Electrical and Computer Engineering Interim Chair: Dr. Maggie Wang
Office Location: 318 Drosdick Hall
Telephone: (610) 519-3830
Email: xiaofang.wang@villanova.edu

About

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, Honors

Computer Engineering is a discipline that bridges the fields of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. It may be simplistic to state that computer engineers “build computers,” but it is not far from the truth. Computer engineers are unique in having the balanced skills to bring the hardware and software work together. Building computers alone does not begin to describe the scope of computer engineering. Computers are now embedded in smart phones, drones, wireless networks, internet devices, autonomous vehicles and are an integral part of AI, cybersecurity and machine learning. The Villanova computer engineering program is a balanced program bringing together such fundamentals as computer architecture, networks, operating systems, digital electronics, embedded systems as well as electives in biomedical engineering, machine learning and cybersecurity.

Mission Statement

The mission of Villanova University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is to empower students to become leaders in their chosen professions and to prepare them for a life of service to others.

Program Educational Objectives

The Program Educational Objectives of the Computer Engineering program are to produce graduates who:

• Use their knowledge, analytical, and design skills to generate and validate sustainable and technically appropriate solutions to practical real-world problems in their chosen profession;
• Communicate and work effectively with others having different roles or responsibilities in their professional work environments;
• Continue to develop their professional knowledge and skills throughout their career;
• Succeed in their careers by practicing their chosen discipline with professionalism, care, and integrity.

The curriculum is structured to provide a thorough foundation in the fundamentals of electrical and computer engineering. Analysis and design are emphasized throughout the curriculum, using a project-based structure to teach students how to work on their own and in teams and to synthesize engineering solutions by utilizing their analytical skills and knowledge. Heavy emphasis is placed on developing oral and written communication skills. The curriculum also provides opportunities for an increased awareness of the broader implications of technology and of the social responsibilities of the profession. The design process is emphasized throughout all four years, and design projects are included in the laboratory courses. The sophomore and junior years include core courses that provide a foundation for the senior year, which includes technical and professional electives and an in-depth design project. The computer engineering curriculum not only provides a solid foundation in the core fundamentals but offers the flexibility for students to pursue other professional interests. The curriculum includes professional electives, free elective, science/math elective, computer engineering track electives, and humanities electives to serve this purpose. Students have used this flexibility to pursue minors in business, mechatronics, computer science, cognitive science, physics, astronomy, mathematics, foreign languages, history, and theology, to name a few; although, applying these electives towards a minor/concentration is not a requirement. In addition, students have used the flexibility of the curriculum to prepare for post-graduate study in medicine, law, business, education, and engineering.

The computer engineering program offers technical elective courses in the following specialized areas: computer architecture, biomedical engineering, computer networks, machine learning, microcontrollers, digital integrated electronics and microfabrication, embedded systems, and computer security.

Students in the computer engineering program acquire experience with computers and their engineering applications, beginning with the engineering programming and applications course in the freshman year and continuing throughout the curriculum in the sophomore-level fundamentals courses, junior-level core courses, and senior-level technical electives. In addition to the activities and services offered by the university and the College of Engineering, the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department provides the following additional services and activities for its students: an academic advisor, to assist students with the implementations of their academic plans; the ECE Walk-in Tutoring Office, to assist ECE students with their upper-level courses; and college-level and departmental student organizations.