This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2025-2026 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Computer engineers are responsible for developing the powerful computer systems that have become a part of our everyday life. Applications for computer engineering span the spectrum from high-performance, general-purpose computing systems such as desktop workstations used in all facets of business, to small microprocessors embedded in larger systems and functioning as controllers. These latter applications, known as embedded systems, can be found in control systems for trains, aircraft and automobiles; medical equipment; telecommunications systems; and consumer electronics and appliances. This explosive growth of computer systems in use in almost every new appliance or vehicle has resulted in a strong demand for engineers trained in the development of these systems, and all indications are that this trend will continue for the foreseeable future.
Student learning outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following:
- Identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics
- 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
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- 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
- Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives
- Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
Special requirements
Program D grade policy: Students must receive a minimum grade of C in all engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics and all technical electives to graduate.
Degree requirements for Computer Engineering, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major requirements | ||
| • Major core requirements | ||
| CMSC 302 | Introduction to Discrete Structures | 3 |
| CMSC 312 | Introduction to Operating Systems | 3 |
| EGRE 101 | Introduction to Engineering | 3 |
| EGRE 201 | Fundamentals of Electrical and Computer Engineering | 3 |
| EGRE 206 | Electric Circuits | 4 |
| EGRE 207 | Electric Circuits II | 4 |
| EGRE 245 | Engineering Programming | 4 |
| EGRE 246 | Advanced Engineering Programming | 3 |
| EGRE 254 | Digital Logic Design | 4 |
| EGRE 306 | Introduction to Microelectronics | 4 |
| EGRE 335 | Signals and Systems | 4 |
| EGRE 337 | Statistical Information Processing | 3 |
| EGRE 347 | Applied Embedded Programming | 3 |
| EGRE 364 | Microcomputer Systems | 4 |
| EGRE 365 | Digital Systems | 4 |
| EGRE 399 | Fundamentals of Design and Analysis | 3 |
| EGRE 426 | Computer Organization and Design | 3 |
| EGRE 429 | Advanced Digital Systems Design and Analysis | 3 |
| EGRE 513 | Fundamentals of Modern Systems Engineering | 3 |
| ENGR 395 | Professional Development | 1 |
| • Additional major requirements | ||
| Select one of the following sequences: | 4 | |
| Senior Design Studio I (Laboratory/Project Time) and Senior Design Studio II (Laboratory/Project Time) | ||
| Senior Design Studio I - VIP (Laboratory/Project Time) and Senior Design Studio II - VIP (Laboratory/Project Time) | ||
| Technical electives (see list and requirements below) | 11 | |
| Math/science elective (see list below) | 3 | |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| CHEM 101 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| or BIOL 151 | Introduction to Biological Sciences I | |
| ECON 205 | The Economics of Product Development and Markets (satisfies BOK for social/behavioral sciences and/or AOI for global perspectives) | 3 |
| MATH 200 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (satisfies general education quantitative foundations) | 4 |
| MATH 201 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 4 |
| MATH 301 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 310 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| PHIL 201 | Introduction to Ethics (satisfies general education BOK for humanities/fine arts and AOI for diversities in the human experience) | 3 |
| PHYS 207 | University Physics I (satisfies general education BOK for natural sciences and AOI for scientific and logical reasoning) | 5 |
| Total Hours | 127 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 127.
Capstone project (four credits)
The program culminates in the capstone project. In order to prepare for the appropriate focus area of the capstone project, students, with the help of their academic adviser, should plan a course of study beginning in the fall semester of their junior year.
Technical electives (11 credits)
The technical electives in the junior and senior year must be chosen from the approved lists. The following criteria must be met:
- At least six credit hours must come from the electrical and computer engineering or computer science areas
- Courses not from the approved lists must be approved by the adviser and department chair.
- Courses must be technical courses at the 300 level or above.
- No more than three credit hours may come from independent study courses.
- If a student wants to apply ENGR 497 toward their technical electives, a minimum of four credit hours must be earned.
- A maximum of eight credits of ENGR 410, ENGR 497 and independent study courses may be used toward technical electives.
