2011-2012 Bulletin – PDF - SEAS Bulletin - Columbia University

102
Computer Engineering Program
Administered by both the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Departments through a joint Computer Engineering Committee.
Student records are kept in the Electrical Engineering Department.
1300 S. W. Mudd, MC 4712
450 Computer Sciences
Phone: 212-854-3105
www.compeng.columbia.edu
In Charge
Steven M. Nowick
508 Computer Science
Computer Engineering Committee
Luca Carloni,
Associate Professor of Computer
Science
Stephen A. Edwards
Associate Professor of Computer
Science
Martha A. Kim
Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Vishal Misra
Associate Professor of Computer
Science
Steven M. Nowick
Professor of Computer Science
Daniel Rubenstein
Associate Professor of Computer
Science
Simha Sethumadhavan
Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Kenneth L. Shepard
Professor of Electrical Engineering and
Biomedical Engineering
Stephen H. Unger
Professor Emeritus of Computer Science
and Electrical Engineering
Charles A. Zukowski
Professor of Electrical Engineering
The computer engineering
program is run jointly by the
Computer Science and Electrical
Engineering departments. It offers both
B.S. and M.S. degrees.
The program covers some of
engineering’s most active, exciting, and
critical areas, which lie at the interface
between CS and EE. The focus of the
major is on computer systems involving
both digital hardware and software.
Some of the key topics covered
are computer design (i.e., computer
architecture); embedded systems (i.e.,
the design of dedicated hardware/
software for cell phones, automobiles,
robots, games, and aerospace); digital
and VLSI circuit design; computer
networks; design automation (i.e.,
CAD); and parallel and distributed
systems (including architectures,
programming, and compilers).
The undergraduate major includes
one substantial senior design
course, either designing an entire
microprocessor (EECS E4340), or an
embedded system (CSEE W4840)
(including both software and hardware
components), or providing hands-on
experience in designing and using a
computer network (CSEE W4140).
Students in the programs have two
“home” departments. The Electrical
Engineering Department maintains
student records and coordinates
advising appointments.
Undergraduate Program
This undergraduate program
incorporates most of the core curricula
in both electrical engineering and
computer science so that students
will be well prepared to work in the
area of computer engineering, which
substantially overlaps both fields. Both
hardware and software aspects of
computer science are included, and,
in electrical engineering, students
receive a solid grounding in circuit
theory and in electronic circuits. The
program includes several electrical
engineering laboratory courses as well
as the Computer Science Department’s
advanced programming course.
Detailed lists of requirements can be
found at
www.compeng.columbia.edu/pages/
ugrad.
Students will be prepared to work
on all aspects of the design of digital
hardware, as well as on the associated
software that is now often an integral
part of computer architecture. They will
also be well equipped to work in the
growing field of telecommunications.
Students will have the prerequisites to
delve more deeply into either hardware
or software areas, and enter graduate
programs in computer science,
electrical engineering, or computer
engineering. For example, they could
take more advanced courses in VLSI,
communications theory, computer
architecture, electronic circuit theory,
software engineering, or digital design.
Minors in electrical engineering and
computer science are not open to
computer engineering majors, due to
excessive overlap.
engineering 2011–2012