Joint Curriculum
CEN UG Program
CEN Curriculum Committee
Manuel Bermudez, Doug Dankel, Paul Fishwick, Rob Fox,
Ann Gordon-Ross, Herman Lam (chair), Janise McNair
1
Outline
 Overview of existing CEN curriculum

Software (SW) and hardware (HW) tracks
 Issues with existing curriculum



With respect to students
Advising issues
Curriculum issues
 Joint CEN UG curriculum



What is Computer Engineering?
Guiding principles for joint curriculum
Proposed curriculum
 Sample plans of study
 Details of CEN UG curriculum
 Conclusions and discussion
2
Overview of Existing CEN Curriculum
Software Track 1
Hardware Track 2
1 http://cise.ufl.edu/academics/undergrad/cen/cen-requirements-1999.pdf
2 http://www.ece.ufl.edu/academics/undergraduate/degrees/bscen2006.htm
3
Issues with Existing Curriculum
Too much emphasis on early distinction between HW and
SW rather than on value of integrated HW/SW knowledge
 With respect to students



Has to commit to SW or HW track too early
Once committed, follows different study plans
The further down the track, the more difficult
to change to “other” track if desired
 Advising issues


Freshman Preview
Orientation
Limited advising to select a track –
student has to commit to a track before any real advising
Advising is on committed track only; little info about “other” track
 Inconsistency in curriculum



Different study plans
Inconsistent capstone senior design courses
Different GPA requirements
 No major examination of CEN curriculum since 1999

e.g., 2004: ACM Curriculum Guidelines for UG Program in CEN
4
What is Computer Engineering?
 ACM Curriculum Guidelines for UG Degree Program in Computer
Engineering (2004)


http://www.acm.org/education/curric_vols/CE-Final-Report.pdf
160 pages, including appendix on “Details of Body of Knowledge for
Computer Engineering”
 Every major university has its view (curriculum)

No “one size fits all” definition of Computer Engineering
 With respect to our program, Computer Engineering falls within a
continuum between Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
CEN
CS
(CSE,
CSC)
Core
EE
5
What is Computer Engineering?
 ACM Curriculum Guidelines for UG Degree Program in Computer
Engineering (2004)


http://www.acm.org/education/curric_vols/CE-Final-Report.pdf
160 pages, including appendix on “Details of Body of Knowledge for
Computer Engineering”
 Every major university has its view (curriculum)

No “one size fits all” definition of Computer Engineering
 With respect to our program, Computer Engineering falls within a
continuum between Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

Boundary and core of CEN is in the eyes of beholder
CEN
CS
(CSE,
CSC)
Core
EE
6
So, What is Our Core?
Software Track 1
Required courses
108 hrs.
Hardware Track 2
Required courses
109 hrs.
Similarities and Differences
7
So, What is Our Core?
Software Track 1
Hardware Track 2
Similarities and Differences
8
So, What is Our Core?
Software Track 1
Hardware Track 2
• CNT 4007
• MAS 3114 or
equivalent
• COT 4501 or
equivalent
•
•
•
•
EEL 3105
EEE 3396
EEL 3112
EEE 3308 or
EEL 3135
Common required
courses 102 hrs.
Also differences in
computer programming
and capstone design
CNT 4007: Computer Networking
MAS 3114: Linear Algebra
COT 4501: Numerical Analysis
EEL 3105: Analytical Methods
EEE 3396: Solid State Electronics
EEL 3112: Circuits 2
EEE 3308: Electronic Circuits
EEL 3135: Signals and Systems
9
Guiding Principles
Joint CEN Curriculum
 CEN core competency (breadth)
 CEN major brings unique value of integrated knowledge in
both computer software and hardware (vs. EE or CS major)
 Flexible specialization (depth)
 Student’s choice of career path is selected when appropriate,
not necessarily early in curriculum
 Explicit and clear guidance and focus
 For students, advisors, and employers
 Additional design goals:
 Implementable: no drastic disruption to existing course offerings
 Improve where necessary: e.g., capstone design sequence,
programming requirement, CEN-oriented courses
10
Proposed Joint Curriculum
1. CEN core competency:


Core courses common to existing SW and HW tracks (102 hrs)
Changes (improvement) to core (6 hrs)
 Computer programming requirement
 Capstone design sequence
2. Flexible specialization

18 hrs: To be selected from an approved list of courses from either
department (with constraints; e.g., cannot take >1 programming language
courses as tech electives)
3. Explicit and clear guidance and focus




Certificate option: each certificate orients toward a
CEN career or graduate school research direction
Officially recognized - must be approved by UCC
(University Curriculum Committee)
Must include at least three courses
Certificates are noted on student transcript
11
Sample Certificate Areas
(DRAFT)
 Artificial Intelligence



CAP 4053 AI for Comp. Games
CAP 4621 AI & Heuristics
CAP 4680 Knowledge-based Sys.
 Modeling & Interaction



CAP 4800 Systems Simulation
CAP 4730 Computational Structures
in Computer Graphics
CIS 4930 Human-Computer
 Data Computer Communications
 Interaction Programming for
& Network
Industrial Sys. and Operations
 EEL 4713 or CDA 4102 Comp. Arch.

