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Computer systems engineering BSE degree requirements: Tempe campus
The computer systems engineering BSE program at the Tempe campus focuses on the analysis, design, testing, integration and evaluation of hardware and software systems. The curriculum is grounded in an array of engineering disciplines, including the applications of science and technology to the design of digital circuits, computer architecture, operating systems, networking, computer security, and distributed systems.
Critical requirements
Arizona State University has adopted an 8 semester tracking model, which monitors completion of “critical” lower division and “necessary” upper division courses specific to each degree. This set of courses was designed to serve as predictors of academic success in the degree program. The lower division “critical” courses are shaded grey on the flowcharts and indicated on the major map. Upper division “necessary” courses are indicated with stars on the major maps. All courses listed on both the major map and the flowchart are required.
University policy allows students to retake a course one time. Students who are not successful in passing a course after a second attempt will be asked to identify a new major. Please see your academic advisor if you have questions related to 8 semester tracking.
**Students are subject to any individual course prerequisite changes despite their catalog year.
A message from our program chair
Based on feedback from our alumni and industrial advisory board members as well as feedback provided by some of you either directly to the Program Chair or through end-of-semester course evaluations, we are implementing following changes to ensure that you have better support for junior and senior year classes. This is in line with our constant endeavor to improve your educational experience at ASU and to make sure you get the best education in our computer science and computer systems engineering programs.
Computer Systems Engineering curriculum updates:
- Fall 2024 catalog years and later: See “Gold” general studies updates below.
- Fall 2024 catalog years and later: MAT 275, EEE 202 and EEE 334 are no longer required
- Fall 2024 catalog years and later: CSE 302 is now required. This course will begin being offered in Spring 2025.
Gold general studies: 2024-2025 and later
General Studies Gold is the name of ASU’s general studies curriculum, which specifies the requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2024-2025 and forward.
The General Studies Gold framework reduces the complexity of the current general studies curriculum (now known as General Studies Maroon, and required of students in catalog years 2023-2024 and earlier). General Studies Gold will require the same number of credits and will provide greater transparency to students, faculty, and staff.
Required categories in the General Studies Gold curriculum include:
- Humanities, Arts and Design (HUAD) 6 semester hours min
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (SOBE) 3 semester hours min
- American Institutions (AMIT) 3 semester hours min
- Governance and Civic Engagement (CIVI) 3 semester hours min
- Global Communities, Societies and Individuals (GCSI) 3 semester hours min
- Sustainability (SUST) 3 semester hours min
Maroon general studies: 2023-2024 and earlier
HU/SB Guidelines (15 semester hours or five 3-semester hour classes)
One Class Upper Division (HU or SB) – 3 semester hours ~ MUST BE TAKEN AT A 4-YEAR INSTITUTION
- Two Classes HU (Humanities) – 6 semester hours minimum
- Two Classes SB (Social Behavioral) – 6 semester hours minimum
Within these five classes, select courses that include three awareness areas: cultural, global, and historical. No one class contains more than two awareness areas and this requirement must be met with two classes minimum. Contact your advisor if you have questions.
Math requirements: 2024-2025 and later
MAT 265, MAT 266, MAT267, MAT 243, MAT 343, and IEE 380
Math requirements: 2023-2024 and earlier
Computer systems engineering (CSE) is a math intensive major. It requires the following courses:
MAT 265, MAT 266, MAT267, MAT 243, MAT 275, MAT 343, and IEE 380
Lab science requirements
Computer systems engineering (CSE) majors have a specific set of Lab Science course requirements for degree compliance. Follow the guidelines below for your respective degree program.
12 semester hours are required for this degree
Physics Sequence (Required) – (8 hours)
PHY 121 (lecture/recitation) and PHY122 (lab)
PHY 131 (lecture/recitation) and PHY132 (lab)
Lab Science Options (for remaining 4 hours):
BIO 181 or BIO 182 or CHM 113 or CHM 116 or CHM 114
Technical electives
Technical Electives for computer systems engineering students are listed below. Please note that some TE options may require additional prerequisites. Students can contact their advisor for details on how to request overrides for non-SCAI classes.
- Biomedical Engineering (BME) – 494
- Computing and Informatics (CPI) – 350, 411
- Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) – Any CSE 400 Level Courses and/or 340, 355, 365 Or CSE 335
- Data Science (DAT) – 300, 301, 401, 402 (Either DAT 402 or CSE 475 can count towards major requirements but not both)
- Electrical Engineering (EEE)* – 304, 335, 350, 404, 407, 425, 455, 480, 481
- Fulton Schools of Engineering (FSE) – 301, 404 (Limit of three hours for FSE 301 or CSE 484 Internship-Students cannot double count both courses for their degree)
- Industrial Engineering (IEE) – 385
- Math (MAT) – 416, 421, 447, 448
- Physics (PHY) – 302, 313, 333, 441
- Other majors Honors thesis considered on a case by case basis- see advisor for details
*The EEE elective courses have a prerequisite of EEE 203 Signals and Systems I
**Students considering a Computer Science Master’s should plan to take CSE 340 and/or 355 as their technical electives.