Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
About This Programme
Launched by RIT Dubai in 2026, the Computer Engineering degree trains students to design hardware, components and software for next-generation products such as autonomous vehicles and wearables, including intelligent, resilient and sustainable products that contain embedded systems. It builds a foundation in mathematics, science and engineering principles, with courses in data structures, object-oriented programming, circuits and electronics, and software engineering. Advanced courses integrate hardware and software through computer architecture, digital systems design, hardware and software interfacing, computer networks and digital signal processing. Students follow the standard sequence or the AI Systems or Secure Systems option, complete co-op in the third and fourth years, and finish with a two-semester multidisciplinary senior design project.
Course Highlights
- 129 credit hours over five years in RIT Dubai's typical course sequence, with co-op in the third and fourth years
- Three published sequences: standard, AI Systems option (CMPE-371 Introduction to Generative AI) and Secure Systems option (CMPE-361 Introduction to Hardware Security)
- Concentration areas include software engineering, high-performance computing, computer architecture, integrated circuits and systems, networks and cybersecurity, computer vision and machine intelligence, and signal processing, control and embedded systems
- Final-year multidisciplinary senior design in teams drawn from several engineering disciplines, on projects sponsored by industry partners, community organisations or faculty, or proposed by students
- Programme labs: Smart Energy Lab, AI/Robotics Lab and TDRA-ICTFUND Digital Transformation Lab
- Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
What You'll Study
RIT Dubai publishes a typical course sequence of 129 credit hours over five years, in three versions: the standard sequence and the AI Systems and Secure Systems options, which share the same first, second and fourth years and differ in the third and fifth years shown below.
First Year
- CMPE-110 Introduction to Computer Engineering1 credit
- CSCI-141 Computer Science I4 credits
- MATH-181 Calculus I4 credits
- YOPS-010 RIT 365: RIT Connections0 credits
- CMPE-160 Digital System Design I3 credits
- CSCI-142 Computer Science II4 credits
- MATH-182 Calculus II4 credits
- PHYS-211 University Physics I4 credits
- General Education – First Year Writing (WI)3 credits
- General Education – Elective3 credits
- General Education – Artistic Perspective3 credits
- General Education – Social Perspective3 credits
Second Year
- CMPE-250 Assembly and Embedded Programming3 credits
- SWEN-261 Introduction to Software Engineering3 credits
- MATH-219 Multivariable Calculus3 credits
- MATH-190 Discrete Mathematics for Computing3 credits
- PHYS-212 University Physics II4 credits
- EGEN-099 Engineering Co-op Preparation0 credits
- CMPE-260 Digital System Design II4 credits
- MATH-231 Differential Equations3 credits
- MATH-241 Linear Algebra3 credits
- EEEE-281 Circuits I3 credits
- General Education – Ethical Perspective3 credits
Third Year
- CMPE-350 Computer Organization3 credits
- CMPE-380 Applied Programming in C3 credits
- EEEE-380 Digital Electronics3 credits
- EEEE-282 Circuits II3 credits
- CMPE-499 Co-op0 credits
- Open Elective3 credits
Fourth Year
- CMPE-550 Computer Architecture3 credits
- CMPE-480 Digital Signal Processing3 credits
- CMPE-460 Interface and Digital Electronics4 credits
- MATH-251 Probability and Statistics3 credits
- CMPE-499 Co-op0 credits
- General Education – Immersion (1)3 credits
Fifth Year
- EGEN-497 Multidisciplinary Senior Design 13 credits
- CMPE-570 Data and Communication Networks3 credits
- EGEN-498 Multidisciplinary Senior Design 23 credits
- Open Elective6 credits
- Professional Elective 13 credits
- Professional Elective 23 credits
- General Education – Immersion (2)3 credits
- General Education – Global Perspective3 credits
- General Education – Immersion (3)3 credits
AI Systems option: Third Year
- CMPE-350 Computer Organization3 credits
- CMPE-380 Applied Programming in C3 credits
- EEEE-380 Digital Electronics3 credits
- EEEE-282 Circuits II3 credits
- CMPE-371 Introduction to Generative AI (CMPE Option Core)3 credits
- CMPE-499 Co-op0 credits
AI Systems option: Fifth Year
- EGEN-497 Multidisciplinary Senior Design 13 credits
- CMPE-570 Data and Communication Networks3 credits
- EGEN-498 Multidisciplinary Senior Design 23 credits
- CMPE Professional Elective3 credits
- CMPE Option Elective 13 credits
- General Education – Immersion (2)3 credits
- CMPE Option Elective 23 credits
- Open Elective3 credits
- General Education – Global Perspective3 credits