Note: Some of the listed courses may have prerequisites that do not count as technical electives.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Approved electives in electrical and computer engineering | ||
| EGMN 315 | Process and Systems Dynamics | 3 |
| EGMN 427 | Robotics | 3 |
| EGRE 303 | Electronic Devices | 3 |
| EGRE 307 | Integrated Circuits | 4 |
| EGRE 309 | Introduction to Electromagnetic Fields | 3 |
| EGRE 310 | Electromagnetic Fields and Waves | 3 |
| EGRE 334 | Introduction to Microfabrication | 4 |
| EGRE 336 | Introduction to Communication Systems | 3 |
| EGRE 371 | Power and Energy System Fundamentals | 3 |
| EGRE 435 | Microscale and Nanoscale Fabrication | 4 |
| EGRE 436 | Advanced Microscale and Nanoscale Fabrication | 3 |
| EGRE 444 | Communication Systems | 3 |
| EGRE 454 | Automatic Controls | 4 |
| EGRE 455 | Control Systems Design | 3 |
| EGRE 471 | Power System Analysis | 3 |
| EGRE 510 | Introduction to Internet of Things | 3 |
| EGRE 512 | Intelligent Autonomous Systems | 3 |
| EGRE 521 | Advanced Semiconductor Devices | 3 |
| EGRE 525 | Fundamentals of Photonics Engineering | 3 |
| EGRE 526/CMSC 506 | Computer Networks and Communications | 3 |
| EGRE 531 | Multicore and Multithreaded Programming | 3 |
| EGRE 532 | GPU Computing | 3 |
| EGRE 535 | Digital Signal Processing | 3 |
| EGRE 536 | Introduction to Cyber-Physical Systems | 3 |
| EGRE 539 | Introduction to Microwave Engineering | 3 |
| EGRE 540 | Microwave System Design | 3 |
| EGRE 541 | Medical Devices | 3 |
| EGRE 553 | Industrial Automation | 3 |
| EGRE 554 | Advanced Industrial Automation | 3 |
| EGRE 555 | Dynamics and Multivariable Control I | 3 |
| EGRE 573 | Sustainable and Efficient Power Systems | 3 |
| ENGR 410 | Review of Internship (completion of internship required) | 1 |
| Approved electives in computer science | ||
| CMSC 303 | Introduction to the Theory of Computation | 3 |
| CMSC 355 | Fundamentals of Software Engineering | 3 |
| CMSC 401 | Algorithm Analysis with Advanced Data Structures | 3 |
| CMSC 404 | Compiler Construction | 3 |
| CMSC 411 | Computer Graphics | 3 |
| CMSC 420 | Software Project Management | 3 |
| Approved electives outside electrical and computer engineering and computer science | ||
| EGMN 309 | Material Science for Engineers | 3 |
| EGMN 321 | Numerical Methods | 3 |
| EGRB 407 | Physical Principles of Medical Imaging | 3 |
| EGRB 408 | Advanced Biomedical Signal Processing | 3 |
| EGRB 507 | Biomedical Electronics and Instrumentation | 3 |
| ENGR 497 | Vertically Integrated Projects | 1,2 |
| MATH 307 | Multivariate Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 351 | Applied Abstract Algebra | 3 |
| PHYS 307 | The Physics of Sound and Music | 3 |
| PHYS 320 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYZ 320 | Modern Physics Laboratory | 1 |
Math/science electives (3 credits)
Students must complete 3 credits using one course or a combination of courses from the list below.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 151 | Introduction to Biological Sciences I | 3 |
| BIOZ 151 | Introduction to Biological Science Laboratory I | 1 |
| BIOL 152 | Introduction to Biological Sciences II | 3 |
| BIOZ 152 | Introduction to Biological Science Laboratory II | 1 |
| CHEM 101 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEZ 101 | General Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| CHEM 102 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEZ 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| MATH 300 | Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning | 3 |
| MATH 305 | Elementary Number Theory | 3 |
| MATH 324 | Mathematical Problem Solving | 3 |
| MATH 350 | Introductory Combinatorics | 3 |
| MATH 351 | Applied Abstract Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 356 | Graphs and Algorithms | 3 |
| MATH 370 | Mathematical Foundations for Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| PHYS 208 | University Physics II | 5 |
| PHYS 301 | Classical Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 302 | Classical Mechanics II | 3 |
| PHYS 320 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYZ 320 | Modern Physics Laboratory | 1 |
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| CHEM 101 or BIOL 151 | General Chemistry I or Introduction to Biological Sciences I | 3 |
| EGRE 101 | Introduction to Engineering | 3 |
| MATH 200 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (satisfies general education quantitative foundations) | 4 |
UNIV 111  Play course video for Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication | Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course (select AOI for creativity, innovation and aesthetic inquiry) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| EGRE 201 | Fundamentals of Electrical and Computer Engineering | 3 |
| EGRE 254 | Digital Logic Design | 4 |
| MATH 201 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 4 |
| UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course (select AOI for scientific and logical reasoning if not already satisfied) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 17 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| EGRE 206 | Electric Circuits | 4 |
