DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
IN
ELECTRONIC AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
INTRODUCTION
The utilisation of computer resources in the solution of engineering problems has become a vital
requirement in this era of ‘online’ operation. The importance of computer literacy for the modern
Engineer thus goes without saying. Computer expertise for the engineer on the other hand, though getting
more and more necessary for the practising engineer, has been neglected in the training of the engineer. It
has mostly been left to the computer scientist or for the engineers with a great enough interest in
computing to pursue computer training on their own initiative. This has resulted in gaps between
conceptualisation of engineering solutions and the realisation of the same. The engineer conceptualises
the solution and then enlists a computer scientist or engineer to realise it. The implementation result may
often not be optimal since the conceptualised solution often does not take into account the best use of the
available computer resources; while the realisation does not take into account possible design options that
would lend themselves to better and more efficient implementation. This results in long project
completion times as the need arises for a lot of fine-tuning after each implementation phase through back
and forth consultations between the engineer and the one realising the solution.
An engineer adept at maximising on the computing resources through a thorough grounding in the basics
and intricacies of the computer world is thus a vital tool to industry, first and foremost, and to a
developing country such as Kenya seeking to industrialise in the near future. The course in Electronics
and Computer Engineering (ECE) seeks to train an engineer capable of carrying out the project from
concept through realisation if necessary. At the very least, the graduate in ECE will be capable of
conceptualising solutions and prescribing the best implementation tools for the computer expert based on
his knowledge of the underlying computer processes and available tools. ECE seeks to bring out the best
of the student in both Electronic Engineering and Computer Engineering thus giving one the capability of
being fairly comfortable in both fields. Industry needs such graduates to take advantage of the prevailing
technology to maximise on returns and profits.
The ECE students will be provided with sufficient knowledge, as in every other discipline of engineering,
in the design of systems, operations and maintenance. In general the course will include the technologies
of basic electrical engineering, electronics, digital systems, telecommunications, control engineering,
computer systems (operating systems, compilers, databases), computer networks, computer (structured,
object oriented and Internet) programming, information technology and automation. The use of computer
and information systems in the preparation, collection, transmission, retrieval, storage, access, security,
presentation and transformation of information will be covered by the completion of the course. The
course will provide access to many of the new and emerging electronics, communication and computer
technologies.
The syllabus incorporates core units from electrical and electronics engineering, computer sciences as
well as units covering the requisite mathematics, mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry and social
sciences. There is also a component in financial accounting and management. Since basic engineering
knowledge still forms the cornerstone for the student engineer, the first two years or so of study will have
courses in common with other engineering disciplines especially electrical and computer engineering.
The final three years will then offer courses critical for the electronic and computer engineer. These
include design, analysis and/or application of: digital signal processing, digital systems design, electronic
communication systems, control engineering, computer programming, databases, computer and
multimedia networks and Internet applications.
OBJECTIVES
Broad Objectives of the Course
These may be summarised as follows:
•
To meet the electronic and computer engineering industry demands for suitably equipped and
knowledgeable engineers in the field.
•
To build capacity for the training of manpower in the electronic and computer engineering field.
•
To enhance research and production, of new ideas and products, in the area of electronic and
computer engineering.
Course Coverage
A graduate of the course will have covered units in:
•
Basic electrical engineering,
•
Electronics,
•
Digital systems,
•
Telecommunications,
•
Control engineering,
•
Computer systems (operating systems, compilers, databases),
•
Computer networks,
•
Computer (structured, object oriented and internet) programming,
•
Information technology (including the use of computer and information systems in the
preparation, collection, transmission, retrieval, storage, access, security, presentation and
transformation of information).
Skills Acquired
A graduate of the program will be expected to exhibit competency in the theory, design, installation and
maintenance of:
•
Electronic equipment
•
Electronic communication systems
•
Computer hardware and software systems
•
Computer networks
In addition the graduate will have the essential basics of:
•
Natural sciences,
•
General engineering, and
•
Management.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
The following shall be eligible for consideration for admission into the degree programme:
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) applicants should satisfy all the requirements below:
A candidate must have a mean aggregate of at least grade B – (minus);
and
The mean grade for the total score in the four cluster subjects must be at least B(plain);
and
In the individual cluster subjects, a candidate must have at least the scores given below:
Alternative A
Alternative B
Mathematics
C+
Mathematics
C+
Physics
C+
Physical Sciences
B
Chemistry
C+
Biological Sciences
C+
Geography or any
C+
Geography or Biology, or
any Group IV Subjects
C+
Group IV Subjects
Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE) or the A-level equivalent should satisfy all the
requirements below:
Two principal passes in Mathematics and Physics;
and
At least a total score of nine(9) points or equivalent;
and
At least a credit pass in chemistry at the KCE or its equivalent.
Diploma applicants:
A candidate must be a holder of JKUAT diploma in engineering with at least a credit pass in the relevant
discipline. (Diploma holders will normally be admitted into the second year of study).
A holder of other qualifications recognized by the Senate as equivalent to I, II and III above.