Work In Progress - CE Curriculum Development Based on IEEE-CS/ACM Body of Knowledge Recommendations

Computer Engineering programs typically choose a curriculum based upon a blending of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science courses. Given the paradigm shift that finds accreditation bodies looking for formal process in program specification, what is needed is a systematic approach to developing CE curriculum. Described within is a CE curriculum development process based upon the IEEE-CS/ACM CE Body of Knowledge Recommendations found in the report "Computer Engineering 2005 Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Computer Engineering." The curriculum revision process is divided into several steps: 1) Review of the Body of Knowledge in order to further partition the Recommendations into Required and Elective categories; 2) Determination of coverage level of the Body of Knowledge areas as provided by the current program; 3) Identification of inadequacies or holes in coverage of the current program; 4) Proposal of modifications to eliminate coverage holes in Required areas; 5) Implementation of proposed curriculum changes; 6) Assessment and revision of curriculum changes. Currently, our CE program revision is at step 4, with the curriculum changes of step 5 expected to begin within the coming year. Step 6 Assessment will follow using several in-place evaluation methods described within this paper.