| EGRE 245 | Engineering Programming | 4 |
| ENGR 395 | Professional Development | 1 |
| MATH 301 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHYS 207 | University Physics I | 5 |
| Term Hours: | 17 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| EGRE 246 | Advanced Engineering Programming | 3 |
| EGRE 207 | Electric Circuits II | 4 |
| EGRE 335 | Signals and Systems | 4 |
| EGRE 337 | Statistical Information Processing | 3 |
| MATH 310 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 17 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| CMSC 302 | Introduction to Discrete Structures | 3 |
| EGRE 347 | Applied Embedded Programming | 3 |
| EGRE 364 | Microcomputer Systems | 4 |
| EGRE 365 | Digital Systems | 4 |
| Term Hours: | 14 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| CMSC 312 | Introduction to Operating Systems | 3 |
| EGRE 306 | Introduction to Microelectronics | 4 |
| EGRE 399 | Fundamentals of Design and Analysis | 3 |
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication | 3 |
| PHIL 201 | Introduction to Ethics (satisfies general education BOK for humanities/fine arts and AOI for diversities in the human experience) | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| EGRE 404 or EGRE 406 | Senior Design Studio I (Laboratory/Project Time) or Senior Design Studio I - VIP (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| EGRE 426 | Computer Organization and Design | 3 |
| EGRE 513 | Fundamentals of Modern Systems Engineering | 3 |
| Technical elective | 7 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ECON 205 | The Economics of Product Development and Markets | 3 |
| EGRE 405 or EGRE 407 | Senior Design Studio II (Laboratory/Project Time) or Senior Design Studio II - VIP (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| EGRE 429 | Advanced Digital Systems Design and Analysis | 3 |
| Technical electives | 4 | |
| Math/science elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Total Hours: | 127 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 127.
Accelerated B.S. and M.S.
The accelerated B.S. and M.S. program allows qualified students to earn both the B.S. in Computer Engineering and M.S. in Biomedical Engineering in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to 12 credit hours of graduate courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 148 credits rather than the 160 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.
Students holding these degrees will have a head start for pursuing careers in industry or continuing in academia. The M.S. degree provides formal research experience and can lead to expanded job opportunities, greater potential for job advancement and higher starting salaries.
Entrance to the accelerated program
Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.
Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include completion of 97 undergraduate credits, including the prerequisite courses for the capstone project and a minimum of 11 courses from the major requirements; an overall minimum GPA of 3.0; and a minimum GPA of 3.2 in major course work. Additionally, a reference letter from a computer engineering faculty member must accompany the application. Students who are interested in the accelerated program should consult with the graduate director before they have completed 97 undergraduate credits.
Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of the Graduate Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students admitted to the accelerated program is provided by both the ECE undergraduate program director and the BME graduate program director.
Admission to the graduate program
Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application to the master’s program, which is submitted through Graduate Admissions no later than a semester prior to graduation with the baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the fall semester of the senior year. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin. The GRE is waived for the admission to the M.S.
Degree requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering degree will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 130 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as presented in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
A maximum of 12 graduate credits of 500-level graduate courses may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. These graduate credits will be utilized to fulfill engineering electives course requirements for the undergraduate degree. These courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.
The graduate courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, must be approved by the adviser or graduate program director and include 500-level courses from the following subject areas: EGMN, EGRM, ENGR, EGRN, EGRB, EGRE, CLSE, CMSC, PHYS, MATH, NANO, CHEM, BIOL, GRAD, LFSC, INNO and OVPR.
Upon approval by the instructor of the course, one 600-level graduate course can be taken as an undergraduate and used to fulfill three undergraduate technical elective credits.