- General Education – Immersion (3)3 credits
Secure Systems option: Third Year
- CMPE-350 Computer Organization3 credits
- CMPE-380 Applied Programming in C3 credits
- EEEE-380 Digital Electronics3 credits
- EEEE-282 Circuits II3 credits
- CMPE-361 Introduction to Hardware Security (CMPE Option Core)3 credits
- CMPE-499 Co-op0 credits
Secure Systems option: Fifth Year
- EGEN-497 Multidisciplinary Senior Design 13 credits
- CMPE-570 Data and Communication Networks3 credits
- EGEN-498 Multidisciplinary Senior Design 23 credits
- CMPE Professional Elective3 credits
- CMPE Option Elective 13 credits
- General Education – Immersion (2)3 credits
- CMPE Option Elective 23 credits
- Open Elective3 credits
- General Education – Global Perspective3 credits
- General Education – Immersion (3)3 credits
Professional elective courses
CMPE professional electives are, by default, approved CMPE courses at 500 level and above. Published list:
- CMPE-361 Introduction To Hardware Security
- CMPE-371 Introduction to Generative AI
- CMPE-540 Control Systems
- CMPE-663 Real-time & Embedded Systems
- CMPE-665 Perf Eng. of RT and Embed Sys.
- CMPE-675 Robotics: Emb./Auto. Systems
- CMPE-677 Machine Intelligence
- CMPE-679 Deep Learning
- CMPE-680 Dip Image Proc Algorithm
- CMPE-685 Computer Vision
- CMPE-757 Quantum Computing
- CMPE-770 Wireless Networks
- CMPE-788 ML for Cybersecurity Analytics
Special topics
Special topics courses
- CMPE-789 Advanced Networking
- CMPE-789 Wireless Communication
- CMPE-789 Applied Dig Sig Process
- CMPE-789 Cognitive Radios and Networks
Graduation notes
All students complete one writing-intensive course and one Islamic Culture course. CMPE option electives are, by default, chosen from a published list of approved courses.
What You'll Learn
Programme learning outcomes
- Identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems using engineering, science and mathematics
- Apply engineering design to meet specified needs, weighing public health, safety and welfare and global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- Recognise ethical and professional responsibilities and make informed judgements that consider global, economic, environmental and societal impact
- Work effectively in a team that shares leadership, stays collaborative and inclusive, sets goals, plans tasks and meets objectives
- Design and run experiments, analyse and interpret data, and use engineering judgement to draw conclusions
- Acquire and apply new knowledge using appropriate learning strategies
- Gain experiential education through co-op in computer engineering
Programme educational objectives
- Career focus: contribute to the professional workforce, typically by applying their knowledge in computer engineering hardware, software or systems
- Graduate study: many graduates have pursued, are pursuing or plan to pursue graduate study in computer engineering, related disciplines or business
- Independent learning: stay current in their field through independent learning or continuing education
- Professionalism: act professionally and ethically as responsible members of society
Entry Requirements
Engineering applicants take maths and physics placement tests before registering for courses. Applicants who miss the maths or science minimum may be accepted conditionally through bridging courses, subject to the admissions office's approval.
Careers
Typical job titles: Computer Engineer, Semiconductor Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Firmware Engineer, Embedded Software Engineer, Test Automation Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Quality Engineer, Project Engineer, Sales Engineer, Hardware Engineer, Hardware Verification Engineer, Verification Engineer. Industries: Aerospace; AI & Automation; Computer Networking; Secure Systems; Electronic and Computer Hardware; Government; Internet and Software; Smart Systems.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and listed as Active on the Commission for Academic Accreditation's register. The degree is issued by RIT's main campus in Rochester, New York.
Programme Details
Award
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Start Date
August (Fall) and January (Spring)
Typical Offer
Maths and two sciences at 80%; UAE Advanced 80%; IB 28 points
Duration
5 years
Qualification
BS
Subject Area
Engineering
Campus
Dubai Silicon Oasis
Tuition Fee
AED 68,000/yr
Applications for the Spring and Fall 2027 intakes are open and are reviewed on a rolling basis. Spring: early admission until 31 October, regular admission until 31 December, deadline 8 January. Fall: early admission until 15 January, regular admission until 31 May, deadline 22 August. RIT Dubai offers scholarships of up to 50% based on academic and non-academic achievements.