Undergraduate Calendar 1998-1999

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The Computer Engineering program is controlled and administered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Computer Engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the design, development and application of computer systems and emphasizes such factors as functions, performance, cost, size, power requirements, reliability, maintainability and societal impact. Intrinsic to Computer Engineering is the concept of design as it applies to all aspects of a computer system (the hardware, the software and the algorithms used) and the application for which it is intended. As with engineers in other disciplines, the goal of computer engineers is implementation, here to build a computer system for an application environment.

The curriculum in Computer Engineering encompasses the study of mathematics, physics and basic electrical engineering and computer science disciplines. This study is complemented by a thorough education in computer hardware and software.

After the Year One program in Engineering, the program in Computer Engineering consists of prescribed core courses in Years Two and Three. In Year Four, the student takes one prescribed technical course and six technical elective courses. These include the possibility of a design or research project.

In addition, there are seven elective courses (one in 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B and three in fourth year). Five of these electives must be used to satisfy Faculty of Engineering complementary studies requirements by choosing five suitable elective courses. The remaining two electives are chosen from a list of technical breadth electives discussed below (see Note 2).

The normal recommended program shown below involves a course load (excluding seminars) of five courses per term. Laboratory exercises are compulsory where they form part of a course. Departmental permission at the time of registration will be required for departures from the normal load in any one term. The normal rules of the Co-operative program will apply. By special permission the number of Co-operative work terms may be reduced, but a student must complete at least five work terms (including that done in Year One), unless admitted to advanced standing, as defined in the Calendar.

Permission to carry more than the normal load in any one term normally will be given only if the student holds an 80% average or better in the previous term.

The promotion criteria are as laid down in the Faculty rules.

Technical Presentation Proficiency Exam

All students registering in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering are required to satisfy the Technical Presentation Proficiency Exam (TPPE) requirement during the 2A term or if admission to the program occurs after 2A, before the end of their first academic term in the program. The details of this requirement are provided during the first year so that the student may prepare a suitable technical presentation during a work term, to be given during the 2A term.

Complementary Studies Electives

Five elective courses must be chosen in addition to the core course M SCI 261 to satisfy the Complementary Studies Program.

AVAILABLE OPTIONS

The normal Computer Engineering program shown has been designed to offer a well-balanced and rewarding education. Students wishing to enrich their education further may elect to take one of the five options available. These options are described below. Students should be aware that an option may require additional courses, and may constrain the choice of elective courses. An 80% average is required to enter the Mathematics or Physics Option.

Management Sciences Option

This is a sequence of seven courses (see 'Option in Management Sciences' under Designated Options in the Faculty of Engineering section) designed for those students with an interest in the management of technology. Further details are made available from the department.

The successful completion of these courses results in a designation on the transcript 'Option in Management Sciences'.

Mathematics Option

This is a sequence of eight courses (see 'Option in Mathematics' under Designated Options in the Faculty of Engineering section) designed to give students a broad background in either pure or applied mathematics. Further details are made available from the department.

The successful completion of these courses results in a designation on the transcript 'Option in Mathematics'.

Physics Option

This is a sequence of eight courses (see 'Option in Physics' under Designated Options in the Faculty of Engineering section) designed to give students an enriched background in the fundamentals of physical science. Further details are made available from the department.

The successful completion of these courses results in a designation on the transcript 'Option in Physics'.

Software Engineering Option

The Software Engineering Option described under Designated Options in the Faculty of Engineering section is available to Computer Engineering students who have a 70% average. Further information on this Option is available from the Associate Chair or the Option Co-ordinator.

The successful completion of the required courses results in a designation on the transcript 'Option in Software Engineering'.

Environmental Engineering Option

This is a sequence of five required courses and a two-term project course (see 'Option in Environmental Engineering' under Designated Options in the Faculty of Engineering section) designed to give students an enriched background in environmental engineering issues.

The successful completion of these courses results in a designation on the transcript 'Option in Environmental Engineering.'

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Notes

  1. The laboratory hours shown are approximate indications of the average time the student will spend in the laboratory.
  2. In the program there are seven elective courses. These are composed of five Complementary Studies Elective (CSE) courses. The two remaining elective courses are to be chosen from the following list of Technical Breadth Electives (TBE): E&CE 231, 261, 332, 362, 370 and 471. In making a selection, all prerequisite constraints must be satisfied. If a prerequisite is required that is not part of the program see the Associate Chair. The selection of Technical Breadth Electives will impact the selection of fourth-year electives. Please see the Associate Chair for suggested combinations.
  3. With the approval of the Department in terms 4A and 4B, students may take technical courses offered by other departments. The normal load in fourth year is E&CE 427 three TBE's or CSE's (as described in Note 2 above) and six technical electives. At least four of these technical electives must be from the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. To be treated as fourth year technical electives, any courses taken from outside of the department must have a significant engineering component. See the Department for further information.

