Computer Engineering University of California, Santa Barbara

Overview

The Computer Engineering programme at the University of California, Santa Barbara provides a comprehensive education at the intersection of electrical engineering and computer science. Students engage with a curriculum designed to promote the evolution of computer hardware and complex software systems.

This undergraduate course focuses on the lowest-level interactions between software and hardware, digital design, and peripheral systems interfacing. By bridging two distinct departments, the programme ensures that graduates possess a unique capability to create and interface modern computer systems in real-world applications.

The learning environment is supported by a collaborative atmosphere where students explore the mechanics of mobile devices, touch sensors, and non-volatile memory.

Why Computer Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara?

The programme is offered jointly by the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering. This dual-department approach allows students to benefit from the combined expertise, facilities, and research strengths of two major academic units within the college.

Students have access to specialized student organisations such as the Robotics Club and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. These groups provide a platform for practical application, networking, and professional development outside of the traditional classroom setting.

A distinctive feature of the curriculum is the mandatory Senior Capstone Project. During their final year, students complete a two-quarter course that culminates in a major project presentation, demonstrating their technical proficiency and readiness for the professional engineering world.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 14934 per year
• National fee: USD 14934 per year
• Local fee: USD 14934 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum provides a broad education in engineering fundamentals and basic sciences. Modules may include:

• Bioinspired Computing
• Circuit and System Design
• Computer Architecture
• Electronic Design Automation & Testing
• Emerging Technologies for Computing
• Energy-efficient Computing
• Nanotechnology
• Networking
• Operating and Distributed Systems
• Software and Language
• Computer Networks
• Multimedia
• Programming Languages
• Real-time Computing and Control
• Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI)
• Robotics
• Signals and Systems
• Design and Test Automation
• Machine Learning
• System Software Architecture

Careers with Computer Engineering

Graduates are prepared for diverse roles that require a deep understanding of both hardware design and software integration. The training provided allows for specialisation in fields such as robotics, circuit design, and networking, which are essential to various global industries.

Common career paths involve the development of embedded processors, flash memory systems, and audio decompression circuits. The programme's focus on hardware-software interfacing makes graduates highly competitive for positions in system architecture and digital hardware design.