Recommended plan of study for thesis master’s
What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the senior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| EGRE 404 | Senior Design Studio I (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| or EGRE 406 | Senior Design Studio I - VIP (Laboratory/Project Time) | |
| EGRE 426 | Computer Organization and Design | 3 |
| EGRE 428 | Introduction to Integrated Systems Design | 2 |
| ENGR 402 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| Technical elective (consider BME course for accelerated pathway) | 6 | |
| Other required B.S. course work | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 17 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| EGRE 405 | Senior Design Studio II (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| or EGRE 407 | Senior Design Studio II - VIP (Laboratory/Project Time) | |
| EGRE 429 | Advanced Digital Systems Design and Analysis | 3 |
| ENGR 403 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| Technical elective (consider BME course for accelerated pathway) | 6 | |
| Other required B.S. course work | 5 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Fifth year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| EGRB 601 | Numerical Methods and Modeling in Biomedical Engineering | 4 |
| EGRB 697 | Directed Research in Biomedical Engineering | 3 |
| Open elective 1 | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 10 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| EGRB 602 | Biomedical Engineering Systems Physiology | 4 |
| EGRB 690 | Biomedical Engineering Research Seminar | 1 |
| EGRB 697 | Directed Research in Biomedical Engineering | 4 |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
EGRB, EGMN, ENGR, PHYS, MATH, CMSC, BIOL, PHIS or BIOC at 500-level or above
Recommended plan of study for non-thesis master’s
What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the senior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| EGRE 404 | Senior Design Studio I (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| or EGRE 406 | Senior Design Studio I - VIP (Laboratory/Project Time) | |
| EGRE 426 | Computer Organization and Design | 3 |
| EGRE 428 | Introduction to Integrated Systems Design | 2 |
| ENGR 402 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| Technical elective (consider BME course for accelerated pathway) | 6 | |
| Other required B.S. course work | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 17 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| EGRE 405 | Senior Design Studio II (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| or EGRE 407 | Senior Design Studio II - VIP (Laboratory/Project Time) | |
| EGRE 429 | Advanced Digital Systems Design and Analysis | 3 |
| ENGR 403 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| Technical elective (consider BME course for accelerated pathway) | 6 | |
| Other required B.S. course work | 5 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Fifth year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| EGRB 601 | Numerical Methods and Modeling in Biomedical Engineering | 4 |
| EGRB technical elective (500-level or above) | 3 | |
| Open elective 1 | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 13 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| EGRB 602 | Biomedical Engineering Systems Physiology | 4 |
| EGRB 690 | Biomedical Engineering Research Seminar | 1 |
| Open elective | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 11 | |
EGRB, EGMN, ENGR, PHYS, MATH, CMSC, BIOL, PHIS or BIOC at 500-level or above
Accelerated B.S. and M.S.
The accelerated B.S. and M.S. program allows qualified students to earn both the B.S. in Computer Engineering and M.S. in Computer Science in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to 12 credit hours of graduate courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 148 credits rather than the 160 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.
The program is designed to develop skills and educate computer science students to be major contributors in the computing industry. The graduate program in computer science provides state-of-the-art education through the use of didactic courses to those students who wish to further their knowledge and careers within the computing industry. The program emphasizes continuing self-development and broadening of the knowledge of individuals currently engaged in science, technology and engineering-related fields. It also prepares persons who have completed undergraduate majors in these fields for entry into a career in the numerous areas that use computing technology. Both the theoretical and applied aspects of computer science are emphasized in this program.
Entrance to the accelerated program
Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible (sophomore year is recommended) to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.
Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include an overall GPA of 3.0. For acceptance into this accelerated pathway, students must have completed CMSC 257, CMSC 311, CMSC 355, and CMSC 401 courses with a GPA of at least 3.4. Successful applicants would enter the program in the fall semester of their senior year.
Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of the Graduate Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students admitted to the accelerated program is provided by both the ECE undergraduate program director and the CS graduate program director.
Admission to the graduate program
Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application to the master’s program, which is submitted through Graduate Admissions no later than a semester prior to graduation with the baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the fall semester of the senior year. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin. The GRE is waived for the admission to the M.S.
Degree requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering degree will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 130 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as presented in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
For students entering the non-thesis option, a maximum of six graduate credits may be taken prior to the completion of the baccalaureate degree. For students entering the thesis option, a maximum of 12 graduate credits may be taken. These graduate credits will count as open or technical elective credits for the undergraduate degree. These courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.
The graduate courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, must be approved by the adviser or graduate program director and include 500-level courses from the following subject areas: EGMN, EGRM, ENGR, EGRN, EGRB, EGRE, CLSE, CMSC, PHYS, MATH, NANO, CHEM, BIOL, GRAD, LFSC, INNO and OVPR.
Recommended course sequence/plan of study for students pursuing a thesis master’s
What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the senior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| EGRE 404 | Senior Design Studio I (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| or EGRE 406 | Senior Design Studio I - VIP (Laboratory/Project Time) | |
| EGRE 426 | Computer Organization and Design | 3 |
| EGRE 428 | Introduction to Integrated Systems Design | 2 |
| ENGR 402 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| Technical elective (consider CS course for accelerated pathway) | 6 | |
| Other required B.S. course work | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 17 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| EGRE 405 | Senior Design Studio II (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| or EGRE 407 | Senior Design Studio II - VIP (Laboratory/Project Time) | |
| EGRE 429 | Advanced Digital Systems Design and Analysis | 3 |
| ENGR 403 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| Technical elective (consider CS course for accelerated pathway) | 6 | |
| Other required B.S. course work | 5 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Fifth year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| CMSC 697 | Directed Research | 1-15 |
| M.S. foundational area courses (theory and systems) 1 | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| CMSC 697 | Directed Research | 6 |
| M.S. foundational area course (applied) 1 | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
See the Graduate Bulletin for the list of theory, systems and applied foundational area courses.
