHYS 141 NSc – Honors Mechanics
  • English Composition C

Entering transfer information:

Total undergraduates: 140
Total from Washington community colleges: 16

Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):

3.75 – 4.00: 13
3.50 – 3.74: <5
3.25 – 3.49: <5
3.00 – 3.24: <5
2.75 – 2.99: <5
2.50 – 2.74: <5
2.49 and below: <5

Career outcomes

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