» Computer Engineering

Program Overview

In Chapman’s Computer Engineering program, you will learn how to:

• Design hardware and software for any purpose imaginable
• Build the future of tech by melding new and emerging technologies with the tools, devices and appliances people use every day
• Develop the next generation of tech as a hardware or software engineer

Where this Degree Will Take You

After finishing the program, you’ll be prepared to:

• Create the next generation of high-performance computers and computer networking
• Develop guidance and navigation systems for satellites
• Engineer autonomous vehicles and overhaul the landscape of transport and travel
• Build medical devices that interact seamlessly with internal organs

You will also have a career advisor who will help you explore your career options along the way. Computer Engineering graduates can go into roles like:

• Embedded systems engineer
• Real-time software engineer
• Application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) designer
• Field-programmable gate array (FPGA) designer
• Hardware test engineer
• Systems integration specialist
• Communications system engineer
• Computer systems engineer

Grand Challenges Initiative

GCI is a unique two-year research project that is part of the curriculum for all incoming first-year students in Fowler Engineering.

Learn more on our GCI page

Facilities

Swenson Hall is our brand-new home for engineering at Chapman, where you have access to the facilities and technology you need to collaborate and innovate. Plus, you will get to learn in labs and work with the latest tech and equipment in open study spaces. See more of what Swenson Hall has to offer on our facilities page, or check out the space yourself with this virtual tour:

Diversity and Affordability

We’re dedicated to making science engineering accessible to everyone. That’s why all our Electrical Engineering applicants are eligible for engineering scholarships ranging from $3,000 to 100% of tuition and fees.

These awards support promising engineering students who are underrepresented in the field and/or are interested in certain disciplines.

Research Opportunities

Computer engineering has been around for a long time, but it’s still a relatively young field. New findings and discoveries are being made every day.

At Chapman, you will jump right into research and tackle real-world problems alongside your professors and fellow Panthers in the Grand Challenges Initiative. You may even get published in a scientific journal as a student. 

Check out our Research Opportunities page for a snapshot of what research topics our faculty (perhaps your future professors?) are pursuing. If anything piques your interest, feel free to contact them directly.

Study Abroad

Take your passion for engineering worldwide in one of our many study abroad programs. Chapman’s Center for Global Education is here to help you expand your horizons and gain a worldwide perspective.

One-Credit Courses

Fowler School of Engineering offers a variety of one-credit courses (298s) on a rotating basis so students can explore a range of areas outside of the core computer science and engineering curricula.

Student Clubs and Organizations

Chapman is home to a passionate community of engineering students, so joining a student club or organization is a great way to build your connections and develop your engineering skills. Plus, you’ll make lifelong friends and colleagues while you’re at it.

• Data Analytics Association
• Girls Who Code College Loop
• Society of Women Engineers
• Computer Science Club
• Chapman Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
• Research and Development Club
• Women in Science and Technology
• Panther Games

Admission and Tours

Interested in taking the next step? Learn how to apply or check out our transfer prerequisites.

Want to learn more about Chapman? We are always available for tours and information sessions. We’d love to meet you!

Related Majors

Accreditation

As with all programs at Chapman, the engineering degrees offered by Fowler Engineering are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Additionally, Our BS degrees in Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering have been designed to align with the criteria outlined by ABET (formerly called the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). We plan to apply for accreditation once permitted, per ABET guidelines for program maturity. That timing is typically associated with the graduation of the first cohort of students from that degree, with all degrees retroactively receiving ABET accreditation following successful completion of the ABET application process.