The B.S.E. in Computer Engineering program integrates key principles of electrical engineering and computer science, providing you with the necessary skills to design hardware- and software-based solutions to computing problems.

What courses will you take?

Electrical and computer engineering students wire computers at a UMass Lowell lab

The Computer Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Computer Engineering. The program provides an understanding of embedded hardware and software systems, stand-alone and distributed computing systems and computer networks.

You will take courses in engineering science and design that offer a balanced view of hardware, software, application tradeoffs, basic modeling techniques and the use of computer-aided design tools.

You will also take courses in the humanities and social sciences that help broaden your understanding of the role that non-technical knowledge plays in determining a high level of professional responsibility.

An important aspect of our curriculum is the senior-year technical elective program intended to broaden or deepen technical knowledge according to students’ interests and competencies. Senior students can also participate in a project-based capstone to develop a custom-designed product for a client with a disability through the Assistive Technology Program.

Visit the Academic Catalog for a complete course listing and to learn about the Electrical Engineering/Computer Science Double Major.

What Can You Do with a Degree in Computer Engineering?

UMass Lowell computer engineering graduates use their knowledge to create devices and systems that address needs in areas including health and welfare, safety, environmental control and knowledge enhancement.

Three students sit at computers in an electrical and computer engineering lab at UMass Lowell

Where Our Graduates Work

  • Amazon Robotics 
  • Analog Devices 
  • BAE Systems 
  • Bose Corp. 
  • Eversource 
  • Hanscom Air Force Base 
  • Intel 
  • iRobot 
  • National Grid 
  • Raytheon Technologies

Year-by-Year Course Plan

Check out our degree pathways, which offer sample plans for completing your degree in four years.

For students who entered fall 2025 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total16
EECE.1070Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering2
MATH.1310Calculus I (MATH)14
PHYS.1410Physics I (SCL)3
PHYS.1410LPhysics I Lab (SCL)1
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100
College Writing I /
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW)
3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total14
MATH.1320Calculus II24
PHYS.1440Physics II (SCL)3
PHYS.1440LPhysics II Lab (SCL)1
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
EECE.2160Electrical and Computer Engineering Applications Programming3

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total16
EECE.2010Circuit Theory I3
EECE.2070Basic Electrical Engineering Lab I2
EECE.2650Logic Design3
MATH.2310Calculus III (MATH)4
ENGN.2100Professional Development Seminar1
EECE.3220Data Structures3

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total17
EECE.2020Circuit Theory II3
EECE.2080Basic Electrical Engineering Lab II2
ECON.2010 /
ECON.2020
Principles of Microeconomics /
Principles of Macroeconomics (SS)
3
MATH.2190
Discrete Structures I
3
MATH.2340Differential Equations (CTPS), (QL)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total17
EECE.3650Electronics I (QL)3
EECE.3110Electronics I Lab (CTPS)2
EECE.3620Signals and Systems I3
EECE.3170Microprocessors I3
EECE.3230Algorithms3
PHIL.2410Engineering Ethics (AH), (SRE)3

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
EECE.3500Digital System Design3
EECE.3630Introduction to Probability and Random Processes3
EECE.3640Engineering Math3
EECE.4520Microprocessor Systems II and Embedded Systems3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)43

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
EECE.3991Capstone Proposal (IL), (WOC)3
EECE.4500Advanced Digital System Design3
EECE.4330Electronic Materials3
EECE.4811Operating Systems3
EECE.4/5xxxTechnical Elective33

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
EECE.4821Computer Architecture and Design3
EECE.4830Network Design: Principles, Protocols & Applications3
EECE.4991Capstone Project (AIL)3
EECE.4/5xxxTechnical Elective33
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)43
Total15

Total Minimum Credits = 125

Minimum [major] Credits: 71

Maximum [major] that can be counted toward graduation: 71

1Or MATH.1280 Calculus 1A and MATH.1290 Calculus 1B followed by MATH.1320 Calculus II

2A grade of C or better in Calculus II is required.

3Technical electives are non-required courses numbered EECE.4xxx or EECE.5xxx.

4Computer Engineering students meet the Core Curriculum Essential Learning Outcome of Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA) outside of the major. See the DCA course listing for a complete list of options.

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

Current UMass Lowell students should use their Advisement Report in SIS. If you need assistance, please contact your advisor.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment. See the catalog policy for details.

Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) Glossary

  • SS - Social Sciences Perspective - 9 credits
  • AH - Arts and Humanities Perspective - 9 credits
  • SCL - Sciences with Lab Perspective - 6 credits
  • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Perspective - 3 credits
  • CW - College Writing I and II - 6 credits
  • MATH - Math Perspective - 3 credits

Read more about the Breadth of Knowledge requirements.

Essential Learning Outcomes (ELO) Glossary

  • AIL - Applied and Integrative Learning
  • CTPS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • DCA - Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  • IL - Information Literacy
  • QL - Quantitative Literacy
  • SRE - Social Responsibility and Ethics
  • WOC - Written and Oral Communication

Read more about the Essential Learning Outcomes.

Why Study Computer Engineering at UMass Lowell?

A UMass Lowell computer engineering student works at a computer with a small robot nearby

Experiential Learning

Build career-ready skills through experiences outside the classroom, including: 

  • Research in a faculty laboratory 
  • Co-ops and internships 
  • Service learning 
  • Study abroad
A student looks through a microscope in an electrical and computer engineering lab at UMass Lowell

Research Opportunities

Work closely with renowned faculty and graduate students on groundbreaking research in areas such as: 

  • AI and machine intelligence
  • Computer architecture
  • Embedded systems
  • High performance computing
  • Networking and distributed systems
  • Signal processing and machine vision
Electrical and computer engineering students cut wires in a UMass Lowell computer lab

Student Organizations

Put your learning into practice with:

Group of students seated at a round table discussing video game design

Interested in Video Game Design?

Learn how you can combine programs to prepare for the fast-growing video game industry.
A student looks at wires in an electrical and computer engineering lab at UMass Lowell

Career Connected Experience: The UMass Lowell Guarantee

Every first-time, first-year UMass Lowell student will have the opportunity to pursue at least one Career Connected Experience (internships, co-ops, clinical placements, service learning, study abroad and more) during their undergraduate career — earning pay, credits or both before they graduate.

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