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Concentrations & Minors

Are you interested in expanding your engineering expertise?  Maybe you're interested in the intricacies of materials, or combining your technical knowledge with business savvy.  If so, then one of our concentrations or specialty minors is for you.

Concentrations

The Computer Engineering Concentration is designed to provide special training in the analysis and design of both the hardware and software aspects of computers and computer-based systems. Some of the areas of study that are covered in this concentration are: computer architecture and hardware design, computer networks and communications, interfacing, operating systems, and data structures. Graduates of the Computer Engineering concentration are able to handle a host of real-world technical problems of interdisciplinary nature. They find ready employment in the computer and information technology industries especially in developing integrated systems and total solutions. Employment opportunities can range from research and development to design, manufacturing and marketing. They also find that they have excellent opportunities for employment in heavy industries such as the oil, power, utilities, and auto industries where automation and computer-controlled operations are used to increase productivity, efficiency, and accuracy while reducing operating costs.  More details about the Computer Engineering Concentration can be found in the 2022-2023 catalog.

The Power and Sustainable Energy Concentration mainly focuses on electric energy conversion and integration which can be studied from different aspects such as renewable energies, smart grids, electric vehicles and power system operation and control. Emerging new trends in grid modernization and developing sustainable energies have increased the demand for experts nationwide in fields related to energy technologies. Energy modernization plans are highly interdisciplinary and require a solid background of Math, Engineering and Science. A sustainable and adaptive pathway provides our students with necessary engineering skills and knowledge to provide solutions in the area of clean energy technologies. Appropriate training and adequate preparation for workforce implementation are also imperative to the successful integration of our graduates. More details about the Power and Sustainable Energy Concentration can be found in the 2022-2023 catalog.

The Secure Smart Systems Concentration prepares students to engage in the new revolution in smart systems, system security and embedded systems. Areas of studies include cyber-physical systems, embedded systems, machine learning, Internet of Things, human-computer interface, cybersecurity and control systems. Students will be prepared to design, innovate, and evaluate the emerging smart systems from smart refrigerator, to smart home, to smart car, to smart city, to smart grid, to smart manufacturing, taking into consideration the important aspects of systems security. Smart systems incorporate functions of sensing, actuation, and control in order to describe and analyze an integrated system, and make decisions based on the available data in a predictive or adaptive manner, thereby performing smart actions. In most cases the “smartness” of the system can be attributed to autonomous operation based on closed loop control, energy efficiency, and networking capabilities. Learning capabilities is one of the main attributes of these systems. As the expansion of smart technologies continues — and as security challenges arise as a result of that expansion — employment opportunities for graduates in this field are increasing as well. More details about the Secure Smart Systems Concentration can be found in the 2022-2023 catalog.

Minors

Each of the five minors requires a minimum of 18 hours in specialized area, which you complete during your undergraduate program. The specialty minors are:

  • Bioprocess Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Materials Engineering
  • Technology Commercialization
  • Pre-MBA

Learn more about the specialty minors and the courses for each.