Computer Engineering (BEng)
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)
Why study Computer Engineering?
Without computer hardware and software, there would be no smart phones, DVD players, digital recorders and critical systems in airplane cockpits, modern cars, or computerized medical devices. As a computer engineer, your knowledge of computer architecture, digital electronics, circuits and digital communication will lead to innovations or bring about another information revolution.
Choose the Avionics and Embedded Systems Option or create your own path based on electives that suit your interests. Our state-of-the-art labs designed for programming in assembly language, digital systems and high-performance computing will give you experience with the tools you will use in the field. Through labs, lectures and projects, you’ll also:
- Learn programming methodology to design data structures and algorithms
- Learn to resolve issues of system interfaces and integration
- Integrate engineering solutions into biomedical and biological systems
- Design Internet of Things (IoT)/cyber-physical systems to solve real world problems
- Design embedded computing and communication systems for high-performance applications, such as a small, unmanned aircraft
All of our Engineering programs are accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board and you’ll graduate eligible to become a registered professional engineer.
Program details
The Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering takes a minimum of four to five years (120 – 150 credits) of full-time study, depending on your academic background.
All students accepted in the Bachelor of Computer Engineering program who are not enrolled in the Co-op program must complete one 12-17-week internship to graduate. This internship program, C.Edge, is administered by the Institute of Co-operative Education and will allow ECE students to have one paid internship in their field of study.
In the third year of study, students may choose from four options:
- Avionics and Embedded Systems
- Biological and Biomedical Engineering (BME)
- Pervasive Computing
- A general stream with more credits chosen from the Computer Engineering electives list
Learn more about these options and see full degree requirements.
Minimum cut-off averages and course requirements
- Quebec CEGEP: 25 overall, 23 math, 22 physics
- Admission is based on applicants’ overall, math and physics CRC indicated above and completion of the following classes as part of their DEC: CHEM 101 or 202-NYA; MATH 103 or 201-NYA and 203 or 201-NYB and 105 or 201-NYC; PHYS 101 or 203 NYA and 201 or 203 NYB.
- Students completing a three-year technical DEC in a related field may also be eligible for admission with a minimum of 24 in the math and physics courses required for their CEGEP program.
- Additional information for CEGEP applicants
- High school: B- overall, B- in math, B- in physics
- One math from Pre-Calculus, Calculus, or equivalent
- Grade 12 or university-preparatory physics
- Canadian curricula course requirements
- Accepted international qualifications
- ACT or SAT is not required
- AP exams are not required but may qualify you for advanced standing
- International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma: 27 overall, 4 HL or SL math, 4 HL or SL physics
- Accepted math: Applications and Interpretations HL, Analysis and Approaches SL or HL
- Math or physics course must be HL
- Baccalauréat français: 12 overall, 12 in math, 12 in science
- Required courses:
- Première: Spécialité mathématiques and Spécialité physique-chimie
- Terminale: Spécialité mathématiques (also accepted, Spécialité Physique-Chimie and Mathématiques Complémentaires)
- Additional information for Baccalauréat français applicants
- Required courses:
- British system of education (GCE):
- A-levels: At least two A-level exams CD, C in math, C in physics or or
- AS-levels: At least 4 AS-level exams with equivalent results or
- BTEC: Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma in a related subject area with equivalent results
- Students without math or physics A-levels may be admissible based on AS-level or iGCSE/GCSE/O-Level exam results. Students should include all their exam results from iGCSE (or equivalent) onwards to support their application.
- Additional information for British System of Education (GCE) applicants
- University transfer (internal): 2.5 overall, 2.5 in math/physics, 1.7 in courses offered by GCS
- 2.3 in COMP 218 or 248
- PHYS 204 or 205 (or equivalent)
- At least two of the following (or equivalent): MATH 203, 204, 205
- University transfer (external): B- overall, B- in math, B- in physics
- Courses in the disciplines of Calculus, Chemistry and Physics
We consider complete applications year round and we give priority to applicants who apply by official deadlines. Late applications will be considered if places are still available for the fall term only.
| You've sent your application from: | Fall term deadline | Winter term deadline |
| Inside Canada | March 1 Certain programs have extended their deadlines. Please check program availability. |
November 1 Not all programs are available for this term. Please check program availability. |
| Outside Canada (International) | February 1 | September 1 |
We reserve the right to close admission to a program at any time after the official deadline without prior notice.
Core courses
- Engineering core
- Computer Engineering core
Electives
- Avionics and Embedded Systems Option Core
See full curriculum details in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Sample classes
- Computer Architecture and Design
- Microprocessor Systems
- Data Structures and Algorithms
- Digital Systems Design
See all classes and read course descriptions.
Course sequences
See the course sequence by semester of entry into the program
The Co-op program gives you the chance to complete paid work terms that last 12 to 16 weeks. As a Co-op student, you will play a large role in testing software packages designed and implemented by engineers. You may also:
- Design, build and test computing systems
- Design and implement software systems
- Develop and maintain databases
- Develop a video game system that runs on a programmable chip (FPGA)
- Develop body sensors to measure gait, and monitor tread slippage
- Design a low cost incubator that monitors and maintains temperature and humidity within a range
- Program an autonomous personal-service robot
- Design an embedded computing and communication system to control multiple small, unmanned aircraft flying in formation
Computer Engineering alumni have established careers in a range of computing fields, including aerospace avionics, real-time embedded systems, communication systems, software systems and computer architecture and hardware. Some graduates have been hired by:
- Bombardier
- CAE Inc.
- The Canadian Space Agency
- CGI
- Ajilon Consulting
- Morgan Stanley
- Microsoft