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Computer Engineering, BS

Computer Engineering is central to many applications from artificial intelligence to smart appliances to national security. As a computer engineering major, you will learn to design, develop, test and manufacture computer systems using the latest semiconductor chip technologies. You will also learn to analyze and research systems that process, store and communicate digital information between devices and across the world. Computer engineering majors explore cutting-edge systems, including wearable technologies, mobile devices, cloud servers, and embedded systems.

Design your academic journey

The major

Your primary field of study, which defines your core technical curriculum and the degree you earn.
All program details

Sample Degree/Major Plan

Fall semester (14-15 credits)
  • MATH 221 – Calculus And Analytic Geometry 1 5
  • CHEM 103 OR 104 OR 109 4-5
  • E C E 210 OR Communications A 2
  • Liberal Studies Elective 3
Spring semester (15 credits)
  • E C E/​COMP SCI 252 – Introduction To Computer Engineering 3
  • PHYSICS 201 – General Physics 5
  • MATH 222 – Calculus And Analytic Geometry 2 4
  • E C E 210 OR Communications A 3
Fall semester (15 credits)
  • E C E 203 – Signals, Information, And Computation 3
  • PHYSICS 202 – General Physics 5
  • MATH 234 – Calculus–functions Of Several Variables 4
  • Liberal Studies Elective 3
Spring semester (13 credits)
  • E C E 222 – Electrodynamics I 4
  • E C E 230 – Circuit Analysis 4
  • E C E 270 – Circuits Laboratory I 1
  • COMP SCI 300 – Programming II 3
  • Free Elective 1
Fall semester (16 credits)
  • E C E/​PHYSICS 235 – Introduction To Solid State Electronics 3
  • Statistics/Probability Elective 3
  • E C E 271 – Circuits Laboratory II 1
  • E C E 330 – Signals And Systems 3
  • E C E 340 – Electronic Circuits I 3
  • E C E/​COMP SCI 352 – Digital System Fundamentals 3
Spring semester (16 credits)
  • ECE Advanced Elective 3
  • ECE Advanced Elective 3
  • INTEREGR 397 – Engineering Communication 3
  • EE Advanced Lab (3XX) 1
  • Liberal Studies Elective 3
  • Professional Elective (Adv Math) 3
Fall semester (15 credits)
  • E C E 370 – Advanced Laboratory 2
  • ECE Advanced Elective 3
  • ECE Advanced Elective 3
  • EE Advanced Lab (3XX) 1
  • Liberal Studies Elective 3
  • Professional Elective 3
Spring semester (16 credits)
  • ECE Advanced Elective (4XX) 3
  • ECE Advanced Elective (4XX) 3
  • ECE Capstone Design 4
  • Professional Elective 3
  • Liberal Studies Elective 3

Named options

Dive deeper into your major and earn a formal credential that appears on your transcript.
Semiconductor Engineering

Semiconductor Engineering

The Semiconductor Engineering named option in Computer Engineering prepares students for a career in computer engineering with an emphasis on engineering semiconductor-based devices and systems. This named option provides guidance and recognition for students pursuing this career path. The option uses 20 of the elective credits within the 120-credit Computer Engineering BS degree program to focus on the science, tools, and practices associated with semiconductor engineering.

Machine Learning and Data Science

Machine Learning and Data Science

The Machine Learning and Data Science option in Computer Engineering prepares students for a career in computer engineering with an emphasis on machine learning and data science. The purpose of this option is to provide guidance and recognition for students pursuing this career path. The option uses 16-17 of the elective credits within the 120-credit Computer Engineering BS degree program to focus on the mathematics, tools, and practices associated with machine learning and data science in engineering.