CNT 4007 Computer Network

EEL 4598 Data Computer
Communications
 Database Management

COP 3530 Data Struct. & Algorithms

CIS 4301 DB System I

CIS 4720 DB System II



COT4501 Numerical Methods
ESI 4312 Operations Research
CAP 4680 Knowledge-Based Sys.
 Optical Networks



EEE3396 Solid State Electronics
EEL4440 Optical Communication
Systems
EEL4598 Data Comp Communication
12
Sample Certificate Areas
(DRAFT)
 Reconfigurable Computing



EEL 4712 Digital Design
EEL 4713 Digital Computer Arch.
EEL 4930 Reconfigurable Computing
 Robotics



EEL 4744: Microprocessor Apps
EEL 4665: Intelligent Machines
Design Laboratory
CAP 4621: Artificial Intelligence
 Sensor Networks

ABE4304 Remote Sensing in
Engineering: Science, Sensors and
Applications

CEN 4507 ???

EEL 4598 Data Computer
Communications
 Software System Development



CEN 3031 Software Engineering
CEN 4012 Software System
Development
CEN 4072 SW Testing &
Verification
 VLSI



EEE3396 Solid-State Devices
EEE3308C Electronic Circuits 1
One of:
 EEE4310 Digital Electronics
 EEE4331 Microelectronics
Fabrication Technology
 EEE4329 Future of
Microelectronics Technology
13
Sample Study Plans
One Certificate
One Certificate
(SW emphasis)
(HW emphasis)
Core
CS
EE
 Certificate in Database
Management



COP 3530 Data Structure
CIS 4301 DB Sys. I
CIS 4720 DB Sys. II
 Other tech electives



CEN 4012 SW System Dev.
CNT 4007 Comp. Network
CAP 4053 AI for Comp. Games
Core
CS
EE
 Certificate in Reconfigurable
Computing



EEL 4712 Digital Design
EEL 4713 Digital Comp. Arch.
EEL 4930 Reconfig. Computing
 Other tech electives



EEE 4310 Digital IC
EEL 4598 Data Comp. Com.
CNT 4007 Comp. Network
14
Sample Study Plans
Two Certificates
Two Certificates
(SW/HW emphases)
(SW emphasis)
Core
CS
EE
 Certificate in Reconfigurable
Computing



EEL 4712 Digital Design
EEL 4713 Digital Comp. Arch.
EEL 4930 Reconfig. Computing
 Certificate in Software
System Development



CEN 3031 Software Engineering
CEN 4012 SW System Dev.
CEN 4072 SW Testing & Verif.
Core
CS
EE
 Certificate in Artificial
Intelligence



CAP 4053 AI for Comp. Games
CAP 4621 AI & Heuristics
CAP 4680 Knowledge-based Sys.
 Certificate in Database Mgt.



COP 3530 Data Structure
CIS 4301 DB Sys I
CIS 4720 DB Sys II
15
Sample Study Plans
One Certificate
No Certificate
(SW/HW emphasis)
Core
CS
EE
 Certificate in Data Computer
Communications & Network



CDA 4102 Computer Arch.
CNT 4007 Computer Network
EEL 4598 is Data Computer
Communications
 Other tech electives



CEN 4012 SW System Dev.
EEL 4930 Reconfig. Computing
CAP 4053 AI for Comp. Games
Core
CS
EE
 Tech electives






EEL 4713 Digital Comp. Arch.
EEL 4930 Reconfig. Computing
CAP 4410 Digital Image Proc.
CAP 4800 System Simulation
CNT 4007C Comp. Network
EEL 4665 Intel. Machine Design
16
Conclusions
 Time to re-examine CEN curriculum (since 1999)
 Joint CEN curriculum driven by student needs
1. CEN core competency


Required courses common to existing SW/HW tracks & improvements
Brings unique value of integrated knowledge in both computer software
and hardware
2. Flexible specialization


Tech electives selected from approved list from either department
Choice of career path is selected when appropriate, not necessarily
early in curriculum
3. Certificate option:


Officially recognized and noted on student transcripts
Explicit, clear guidance and focus for students, advising, & employers
Details of CEN UG curriculum
 Plan and schedule



Today: meeting for overview and discussion
Blog discussion for one week
 http://www.eng.ufl.edu/cencurriculum
In one week? meeting for final discussion and vote
17
Discussion
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