CE Curriculum Overview
Our undergraduate curriculum is structured to prepare the next generation of innovators, enabling students to benefit from the wide-ranging opportunities available to Computer Engineering majors.
- In the first two years, students complete a comprehensive foundation that includes courses in physics, mathematics, programming, and engineering, highlighted by several project-based courses. These experiences establish a strong grounding in the physical sciences and introduce the many subfields within the Computer Engineering discipline.
- During their third and fourth years, students select two specialized sequences, each comprising two or three courses aligned with their interests. They also take upper-division electives and complete a CS or CE senior capstone project focused on their chosen area(s) of specialization.
The degree info on this page is for the 2025-2026 academic year. For students who matriculated before 2025-26 – refer to your year of entry major requirements in the College of Engineering (COE) GEAR publication.
To learn more about the coursework, refer to the "Timeline & Advising" page.
CE Core (Freshman and Sophomore Years)
CEs spend their first two years building up a "core" of skills and knowledge covering fundamentals of math, physics, computer science, and electrical engineering, which provides them with the solid foundation needed to pursue more specialized topics as well as to be able to effectively collaborate with other scientists and engineers in developing new technologies. Our CE core also includes a variety of courses that expose students to key subfields of electrical engineering and computer science, enabling them to make informed choices on which areas to pursue more deeply in junior and senior years.
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CE Core
The CE core in freshman and sophomore years builds your background in mathematics, physics, and CE fundamentals, with the latter providing a glimpse of the diverse sequences that you can choose between in your junior and senior years.
Mathematics 3AB, 4AB, 6A
These provide the basic grounding in calculus, linear algebra, differential equations and vector calculus required to pursue an engineering degree. Many of our freshmen have AP credits for calculus and end up skipping Math 3A and/or 3B.
Physics 7A-7D
These courses provide a background in classical mechanics, thermodynamics, electrostatics, electromagnetics. This material is considered essential background for all CE majors. You may not need to use it all, but you need this material to have a background broad enough that you have meaningful interactions with other engineers and scientists.
Broad Exposure to CE Discipline ECE 1AB, (ECE 3 or CMPSC 8) and ECE 5
ECE 1A and 1B are seminar classes meant to expose students to a broad range of topics in Computer Engineering. ECE 3 combines an introduction to signal processing with exposure to software implementations in Python. ECE 5 offers hands-on project experience spanning a diversity of areas within CE on an Arduino platform.
Analog and Digital Circuits & Systems (ECE 10ABC)
This sequence builds a strong foundation in analog and digital circuits, progressing from core principles and MOSFET applications to advanced analysis techniques including filters, feedback, resonance and diode circuits.
Software Development & Programming (CMPSC 16, CMPSC 24, CMPSC 32)
These courses cover programming from introductory to advanced levels, emphasizing data structures (lists, trees, linked lists), recursion, efficiency analysis, software design, testing and practical problem-solving. Students also gain experience with memory management, UNIX systems and multi-threaded programming.
Discrete Mathematics & Theoretical Foundations (CMPSC 40)
Introduces the mathematical foundations of computer science, including logic, set theory, functions, counting, induction, recursion and proof techniques, with a focus on applying these concepts to computational problems.
Probability and Statistics (ECE 139 or PSTAT 120A)
ECE 139 (or PSTAT 120A) Introduces probability and statistics for engineering, emphasizing uncertainty modeling, random variables and dependencies, with applications in communications, signal processing, control, physics, circuits and computing.
Digital Logic and Design (ECE 15A and ECE 152A)
These courses cover digital system design from fundamentals of combinational logic — including Boolean algebra, logic minimization and programmable devices — to synchronous systems, state machines, Verilog and sequential circuit optimization, preparing students to design, simulate and implement modern digital systems.
Sequences and Capstone (Junior and Senior Years)
The junior and senior years provide the flexibility to specialize in one or more of the subfields of CE by exploring research opportunities in faculty labs. In order to build depth in a subfield, your electives must include two depth sequences corresponding to a subfield of CE. The depth sequences that we offer are designed to align and evolve to remain at the cutting edge of technology and to benefit from the world-class research expertise of our faculty. Every CE major also participates in a year-long capstone design project during their senior year. Most capstone projects are directly sponsored by companies or by a research laboratory at UCSB. The goal of the capstone project is to provide students with the kind of engineering design experience that is greatly valued in industry.
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Sequences and Capstone
During the junior and senior years, Computer Engineering majors have the flexibility to specialize in one or more subfields by selecting approved elective coursework. Students must complete two senior elective sequences, each consisting of at least two courses, chosen from an approved list of areas such as computer networks, systems design, distributed systems, machine learning, multimedia, robotics, and more. These sequences ensure students acquire in-depth knowledge in key areas of Computer Engineering and stay current with advances in technology.
In addition to electives, all CE students participate in a year-long senior capstone design project. Projects offered through the Electrical and Computer Engineering department focus on custom hardware, embedded systems, and circuit design, while those offered through the Computer Science department emphasize software on off-the-shelf hardware, algorithms, and system software. Most capstone projects are sponsored directly by companies or research laboratories at UCSB, providing hands-on, real-world engineering experience highly valued by industry and graduate programs.
BS/MS Program
BS students who choose to spend an additional year in our BS/MS program can both broaden and deepen their technical skills, gaining master’s level experience in graduate coursework and research.
Interested students should begin reviewing the process early in their 3rd year (typically their junior year) and plan to apply in the Spring quarter of that year. As this is an accelerated program, it is expected that all of the required courses for the CE major are completed including all of the junior required courses. GRE exams are not required to apply.
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A program offered by either the ECE or CS departments. BS/MS options available for Computer Engineering undergraduates:
- BS in CE and MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering: see the ECE BS/MS Combined Degree Program webpage
- BS in CE and MS in Computer Science: see the CS BS/MS Combined Degree Program webpage
Applications for the BS/MS in ECE are usually due at the end of the spring quarter of the junior year. BS/MS in Computer Science has a different deadline. As this is an accelerated program, it is expected that you have completed all the required courses for the CE major including all the junior required courses. GRE exams are not required to apply.
