Dear Dr. Riedesel,
This is ... a Junior Computer and Electrical engineering
major who has struggled through these changes and I would be glad to put in
some constructive input about the program from my point of view.


YOU-
ELEC 121 is now required.  Did you take it?  Do you think you
would have found it helpful?

ME-
I did take it. I found it fairly useful. However, I did find a ridiculous
amount of overlap between EE 121, CE 230, and EE 370. I understand that this
could be because of different majors having to take them for different
reasons, but 370 was almost entirely covered in my 230 save for a few
simplification of circuits algorithms. I do not think 370 should be required
or even a tech elective unless upgraded.


YOU-
PHYS 213 is dropped and PHYS 222 (the lab for 212) is added.
Did you take either of these courses?  How valuable have you
found them?  Some have found 222 redundant.  Some see potential
in PHYS 213 being modified to incorporate more semiconductor
physics topics and added back in.  The Physics department has
expressed a willingness to do it!  Any other comments or
recommendations?

ME-
I am currently taking 213, and I love the class, but I do think it has
little application to Computer Engineering specifically, although could be
useful for those going into microprocessing and quantum computing graduate
studies. 222 wasn't really especially helpful.

YOU-
We are considering changing CSCE 340 (Numerical Analysis) into
more of a computer simulation and modeling course.  Good idea?

ME-
CE 340 was horribly difficult for me, but I did feel it was very useful. I
think that if possible it would be neat to see 340 integrate some statistics
380 into it. I think computer simulation and modeling should definately be
offered, if only for a tech elective.
YOU-
We are considering requiring CSCE 361 (Software Engineering)
because most majors do end up in some area of software.  What
do you think?  What if we enhance 361 to cover systems level
engineering (considered by some to be deficient in our program)
covering both software and hardware?

ME-
I am currently taking 361 and I agree wholeheartedly taht it should be
required. I don't know what systems level engineering is so perhaps it is
deficient.

YOU-
We are considering requiring CSCE 462 (Networks).  Do you think
all computer engineers should have this?

ME-
No knowledge of

YOU-
We are considering making CSCE 488 (1st semester of senior
design) into a 2 hour course, more in line with what EE majors
have in ELEC 494.  What do you think?

ME-
I think it sounds like a good idea.

YOU-
Adding a testing component to STAT 380 is on the wish list.
Comments?

ME-
Very much so, see 340 above.

YOU-
Should all computer engineers have some grounding in VLSI,
especially in implementation?

ME-
No.
YOU-
If we could collapse ELEC 316, 307, and 361 into fewer hours, would
that take away vital material?

ME-
No knowledge of

YOU-
If we dropped ELEC 475 (or 476, 478, or 498 digital design) in favor
of an enhanced 370 and maintain design work in senior design, would
that still be adequate design experience?

ME-
No knowledge of EE 475, see 370 above.

YOU-
If we could replace CSCE 155 and 156 with a new data structures
course for engineers that follows CSCE 105 (which is in C - deemed
more valuable for low level computer engineers!), would you miss
the Java of 155 and SQL & PHP of 156?  (JDE students would
probably not have this option.)

ME-
Yes, I would miss them very much so. Java and PHP/SQL are incredibly useful
and that is one of the only times we are required to use them. Anyone who
wants to know C can take the class, it's one credit and very easy.

YOU-
Are there any other curriculum items of interest to you?

ME-
Very good program overall despite my complaining

YOU-
Thank you VERY MUCH for taking the time to wade through all these
questions.  Keep in mind that there is no way we can make all
these changes - we have to weigh relative benefits and costs.
Finally, would you be interested in being on the Student Advisory
Panel that meets perhaps a couple times per year to provide
student view assessment of our programs?  More specifically,
would you be interested in being on a working group of students
and faculty of both Comp Engr and Elec Engr to revise the
curriculum?  This will entail some effort!

ME-
I would be very interested in that panel

CSE EE JUNIOR