Recommended course sequence/plan of study for students pursuing a non-thesis master’s
What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the junior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| EGRE 404 | Senior Design Studio I (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| or EGRE 406 | Senior Design Studio I - VIP (Laboratory/Project Time) | |
| EGRE 426 | Computer Organization and Design | 3 |
| EGRE 428 | Introduction to Integrated Systems Design | 2 |
| ENGR 402 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| Technical elective (consider CS course for accelerated pathway) | 6 | |
| Other required B.S. course work | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 17 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| EGRE 405 | Senior Design Studio II (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| or EGRE 407 | Senior Design Studio II - VIP (Laboratory/Project Time) | |
| EGRE 429 | Advanced Digital Systems Design and Analysis | 3 |
| ENGR 403 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| Technical elective (consider CS course for accelerated pathway) | 6 | |
| Other required B.S. course work | 5 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Fifth year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| M.S. foundational area courses (theory and systems) 1 | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Graduate didactic course work | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
See the Graduate Bulletin for the list of theory, systems and applied foundational area courses.
Accelerated B.S. and M.S.
The accelerated B.S.-to-M.S. program allows qualified students to earn both the B.S. in Computer Engineering and the M.S. in Engineering, concentration in aerospace engineering; chemical and life science engineering; electrical and computer engineering; engineering management; environmental and sustainable engineering; rehabilitation engineering; systems engineering; or tissue engineering and regenerative medicine in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees.
Students holding these degrees will have a head start for pursuing careers in industry or continuing in academia. The M.S. degree provides formal research experience and can lead to expanded job opportunities, greater potential for job advancement and higher starting salaries.
Entrance to the accelerated program
Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.
Minimum qualifications for entrance to any accelerated program include completion of 95 undergraduate credit hours and a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. Students who are interested in the accelerated program should consult with the faculty adviser to the graduate program before they have completed 95 credits. Successful applicants would enter the program in the following semester after graduation with the bachelor's degree..
Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of the Graduate Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students admitted to the accelerated program is provided by both the undergraduate program adviser and the graduate program director.
Admission to the graduate program
Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application to the master’s program, which is submitted through Graduate Admissions no later than a semester prior to graduation with the baccalaureate degree, that is before the end of the fall semester of the senior year. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin. The GRE and application fee is waived for admission to the program for all students. Additionally, for students pursuing the thesis option of the master’s program, a letter of endorsement from a prospective thesis adviser from a faculty member in the relevant department may accompany the application.
Degree requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering degree will be awarded upon completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
A maximum of 12 graduate credits may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. These graduate credits will count as open or technical elective credits for the undergraduate degree. These courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.
The graduate courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, must be approved by the adviser or graduate program director and include 500-level courses from the following subject areas: EGMN, EGRM, ENGR, EGRN, EGRB, EGRE, CLSE, CMSC, PHYS, MATH, NANO, CHEM, BIOL, GRAD, LFSC, INNO and OVPR.
Curriculum requirements
Concentration in aerospace engineering
Thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the advisory committee: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 12 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| EGMN 604 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Materials | 3 |
| EGMN 605 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis | 3 |
| EGMN 606 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics | 3 |
| EGMN 607 | Heat and Mass Transfer Theory and Applications | 3 |
| Directed research component | ||
| This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee. | ||
| EGMN 697 | Directed Research in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Non-thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 15 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| EGMN 604 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Materials | 3 |
| EGMN 605 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis | 3 |
| EGMN 606 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics | 3 |
| EGMN 607 | Heat and Mass Transfer Theory and Applications | 3 |
| EGMN 661 | Computational Fluid Dynamics | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Concentration in chemical and life science engineering
Thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 6 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE, PESC) approved by the advisory committee: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 9 | |
| Concentration component - CLSE course work | ||
| CLSE 650 | Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 654 | Equilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Biological Systems | 3 |
| CLSE 655 | Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 656 | Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering | 3 |
| Choose additional CLSE course work at the 500 level or higher | 3 | |
| Directed research | ||
| Select six credit hours from the following: | 6 | |
| Research Seminar in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Directed Research in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Non-thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE, PESC) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 12 | |
| Concentration component - CLSE course work | ||
| CLSE 650 | Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 654 | Equilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Biological Systems | 3 |
| CLSE 655 | Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 656 | Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering | 3 |
| Choose additional CLSE course work at the 500 level or higher | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Concentration in electrical and computer engineering
Thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the advisory committee: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 12 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| EGRE course work (EGRE 500-level or higher or courses approved by the advisory committee): This component allows the student to pursue a series of courses that focus on a specific field of engineering and serve as the student’s primary engineering discipline. | 12 | |
| Directed research component | ||
| This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee. | ||
