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Session 2532

Building A New Computer Engineering Program At The University of Akron

Douglas Smith, John Welch, James Grover, John Durkin Department of Electrical Engineering The University of Akron

Abstract

The new computer engineering degree program at The University of Akron has doubled our department enrollment in just two years. The program was developed in response to the needs of both students and their future employers. It combines a year of science and mathematics and a half year of humanities and social studies with over two years of electrical engineering and computer science courses. In developing this program we sought a low risk strategy that could be implemented within the existing resources of the department, extending the strengths of the existing electrical engineering program to the new computer engineering program. Our planning also had to anticipate the task of meeting ABET self assessment requirements for two degree programs. Key elements of our program include using area requirements instead of specific course requirements for electives, a two semester senior design project, and a co-op program which affords a year of industrial experience before the senior year. This paper focuses on the curriculum design process, including the trade-offs and rationale that lead to our current program, future enhancements to the program, and lessons learned along the way.

1. Introduction

At the Department of Electrical Engineering at The University of Akron, we have recently launched a new degree program in computer engineering. The first class of new freshmen was admitted to the program in the fall of 1997, and within one year we experienced a 100% increase in enrollment in the department.

The program was developed in response to the needs of both students and their future employers. Although we offered many elective courses in computer engineering areas, we felt that many students were looking to other institutions that offered a specific computer engineering degree program. We considered offering a combined electrical and computer engineering degree as many institutions have, but opted instead for separate degree programs for reasons described in this paper.

The program combines a year of science and mathematics and a half year of humanities and social studies with over two years of electrical engineering and computer science courses.

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Welch, J. T., & Durkin, J., & Grover, J. E., & Smith, D. (1999, June), Building A New Computer Engineering Program At The University Of Akron Paper presented at 1999 Annual Conference, Charlotte, North Carolina. 10.18260/1-2--7951