Woman interacts with advanced robot in lab

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Domen Novak conducts rehabilitative robotic research.

Electrical Engineering

An ECE graduate student gives a demonstration of department capabilities.

Computer Engineering

Electrical Engineers build a wide variety of products and work in almost all industries. They design control and communication systems, sensors, displays, learning machines, robots, instruments, voice recognition, computer vision, electronics, motors, power systems, the internet of things—the list goes on and on. Required study includes electronics, microprocessors, digital circuit design, control systems, communication systems, power systems, signal processing, and software. Electives can then be chosen to learn more about any of the above fields or even bioengineering. It allows more freedom in choosing electives than Computer Engineering, and thus is a very flexible degree that allows the holder to work on a wide variety of applications utilizing vastly different skills. This allows our graduates to choose careers best fitting their exact interests. For instance, some of our graduates develop complex new mathematical algorithms to achieve the highest possible system performance; others work with basic physics to develop better circuits and devices; others work outside in the field to improve the generation and transmission of electric power; some become high-level executives at companies like Google; others complete law or medical degrees. The Bioengineering option of Electrical Engineering provides the right training to design medical instruments and with a few additional courses becomes a full Pre-Med or Pre-Dental major.  After graduating, our students have gone on to the world’s best graduate programs: Stanford, MIT, Johns Hopkins, etc.   

Degree Programs
Computer Engineering is a blend of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. In fact, a Computer Engineering student can change majors to Computer Science within the first three semesters without losing any credits. More careful planning is required to switch from Computer Science to Computer Engineering. Computer Engineering students receive training that allows them to design complex computer systems and embed them in custom applications such as robots, spacecraft, automobiles, etc. A typical system may interface with a sensor to measure the world, then decide how to best use the information to achieve goals and eventually turn on actuators which perform the needed task. They also develop computer vision systems, high-performance computers and software, and the internet of things. They take many of the same required courses as Electrical Engineers, but fill in their electives with computer-specific courses. Graduates have the ability to design electric circuits, understand network hardware, design computer systems, and write the software inside those systems. Compared to Electrical Engineers, Computer Engineers have less breadth of knowledge in Electrical Engineering but more depth in software and computer hardware. Compared to Computer Scientists, Computer Engineers know much more about hardware and signal/system theory. Computer Engineers sometimes also major in either Electrical Engineering or Computer Science to get two degrees. Our students have gone on to the world’s best graduate programs and top companies.

Degree Programs

Why Electrical and Computer Engineering?

Cover of Electrical and Computer Engineering PDF
  • Choose from three concentrations, including electrical engineering, computer engineering or bioengineering.
  • Forbes ranked biomedical engineering the most valuable college major. There is a projected 62 percent growth rate for the time period of 2010-2020 in this field.
  • The January 2014 Salary Survey reports computer engineering as No. 2 in average starting salaries.
  • Nearly 100 percent of our graduates have job placements or have been accepted to graduate school.
  • The department has well-equipped laboratories, offers free access to computer systems running software needed for studies, maintains small class sizes and provides a friendly, supportive environment for students.
  • Download our brochure to learn more.

Contact Us

uwabbreviated_v_ceas_black.pngElectrical and Computer Engineering
EN 5068
Dept. 3295
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307)-766-2279
Email: ece@uwyo.edu