The computer science and engineering department offers instruction in all areas of computer science and computer engineering.
The computer engineering curriculum emphasizes hardware, software, and system integration issues of computing. Topics include analog and digital electronics, logic design, computer architecture, VLSI, computer
networking, signal/image processing, data structures, programming languages, software engineering, computer organization, embedded systems, and operating systems. The computer engineering B.S. degree is accredited by
the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
The computer science curriculum emphasizes systems (both software and hardware), computing fundamentals, and applications. Topics include software systems, databases, algorithms and data structures, programming
languages, software engineering, theory of computation, computer organization, artificial intelligence, operating systems, computer networking, vision and image processing, data mining and machine learning. The Computer
Science B.S. degree is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Committee of ABET.
Both the BA and the BS in computer science prepare students well for professional positions in computing and information technology fields and for graduate work. The primary difference is that the BS program
provides a more concentrated approach to computer science, while the BA program encourages students to combine computer science with studies in another discipline. In addition, the CSE department offers a combined program
permitting highly qualified students to graduate with a five-year program leading to a combined BS/MS degree in computer science. A BS degree in computational physics is offered jointly with the Physics department.
The university offers a BS degree in bioinformatics and computational biology, with options for a concentration in biology, computer science and engineering, or mathematics. Please refer to the bioinformatics and computational biology program for further details.
Acceptance Criteria See School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Acceptance Information in the Undergraduate Catalog. Transfer students
must first apply to the university and meet the university transfer admission requirements. For admission of transfer students to engineering, see School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Transfer Policy in the Undergraduate Catalog.
Advising Information Entering freshmen/transfers are offered a wide range of special advisement opportunities and academic help sessions by the Office of Undergraduate Education, School of Engineering
and Applied Sciences (410 Bonner Hall). Students in the program obtain academic guidance jointly from a senior academic advisor in Engineering and from the Computer Science and Engineering Undergraduate Advisor (338R
Davis Hall).
The department of computer science and engineering assigns the students majoring in the CSE programs, faculty mentors, whom they meet at least once a year and discuss technical aspects of the program, future
research opportunities, and academic, and career goals. Students are expected to see an advisor at least once a semester. A semester before graduation, students are required to meet with an advisor to ensure that their
remaining coursework satisfies the general education, design, and other program requirements needed to graduate.
To graduate with a degree from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in technical classes required for the major (includes engineering, math, technical electives,
and science classes). Students also must complete 30 undergraduate credit hours of junior/senior-level courses required in their major at the University of Buffalo. Please refer to the degree program sections of the
catalog for additional requirements.
Students must obtain a minimum overall and UB GPA of 2.0 to be considered in academic good standing with the University.
Prerequisites are satisfied with a grade of C- or better. If student does not obtain the C- or better, it is recommended (but not required that) the student re-take the course to obtain a C- or better.
All CSE 300/400-level courses are for majors only.
Departmental senior standing is achieved when students complete a minimum of: 2 of CSE 300-level courses for BA Program in CS and 3 of CSE 300-level
course for BS program in CS or CEN
Starting from Fall 2019, all CSE 400-level courses will be offered for 3 credits. Till summer 2019, CSE 400-level
courses will be offered for 4 credits.
Generally, classes in the freshmen and sophomore years tend to be somewhat larger as these classes serve as the foundation for all engineering majors. Once a student enters their junior year, they take classes that are required for their particular major
and class size decreases. When a student enrolls in their desired technical electives, class size usually decreases even more.
The School of Engineering's block scheduling initiative assists first-semester freshmen by providing the same coordinated schedule of classes for approximately twenty students. So even though some classes may
be larger, students will become familiar with other engineering students who are in their other classes. In addition, students who opt for our small group academic support sessions interact closely with peer tutors
on a weekly basis through our student excellence initiative. In the small groups, students work with professional instructors in about a 10:1 ratio. The workshop style format combines interactive instruction and student
problem solving practice on material from Calculus, Physics, and Chemistry courses. In the short run, the groups provide personal attention in helping students understand challenging course material. The ultimate goal
is that students learn how university level problems differ from those in high school and how to approach such problems.
In the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, what do teaching assistants (TAs) do?
They support instructors in undergraduate courses, cover recitations and laboratories, assist students, help grade papers, support instructional laboratories, and hold office hours.
The faculty members of the department, all of whom have national and international reputations in their fields, are involved in research projects that have been supported by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Air Force,
the Department of Defense, National Institute of Health, Advanced Research Project Agency, New York State Foundation of Science, Technical and Academic Research, and a variety of special contracts. Many have also received
research funding from corporations such as Cisco, Google, IBM, Intel, Kodak, Microsoft, Nokia, and Xerox.
These projects include research in: algorithms and theory, augmentative technology for the handicapped, computer networks and distributed systems, computer security and information assurance, computer vision
and information visualization, data integration and databases, high performance and grid computing, cyber infrastructure and computational science, knowledge representation, computational linguistics, medical applications
and bioinformatics, human computer interaction, wireless computing, multimedia databases and informational retrieval, pattern recognition, machine learning, data mining, programming languages and software systems, embedded
systems, VLSI and computer architecture.
Several of the faculty serve on the editorial boards of major research journals as well as the boards of major national professional societies. Many members of the department have won university awards for excellence
in teaching, such as the SUNY/Chancellor's Award and the Milton Plesur Award.
Please visit our department website for additional information about our faculty.
Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities
Notable Program Features As part of their undergraduate education, students are encouraged to participate in work experience classes and research opportunities.
Co-Ops
Work experience is available through the Engineering Career Institute program in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, as well as departmental co-op and internship classes. The Engineering Career Institute
(
EAS 396, 1 academic credit) provides career-effectiveness skills and co-op placement assistance during the junior year. This may be followed by one to three co-op work
experiences (EAS 496, 2 academic credit hours). Co-ops may not be used to satisfy the requirements for the BS. Descriptions of co-op courses may be found at this website.
Internships
Internship opportunities include a field experience working on a computer science and engineering project in a real-world setting under the joint direction of a supervisor from industry and a faculty advisor
from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Projects selected should integrate the material learned in academic courses. Upon completing the internship (CSE 496),
the student is expected to have fulfilled an internship contract. Only P/F grades will be given.
Independent Study
Independent study is tailored towards special projects working independently with the faculty. (Limited number of independent study credits may be used to satisfy the requirements for the BS)
As part of their undergraduate education, students are encouraged to participate in work experience classes and research opportunities.
Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate research experiences are available for course credit (Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity or Independent Study) or as a paid assistant in the research laboratory of a faculty member. The
Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (CURCA) serves as a clearing house for information regarding undergraduate research opportunities.