# Computer engineering

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Engineering discipline specializing in the design of computer hardware

Not to be confused with [Computational engineering](/source/Computational_engineering).

"Hardware engineering" redirects here. For mechanical hardware engineering, see [Mechanical engineering](/source/Mechanical_engineering). For electrical hardware engineering, see [Electrical engineering](/source/Electrical_engineering).

Computer engineering Occupation Names Computer engineer Occupation type Engineering Activity sectors Electronics, telecommunications, signal processing, computer hardware, software Specialty Hardware engineering, software engineering, hardware-software interaction, robotics, networking Description Competencies Technical knowledge, hardware design, software design, advanced mathematics, systems design, abstract thinking, analytical thinking Fields of employment Science, technology, engineering, industry, military, exploration

**Computer engineering** (**CE**,[a] **CoE**, **CpE**, or **CompE**) is a branch of [engineering](/source/Engineering) specialized in developing [computer hardware](/source/Computer_hardware) and [software](/source/Software).[1][2]

This article is part of a series on Engineering Engineering branches Aerospace Agricultural Architectural Biomedical Chemical Civil Computer Data Design Electrical Electronics Energy Environmental Industrial Manufacturing Marine Materials Mechanical Mechatronics Mining Nuclear Petroleum Process Robotics Software Structural Systems Engineering software lists Additive manufacturing Aerospace engineering Automotive engineering Bioinformatics Building information modeling Chemical engineering Chemical process simulators Civil engineering Computer-aided engineering Computer-aided manufacturing Computational chemistry Computational fluid dynamics Computational physics Data science Discrete event simulation Electronic design automation Electromagnetic simulation Finite element analysis Free electronics circuit Gene prediction Genetic engineering Hardware description language simulators Hydrology Mathematical Mechanical engineering Molecular design Molecular mechanics modeling Nanostructure modeling Nuclear engineering Nucleic acid simulation Numerical analysis Numerical libraries Open-source AI Open-source libraries Optimization Plasma physics Power engineering Programming tools Protein structure prediction RNA structure prediction Robotics simulation Scientific simulation Sequence alignment Structural alignment Structural engineering System dynamics Wind energy Engineering glossaries Aerospace Civil Electrical, electronics Mechanical Structural See also Engineering education Engineering ethics Engineering management History of engineering List of engineering awards List of engineering branches List of engineering journals and magazines List of engineering schools List of engineering societies Lists of engineers Outline of engineering Engineering portal Engineering books on Wikibooks v t e

It integrates several fields of [electrical engineering](/source/Electrical_engineering), [electronics engineering](/source/Electronics_engineering) and [computer science](/source/Computer_science). Computer engineering may be referred to as *Electrical and Computer Engineering* or *[Computer Science and Engineering](/source/Computer_Science_and_Engineering)* at some universities.

Computer engineers require training in hardware-software integration, [software design](/source/Software_design), and [software engineering](/source/Software_engineering). It can encompass areas such as [electromagnetism](/source/Electromagnetism), [artificial intelligence (AI)](/source/Artificial_intelligence), [robotics](/source/Robotics), [computer networks](/source/Computer_network), [computer architecture](/source/Computer_architecture) and [operating systems](/source/Operating_system). Computer engineers are involved in many hardware and software aspects of [computing](/source/Computing), from the design of individual [microcontrollers](/source/Microcontroller), [microprocessors](/source/Microprocessor), [personal computers](/source/Personal_computer), and [supercomputers](/source/Supercomputer), to [circuit design](/source/Circuit_design). This field of engineering not only focuses on how computer systems themselves work, but also on how to integrate them into the larger picture.[3]

A [die shot](/source/Die_shot) of an [STM32](/source/STM32) [Microcontroller](/source/Microcontroller). This chip is both designed by computer engineers and is utilized by them to make other systems

## History

The [Difference Engine](/source/Difference_engine), the first mechanical computer

[ENIAC](/source/ENIAC), the first electronic computer

Computer engineering began in 1939 when [John Vincent Atanasoff](/source/John_Vincent_Atanasoff) and [Clifford Berry](/source/Clifford_Berry) began developing the world's first electronic [digital computer](/source/Digital_computer) through [physics](/source/Physics), [mathematics](/source/Mathematics), and [electrical engineering](/source/Electrical_engineering). John Vincent Atanasoff was once a physics and mathematics teacher for [Iowa State University](/source/Iowa_State_University) and Clifford Berry a former graduate under electrical engineering and physics. Together, they created the [Atanasoff–Berry computer](/source/Atanasoff%E2%80%93Berry_computer), also known as the ABC which took five years to complete.[4] While the original ABC was dismantled and discarded in the 1940s, a tribute was made to the late inventors; a replica of the ABC was made in 1997, where it took a team of researchers and engineers four years and $350,000 to build.[5]

