Unit 1: CpE Curriculum

Learning Module for CMP101

(Computer Engineering as a Discipline)

By
Engr. Roman M. Richard, MEng

Copyright © 2020, Columban College, Inc.

All rights Reserved

(No part of this module may be reproduced or copied without the permission from the author.)

UNIT 1
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 CPE CURRICULUM
(Understanding the Study Program for Computer Engineering
Students)

CONTENTS
1.0. Learning Objectives
1.1. Introduction: What is Computer Engineering?
1.2. The BSCpE Curriculum
1.2.1. Field of Study
1.2.2. Characteristics of Computer Engineering Graduates
1.2.3. Study Plan
1.3. References for Further Reading

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1.0 Learning Objectives

After this lesson, the student must be able to:

1.1. Identify the importance of the computer engineering profession.
1.2. Describe the nature of the field of study.
1.3. Enumerate different characteristics of computer engineers.
1.4. Analyze the curriculum and the importance of pre-requisite courses.

1.1 Introduction: What is Computer Engineering?

Electrical Computer Computer

Engineering Science Engineering

Figure 1.1. Fundamentals of Computer Engineering

Computer engineering is the branch of engineering widely known as the amalgamation of
electrical engineering and computer science. Computer engineering students undertake many
major courses from both programs and, as professionals, can perform functions that can be found
in both fields – making it an extremely versatile and useful profession. Students taking this
program are expected to learn advanced mathematics, complex programming, and exemplary
hands-on skills that will benefit their future careers in one of the ficklest industries in the world –
the tech or IT industry. In the Philippines, the current standard followed by higher education
institutions that offer computer engineering education is the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 87, s. 2017. This memorandum identifies the exact
nature of computer engineering and what is expected of students who attain the degrees once
they become professionals.

Check Your Progress 1

If computer engineering is the marriage of electrical (electronics) engineering with

computer science (or vice-versa), are there distinct paths that only computer engineers can take?

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Or must computer engineers also work in the industries available to both electrical engineers and
computer scientists? Explain why this may or may not be an advantage.

1.2 The BSCpE Curriculum

The information provided in this module is an explanation of the existing CMO for BS
Computer Engineering. Please check the additional and suggested reading material section at the
end of this module.

1.2.1 Field of Study

CMO No. 87, s. 2017 defines the nature of the field of study of computer engineering as
follows:
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (BSCpE) is a program that embodies
the science and technology of design, development, implementation, maintenance and
integration of software and hardware components in modern computing systems and
computer-controlled equipment.

Many people wonder about the distinction of computer engineering from other professions or
fields of study. This description specifically helps us differentiate it from its allied programs:
a) Electrical Engineering
b) Electronics Engineering
c) Software Engineering
d) Computer Science
e) Information Technology

Unlike its allied programs, computer engineering is focused on both aspects of modern computer
and computer-controlled equipment: hardware and software. Involved in all parts of the life cycle
of such. The specific knowledge areas of this field are defined as such but not limited to:
a) Circuits and Electronics
b) Computing Algorithms
c) Computer Architecture and Organization
d) Digital Design
e) Embedded Systems

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 f) Computer Networks
g) Professional Practice
h) Information Security
i) Signal Processing
j) Systems and Project Engineering
k) Software Design
l) Occupational Health and Safety
m) Technopreneurship

Even though there may be some overlap between the allied programs and these different
knowledge areas in this field of study, the allied programs are only defined to identify the
qualifications of faculty who may teach these different knowledge areas to the students.

Check Your Progress 2

a) For this section, look back at the allied programs/professions of computer engineering
and choose one to create a Venn diagram showing their distinctions and similarities with
computer engineering.

b) Which among the specific fields of knowledge are you most interested? Find a topic
related to the field of your choice and explain why it interests you.

1.2.2. Characteristics of Computer Engineering Graduates

How do we further differentiate computer engineers from other yet similar kinds of
professionals? We must consider the characteristics of computer engineers.
Some of these important characteristics are:
a) Versatile in electrical engineering and computer science
b) In possession of great foundation in mathematics and science
c) Lifelong learner
d) Able to design* computers, computer-based systems and networks in both context of
hardware and software and its integration.
e) Able to solve novel engineering problems.
f) Able to acquire and maintain a preparation for professional practice in engineering.

