As mathematics is a cornerstone of all engineering programs, significant attention is given to early preparation in mathematics in engineering concentrations. It is recognized that students entering Brown will have different levels of mathematics preparation, and the following is offered as general guidance, though the actual choices of courses should be made in consultation with an exploratory advisor. MATH 0190 (or MATH 0100), followed by MATH 0200 (or MATH 0180) is the preferred sequence of courses to be taken in the freshman year. MATH 0100 and MATH 0180 offer content like that in MATH 0190 and MATH 0200, respectively, but the latter courses are highly recommended for future engineering students because they offer more examples of relevance to the field. Students who would prefer, or require, a more introductory level calculus course may start the sequence with MATH 0090. They may then take MATH 0200 (or MATH 0180) in the subsequent semester and in that case, would receive engineering concentration credit equivalent to that which they would have received having taken MATH 0190 and MATH 0200. However, students who find that the step up from MATH 0090 to MATH 0200 is too challenging, have a choice to take MATH 0190 (or MATH 0100) upon completion of MATH 0090, but in this case, MATH 0090 would not carry engineering concentration credit and the student would then need to take MATH 0200 (or MATH 0180) in the sophomore year.

Students who have taken Advanced Placement (AP) calculus courses in high school and/or have shown proficiency through AP examinations may start the calculus sequence at a higher level than that suggested above. If a student has AP credit and accepts to use it, it then allows the student to place out of MATH 0190 (or MATH 0100). These students should enroll in the appropriate higher-level math course, e.g., MATH 0200 (or MATH 0180) or possibly MATH 0350 (a more theoretical course that covers similar material). Although it is impossible to place out of MATH 0200 or MATH 0350 with AP credit, we recognize that some students enter with an even higher level of preparation. Those students are advised to enroll in MATH 0520 (Linear Algebra), or MATH 0540 (Honors Linear Algebra), and take their second freshman mathematics course at a higher level, for example, APMA 0350 (Applied Ordinary Differential Equations), APMA 0360 (Applied Partial Differential Equations), APMA 1650 (Statistical Inference). Students in Computer Engineering requirements must satisfy a discrete mathematics requirement, which can be achieved directly through CSCI 0220 or through a combination of other courses CSCI 0150, MATH 0520, and APMA 1650, or equivalents. 

Courses that have been taken at the secondary school level are typically only used for placement into the appropriate course level at Brown. The examples of how this can be done in mathematics are given above, and there are other instances (such as in selection of the appropriate introductory chemistry course) where AP credit is considered. It should be noted, however, that advanced placement credits cannot be used to substitute for any Engineering concentration requirements; they are instead used to ensure that students are placed into the correct level of courses.

Some students will also complete courses at other universities during the time they are Brown students (sometimes during summers while they are not in residence at Brown; sometimes during a junior semester abroad). Students who have successfully completed college courses elsewhere may apply to the University for transfer credit. (See the “Study Elsewhere” section of the University Bulletin for procedures.) In addition to the general rules governing such transfers, there are specific rules governing courses that will be offered as satisfying Engineering concentration requirements.

If the course proposed for transfer credit is offered by another department at Brown (i.e., that it carries a course number that does not start with ENGN), then the equivalent of the course must be established by that other department. This is done by submitting a formal request through the ASK system (https://ask.brown.edu/transfer_credits/information/index). Once this approval has been received from the other department, the student’s internal transcript will show the equivalence and the course in question can be shown in the Engineering concentration declaration as having been completed elsewhere. If the equivalence to a Brown course is not approved, then there may still be “unassigned credit” given for the course. In this case, the situation relative to how it does or does not count for concentration credit needs to be discussed with the Concentration Advisor. In rare cases, students may petition the Engineering Concentration Committee to use courses that do not have an equivalent offered at Brown in order to meet a concentration requirement. Substitutions of this nature can only be approved if the student’s overall program meets published educational outcomes for the concentration and has sufficient basic science, mathematics, and engineering topics courses to meet relevant accreditation requirements. Students should consult their Concentration Advisor for assistance with drafting a petition. The decision whether to award concentration credit is made by majority vote of the Engineering Concentration Committee.

If the student wishes to transfer a course taken outside of Brown that would normally carry an Engineering course number, the sequence is a bit different. First, the student needs to fill out an Engineering Transfer Credit Approval Request (see https://engineering.brown.edu/undergraduate/concentrations/concentration-options/study-abroad). This routes the request to the relevant Brown Engineering faculty member for approval. Once this has been obtained, then transfer approval is requested through the ASK system, as described above. This process ensures that the transcript will capture the equivalence of the externally completed course. 

