Education[edit]

Computer engineering is referred to as computer science and engineering at some universities. Most
entry-level computer engineering jobs require at least a bachelor's degree in computer engineering
(or computer science and engineering). Typically one must learn an array of mathematics such
as calculus, algebra and trigonometry and some computer science classes.[citation needed] Degrees
in electronic or electric engineering also suffice due to the similarity of the two fields. Because
hardware engineers commonly work with computer software systems, a strong background in
computer programming is necessary. According to BLS, "a computer engineering major is similar to
electrical engineering but with some computer science courses added to the curriculum". [19] Some
large firms or specialized jobs require a master's degree.
It is also important for computer engineers to keep up with rapid advances in technology. Therefore,
many continue learning throughout their careers. This can be helpful, especially when it comes to
learning new skills or improving existing ones. For example, as the relative cost of fixing a bug
increases the further along it is in the software development cycle, there can be greater cost savings
attributed to developing and testing for quality code as soon as possible in the process, particularly
before release.[20]

Profession: Computer engineer[edit]

See also: Category:Computer engineers
A person with a profession in computer engineering is called a computer engineer.

Prefi
Title Suffix Requirements
x

Passed a degree in computer engineering

Computer engineer Engr. CpE
Institution: Educational Institution (such as College, University)

Passed a certification exam in computer engineering

Certified computer
Engr. CCpE Institution: Private institution (such as computer engineering
engineer organizations and private companies)

Passed a licensure exam in computer engineering

Registered computer
Engr. RCpE Institution: Public Institution (such as Country's Regulatory
engineer Board)

Passed a professional exam in computer engineering,

Professional computer or work experience
Engr. PCpE
engineer
Institution: Public or Private Institution

*may vary on region and country.

Applications and practice[edit]

 The examples and perspective in this section deal primarily with
the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the
subject. You may improve this section, discuss the issue on
the talk page, or create a new section, as appropriate. (July
2018) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

There are two major focuses in computer engineering: hardware and software.

Computer hardware engineering[edit]

Main article: Hardware architect
According to the BLS, Job Outlook employment for computer hardware engineers, the expected ten-
year growth from 2019 to 2029 for computer hardware engineering was an estimated 2% and a total
of 71,100 jobs. ("Slower than average" in their own words when compared to other occupations)".
[21]
 This is a decrease from the 2014 to 2024 BLS computer hardware engineering estimate of 3%
and a total of 77,700 jobs. "[21] and is down from 7% for the 2012 to 2022 BLS estimate[21] and is
further down from 9% in the BLS 2010 to 2020 estimate[21]." Today, computer hardware is somehow
equal[clarification needed] to electronic and computer engineering (ECE) and has been divided into many
subcategories; the most significant[citation needed] is embedded system design.[19]

Computer software engineering[edit]

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), "computer applications software engineers
and computer systems software engineers are projected to be among the faster than average
growing occupations" The expected ten-year growth as of 2014 for computer software engineering
was an estimated seventeen percent and there was a total of 1,114,000 jobs that same year. [22] This
is down from the 2012 to 2022 BLS estimate of 22% for software developers. [23][22] And, further down
from the 30% 2010 to 2020 BLS estimate.[24] In addition, growing concerns over cybersecurity add up
to put computer software engineering high above the average rate of increase for all fields. However,
some of the work will be outsourced in foreign countries. [25] Due to this, job growth will not be as fast
as during the last decade, as jobs that would have gone to computer software engineers in the
United States would instead go to computer software engineers in countries such as India. [26] In
addition, the BLS Job Outlook for Computer Programmers, 2014–24 has an −8% (a decline, in their
words),[26] a Job Outlook, 2019-29 a -9% (Decline),[27] and a 10% decline for 2021-2031[28] for those
who program computers (i.e. embedded systems) who are not computer application developers. [29]
[30]
 Furthermore, women in software fields has been declining over the years even faster than other
engineering fields.[31]

Computer engineering licensing and practice[edit]

Computer engineering is generally practiced within larger product development firms, and such
practice may not be subject to licensing.[32][33] However, independent consultants who advertise
computer engineering, just like any form of engineering, may be subject to state laws which
restrict professional engineer practice to only those who have received the appropriate License. [34]
[35]
 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) first offered a Principles
and Practice of Engineering Examination for computer engineering[36] in 2003.

Specialty areas[edit]
There are many specialty areas in the field of computer engineering.

Processor design[edit]
Main article: Processor design
Processor design process involves choosing an instruction set and a certain execution paradigm
(e.g. VLIW or RISC) and results in a microarchitecture, which might be described in e.g. VHDL or
Verilog. CPU design is divided into design of the following components: datapaths (such as ALUs
and pipelines), control unit: logic which controls the datapaths, memory components such as register
files, caches, clock circuitry such as clock drivers, PLLs, clock distribution networks, pad transceiver
circuitry, logic gate cell library which is used to implement the logic.