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1.2.3. Study Plan

The study plan for a student enrolled in a program, also known as the curriculum, is the
prescribed flow of courses a student must take for the completion of the degree program.
Subject Description Lecture Lab Units Pre-Requisites
FIRST YEAR, First Semester
GEM101 Calculus 1 (Differential Calculus) 3 0 3
CHE101 Chemistry for Engineers 3 0 3
CHE101L Chemistry for Engineers (Laboratory) 0 3 1 CHE101(co)
CMP111N Programming Logic and Design 0 6 2
CMP101N Computer Engineering as a Discipline 1 0 1
GED101 Understanding the Self 3 0 3
GED102 Purposive Communication 3 0 3
GED103 Science, Technology and Society 3 0 3
REL101N Catechism for Filipino Catholics 3 0 3
PHE101N Physical Fitness 2 0 2
Total Units for the Term 27
FIRST YEAR, Second Semester
GEM102 Calculus 2 (Integral Calculus) 3 0 3 GEM101
PHS101 Physics for Engineers (Calculus Based) 3 0 3 GEM101
PHS101L Physics for Engineers (Laboratory) 0 3 1 PHS101(co)
CMP121N Object Oriented Programming 0 6 2 CMP111N
CMP122N Discrete Mathematics 3 0 3 GEM101
GED105 Readings in Philippine History 3 0 3
GEE101 Great Books 3 0 3
GEE102 Environmental Science 3 0 3
REL102N Christology 3 0 3 REL101N
PHE102N Rhythmic Activities 2 0 2 PHE101N
Total Units for the Term 29
Table 1.1 First Year Study Plan
In table 1, it is easy to determine that this first year is focused on building or advancing
student’s knowledge in fundamentals such as science, mathematics, and technology. Students are
highly encouraged to fail any course that are highlighted because that will result in lagging the
coming semesters. Courses with a yellow highlight are General Engineering and Applied
Sciences (GEAS) courses, whereas green highlight are specialized courses for computer
engineers and blue highlights are allied courses.

Subject Description Lecture Lab Units Pre-Requisites

SECOND YEAR, First Semester
GEM103 Differential Equations 3 0 3 GEM102
CMP211N Data Structures and Algorithms 0 6 2 CMP121N
MTM414 Engineering Economics 3 0 3
PHS101,
CMP212N Fundamentals of Electric Circuits 3 0 3 PHS101L
CMP212L Fundamentals of Electric Circuits (Laboratory) 0 3 1 CMP121N(co)
GEM104 Engineering Data Analysis 3 0 3 GEM101
CAD101 Computer Aided Drafting 0 3 1
REL103N Mary and the Lives of Saints 3 0 3 REL102N
GED104 Mathematics in the Modern World 3 0 3
NST101N National Service Training Program 1 3 0 (3)
PHE103N Individual Games and Sports 2 0 2 PHE102N
Total Units for the Term 27