Students may petition the Engineering Concentration Committee to substitute a course in place of a defined concentration requirement. Such substitutions can only be approved if the student's modified program continues to meet the published educational outcomes for the concentration and has sufficient basic science, mathematics, and engineering topics courses needed to meet accreditation requirements. If the substitution involves taking an equal or higher level course in substantially the same area, whether at Brown or elsewhere, it can be approved by the Concentration Advisor without requiring a formal petition to the Concentration Committee. (For courses taken elsewhere, the credit must be officially transferred as described above.) Students wishing to make substitutions of a broader nature should consult their Concentration Advisor for assistance in drafting their petition to the Engineering Concentration Committee. Such petitions may be approved by a majority vote of the Committee.

1.  Computer Systems and Software

This topic encompasses foundational computer science, software development, algorithms, and system-level programming.

• CSCI 0320 Introduction to Software Engineering
• CSCI 1570 Design and Analysis of Algorithms
• CSCI 1600 Real-Time and Embedded Software
• CSCI 1660 Introduction to Computer Systems Security
• CSCI 1670 Operating Systems
• CSCI 1680 Computer Networks
• CSCI 1730 Design and Implementation of Programming Languages
• CSCI 1270 Database Management Systems
• CSCI 1380 Distributed Computer Systems
• ENGN 2912B Scientific Programming in C++

2. Artificial Intelligence, Vision, and Robotics (AIVR)

This area focuses on intelligent systems, perception, learning, and physical system automation.

• CSCI 1411 Foundations of AI
• CSCI 1470 Deep Learning
• CSCI 1430 Computer Vision
• ENGN 1610 Image Understanding
• ENGN 1931M Industrial Machine Vision
• ENGN 2560 Computer Vision
• ENGN 2500 Medical Image Analysis
• ENGN 2520 Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning
• CSCI 1951R Introduction to Robotics
• ENGN 2912U Coordinated Mobile Robotics
• ENGN 2501 Digital Geometry Processing
• ENGN 2502 3D Photography
• CSCI 1230 Introduction to Computer Graphics
• CSCI 1300 Interaction Design

3. Electronics and Integrated Circuit (IC) Design

This area includes the design of electronic circuits, microprocessors, and the materials/properties that enable these devices.

• ENGN 1620 Analysis and Design of Electronic Circuits
• ENGN 1600 Design and Implementation of Digital Integrated Circuits
• ENGN 1650 Embedded Microprocessor Design 5
• ENGN 2912K Mixed-Signal Electronic Design
• ENGN 2911X Reconfigurable Computing
• ENGN 1590 Semiconductor Devices
• ENGN 1450 Properties and Processing of Electronic Materials

4. Applied Physics, Optics, and Devices

This category covers specialized hardware, including sensors, power generation, and systems built on solid-state physics and photonics.

• ENGN 1690 Photonics Devices and Sensors
• ENGN 2620 Solid State Quantum and Optoelectronics
• ENGN 1930B Biomedical Optics
• ENGN 1931A Photovoltaics Engineering
• ENGN 1931F Introduction to Power Engineering

5. Signal Processing and Dynamic Systems

This group combines communications (transmitting information) with the analysis and control of continuous and physical systems.

• ENGN 1580 Communication Systems
• ENGN 1560 Applications in Microwave Communications
• ENGN 2530 Digital Signal Processing
• ENGN 1931Y Control Systems Engineering
• ENGN 2920F Sensors and Actuators for Real Systems
• ENGN 1220 Neuroengineering (Focuses on dynamic biological systems)

The Computer Engineering (CE) program is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) (http://www.abet.org). 

The student outcomes of this program are the ABET (1) - (7) Student Outcomes as defined by the "ABET Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs" available online at http://www.abet.org/accreditation-criteria-policies-documents/

The Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) of the Computer Engineering undergraduate program are to prepare graduates who: 

1. will succeed as leaders in the computer engineering and technology industry and in research and development positions within industry and academia;
2. will work effectively in a range of roles to solve problems with global, economic, environmental and societal impacts; and 
3. will pursue lifelong learning through advanced degrees and professional development opportunities throughout their chosen career. 

• Contact information for concentration advisors
• Instructions for declaring a concentration
• Degree requirements