In 1985, the computer engineering program was introduced to students of the Department of Electrical Engineering/Electronics and Communications Engineering (E.E./E.C.E.) as an option for students who want to focus on electronics, low-level language programming, and microprocessor design. In 1986, the five-year Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (B.S. Cp.E.) program was offered and was annexed by the E.E./E.C.E. department as one of its academic sections. The first enrollees were students who shifted from E.C.E. to the new B.S. Cp.E. program.
In 1989, Dr. John D. Brule, an American professor from Syracuse University, visited the department and facilitated the revision of the curriculum in the areas of robotics and digital machine design. At this time, the program included analog control systems and mid-level language programming. Several laboratories were developed including the Digital and Microprocessors Laboratory (DML) and the Computer Education and Applications Center (CEAC). In 1996, the section separated from the E.E./E.C.E. department and became the Department of Computer Engineering.
In 2004, the department offered the Master of Computer Engineering (M.Cp.E.) program and the three-track B.S. program with majors in Digital System Design, Software Engineering, and Computer Networks. In 2016, the department offered the same three-track program for its Master of Science in Computer Engineering (M.S. Cp.E.) and Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering (M.Eng. Cp.E.).
The bachelor’s program has earned recognition from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as a Center of Development (COD) in 2009–2012, 2012–2015, and 2015–2018. It also earned accreditation from the Philippine Technological Council (PTC) after it implemented Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) as a continuous quality improvement framework consistent with Washington Accord standards. This is in addition to the Level II accreditation from the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines obtained through the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU) evaluation.
Programs offered
The programs offered by the department are designed to build competencies in pursuing exciting opportunities and recognition in the engineering industry specifically in digital hardware systems, software engineering, and computer networks.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (B.S. Cp.E.) Master of Science in Computer Engineering (M.S. Cp.E.) Tracks: Computer Networks, Software Engineering, Digital Hardware Systems Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering (M.Eng. Cp.E.) Tracks: Computer Networks, Software Engineering, Digital Hardware Systems
Career tracks
The Department continuously strives for excellence to provide the highest quality of learning possible in the field of Computer Engineering. About 61% of our graduates work in information and communication industries in the Philippines and overseas where they are involved in the following professions:
firmware engineers
embedded systems engineers
software engineers
information systems engineers
quality assurance engineers
computer systems analysts
research and development
web developers
iOS and mobile applications developers
software project managers
data administrators
information security analysts
networks engineers and administrators
Another 10% of our graduates are in the manufacturing sector and 11% are engaged in professional, scientific, and technical activities.
Employers of our recent graduates include:
Accenture
Alliance Software
Analog Devices
Auksilyo Professionals
ClickLabs
DASH Engineering Philippines, Inc.
Global Zeal
Innoland
Knowles Electronics Phils.
Kyocera Document Solutions Philippines
Lear Corporation
Lexmark Philippines
ManuLife
Maxim Integrated
National Grid Corporation
NEC Telecom Software Philippines, Inc.
Ng Khai Development Corporation
NXP Philippines
PLDT Network
Smart Communications
Spansion, Inc.
Sprobe, Inc.
TeleTech
Timex Philippines
TRUST-e Web Services Technologies, Inc.
Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Cebu, Inc.
Watchdog Automation
USC ISMIS
ZOOG Technologies, Inc.
Research agenda
The Department of Computer Engineering seeks to address the University’s research priority areas and contribute knowledge through information science applied through:
Embedded systems
Robotics
Artificial intelligence
Mobile computing
Automation
Information science and engineering
Facilities and equipment
The Department of Computer Engineering maintains and invests in facilities and equipment to support students’ and faculty members’ academic and research needs.
Computer Education and Application Center (CEAC)
CEAC has three laboratories equipped with desktop computer units to cater to the needs of students in the entire School of Engineering, including the Accenture Ideas Exchange Center (CEAC1, see photo below) and a MacLab (CEAC3). Our equipment include iMacs (2014), Dell PowerEdge R730 servers, and a MacPro Quad Core Intel Xeon server.
Digital and Microprocessors Laboratory (DML)
Commonly known as the DML, this laboratory is intended mainly for digital hardware systems courses (see photo below). The laboratory supports digital design courses and application experiments for computer interfacing, embedded systems, digital signal processing, and control systems. DML has two laboratory rooms that are equipped with devices for students’ and faculty members’ use, including Owon oscilloscopes, IDL800 trainers, Lenovo X3100 M5 server, Altium Nanoboard 3000, Xilinx Spartan 3E, Fujitsu Jouet Bleu Kit, Freescale FRDM, 8-bit starter kits, digital and analog oscilloscopes, digital logic analyzers, signal generators, multi testers, and analog/digital trainers.
PCB Prototyping Laboratory
The PCB lab mainly caters to students who need industry-grade printed circuit boards for prototyping purposes. Since its existence, the laboratory has catered to clients from different industries in Manila and Cebu to fabricate their prototypes. The laboratory also serves as a venue for implementation of projects and other research in the field of robotics and automation (see photo below). Equipment include Budgard CCD/2 drill and routing machine, FilmStar Fotoplotter 8000, Splash Center/XL etching and developing baths, RLM 419P film laminator, Compacta 30 through-hole plating machine, RBM 300 brushing machine, Hellas vacuum exposure machine, NE-CUT board cutter, and a Memmert UFE 400 curing oven.
Software Engineering and Computer Networks Laboratory
The Software Engineering lab caters to courses related to software engineering and design. It is equipped with 25 PCs arranged for group software development (see photo below). A conference room inside the laboratory is also used for group meetings related to software development.
The Computer Networks lab is equipped with VoIP systems provided by Nortel Networks. It also has 25 PCs and six Dell servers which can perform advanced heterogeneous network simulations. Other equipment include a Juniper hardware firewall, Dell PowerEdge T110 servers, and a Nortel IP phone and business communications manager.
NCR Software Development Laboratory
NCR lab serves as a software development center since its creation. It primarily caters to students’ needs in software development and design. The laboratory encourages student volunteers to engage in software project and development. Equipment in this laboratory are primarily acquired from NCR Corporation including self-checkout counters, touch-screen POS, and RFID readers (see photo below). Majority of student projects related to business software, check-out automation systems, and interactive kiosks are developed here.
Student life
The USC Computer Engineering Council is the student organization of the department and is responsible for the organization of the freshmen assembly, acquaintance party, Christmas party, Computer Engineering Week celebration, and elections. The Cp.E. council has a representation in the Collegiate Engineering Council.
The USC Computer Driven Enthusiasts, founded in 2012, is an extra-curricular student organization for computer engineering students. Membership to this organization is by application.
