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Computer Engineering (BEng)

Duration
4 to 5 years
Primary campus
Sir George Williams (SGW)
Experiential learning
Co-op, Internship
Start term
Fall, Winter

Why study Computer Engineering?

Without computer hardware and software, there would be no smart phones, DVD players, digital recorders and critical systems in airplane cockpits, modern cars, or computerized medical devices. As a computer engineer, your knowledge of computer architecture, digital electronics, circuits and digital communication will lead to innovations or bring about another information revolution.

Choose the Avionics and Embedded Systems Option or create your own path based on electives that suit your interests. Our state-of-the-art labs designed for programming in assembly language, digital systems and high-performance computing will give you experience with the tools you will use in the field. Through labs, lectures and projects, you’ll also:

  • Learn programming methodology to design data structures and algorithms
  • Learn to resolve issues of system interfaces and integration
  • Integrate engineering solutions into biomedical and biological systems
  • Design Internet of Things (IoT)/cyber-physical systems to solve real world problems
  • Design embedded computing and communication systems for high-performance applications, such as a small, unmanned aircraft

All of our Engineering programs are accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board and you’ll graduate eligible to become a registered professional engineer.

Program highlights

  • The student-run Software Engineering and Computer Science Student Society (SCS) organizes coding nights, algorithm practice, tutorials, social events, and networking opportunities.

Program structure

The Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering takes a minimum of four to five years   (120 – 150 credits) of full-time study, depending on your academic background.

All students accepted in the Bachelor of Computer Engineering program who are not enrolled in the Co-op program must complete one 12-17-week internship to graduate. This internship program, C.Edge, is administered by the Institute of Co-operative Education and will allow ECE students to have one paid internship in their field of study.

Computer Engineering program includes the following:

  • Engineering core courses
  • Computer Engineering core courses
  • Elective courses

Course sequences

Sample Capstone projects

  • Develop a video game system that runs on a programmable chip (FPGA)
  • Develop body sensors to measure gait, and monitor tread slippage
  • Design a low cost incubator that monitors and maintains temperature and humidity within a range
  • Program an autonomous personal-service robot
  • Design an embedded computing and communication system to  control multiple small, unmanned aircraft flying in formation

Co-op program

The Co-op program gives you the chance to complete paid work terms that last 12 to 16 weeks. As a Co-op student, you will play a large role in testing software packages designed and implemented by engineers. You may also:

  • Design, build and test computing systems
  • Design and implement software systems
  • Develop and maintain databases

Career Edge internship

Students not enrolled in Co-op will complete a C.Edge internship as part of their degree requirements. This full-time paid internship lasts between 12-17 weeks, and enables students to:

  • Strategically develop their career while earning an income 
  • Get support finding an internship in their field 
  • Apply their academic skills in a real-world work environment 
  • Take advantage of networking and mentoring opportunities 
  • Develop important personal and professional skills

Admission criteria

Minimum cut-off averages and course requirements

  • Quebec CEGEP: 26 overall, 25 math, 25 physics
    • Admission is based on applicants’ overall, math and physics CRC indicated above and completion of the following classes as part of their DEC: General Chemistry 1; Calculus 1 and Calculus 2 and Linear Algebra; Mechanics and Electricity and Magnetism.
    • Students completing a three-year technical DEC may also be eligible for admission
      Eligible technical DECs include 244.A0, 420.A0/BO/AA, 243.D0, 243.C0, 243.B0, 243.A0
      • Advanced standing may be possible
      • Overall R score of 26 and if taken, 25 in math, 25 in physics
    • Additional information for CEGEP applicants
  • High school: B overall, B+ in math, B+ in physics
  • Indigenous Bridging Program: First Nations, Inuit and Métis students who do not meet Concordia’s conventional admission requirements may be eligible for admission through the Kaié:ri Nikawerà:ke Indigenous Bridging Program
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma: 29 overall, 4 HL or 5 SL math, 5 HL or SL physics
    • Accepted math: Applications and Interpretations HL, Analysis and Approaches SL or HL
    • Math or physics course must be HL
  • Baccalauréat français: 13 overall, 14 in math, 14 in science
  • British system of education (GCE):
    • A-levels: At least two A-level exams BB, B in math, B in physics or or
    • AS-levels: At least 4 AS-level exams with equivalent results or
    • BTEC: Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma in a related subject area with equivalent results
    • Students without math or physics A-levels may be admissible based on AS-level or iGCSE/GCSE/O-Level exam results. Students should include all their exam results from iGCSE (or equivalent) onwards to support their application.
    • Additional information for British System of Education (GCE) applicants
  • University transfer (internal): 2.7 overall, 2.7 in math/physics, 2.0 in courses offered by the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science
    • PHYS 204 or 205 (or equivalent)
    • At least two of the following (or equivalent): MATH 203, 204, 205
  • University transfer (external): B overall, B+ in math, B+ in physics
    • Courses in the disciplines of Calculus, Chemistry and Physics

Minimum cut-off averages should be used as indicators. The cut-off data may change depending on the applicant pool. Applicants who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission to these programs.

Application deadlines

Fall term

FALL TERM

March 1 is the deadline to apply for fall term entry. International students are encouraged to apply by February 1 to allow sufficient time for CAQ and study permit application processing.

Winter term

WINTER

November 1 is the deadline to apply for winter term entry. International students are encouraged to apply by September 1 to allow sufficient time for CAQ and study permit application processing.

Not all programs are available for winter term entry. Please check program availability for the term, before you start your application.

We reserve the right to close admission to a program at any time after the official deadline without prior notice.

Funding note

Quebec residents who enroll in this program and meet the eligibility criteria may apply for funding of $2,500 per term through the Quebec Perspective Bursary (Bourse Perspective Quebec).

United States students: A U.S. Federal Student Aid-eligible version of this program is offered. This version meets all U.S. regulations (such as no co-operative education or e-courses) for eligible programs.

After your degree

Computer Engineering alumni have established careers in a range of computing fields, including aerospace avionics, real-time embedded systems, communication systems, software systems and computer architecture and hardware. Some graduates have been hired by:

  • Bombardier
  • CAE Inc.
  • The Canadian Space Agency
  • CGI
  • Ajilon Consulting
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Microsoft

Other programs of interest

Electrical Engineering (BEng)

Control energy with a flip of a switch. Design next-generation microchips or flight control systems. As electrical engineers you rein in electrons, guide them through the devices we depend on every day — whether they are very small (like the microchips in our cell phones) or very large (like the power grids or charging stations for electric cars).

Department

Faculty

Software Engineering (BEng)

Design, code, and test software products – with the big picture in mind. Think financial software, airline ticketing systems or information databases. As a software engineer, your expertise in analog/digital signal processing, microprocessors, microwaves and fibre optics will give you the tools to tackle these challenges everyday.

Department

Faculty

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