Computer Engineering - UBC | Undergraduate Programs and Admissions

UBC Okanagan's Computer Engineering program blends a selection of foundational courses from Electrical Engineering and Computer Science with specialized Computer Engineering courses. The program integrates a project-based learning environment that includes design studio courses and engineering design projects.

This program is also offered at UBC's Vancouver Campus

Find out more

Why this program?

Computer engineering provides foundational training in artificial intelligence, data systems, cryptography, virtualization, cloud computing and robotics.
Computer engineering is a dynamic and diverse field.
Students graduating with a computer engineering degree are well positioned to be employed in companies working on software and hardware systems.
Tap into research opportunities and the expertise of renowned professors exploring diverse themes in a variety of areas.
Potential employers include Apple, Amazon, Google, Intel, and Tesla.

Visit program website

Program information

Campus: Okanagan
Faculty: Faculty of Applied Science (Engineering)
Degree: Bachelor of Applied Science (Engineering)

Length 4.0 yrs
Co-op Yes
You can combine your studies with full-time, paid work at top local and international organizations.
Honours No
You can study intense specialization in a single field.

Computer Engineering focuses on hardware and artificial intelligence to solve real-life problems using a combined knowledge of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

UBC’s Computer Engineering students are solidly schooled from the ground up—from integrating software and computer hardware, to AI applications and data analytics.

Through project-based team learning, students will develop foundational engineering and project management skills. Working in state-of-the-art facilities alongside Computer and Electrical Engineering researchers and faculty, students will hone their expertise in Computer Engineering.

Students will develop the ability to:

Formulate and solve engineering problems using Computer Engineering principles based on Applied Science and Mathematics
Utilize the basic principles of electronic circuit design and analysis, including computer-aided design tools to design and implement computing hardware
Design and implement systems that integrate hardware and software to solve practical problems
Develop safe, secure, and scalable computing applications and solutions having appropriate design trade-offs
Communicate ideas effectively, using suitable media
Contribute to communities positively through a reflective and thoughtful application of technical skills, professionalism, ethics, and a deep understanding of social contexts
Demonstrate an ability to learn continuously, generate new knowledge, advance professionally, and take on new responsibilities and leadership roles.

Experiential Learning & Research

Develop international insights, industry connections, and job experience while completing a paid Engineering co-op work term in BC, across Canada, or anywhere in the world.

Design teams and clubs provide exceptional experiential learning opportunities to put what is learned in the classroom and lab into practice.

CMPE 201 - Computing for Science, Engineering, and Technology
Invention and evolution of computers; impact of computing technology on science and engineering including Internet of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0.
CMPE 246 - Computer Engineering Design Studio
Embedded systems programming, App development for Internet of Thing applications, Microprocessor Programming.

CMPE 301 - Software System and Design for Engineers
Software development life cycle, architectural patterns, design patterns and anti-patterns, model-view-controller pattern, object-oriented design principles, design for scalability and performance, design for maintainability and testability, agile development.
ENGR 359 - Microcomputer Engineering
Microcomputer architecture, number representation, assembly language, parallel and serial input/output, interrupts, memory, peripherals.

CMPE 485 - Introduction to Quantum Computing
Qubit states, operations and measurements, quantum circuits, basic quantum algorithms, Grover's algorithm, Shor's algorithm, Hamiltonian simulation, quantum programming languages.
CMPE 401 - Deep Learning for Engineers
Neural networks, computation graph, hyper-parameter tuning, regularization, batch normalization, convolutional neural networks, sequential models, recurrent neural networks, natural language processing, applications of deep learning to electrical, civil, mechanical and manufacturing engineering.
CMPE 410 - Network Security and Encryption
Computer networks, security and privacy, threats and vulnerabilities, intrusion detection, authentication, encryption, and cloud security and Internet of Things security.
CMPE 465 - Computer Architecture and Organization
Modern processors, GPUs, quantitative principles and instruction set design; pipelining, superscalar issue, out-of-order execution, branch prediction and speculation; memory hierarchies, caches, virtual addressing, prefetching, coherence, and consistency; computer design trade-offs performance evaluation and benchmarks; multicores, VLIW, on-chip networks, and other advanced architectures.
ENGR 468 - Advanced Digital System Design
Design flows, system-on-chip design practices, timing, clock domains, high-speed data links, intellectual property reuse and platform-based design, application specific computing, ASIC and FPGA technologies, and hardware/software co-design.

Your future

A degree in Computer Engineering can lead to potential employment in:

Government, research, industry, and military organizations
Management and consulting enterprises
Software development, aerospace, biotechnology, automotive, construction, mining, automation and robotics industries
Architectural, engineering, and related services
Manufacturers of machinery, transportation equipment, computer and electronic products, and fabricated metal

Your Computer Engineering career options.

Program requirements

Canadian high schools
International high schools
International baccalaureate

English-language requirements

English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission. There are numerous ways to meet the English Language Admission Standard.

General admission requirements

IB Diploma Programme

Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.

IB Certificate Courses

IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if you are graduating from a recognized high school curriculum that can be used as your basis of admission.

IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, do not satisfy the math requirement for admission to UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the UBC Sauder School of Business, or the Vancouver School of Economics.

Degree-specific requirements: Applied Science (Engineering)

IB Math Analysis and Approaches SL or HL, or IB Math Applications and Interpretations HL. (IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, are not acceptable.)
IB Chemistry
IB Physics
Academically strong candidates missing either IB Chemistry or IB Physics may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis

Related courses

The following subject categories are particularly relevant for this degree. Consider taking courses in these areas in your junior year and senior year.

Language Arts
Mathematics and Computation
Sciences