Computer Engineering, B.S.

In Saint Louis University’s School of Science and Engineering, we have developed a unique, hands-on computer engineering program that incorporates analysis, design and development of computer systems containing hardware and software components.

As a student in the computer engineering program at SLU, you will gain a solid foundation through a combination of coursework and hands-on learning. You will use computing theory and tools to design solutions for today’s technology-based devices and systems, analyze and design micro-controller-based computing hardware, and produce embedded systems that go into robots, unmanned aerial vehicles, smart cars, gaming controllers, avionics and autopilots.

With easy access to a sophisticated computer-aided design laboratory and other technological spaces, graduates will have the necessary skills for entry into the profession as productive and effective engineers or to pursue graduate education.

Curriculum Overview

SLU's computer engineering program coursework provides students with both breadth and depth in computer engineering. Students develop the ability to apply their knowledge of mathematics, sciences and computer engineering to find solutions to practical problems. The program also ensures that graduates have an opportunity to work on multidisciplinary teams and develop effective communication skills.

In addition to a strong focus on computer skills and computer hardware and software, the program provides a broad design experience that is integrated throughout the program by introducing fundamental elements of the design process in coursework.

SLU's computer engineering program also includes a two-semester design sequence to provide a meaningful and significant engineering design experience that focuses on and prepares students for professional practice.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Benefits of SLU's computer engineering program also include several internship, research and career opportunities. Students are encouraged and assisted in obtaining summer internships with local and global companies through career services.

Undergraduate research opportunities within the college are available during the summer or regular semesters. Undergraduate students are also encouraged to seek opportunities for research with faculty of the program or faculty in other programs.

Careers

Computer engineers enjoy a variety of career paths spanning industrial or consulting positions. Students in this program are also prepared for graduate school and professional schools such as law, business administration or medicine.

Computer engineering graduates from SLU have found employment at such companies as:

• Amazon
• AT&T
• Boeing
• Citibank
• Department of Defense
• Emerson Electric
• Express Scripts
• Garmin
• General Motors
• Intel
• Rockwell
• Samsung
• SpaceX
• Texas Instruments
• U.S. Air Force

Admission Requirements

Begin Your Application

Saint Louis University also accepts the Common Application.

Freshman

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. 

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED.

Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).

In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken post-secondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission and matriculation requirements of the University, applicants to SLU’s engineering programs must meet the following requirements:

• GPA: Minimum cumulative 3.00 high school GPA for freshmen applicants and 2.70 college GPA for transfer applicants.
• Coursework: Fifteen total units of high school work are required: three or four units of English; four or more units of mathematics, including algebra I and II, geometry and precalculus (Algebra II with Trigonometry is not sufficient). Students should be prepared to start the first semester of freshmen year in Calculus I or higher; three or four units of science, including general science, introduction to physical science, earth science, biology, physics or chemistry; two or three units of social sciences including history, psychology or sociology; and three units of electives.

Admission to the School of Science and Engineering’s degree programs is based on a combination of secondary school grades, college admission test scores, co-curricular activities and attempted college coursework, as well as other indicators of the applicant’s ability, career focus and character. This process respects the non-discrimination policy of the University and is designed to select a qualified, competent and diverse student body with high standards of scholarship and character, consistent with the mission of the University.

Tuition

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Saint Louis University makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by December 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

Accreditation

The Computer Engineering, B.S. is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the commission's General Criteria and Program Criteria for Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s), and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

See Enrollment and Graduation Data for Computer Engineering 

The Computer Engineering, B.S. is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the commission's General Criteria and Program Criteria for Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s), and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Program Educational Objectives

The undergraduate program is designed to meet the following specific objectives in order to fulfill the departmental and institutional missions.

• Our graduates will have acquired advanced degrees or are engaged in advanced study in engineering, business, law, medicine or other appropriate fields.
• Our graduates will have established themselves as practicing engineers in electrical, computer or related engineering fields.
• Our graduates will be filling the technical needs of society by solving engineering problems using electrical or computer engineering principles, tools and practices.