| EGRE 697 | Directed Research in Electrical and Computer Engineering | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Non-thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 15 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| EGRE course work (EGRE 500-level or higher or courses approved by the adviser): This component allows the student to pursue a series of courses that focus on a specific field of engineering and serve as the student’s primary engineering discipline. | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Concentration in engineering management
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser. This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 18 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| CLSE 601 | Engineering Project Management | 3 |
| CLSE 602 | Engineering Contracts and Effective Negotiations | 3 |
| EGMN 507 | Law and Engineering | 3 |
| ENGR 696 | Engineering Products and Economic Considerations | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Concentration in environmental and sustainable engineering
Thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the advisory committee: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 12 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| CLSE 545 | Water Essentials | 3 |
| CLSE 580 | Sustainable Chemical Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 650 | Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 655 | Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| Directed research component | ||
| This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee. | ||
| CLSE 697 | Directed Research in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Non-thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 18 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| CLSE 545 | Water Essentials | 3 |
| CLSE 580 | Sustainable Chemical Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 650 | Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 655 | Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Concentration in rehabilitation engineering
Thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 6 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the advisory committee: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 8 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| EGRB 520 | Assistive Technology | 3 |
| EGRB 521 | Human Factors Engineering | 3 |
| EGRB 523 | Rehabilitation Engineering and Prostheses | 3 |
| EGRB 603 | Biomedical Signal Processing | 3 |
| ANAT 610 | Systems Neuroscience | 4 |
| Directed research | ||
| EGRB 697 | Directed Research in Biomedical Engineering | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Non-thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 14 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| EGRB 520 | Assistive Technology | 3 |
| EGRB 521 | Human Factors Engineering | 3 |
| EGRB 523 | Rehabilitation Engineering and Prostheses | 3 |
| EGRB 603 | Biomedical Signal Processing | 3 |
| ANAT 610 | Systems Neuroscience | 4 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Concentration in systems engineering
Thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the advisory committee: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 12 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| EGRE 510 | Introduction to Internet of Things | 3 |
| EGRE 512 | Intelligent Autonomous Systems | 3 |
| EGRE 513 | Fundamentals of Modern Systems Engineering | 3 |
| EGRE 615 | Systems Modeling | 3 |
| Directed research component | ||
| This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee. | ||
| EGRE 697 | Directed Research in Electrical and Computer Engineering | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Non-thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 18 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| EGRE 510 | Introduction to Internet of Things | 3 |
| EGRE 512 | Intelligent Autonomous Systems | 3 |
| EGRE 513 | Fundamentals of Modern Systems Engineering | 3 |
| EGRE 615 | Systems Modeling | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Concentration in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
Thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the advisory committee: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 12 | |
| Concentration component - TERM course work | ||
| EGRB 512 | Regenerative Engineering and Medicine | 3 |
| EGRB 613 | Biomaterials | 3 |
| EGRB 614 | Tissue Engineering | 3 |
| EGRB 616 | Cell Engineering | 3 |
| Directed research | ||
| EGRB 697 | Directed Research in Biomedical Engineering | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Non-thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 15 | |
| Concentration component - TERM course work | ||
| EGRB 512 | Regenerative Engineering and Medicine | 3 |
| EGRB 613 | Biomaterials | 3 |
| EGRB 614 | Tissue Engineering | 3 |
| EGRB 616 | Cell Engineering | 3 |
| Choose additional course work at the 500 level or higher | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Recommended course sequence/plan of study
What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the junior/senior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| EGRE 306 | Introduction to Microelectronics | 4 |
| EGRE 337 | Statistical Information Processing | 3 |
| EGRE 347 | Applied Embedded Programming | 3 |
| EGRE 364 | Microcomputer Systems | 4 |
| EGRE 365 | Digital Systems | 4 |
| Term Hours: | 18 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| CMSC 312 | Introduction to Operating Systems | 3 |
| ECON 205 | The Economics of Product Development and Markets | 3 |
| PHIL 201 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| Technical electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| EGRE 404 | Senior Design Studio I (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
OR | ||
| Senior Design Studio I - VIP (Laboratory/Project Time) | ||
| EGRE 426 | Computer Organization and Design | 3 |
| EGRE 428 | Introduction to Integrated Systems Design | 2 |
| ENGR 402 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| EGRE 5xx | 6 | |
| Other required B.S. course work | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 17 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| EGRE 405 | Senior Design Studio II (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
OR | ||
| Senior Design Studio II - VIP (Laboratory/Project Time) | ||
| EGRE 429 | Advanced Digital Systems Design and Analysis | 3 |
| ENGR 403 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| EGRE 5xx 1 | 6 | |
| Other required B.S. course work | 5 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
EGMN, EGRM, ENGR, EGRN, EGRB, EGRE, CLSE, CMSC, PHYS, MATH, NANO, CHEM, BIOL, GRAD, LFSC and OVPR at 500-level or above
Concentration in aerospace engineering
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth year | ||
| Thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Materials | ||
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis | ||
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics | ||
| Heat and Mass Transfer Theory and Applications | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Materials | ||
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis | ||
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics | ||
| Heat and Mass Transfer Theory and Applications | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Non-thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Materials | ||
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis | ||
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics | ||
| Heat and Mass Transfer Theory and Applications | ||
| Computational Fluid Dynamics | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Materials | ||
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis | ||
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics | ||
| Heat and Mass Transfer Theory and Applications | ||
| Computational Fluid Dynamics | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser.