The modern [personal computer](/source/Personal_computer) emerged in the 1970s, after several breakthroughs in [semiconductor](/source/Semiconductor) technology. These include the first working [transistors](/source/Transistor) by [William Shockley](/source/William_Shockley), [John Bardeen](/source/John_Bardeen) and [Walter Brattain](/source/Walter_Brattain) at [Bell Labs](/source/Bell_Labs) in 1947,[6] in 1955, silicon dioxide surface passivation by [Carl Frosch](/source/Carl_Frosch) and Lincoln Derick,[7] the first planar silicon dioxide transistors by Frosch and Derick in 1957,[8] [planar process](/source/Planar_process) by [Jean Hoerni](/source/Jean_Hoerni),[9][10][11] the [monolithic integrated circuit](/source/Monolithic_integrated_circuit) chip by [Robert Noyce](/source/Robert_Noyce) at [Fairchild Semiconductor](/source/Fairchild_Semiconductor) in 1959,[12] the [metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor](/source/MOSFET) (MOSFET, or MOS transistor) demonstrated by a team at Bell Labs in 1960[13] and the single-chip [microprocessor](/source/Microprocessor) ([Intel 4004](/source/Intel_4004)) by [Federico Faggin](/source/Federico_Faggin), [Marcian Hoff](/source/Marcian_Hoff), [Masatoshi Shima](/source/Masatoshi_Shima) and [Stanley Mazor](/source/Stanley_Mazor) at [Intel](/source/Intel) in 1971.[14]

### History of computer engineering education

The first computer engineering degree program in the United States was established in 1971 at [Case Western Reserve University](/source/Case_Western_Reserve_University) in [Cleveland](/source/Cleveland), [Ohio](/source/Ohio).[15] As of 2015[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Computer_engineering&action=edit), there were 250 [ABET](/source/ABET)-accredited computer engineering programs in the U.S.[16] In Europe, accreditation of computer engineering schools is done by a variety of agencies as part of the [EQANIE](/source/EQANIE) network. Due to increasing job requirements for engineers who can concurrently design hardware, [software](/source/Software), firmware, and manage all forms of computer systems used in industry, some tertiary institutions around the world offer a [bachelor's degree](/source/Bachelor's_degree) generally called computer engineering. Both computer engineering and [electronic engineering](/source/Electronic_engineering) programs include analog and digital circuit design in their curriculum. As with most engineering disciplines, having a sound knowledge of [mathematics](/source/Mathematics) and science is necessary for computer engineers.

## Education

Computer engineering is referred to as [computer science and engineering](/source/Computer_science_and_engineering) at some universities. Most entry-level computer engineering jobs require at least a bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering or computer science. Typically one must learn an array of [mathematics](/source/Mathematics) such as [calculus](/source/Calculus), [linear algebra](/source/Linear_algebra), and [differential equations](/source/Differential_equation), along with [computer science](/source/Computer_science).[17] Degrees in [electronic](/source/Electronic_engineering) or [electric engineering](/source/Electrical_engineering) also suffice due to the similarity of the two fields. Because hardware engineers commonly work with computer software systems, a strong background in computer programming is necessary. According to BLS, "*a computer engineering major is similar to electrical engineering but with some computer science courses added to the curriculum*".[18] Some large firms or specialized jobs require a master's degree.

In many institutions of higher learning, computer engineering students are allowed to choose areas of in-depth study in their junior and senior years because the full breadth of knowledge used in the design and application of computers is beyond the scope of an [undergraduate degree](/source/Undergraduate_degree). Other institutions may require [engineering students](/source/Engineering_student) to complete one or two years of [general engineering](/source/Engineering) before declaring computer engineering as their primary focus.[19][20][21][22]

It is also important for computer engineers to keep up with rapid advances in [technology](/source/Technology). Therefore, many continue learning throughout their careers. This can be helpful, especially when it comes to learning new skills or improving existing ones. For example, as the relative cost of fixing a [bug](/source/Bug_(programming)) increases the further along it is in the software development cycle, there can be greater cost savings attributed to developing and testing for quality code as soon as possible in the process, particularly before release.[23]

## Applications and practice

The examples and perspective in this section deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. You may improve this section, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new section, as appropriate. (July 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

There are two major focuses in computer engineering: hardware and software.