Student Outcomes

Student outcomes are defined by ABET as the skills that graduates will attain at the time of graduation. Student outcomes are listed below:

1. Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics.
2. Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
3. Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
5. Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

¹

One 3 credit course selected from an approved list in science, mathematics, or engineering, at the 2000-level or higher, or Computer Science at 3000 or higher.

Non-Course Requirements

All Science and Engineering B.A. and B.S. students must complete an exit interview/survey near the end of their bachelor's program. 

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a minimum 2.00 GPA.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

¹

Students needing prerequisite work in writing skills as determined by ACT or SAT scores will be required to take ENGL 1500 The Process of Composition (3 cr)

²

Prerequisite requirement of computer programming, either CSCI 1060, CSCI 1300, or BME 2000

³

Must be selected from courses in science, math, computer science, or engineering at the 2000 level or higher.

⁴

Requires Senior standing (all required technical courses through the junior year have been completed and passed)

⁵

Must be taken from an approved list of engineering or CSCI elective courses.

Note: SLU-Madrid and SLU-St. Louis program requirements vary slightly by campus.

The program at SLU-Madrid pairs theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experience. Students can design solutions for technology-based devices, analyze microcontroller-based hardware, and create innovative embedded systems for diverse applications. Moreover, SLU's holistic approach ensures that students not only delve into the depths of computer engineering but also engage in a comprehensive liberal arts core curriculum. This equips students with critical thinking and communication skills, nurturing their ability to derive meaning from their future careers and life pursuits.

Launch your global engineering career by earning your U.S.-accredited Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering at Saint Louis University's campus in Madrid.

Curriculum Overview

The computer engineering program at SLU delivers a comprehensive education by emphasizing foundational mathematics and sciences, practical computer skills like programming and software development, and the design, implementation, and optimization of computer hardware and software systems. Through hands-on projects and coursework, students acquire valuable design experience while fostering collaboration within multidisciplinary teams. This approach refines their communication skills, crucial for success in any professional environment. Additionally, the curriculum integrates preparation for professional practice in computer engineering, ensuring graduates are academically equipped and possess the necessary expertise and readiness for successful careers in the field. This degree program also provides excellent preparation for graduate studies. 

SLU-Madrid's computer engineering program is offered through SLU's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the School of Science and Engineering in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. 

Fieldwork, Internships and Careers

Conduct research and tackle design challenges side-by-side with SLU-Madrid's distinguished engineering faculty in state-of-the-art facilities and labs. Our small class size ensures your engagement in both the how and the what of your learning experience. Additionally, your engineering training is grounded in the U.S. tradition of liberal arts, which, alongside your discipline-specific knowledge and skills, positions you for success in the global job market of the future.

As an engineering student, your internship — during the academic year or in the summer — gives you hands-on experience.

Career opportunities for computer engineers span a wide range of industries and roles. Computer engineers are needed in companies that design and program integrated circuits, circuit boards, embedded and autonomous control, computer systems, and networked distributed systems. Computer engineers are employed in a broad range of industries including semiconductor, computer, web services, telecommunication, automotive, aerospace, robotics, medical, security, media, and consumer electronics.

The computer engineering program of Saint Louis University also prepares students for graduate studies in a broad range of areas, including VLSI design, computer architecture, computer-aided design, robotics, embedded systems, signal and image processing, networking and telecommunications, and parallel and distributed computing.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the major, you must have at least a 2.00 cumulative average and complete a declaration of major form, available in the Office of the Registrar. Upon acceptance to the program, you will be assigned a departmental advisor.

Tuition and Fees

SLU-Madrid is committed to providing a quality Jesuit education at an affordable price. Tuition rates at the Madrid campus are approximately 40% lower than at comparable private universities in the U.S.

If you have questions or would like to speak with a financial aid officer, email us at financialaid-madrid@slu.edu. 

• Tuition and Fees
• Scholarships and Financial Aid