Computer Engineering (180 credits), Kista

Job opportunities and the future

Everyone meets IT on a daily basis. There appear to be an infinite number of services and opportunities available for mobile phones and on the Internet. Developments within IT occur at a breathtaking pace and are only just beginning. Students on this programme are placed at the leading edge of technology with opportunities to influence developments.

Technical systems and software for Internet, for example, are becoming increasingly complex while their users must experience them as simple, secure and useful. This is the challenge for the computer engineers of the future.

Computer engineers are necessary within all fields in society in order to develop, implement and maintain IT-based forms of computers, software, networks and applications. IT is used everywhere from schools and hospitals to companies and associations and not least by private citizens. It is incredibly satisfying to deliver services and systems to users that influence both people and companies in a positive manner. Users also impose increasingly high levels of requirements as concerns performance, services and quality and the computer engineer is the one who must deliver.

The programme

The aim of this programme is to make students into the computer engineers of tomorrow. On graduation students will be able to take responsibility for technical development, installation and operations of modern IT technology focused on computers, computer networks, Internet, software and applications.

There are many IT companies In Kista, consequently it is natural to locate this educational programme there. Students studying in Kista are, in other words, in the middle of the melting pot where new technical developments occur. This provides them with good opportunities to build up a contact network in the industry while they are studying.

The programme objective is that students will obtain sufficient depth of knowledge in these three years of study that they can then work as computer engineers. In order to be able to supply sufficient quality the programme has two specialisations. At the beginning of Year 2 students select either Computer Networks or Program Development. On graduation students may begin work immediately or continue on to further studies on a Master’s programme.

Specialisations

• Computer Networks (Internet)
• Program Development (Programming)

Year 1

In the introductory course in engineering methods, students go directly to practical examples of the work of engineers. Students gain knowledge of simple report writing and project cooperation. Parallel with this course they study mathematics and learn linear algebra and combinatorics. To help them students use modern, professional mathematical computer programs.

After this comes basic programming in which students use Java and possibly Erlang programming languages. In digital design students come into contact with digital circuits that form the foundation of computers and other modern electronics. Students learn to analyse and construct digital electronics using standard circuits such as gates and counters. More advanced circuits will also be programmed using the hardware descriptive language VHDL.

Computer technology sees students learning more about how a processor is constructed as far as systems are concerned, the components included and how to control hardware using programs. Students use both the machine language Assembler and the high level language C. Together with this course, students also take a course in mathematical analysis.

Networks and Communication focuses on protocols, network equipment and infrastructure for communications systems. Students also take a parallel course in the object-oriented design and model language UML which is used by computer engineers to create drawings of both systems and software.

Year 2

Finally in Year 1 students select their specialisation: Computer Networks or Program Development. Common to both specialisations are the courses programming II in Java, operative systems, discrete mathematics, data storage and applications for Internet.

Computer Networks Specialisation

Currently and as far into the future as can be anticipated, most companies, government agencies and private homes use Internet technology to communicate both within local (private) computer networks and in the open global network. This specialisation focuses on local networks both theoretically and practically. Students learn to install and configure local computer networks and computers (servers) and gain knowledge of the Unix/ Linux and Windows operative systems.

Program Development Specialistaion

All services, mobile and stationary, are based on computer networks, Internet and relevant software. In this specialisation students learn to programme these applications and services. In order to create these programs in a professional manner, students take the following courses: programming II, software technology and algorithms and data structures. In addition there are elective alternative courses such as conditional programming.

Year 3

In this year students continue to extend their knowledge within their specialisations. Several courses also include elective alternative courses which enables students to influence the content of their education.

Computer Networks Specialisation

Students move from local networks (Year 2) to global networks in Year 3 and focus on aspects such as routing, security and wireless systems.

Program Development Specialistaion

Students move from local applications (Year 2) to global applications in Year 3 and focus on design, architecture, security and transactions.

Degree Projects

Educational programmes are concluded with a degree project worth 15 higher education credits (equivalent of approx. 10 weeks of study). The aim of the degree project is to test the knowledge gained by the students during their educational programmes and for students to be given the opportunity to apply this knowledge to reality.

Students work using good engineering praxis and report on their work in a professional manner. The aim is for them to carry out their projects within business/industry or in the public sector. This also provides students with the opportunity to establish a valuable professional contact network in preparation for their future careers.

Degree projects are experienced as interesting, enjoyable and stimulating and bring many challenges. High levels of demands are imposed on students by both the university and the project principal. Degree projects are the final proof that students possess sufficient knowledge to succeed as engineers.

Further Studies

A Bachelor of Science in Engineering brings several opportunities for further studies. For example students may choose to continue on a one or two-year master’s educational programme. There is a large selection of one and two-year master’s programmes available at KTH. These programmes vary between 60-120 credits and are given in English which means they also attract foreign students. This brings opportunities for exciting international contacts. It is also possible, in certain cases, to apply to join the later part of a Master of Science in Engineering programme within the same, or closely connected fields, (please contact Study Counselling for more information). In most cases these studies encompass 120-150 credits (2-2.5 years of study).

Please note! Certain changes may be made to the range of courses.