### Computer hardware engineering

Main article: [Hardware architect](/source/Hardware_architect)

According to the United States [BLS](/source/Bureau_of_Labor_Statistics), the current job outlook employment for computer hardware engineers, the expected ten-year growth from 2024 to 2034 is 7% mostly to replace existing engineers that retire or leave the occupation for other fields.[24] However, 2019 to 2029 for computer hardware engineering was an estimated 2% and a total of 71,100 jobs. ("*Slower than average*" in their own words when compared to other occupations)".[25][26] This is a decrease from the 2014 to 2024 BLS computer hardware engineering estimate of 3% and a total of 77,700 jobs; "*and is down from 7% for the 2012 to 2022 BLS estimate and is further down from 9% in the BLS 2010 to 2020 estimate.*"[25] Today, computer hardware is somewhat equal[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*] to electronic and computer engineering (ECE) and has been divided into many subcategories, the most significant[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] being [embedded system design](/source/Embedded_system).[18]

### Computer software engineering

According to the U.S. [Bureau of Labor Statistics](/source/Bureau_of_Labor_Statistics) (BLS), "computer applications software engineers and computer systems software engineers are projected to be among the faster than average growing occupations" due mostly to replenish the retiring and those who leave the field.[27] The expected ten-year growth as of 2025[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Computer_engineering&action=edit) for computer software engineering was an estimated 17% and there was a total of 1,114,000 jobs that same year.[28] This is down from the 2012 to 2022 BLS estimate of 22% for software developers.[29][28] And, further down from the 30% 2010 to 2020 BLS estimate.[30] In addition, growing concerns over cybersecurity add up to put computer software engineering high above the average rate of increase for all fields. However, some of the work will be outsourced in foreign countries.[31] Due to this, job growth will not be as fast as during the last decade, as jobs that would have gone to computer software engineers in the United States would instead go to computer software engineers in countries such as India.[32] In addition, the BLS job outlook for Computer Programmers, 2014–24 has an −8% (a decline, in their words),[32] then a job outlook, 2019-29 of -9% (Decline),[33] then a 10% decline for 2021-2031[33] and now an 11% decline for 2022-2032[33] for those who program computers (i.e. embedded systems) who are not computer application developers.[34][35] Furthermore, women in software fields has been declining over the years even faster than other engineering fields.[36]

## Specialty areas

There are many specialty areas in the field of computer engineering.

### Processor design

Main article: [Processor design](/source/Processor_design)

[Processor](/source/Processor_(computing)) design process involves choosing an [instruction set](/source/Instruction_set_architecture) and a certain execution paradigm (e.g. [VLIW](/source/VLIW) or [RISC](/source/RISC)) and results in a [microarchitecture](/source/Microarchitecture), which might be described in e.g. [VHDL](/source/VHDL) or [Verilog](/source/Verilog). [CPU](/source/Central_processing_unit) design is divided into design of the following components: [datapaths](/source/Datapath) (such as [ALUs](/source/Arithmetic_logic_unit) and [pipelines](/source/Pipeline_(computing))), control unit: logic which controls the datapaths, [memory](/source/Computer_memory) components such as [register files](/source/Register_file), [caches](/source/Cache_(computing)), clock circuitry such as clock drivers, PLLs, clock distribution networks, pad transceiver circuitry, logic gate cell library which is used to implement the logic.

### Coding, cryptography, and information protection

Main article: [Information security](/source/Information_security)

[Source code](/source/Source_code) written in the [C](/source/C_(programming_language)) programming language

Computer engineers work in coding, applied cryptography, and information protection to develop new methods for protecting various information, such as [digital images](/source/Digital_image) and [music](/source/Digital_Music), fragmentation, [copyright infringement](/source/Copyright_infringement) and other forms of tampering by, for example, [digital watermarking](/source/Digital_watermarking).[37]

### Communications and wireless networks

Main articles: [Communications networks](/source/Communications_networks) and [Wireless network](/source/Wireless_network)