This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee.
Concentration in chemical and life science engineering
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth year | ||
| Thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Equilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Biological Systems | ||
| Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Research Seminar in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Directed Research in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Equilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Biological Systems | ||
| Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering | ||
Choose additional CLSE course work at the 500 level or higher | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Research Seminar in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Directed Research in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Non-thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Equilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Biological Systems | ||
| Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Equilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Biological Systems | ||
| Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser.
This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee.
Concentration in electrical and computer engineering
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth year | ||
| Thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specifc courses 2 | 6 | |
| Directed research 3 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Electrical and Computer Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses 2 | 6 | |
| Directed research 3 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Electrical and Computer Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Non-thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses 2 | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses 2 | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser.
EGRE course work (EGRE 500-level or higher or courses approved by the advisory committee): This component allows the student to pursue a series of courses that focus on a specific field of engineering and serve as the student’s primary engineering discipline.
This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee.
Concentration in engineering management
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specifc courses | 6 | |
| Engineering Project Management | ||
| Engineering Contracts and Effective Negotiations | ||
| Law and Engineering | ||
| Engineering Products and Economic Considerations | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Engineering Project Management | ||
| Engineering Contracts and Effective Negotiations | ||
| Law and Engineering | ||
| Engineering Products and Economic Considerations | ||
| 9 | ||
Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser.
Concentration in environmental and sustainable engineering
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth year | ||
| Thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific | 6 | |
| Water Essentials | ||
| Sustainable Chemical Engineering | ||
| Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Water Essentials | ||
| Sustainable Chemical Engineering | ||
| Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Non-thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Water Essentials | ||
| Sustainable Chemical Engineering | ||
| Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Water Essentials | ||
| Sustainable Chemical Engineering | ||
| Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Term Hours | 9 | |
Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser.
This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee.
Concentration in rehabilitation engineering
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth year | ||
| Thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specifc courses | 6 | |
| Assistive Technology | ||
| Human Factors Engineering | ||
| Rehabilitation Engineering and Prostheses | ||
| Biomedical Signal Processing | ||
| Systems Neuroscience | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Biomedical Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Assistive Technology | ||
| Human Factors Engineering | ||
| Rehabilitation Engineering and Prostheses | ||
| Biomedical Signal Processing | ||
| Systems Neuroscience | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Biomedical Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Non-thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Assistive Technology | ||
| Human Factors Engineering | ||
| Rehabilitation Engineering and Prostheses | ||
| Biomedical Signal Processing | ||
| Systems Neuroscience | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Assistive Technology | ||
| Human Factors Engineering | ||
| Rehabilitation Engineering and Prostheses | ||
| Biomedical Signal Processing | ||
| Systems Neuroscience | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser.
This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee.
Concentration in systems engineering
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth year | ||
| Thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Introduction to Internet of Things | ||
| Intelligent Autonomous Systems | ||
| Fundamentals of Modern Systems Engineering | ||
| Systems Modeling | ||
| Directed research | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Electrical and Computer Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Introduction to Internet of Things | ||
| Intelligent Autonomous Systems | ||
| Fundamentals of Modern Systems Engineering | ||
| Systems Modeling | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Electrical and Computer Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Non-thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Introduction to Internet of Things | ||
| Intelligent Autonomous Systems | ||
| Fundamentals of Modern Systems Engineering | ||
| Systems Modeling | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Introduction to Internet of Things | ||
| Intelligent Autonomous Systems | ||
| Fundamentals of Modern Systems Engineering | ||
| Systems Modeling | ||
| Term Hours | 9 | |
Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser.
This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee.
