Computer Engineering, BSE

Computer Engineering is the discipline that designs and engineers computer systems from digital circuits, through compilers and runtime systems, to networking and world-wide distributed systems. As an engineering discipline, the computer engineer must appreciate the physical aspects of computations (energy, delay, area, reliability, costs) and be able to expertly navigate the multidimensional tradeoff space associated with implementing computations. Since today’s high performance programmable computing devices mean enormous computational tasks can be performed entirely in software, the computer engineer must manage computational capabilities and functionalities which migrate between hardware and software driven by advancing technology and these engineering tradeoffs. Recent advances in manufacturing make it economical to construct systems containing billions of components and millions of lines of code, and these systems are increasingly invaluable in life-critical and real-time systems; computer engineering is the discipline that seeks to understand how to design and manage systems of this complexity while providing adequate guarantees of safety and trustworthiness for such systems.

For more information: https://www.seas.upenn.edu/prospective-students/undergrad/majors/computer-engineering/

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2026 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

Curriculum

Computer Engineering (CMPE) Major Requirements

¹

ESE 2030 and MATH 2400 are mutually exclusive. If MATH 2400 is taken, it will not count towards the degree.

²

If MEAM 1100 & MEAM 1470 are taken, PHYS 0150 Credit cannot be used for any degree requirement.

³

If BIOL 1121, CHEM 1012, EAS 0091, MEAM 1100 or PHYS 0140 are taken, choose one natural science lab from the list: BIOL 1124, CHEM 1101, MEAM 1470, PHYS 0050 or another department approved Natural Science lab.

⁴

At most, two freshman-level Engineering courses may be used as a Professional Elective.

⁵

Only the "Technology Law and Ethics" section satisfies the Engineering Ethics requirement.

⁶

Must include a Writing Seminar from the list below:

WRIT 0020 (H), WRIT 0021 (SS), WRIT 0100 (H),WRIT 0110 (H), WRIT 0120 (H), WRIT 0130 (H), WRIT 0140 (H), WRIT 0150 (H), WRIT 0160 (SS), WRIT 0170 (SS), WRIT 0220 (TBS), WRIT 0230 (H), WRIT 0250 (H), WRIT 0260 (H), WRIT 0270 (H), WRIT 0280 (SS),WRIT 0300 (H), WRIT 0310 (TBS), WRIT 0320 (-), WRIT 0330 (H), WRIT 0340 (SS), WRIT 0370 (SS), WRIT 0380 (SS), WRIT 0390 (H), WRIT 0400 (TBS), WRIT 0410 (H), WRIT 0480 (SS), WRIT 0490 (H), WRIT 0500 (SS), WRIT 0550 (SS), WRIT 0570 (H), WRIT 0580 (H), WRIT 0590 (SS),WRIT 0650 (TBS), WRIT 0670 (H), WRIT 0680 (H), WRIT 0730 (H), WRIT 0740 (TBS)

⁷

Penn Engineering undergraduates may not use courses on this list toward their degree:

• ASTR 0001
• CHEM 1011
• CIS (CSE)
• EAS 5030 (SEAS UG students may register for EAS 4030 for TBS credit)
• EAS 5050 (SEAS UG students may register for EAS 3010 for TBS credit)
• Education (inter-session courses)
• MATH 1300, MATH 1700
• MCIT courses
• Military Science
• Naval Science (except NSCI 1020, NSCI 2010 , NSCI 2020, NSCI 3010, NSCI 4010, NSCI 4020)
• Organizational Dynamics (DYNM) courses
• PHYS 1100, below  PHYS 0140 (except PHYS 0050, PHYS 0051)
• Statistics below 4300 (Note: effective Fall 2021 STAT 4050 and STAT 4220 can only be used as free electives)
• Perelman School of Medicine (MED courses)
• Wharton Global Youth Pre-Baccalaureate courses
• The Green Program (TGP) study abroad

AI & Robotics Concentration

CHIPs Concentration

*Students who take ESE 4730/5730 must take ESE 4750/5750.

Networking and Distributed Systems Concentration

Security and Safety Concentration