Coding, cryptography, and information protection[edit]

Main article: Information security

Source code written in the C programming language.

Computer engineers work in coding, cryptography, and information protection to develop new
methods for protecting various information, such as digital images and music, fragmentation,
copyright infringement and other forms of tampering. Examples include work on wireless
communications, multi-antenna systems, optical transmission, and digital watermarking.[37]

Communications and wireless networks[edit]

Main articles: Communications networks and Wireless network
Those focusing on communications and wireless networks, work advancements in
telecommunications systems and networks (especially wireless networks), modulation and error-
control coding, and information theory. High-speed network design, interference suppression and
modulation, design, and analysis of fault-tolerant system, and storage and transmission schemes
are all a part of this specialty.[37]

Compilers and operating systems[edit]

Main articles: Compiler and Operating system

Windows 10, an example of an operating system.

This specialty focuses on compilers and operating systems design and development. Engineers in

this field develop new operating system architecture, program analysis techniques, and new
techniques to assure quality. Examples of work in this field include post-link-time code
transformation algorithm development and new operating system development. [37]

Computational science and engineering[edit]

Main article: Computational science and engineering
Computational science and engineering is a relatively new discipline. According to the Sloan Career
Cornerstone Center, individuals working in this area, "computational methods are applied to
formulate and solve complex mathematical problems in engineering and the physical and the social
sciences. Examples include aircraft design, the plasma processing of nanometer features on
semiconductor wafers, VLSI circuit design, radar detection systems, ion transport through biological
channels, and much more".[37]

Computer networks, mobile computing, and distributed

systems[edit]
Main articles: Computer network, Mobile computing, and Distributed computing
In this specialty, engineers build integrated environments for computing, communications,
and information access. Examples include shared-channel wireless networks, adaptive resource
management in various systems, and improving the quality of service in mobile and ATM
environments. Some other examples include work on wireless network systems and fast Ethernet
cluster wired systems.[37]

Computer systems: architecture, parallel processing, and

dependability[edit]
Main articles: Computer architecture, Parallel computing, and Dependability

An example of a computer CPU.

Engineers working in computer systems work on research projects that allow for reliable, secure,
and high-performance computer systems. Projects such as designing processors for multi-threading
and parallel processing are included in this field. Other examples of work in this field include the
development of new theories, algorithms, and other tools that add performance to computer
systems.[37]
Computer architecture includes CPU design, cache hierarchy layout, memory organization and load
balancing.

Computer vision and robotics[edit]

Main articles: Computer vision and Robotics
An example of a humanoid robot.

In this specialty, computer engineers focus on developing visual sensing technology to sense an

environment, representation of an environment, and manipulation of the environment. The gathered
three-dimensional information is then implemented to perform a variety of tasks. These include
improved human modeling, image communication, and human-computer interfaces, as well as
devices such as special-purpose cameras with versatile vision sensors. [37]

Embedded systems[edit]

Examples of devices that use embedded systems.

Main article: Embedded systems

Individuals working in this area design technology for enhancing the speed, reliability, and
performance of systems. Embedded systems are found in many devices from a small FM radio to
the space shuttle. According to the Sloan Cornerstone Career Center, ongoing developments in
embedded systems include "automated vehicles and equipment to conduct search and rescue,
automated transportation systems, and human-robot coordination to repair equipment in
space."[37] As of 2018, computer embedded systems specializations include system-on-chip design,
architecture of edge computing and the Internet of things.

Integrated circuits, VLSI design, testing and CAD[edit]

Main articles: Integrated circuit and Very-large-scale integration
This specialty of computer engineering requires adequate knowledge of electronics and electrical
systems. Engineers working in this area work on enhancing the speed, reliability, and energy
efficiency of next-generation very-large-scale integrated (VLSI) circuits and microsystems. An
example of this specialty is work done on reducing the power consumption of VLSI algorithms and
architecture.[37]

Signal, image and speech processing[edit]

Main articles: Signal processing, Image processing, and Speech processing
Computer engineers in this area develop improvements in human-computer interaction,
including speech recognition and synthesis, medical and scientific imaging, or communications
systems. Other work in this area includes computer vision development such as recognition of
human facial features.[37]

Quantum computing[edit]
Main article: Quantum computing

See also[edit]
Related fields[edit]
 Electrical engineering
 Electronic engineering
 Computer science
 Computer programming
 Software development
 Computer network
 Electrical and electronic engineering
Associations[edit]
 Association of Computer Engineers and Technicians
 IEEE Computer Society
 Association for Computing Machinery