About the Program
The Computer Engineering Technology major is part of the
Electrical Engineering Technology program, which is accredited by
ABET under the commission’s general criteria and program criteria for Electrical/Electronic(s) Engineering Technology and similarly named programs.
The Computer Engineering Technology (CET) major, housed within the Electrical Engineering Technology program and accredited by ABET, prepares students to design, build, integrate, and troubleshoot modern computing and embedded systems. The curriculum blends applied electronics, digital hardware design, embedded programming, communications, and system integration to produce graduates ready for industry-driven technical roles.
Students begin with foundational coursework in data acquisition and closed-loop control, microcontrollers, and DC and pulse electronics, developing strong competencies in measurement, circuit analysis, power interfaces, and hardware/software integration. Coursework in concurrent digital systems introduces combinational and sequential logic design using simulation tools and programmable logic devices.
As students progress, they advance into electronic prototyping and design for manufacturability, wireless communications and RF systems, and embedded digital systems. The program integrates systems development and object-oriented programming to ensure graduates are fluent in both hardware and software environments and capable of building complete, connected systems.
Upper-division coursework emphasizes high-performance and real-time systems. Advanced digital systems coursework focuses on FPGA-based design using hardware description languages, while digital signal processing develops expertise in discrete-time systems, filtering, and spectral analysis. Advanced embedded systems study introduces real-time operating systems (RTOS), system validation, version control, and performance optimization techniques.
The two-course senior capstone sequence integrates engineering design, project management, cost analysis, teamwork, and professional ethics. Students define customer-driven problems, evaluate design alternatives, and implement validated technical solutions that meet performance, cost, and user requirements.
Graduates are prepared for careers in embedded systems design, FPGA development, digital signal processing, industrial automation, wireless systems, and networked computing systems. The program emphasizes applied, hands-on learning and prepares students for immediate industry contribution as well as continued professional growth or graduate study.
Computer Engineering Technology
AUET, TIET, MHET, SMII, SCET Major Change (CODO) Requirements
Transfer Credit Policy
Transfer credit from other institutions, including courses taken as dual or concurrent credit in high school, and credit from testing such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate that are an exact match for Purdue courses, may be applied to degree requirements.
For undistributed credit to be applied to degree requirements, the course or courses will need to be evaluated by the ECET Curriculum Committee for approval. Additional approvals will be required for courses to meet University Core Curriculum requirements. In both cases approval is not automatic.
Critical Course
The ♦ course is considered critical.
In alignment with the Degree Map Guidance for Indiana’s Public Colleges and Universities, published by the Commission for Higher Education (pursuant to HEA 1348-2013), a Critical Course is identified as “one that a student must be able to pass to persist and succeed in a particular major. Students who want to be nurses, for example, should know that they are expected to be proficient in courses like biology in order to be successful. These would be identified by the institutions for each degree program.”
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