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 SECOND YEAR, Second Semester
CMP221N Numerical Methods 3 0 3 GEM103
CMP221L Numerical Methods – Laboratory 0 3 1 CMP221(co)
CMP222N Software Design 3 0 3 CMP211N
CMP222L Software Design – Laboratory
CMP212N,
CMP223N Fundamentals of Electronic Circuits 3 0 3 CMP212L
CMP223L Fundamentals of Electronic Circuits – Lab 0 3 1 CMP223N(co)
EMG101 Engineering Management 2 0 2
Christian Morality and the Social Teachings of the
REL104N Church 3 0 3 REL103N
GED108 The Contemporary World 3 0 3
GED107 Art Appreciation 3 0 3
PHE104N Team Sports and Games 2 0 2 PHE103N
Total Units for the Term
Table 1.2. Second Year Study Plan
In table 2, minor courses (those related to humanities and religion) become less and more
focus is put into building fundamental allied knowledge while gearing into specialized courses.
Subject Description Lecture Lab Units Pre-Requisites
THIRD YEAR, First Semester
CMP223N,
CMP311N Logic Circuits and Design 3 0 3 CMP223L
CMP311L Logic Circuits and Design – Laboratory 0 3 1 CMP311N(co)
CMP312N Operating Systems 3 0 3 CMP211N
CMP312L Operating Systems – Laboratory 0 3 1 CMP312N(co)
CMP223N,
CMP313N Data and Digital Communications 3 0 3 CMP223L
CMP223,
CMP314 Introduction to HDL 0 3 1 CMP111N
CMP221N,
CMP212N,
CMP221L,
CMP315 Feedback and Control Systems 3 0 3 CMP212L
CMP221N,
CMP223N,
CMP316 Fundamentals of Mixed Signals and Sensors 3 0 3 CMP223L
CMP223N,
CMP317 Computer Engineering Drafting and Design 0 3 1 CMP223L
SDE101N Software Development 1 3 0 3
GED105 Ethics 3 0 3
NST102N National Service Training Program 3 0 (3) NST101N
Total Units for the Term 28
THIRD YEAR, Second Semester
OSH101 Basic Occupational Health and Safety 3 0 3
CMP321N Computer Networks and Security 3 0 3 CMP313N
CMP321L Computer Networks and Security – Lab 3 0 3 CMP321N(co)
CMP311N,
MIC311 Microprocessors 3 0 3 CMP311L
GEM104,
GED102,
CMP311N,
CMP322 Methods of Research 2 0 2 CMP311L
EAS103 Technopreneurship 3 0 3
CMP323N CpE Laws 2 0 2
SDE102 Software Development 2 3 0 3 SDE101N
Total Units for the Term 21
Table 1.3 Third Year Study Plan

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 And by table 3, which is the third year of the student, computer engineering students will
have to separate from their allied courses and focus more on courses specific only to computer
engineers. As well as learning research methodologies.

Subject Description Lecture Lab Units Pre-Requisites

FOURTH YEAR, First Semester
MIC311,
CMP411N Embedded Systems 3 0 3 MIC311L
CMP411L Embedded Systems – Laboratory 0 3 3 CMP411N(co)
MIC311,
CMP412N Computer Architecture and Organization 3 0 3 MIC311L
Computer Architecture and Organization –
CMP412L Laboratory 0 3 1 CMP412N(co)
CMP413N Emerging Technologies in CpE 3 0 3
MIC311,
CMP322N,
CMP414N CpE Practice and Design 0 3 1 MIC311L
CMP415N Digital Signal Processing 3 0 3 CMP315N
CMP415L Digital Signal Processing – Laboratory 0 3 1 CMP415N(co)
SDE103N Software Development 3 3 0 3 SDE102N
SSC107N The Life and Works of Rizal 3 0 3
Total Units for the Term 24
FOURTH YEAR, Second Semester
CMP421N CpE Practice and Design 2 0 6 2 CMP414N
CMP422N Seminars and Fieldtrips 0 3 1
CMP423 On-the-Job Training 0 3 3
GEE103 Gender and Society 3 0 3
Total Units for the Term 9
Table 1.4 Fourth Year Study Plan

And in the student’s last year, they are expected to culminate their knowledge by creating their
final design project. This final output must not only be technologically relevant, but
contemporary.

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

1. Define computer engineering and its relationship to the different related professions.
2. Enumerate the characteristics of computer engineering graduates and explain why it is
important for them to possess these.

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 Model Answers for Check Your Progress
CYP 1
There are distinct paths for computer engineers since it focuses on integration of
hardware and software – not just hardware (electrical engineering) nor software
(computer science). They may work in any industry available to both if they are not out
of scope. It is an advantage due to the wide range of opportunities for growth.

CYP 2

Student's P1 Computer
Choice P2
Engineering
Point A P3 Point A
Point B Point B

a)

Computing Algorithms
Interesting Topic: Artificial Intelligence and Smart Systems
Source: https://www.wired.com/insights/2014/09/artificial-intelligence-algorithms-2/

This topic is interesting because it shows how computing itself is fundamental to the
implementation of contemporary technology.

1.3. References for Further Reading

1. CHED Memorandum Order No. 87, s. 2017. Policies, Standards and Guidelines for the
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (BSCpE).
2. Moaveni, S. Engineering Fundamentals, SI (pp. 4 - 30). Cengage Learning.