Kathie Debenham College: College of Technology and Computing
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Section I: The RequestThe UVU Department of Computer Science requests approval to offer the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (BSCE) Degree effective Fall Semester 2012. Section II: Program DescriptionComplete Program DescriptionThe UVU Department of Computer Science would like to offer students the opportunity to obtain a B.S. degree in Computer Engineering. This degree will enhance UVU’s offering in the computing area. Computer engineering as an academic field encompasses the broad areas of computer science and electrical engineering. According to Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), the field of computer engineering is defined as follows: “Computer engineering is a discipline that embodies the science and technology of design, construction, implementation, and maintenance of software and hardware components of modern computing systems and computer-controlled equipment. Computer engineering has traditionally been viewed as a combination of both computer science (CS) and electrical engineering (EE).” (http://www.acm.org/education/education/curric_vols/CE-Final-Report.pdf) Hence, the bachelor degree in computer engineering prepares students for careers that deal with computer systems, including both hardware and software aspects of the system, from design through implementation. These computer systems, sometimes referred to as embedded systems, are components of many commercial products such as cell phones, smart mobile devices, fuel injection systems in vehicles, and controller units in washing machines. They can also be found in medical products such as x-ray machines. This degree is different from the existing computer science and software engineering degrees at UVU. According to ACM, software engineering is defined to be the “discipline of developing and maintaining software systems that behave reliably and efficiently, are affordable to develop and maintain, and satisfy all the requirements that customers have defined for them.” (http://www.acm.org/education/education/curric_vols/CC2005-March06Final.pdf, p. 15) ACM also states that a “software engineering degree and computer science degree may have many courses in common. Software engineering students learn more about software reliability and maintenance and focus more on techniques for developing and maintaining software that is correct from its inception”. All three degrees complement each other. Each fulfills a specific market demand in the computing area. Purpose of DegreeUpon approval, the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (BSCE) degree at UVU will prepare graduates to enter the computer-engineering-related, high technology fields ready to be productive in the companies that employ them. They will be prepared to design and implement hardware and software systems to meet the needs of the enterprise. The students will be able to create specification and design documents, become skilled in the use of comprehensive, up-to-date design tools, have worked in teams, and have completed a number of complex projects as part of their education. Currently at UVU, Computer Engineering is an emphasis area within the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree. UVU proposes moving this specialized area into its own Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering (BSCE) for the following reasons: Student Employment: For the graduates in the Computer Engineering emphasis, their degree is a BS degree in Computer Science, when in reality they have received specialized training in the area of Computer Engineering. Some government entities, e.g., Hill Air Force Base and many other federal agencies, have strict regulations in hiring. They can hire individuals with a BSCE degree but not individuals with a BSCS degree with an emphasis in Computer Engineering. With a BSCE degree program, UVU graduates will be able to seek employment that matches their education in all employment sectors. Student Education: Since the current UVU Computer Engineering program is an emphasis area in the BSCS program, some students have transferred to other emphasis areas within the UVU BSCS program because they believed their diploma would not allow them to compete for BSCE jobs. Some students have transferred to other institutions in order to obtain a CE diploma. With the implementation of a BSCE degree program, both groups of students will be able to stay at UVU for their entire collegial experience in a program that clearly identifies their area of study and provides greater opportunities for employment in their chosen field. Labor Market: According to data published by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, “computer systems design and related services industry is among the economy’s largest and fastest sources of employment growth” in the 2004 to 2014 time period. (Employment outlook: 2004-14, Industry output and employment projections to 2014.) Computer Engineering is among the top paying occupations in the United States. In the state of Utah, the Governor and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) have repeatedly stated that Utah needs more engineers to cope with the economic growth in the state of Utah. In a 2011 survey conducted by the Computer Science Department at UVU of 39 Utah County companies who currently employ 84 computer engineers, the companies indicated the need to hire an additional 27 computer engineers in the coming year. With the implementation of a BSCE program, UVU will attract and retain more students and increase the number of engineer graduates in the state. Population Growth in Utah County: According to the Utah Process Economic and Development Model (UPED) data used by the State, Utah’s school-age population will increase by 163,000 students in the next ten years. The Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) at the University of Utah predicts that the college-aged population will see a steady increase from 2009 and see a boom period between 2016 and 2025. According to a 2007 U.S. Census Bureau report, four Utah County cities are among the top ten fastest growing cities in Utah. “In 2010 (Utah) exported more than $1.8B in computer and electronic parts…Clearly, our technology companies continue to be the lifeblood of our state.” (Richard Nelson, Utah Technology Council, UVBB blog post, June 21, 2011) As the number of computing companies in Utah County continues to grow, the new BSCE degree will help UVU better meet the demands for a highly skilled workforce in an industry critical to the economic success of Utah. Institutional Readiness Currently, the Computer Engineering emphasis in the Computer Science program is housed in the Department of Computer Science in the College of Technology and Computing. The proposed BSCE degree will be housed in the same department. The administrative structure is adequate to support the new degree program. Since all the courses for the new BSCE degree program are being offered as the Computer Engineering emphasis in the BSCS program, the new degree program will not impact the delivery of existing courses or other departmental resources in the first three years of the new degree program. Since the purpose of the new degree is to enhance UVU’s offering in the computing area, the new degree will not change the current administration organization at the College level. The name of the college will remain the College of Technology and Computing. 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