Those focusing on communications and wireless networks, work advancements in telecommunications systems and networks (especially wireless networks), modulation and error-control coding, and information theory. High-speed [network design](/source/Network_planning_and_design), interference suppression and modulation, design, and analysis of [fault-tolerant system](/source/Fault-tolerant_system), and storage and transmission schemes are all a part of this specialty.[37]

### Compilers and operating systems

Main articles: [Compiler](/source/Compiler) and [Operating system](/source/Operating_system)

Windows 10, an example of an [operating system](/source/Operating_system)

This specialty focuses on [compilers](/source/Compiler) and [operating systems](/source/Operating_system) design and development. Engineers in this field develop new operating system architecture, program analysis techniques, and new techniques to assure quality. Examples of work in this field include post-link-time code transformation [algorithm](/source/Algorithm) development and new operating system development.[37]

### Computer networks, mobile computing, and distributed systems

Main articles: [Computer network](/source/Computer_network), [Mobile computing](/source/Mobile_computing), and [Distributed computing](/source/Distributed_computing)

In this specialty, engineers build integrated environments for computing, communications, and [information access](/source/Information_access). Examples include shared-channel wireless networks, [adaptive resource management](/source/Adaptive_management) in various systems, and improving the quality of service in [mobile](/source/Mobile_technology) and ATM environments. Some other examples include work on [wireless network systems](/source/Wireless_network) and fast [Ethernet](/source/Ethernet) cluster wired systems.[37]

### Computer systems: architecture, parallel processing, and dependability

Main articles: [Computer architecture](/source/Computer_architecture), [Parallel computing](/source/Parallel_computing), and [Dependability](/source/Dependability)

An example of a computer CPU

Engineers working in computer systems work on research projects that allow for reliable, secure, and high-performance computer systems. Projects such as designing processors for [multithreading](/source/Multithreading_(computer_architecture)) and [parallel processing](/source/Parallel_processing_(computing)) are included in this field. Other examples of work in this field include the development of new theories, [algorithms](/source/Algorithm), and other tools that add [performance](/source/Computer_performance) to computer systems.[37]

Computer architecture includes [CPU design](/source/CPU_design), [cache hierarchy](/source/Cache_hierarchy) layout, [memory organization](/source/Memory_organization), and [load balancing](/source/Load_balancing_(computing)).

### Computer vision and robotics

Main articles: [Computer vision](/source/Computer_vision) and [Robotics](/source/Robotics)

An example of a [humanoid](/source/Humanoid) robot

In this specialty, computer engineers focus on developing [visual sensing technology](/source/Visual_sensor_network) to sense an environment, representation of an environment, and manipulation of the environment. The gathered three-dimensional information is then implemented to perform a variety of tasks. These include improved human modeling, image communication, and human-computer interfaces, as well as devices such as special-purpose cameras with versatile vision sensors.[37]

### Embedded systems

Main article: [Embedded systems](/source/Embedded_system)

Examples of devices that use embedded systems

Individuals working in this area design technology for enhancing the speed, reliability, and performance of systems. Embedded systems are found in many devices from a small [FM radio](/source/FM_radio) to the space shuttle. According to the Sloan Cornerstone Career Center, ongoing developments in embedded systems include "*automated vehicles and equipment to conduct search and rescue, automated transportation systems, and human-robot coordination to repair equipment in space.*"[37] As of 2018[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Computer_engineering&action=edit), computer embedded systems specializations include [system-on-chip](/source/System_on_a_chip) design, the architecture of [edge computing](/source/Edge_computing) and the [Internet of things](/source/Internet_of_things).

### Integrated circuits, VLSI design, testing and CAD

Main articles: [Integrated circuit](/source/Integrated_circuit) and [Very-large-scale integration](/source/Very-large-scale_integration)

This specialty of computer engineering requires adequate knowledge of electronics and electrical systems. Engineers working in this area work on enhancing the speed, reliability, and energy efficiency of next-generation very-large-scale integrated ([VLSI](/source/VLSI)) circuits and microsystems. An example of this specialty is work done on reducing the power consumption of VLSI algorithms and architecture.[37]

### Signal, image and speech processing

Main articles: [Signal processing](/source/Signal_processing), [Digital image processing](/source/Digital_image_processing), and [Speech processing](/source/Speech_processing)