The 1A term is as described in 'First-Year Engineering Programs'.
Term 1B (Winter) C T L
E&CE 102 Seminar 1 - -
MATH 118 Calculus 1B 3 2 -
E&CE 150 Introduction to Computing 3 2 -
E&CE 100 Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering 5 3 3*
PHYS 125 Physics for Engineers 3 2 -
M SCI 261 Managerial and Engineering Economics 1 3 1 -
Term 2A (Fall) C T L
E&CE 201 Seminar 1 - -
MATH 211 (E&CE 205) Advanced
Calculus 1 (For Computer Engineers) 3 1 -
E&CE 209 Electronic and Electrical Properties of Materials 3 1 -
E&CE 223 Digital Circuits and Systems 3 1 3*
E&CE 250 Algorithms and Data Structures 3 1 3*
CSE 3 + +
TPPE 000 CR /NCR
WKRPT 100 Work Term Report, Engineering
Term 2B (Spring) C T L
E&CE 202 Seminar 1 - -
E&CE 203 Discrete Mathematics 3 1 -
E&CE 222 Digital Computers 3 1 3*
E&CE 241 Circuit Analysis and Design 3 1 3*
E&CE 251 Programming Languages and Translators 3 1 3*
TBE or CSE 3 + +
Term 3A (Winter) C T L
E&CE 301 Seminar 1 - -
E&CE 316 Introduction to Probability Theory 3 1 -
E&CE 324 Microprocessor Systems and Interfacing 3 1 3*
E&CE 342 Signals and Systems 3 1 -
E&CE 354 Real-time Operating Systems 3 1 3*
TBE or CSE 3 + +
WKRPT 200 Work Term Report, Engineering
Term 3B (Fall) C T L
E&CE 302 Seminar 1 - -
E&CE 304 Numerical Methods 3 1 -
E&CE 318 Communication Systems 3 1 3*
E&CE 380 Analog Control Systems 3 1 3*
E&CE 455 Software Engineering 3 1 3*
TBE or CSE 3 + +
WKRPT 300 Work Term Report, Engineering
Term 4A (Spring) C T L
E&CE 401 Seminar 1 - -
E&CE 427 Digital Systems Engineering 2 1 3*
TBE or CSE 3 + +
TBE or CSE 3 + +
WKRPT 400 Work Term Report, Engineering
Two Technical Electives from the following:
E&CE 411 Digital Communications 1 3 1 -
E&CE 428 Computer Communications Networks 3 1 -
E&CE 435 Semiconductor Devices 3 1 -
E&CE 438 Digital Integrated Circuits 2 1 3*
E&CE 446 Linear Systems 3 1 -
E&CE 457 Applied Artificial Intelligence 3 1 3*
E&CE 481 Design of Digital Control Systems 2 1 3*
E&CE 499A Project - - 9
Term 4B (Winter) C T L
E&CE 402 Seminar 1 - -
TBE or CSE 3 + +
Four Technical Electives from the following:
E&CE 309 Introduction to Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer++ 3 1 -
E&CE 332 Electronic Circuits ++ 3 1 3*
E&CE 362 Energy Systems and Components 2++ 3 1 3*
E&CE 412 Digital Communications 2 3 1 -
E&CE 413 Digital Signal Processing 3 1 -
E&CE 429 Computer Structures 3 1 -
E&CE 436 Design of Integrated Circuits and Devices 2 1 3*
E&CE 437 Integrated VLSI Systems 2 1 3*
E&CE 439 Analog Integrated Circuits 2 1 3*
E&CE 443 Electrical Networks 2 1 -
E&CE 456 Database Systems 3 1 3*
E&CE 464 Insulation and High Voltage Engineering 2 1 3*
E&CE 465 Power Systems 3 1 -
E&CE 473 Microwave Engineering 2 1 3*
E&CE 475 Guided Wave Photonics Engineering 3 1 3*
E&CE 482 Multivariable Control Systems 2 1 3*
E&CE 485 Computer Control Applications 2 1 3*
E&CE 486 Robot Dynamics and Control 3 - 3*
E&CE 499B Project - - 9

* Indicates laboratory every second or third week, or open lab. See Course Descriptions.
+If a TBE is chosen, the laboratory and tutorial component will vary.
++If this course has already been taken as a TBE, it cannot be counted as a TE.
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Revised February 1998