An accelerated engineering master’s program is a great choice if you’d like to earn your master’s degree by adding as little as a single year of study at UW-Madison.
View all accelerated programs

Investing in your future

Value and costs

Based on an average of 12-18 credits per semester for the 2025-26 academic year from bursars office tuition rates workbook.
Tuition is one part of the overall cost of attendance at UW-Madison.  For more information on the cost of attendance, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Wisconsin icon

Wisconsin resident

$7,683

Minnesota icon

Minnesota reciprocity

$10,346

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Non-resident

$23,695

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Non-resident international

$24,195

Scholarships

Our scholarships aren’t just about financial support; they’re about investing in your potential and helping you focus on what matters most: your education and your future as a leader in engineering.
Engineering scholarships
4.4M
scholarships awarded
1,200
undergrad recipients
1,550
scholarships awarded, made possible by the generous support of donors

Outcomes

Here’s what life after graduation could look like for you.
$92,500
FIRST-YEAR MEDIAN SALARY

Key employers

  • Epic (Verona, WI)
  • Extreme Engineering Solutions
  • Garmin
  • Milwaukee Tool
  • Qualcomm

Common job titles

  • Embedded Software Engineer
  • Software Developer
  • Software Engineer
  • Test Engineer
  • Validation Engineer

Your path to admission

Freshman

Starting college for the first time?

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Transfer student

Coming from another college or university?

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Cross-campus student

Already at UW–Madison?

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Reentry student

Took time off?

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Your built-in network

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As an undergrad, you can help pioneer new knowledge or technologies on your own or as a researcher in a professor’s lab. It’s a great opportunity to apply what you’re learning in class, explore a field or topic that interests you, and gain insight into what it’s like to be a graduate student.

Undergraduate research
undergraduate showing research technique in structures lab.

Explore, get involved, try new things and soak up everything our campus and the surrounding environs have to offer.

Student life

The College of Engineering offers services specifically for engineering students, in addition to the services offered campus-wide.

Student services
Four students pose and smile with Dr. Ebony McGee in the IEDE Student Center
undergraduate showing research technique in structures lab.
Our eight renowned academic departments form the heart and personality of our college.
Electrical & Computer Engineering

Life as a Badger engineer

See what it’s actually like to live, learn and grow here through the stories of the people who know us best.
“My ECE education at Wisconsin fueled a lifelong passion for solving complex problems and pushing the boundaries of technology. It taught me to approach every challenge as an opportunity to innovate—and to lead with curiosity, creativity, and impact.”
Lucas Hansen BSEE'05, Vice President & General Manager, Keysight Technologies
Lucas Hansen

Why should you choose UW-Madison for engineering? Find out what it’s like to major in computer engineering.

Susan Hagness standing next to scholarship recipient

$781K in scholarships awarded to ECE undergraduates

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) proudly recognized outstanding students at its 2025 Undergraduate Scholarship…

Read the Full Story
11
undergraduate ranking among public universities in computer engineering

A look inside the major: How ECE students build a rich undergraduate experience

Two students pointing to research poster on bulletin board with alumni judge looking on

27 ECE design teams participate in capstone open house

Student team explains project to visitors

Student innovation and alumni experience converge at ECE Capstone Design Open House

ABET accreditation

The B.S. in Computer Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Electrical, Computer, Communication, Telecommunication(s), and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Program Educational Objectives for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

Within the first few years after graduation, our graduates should be engaged in activities such as: 

  1. Employment in industry, government, academia, or non-profit using their degree knowledge or skills for professional functions such as teaching, research and development, quality control, technical marketing, intellectual property management, or sales. Graduates may eventually reach a leadership position supervising others. 
  2. Continuing education through self-study or short courses and workshops through their employer, local or online educational institutions, or attendance at professional events such as conferences. 
  3. Taking a principal role in starting a new business or product line. 
  4. Pursuing a postgraduate degree. 

Computer Engineering Undergraduate Program website. (In this Guide, the program's Student Outcomes are available through the "Learning Outcomes" tab.) 

Learning Outcomes

  1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Degrees:

  • Conferred, 2024-2025
    Bachelor of Science, Computer Engineering: 111
  • Enrolled, Fall 2025
    Bachelor of Science, Computer Engineering: 570

Still exploring?

We have 13 engineering undergrad majors—so you can find the field that’s the best fit for you (even if you decide to switch later).

Compare majors

Select up to three majors to compare.

Questions?

Email questions to our College of Engineering team at FutureEngineers@engr.wisc.edu and someone will get back to you soon.