Computer engineers in this area develop improvements in human–computer interaction, including [speech recognition](/source/Speech_recognition) and synthesis, medical and scientific imaging, or communications systems. Other work in this area includes computer vision development such as [recognition of human facial features](/source/Face_recognition).[37]

### Quantum computing

Main article: [Quantum computing](/source/Quantum_computing)

This area integrates the [quantum](/source/Quantum_mechanics) behaviour of small particles such as [superposition](/source/Quantum_superposition), [interference](/source/Wave_interference) and [entanglement](/source/Quantum_entanglement), with classical computers to solve complex problems and formulate algorithms much more efficiently. Individuals focus on fields like [Quantum cryptography](/source/Quantum_cryptography), [physical simulations](/source/Quantum_simulator) and [quantum algorithms](/source/Quantum_algorithm).

## See also

- [Engineering portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Engineering)

### Related fields

- [Electrical engineering](/source/Electrical_engineering)

- [Electronic engineering](/source/Electronic_engineering)

- [Computer science](/source/Computer_science)

- [Computer science and engineering](/source/Computer_science_and_engineering)

- [Computer programming](/source/Computer_programming)

- [Mechatronics](/source/Mechatronics)

- [Software development](/source/Software_development)

- [Computer networking](/source/Computer_networking)

### Associations

- [IEEE Computer Society](/source/IEEE_Computer_Society)

- [Association for Computing Machinery](/source/Association_for_Computing_Machinery)

- [British Computer Society](/source/British_Computer_Society)

## Notes and references

### Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** C.E. can also mean "[Chartered](/source/Chartered_(professional)) Engineer"; "inst. CE" would have meant "[Institution of Civil Engineers](/source/Institution_of_Civil_Engineers)". It is also a common abbreviation for [Civil Engineering](/source/Civil_Engineering)

### References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [IEEE Computer Society](/source/IEEE_Computer_Society); [ACM](/source/Association_for_Computing_Machinery) (December 15, 2016). [*Computer Engineering Curricula 2016: CE2016: Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Computer Engineering*](https://www.acm.org/binaries/content/assets/education/ce2016-final-report.pdf) (PDF). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1145/3025098](https://doi.org/10.1145%2F3025098) (inactive July 1, 2025).{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_DOI_inactive_as_of_July_2025))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [IEEE Computer Society](/source/IEEE_Computer_Society); [ACM](/source/Association_for_Computing_Machinery) (December 12, 2004). [*Computer Engineering 2004: Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Computer Engineering*](https://web.archive.org/web/20190612130313/https://www.acm.org/education/education/curric_vols/CE-Final-Report.pdf) (PDF). p. iii. Archived from [the original](https://www.acm.org/binaries/content/assets/education/curricula-recommendations/ce-final-report.pdf) (PDF) on June 12, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2024. Computer System engineering has traditionally been viewed as a combination of both electronic engineering (EE) and computer science (CS).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Trinity College Dublin. ["What is Computer System Engineering"](http://www.tcd.ie/Engineering/about/what_is_eng/computer_eng_intro.html). Retrieved April 21, 2006. "Computer engineers need not only to understand how computer systems themselves work but also how they integrate into the larger picture. Consider the car. A modern car contains many separate computer systems for controlling such things as the engine timing, the brakes, and the airbags. To be able to design and implement such a car, the computer engineer needs a broad theoretical understanding of all these various subsystems & how they interact.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [US2802760A](https://patents.google.com/patent/US2802760A), Lincoln, Derick & Frosch, Carl J., "Oxidation of semiconductive surfaces for controlled diffusion", issued August 13, 1957

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Lojek, Bo (2007). *History of Semiconductor Engineering*. [Springer Science & Business Media](/source/Springer_Science_%26_Business_Media). pp. 120 & 321–323. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9783540342588](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9783540342588).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bassett46_11-0)** Bassett, Ross Knox (2007). [*To the Digital Age: Research Labs, Start-up Companies, and the Rise of MOS Technology*](https://books.google.com/books?id=UUbB3d2UnaAC&pg=PA46). [Johns Hopkins University Press](/source/Johns_Hopkins_University_Press). p. 46. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780801886393](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780801886393).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [US 3025589](https://worldwide.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=US3025589) Hoerni, J. A.: "Method of Manufacturing Semiconductor Devices” filed May 1, 1959

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## External links

- Media related to [Computer engineering](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Computer_engineering) at Wikimedia Commons

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Computer engineering](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_engineering) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_engineering?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.