Computer Engineering Technology (Associates and Bachelor's Degrees)

The mission of the Computer Engineering Technology program at California University of Pennsylvania is to provide its students with a well-rounded education that meets the needs of the commonwealth. Specifically, graduates are to be prepared for technically oriented careers involving both hardware and software technologies of computer systems with an emphasis in embedded systems design using a hands-on approach. The program integrates teamwork and leadership skills in a blend of theoretical and applied competencies. Also, the program prepares students for changing technologies and lifelong learning. The program prepares students to take personal responsibility and to apply the highest professional and ethical standards to their activities in computer systems and to understand local, national and global issues related to the field.

CET program objectives are statements that describe the expected accomplishments of graduates during their first few years after graduation. The audiences for objective statements are external constituents, such as employers, prospective students, transfer institutions and student sponsors.

The CET program aims to produce graduates who can:

1. Function effectively individually and in team-oriented, open-ended activities with critical thinking to assess and evaluate complex technical and nontechnical problems in an industrial environment;

2. Communicate effectively in oral, written, visual and graphical modes in interpersonal and group situations at a level of effectiveness expected of industry employers;

3. Remain technically current and adapt to rapidly changing technologies through further formal or informal education;

4. Identify and understand professional ethical situations in business, industry and society;

5. Blend theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to solve technical problems;

6. Apply embedded-based technologies and software engineering to solve technical problems; and

7. Understand and apply project specifications, documentation and standards requirements within the engineering design process.

Program outcomes are statements that describe what units of knowledge or skills students are expected to acquire from the program to prepare them to achieve the program educational objectives. The program outcomes are demonstrated by the student and are measured by the program at the time of graduation.

By the time of graduation, Computer Engineering Technology students will demonstrate the following:

1. The knowledge, skills, techniques and applications of modern tools in the computer engineering technology discipline;

2. The ability to apply current knowledge and adapt to emerging applications of mathematics, science, engineering and technology;

3. Technical problem solving skills, including the ability to identify problems, use appropriate laboratory and test equipment, conduct experiments, gather data, analyze data, and produce results;

4. The ability to apply creativity in the design of systems, components or processes appropriate to the computer engineering technology program objectives;

5. Effective discipline-related project management and teamwork skills;

6. The ability to apply and produce written documents; to deliver oral presentations; to develop, prepare and interpret visual information; and to communicate these with a specific audience at a level of effectiveness expected in industry;

7. Recognition of the need for and the ability to engage in lifelong learning;

8. Knowledge of social, professional and ethical responsibilities;

9. Respect for diversity and a knowledge of contemporary professional, societal and global issues;

10. The ability to identify, analyze, design, solve and implement analog, digital and processor-based systems through a blend of theoretical and practical methods;

11. The ability to use computers, computer networks, operating systems and application software that pertain to computer engineering technology;

12. The ability to utilize statistics/probability or discrete mathematics in support of computer systems and networks;

13. The application of physics and/or chemistry to computer systems in a rigorous mathematical environment at or above the level of algebra and trigonometry.

The need for computer engineering technologists has grown significantly in recent years, increasing the demand for qualified graduates. According to Pennsylvania and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer engineering fields are projected as some of the fastest growing occupations over the next decade. Computer Engineering Technology graduates may have job titles, such as computer engineer, computer software engineer, computer hardware engineer, computer support specialist, computer systems analyst, database administrator, computer equipment technician, and engineering and science computer specialist. Computer tngineering technologists with bachelor's degrees have high starting salaries. According to a National Association of Colleges and Employers 2007 survey, starting salary offers for computer engineering graduates averaged $51,300. Bureau of Labor Statistics data show full-time computer engineers earned a median salary of nearly $81,000 in 2004, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $100,000.

Employers will continue to seek computer professionals with strong programming, systems analysis, interpersonal and business skills. Favorable employment prospects are expected for people who have a computer-related associates or bachelor's degree and practical experience working with computer systems.