Concentration in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth year | ||
| Thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Regenerative Engineering and Medicine | ||
| Biomaterials | ||
| Tissue Engineering | ||
| Cell Engineering | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Biomedical Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Regenerative Engineering and Medicine | ||
| Biomaterials | ||
| Tissue Engineering | ||
| Cell Engineering | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Biomedical Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Non-thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Regenerative Engineering and Medicine | ||
| Biomaterials | ||
| Tissue Engineering | ||
| Cell Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Required graduate-level courses | ||
| Concentration specific courses | ||
| Regenerative Engineering and Medicine | ||
| Biomaterials | ||
| Tissue Engineering | ||
| Cell Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser.
This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee.
Accelerated B.S. and M.S.
The accelerated B.S. and M.S. program allows qualified students to earn both the B.S. in Computer Engineering and M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to 12 credit hours of graduate courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 148 credits rather than the 160 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.
Students holding these degrees will have a head start for pursuing careers in industry or continuing in academia. The M.S. degree provides formal research experience and can lead to expanded job opportunities, greater potential for job advancement and higher starting salaries.
Entrance to the accelerated program
Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.
Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program includes an overall GPA of 3.0.
Once admitted into the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of the Graduate Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students admitted to the accelerated program is provided by both the undergraduate mechanical engineering adviser and the graduate program director for the master’s degree.
Admission to the graduate program
Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application to the master’s program, which is submitted through Graduate Admissions no later than a semester prior to graduation with the baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the fall semester of the senior year. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin. The GRE is waived for the admission to the M.S.
Degree requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering degree will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 130 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as presented in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
A maximum of 12 graduate credits of 500-level graduate courses may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. These graduate credits will be utilized to fulfill engineering electives course requirements for the undergraduate degree. These courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.
Once a student is admitted to the program, with the approval of their adviser, they may choose any 500-level course from the following subject areas: EGMN, EGRM, ENGR, EGRN, EGRB, EGRE, CLSE, CMSC, PHYS, MATH, NANO, CHEM, BIOL, GRAD, LFSC and OVPR.
Recommended course sequence/plan of study
What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the junior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.
For students pursuing the non-thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| EGRE 404 | Senior Design Studio I (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| or EGRE 406 | Senior Design Studio I - VIP (Laboratory/Project Time) | |
| EGRE 426 | Computer Organization and Design | 3 |
| EGRE 428 | Introduction to Integrated Systems Design | 2 |
| ENGR 402 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| Technical elective (consider MNE course for accelerated pathway) | 6 | |
| Other required B.S. course work | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 17 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| EGRE 405 | Senior Design Studio II (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| or EGRE 407 | Senior Design Studio II - VIP (Laboratory/Project Time) | |
| EGRE 429 | Advanced Digital Systems Design and Analysis | 3 |
| ENGR 403 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| Technical elective (consider MNE course for accelerated pathway) | 6 | |
| Other required B.S. course work | 5 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Fifth year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| EGMN 605 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis | 3 |
| EGMN 606 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics | 3 |
| EGMN 610 | Topics in Nuclear Engineering | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Technical elective (Select 600-level courses from: EGMN, EGRM, ENGR, EGRN, EGRB, EGRE, CLSE, CMSC, PHYS, MATH, NANO, CHEM, BIOL, GRAD, LFSC and OVPR) | 6 | |
| Technical elective (Select 500- or 600-level course from: EGMN, EGRM, ENGR, EGRN, EGRB, EGRE, CLSE, CMSC, PHYS, MATH, NANO, CHEM, BIOL, GRAD, LFSC and OVPR) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
For students pursuing the thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| EGRE 404 | Senior Design Studio I (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| or EGRE 406 | Senior Design Studio I - VIP (Laboratory/Project Time) | |
| EGRE 426 | Computer Organization and Design | 3 |
| EGRE 428 | Introduction to Integrated Systems Design | 2 |
| ENGR 402 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| Technical elective (consider MNE course for accelerated pathway) | 6 | |
| Other required B.S. course work | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 17 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| EGRE 405 | Senior Design Studio II (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| or EGRE 407 | Senior Design Studio II - VIP (Laboratory/Project Time) | |
| EGRE 429 | Advanced Digital Systems Design and Analysis | 3 |
| ENGR 403 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| Technical elective (consider MNE course for accelerated pathway) | 6 | |
| Other required B.S. course work | 5 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Fifth year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| EGMN 605 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis | 3 |
| EGMN 606 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics | 3 |
| EGMN 610 | Topics in Nuclear Engineering | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| EGMN 697 | Directed Research in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering | 6 |
| Technical elective (Select 600-level courses from: EGMN, EGRM, ENGR, EGRN, EGRB, EGRE, CLSE, CMSC, PHYS, MATH, NANO, CHEM, BIOL, GRAD, LFSC and OVPR) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |