Far West Texas News

UTEP to Offer New Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering Degree

The University of Texas at El Paso is now offering a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering degree. This degree program will give students the opportunity to prepare to work in an in-demand field and diversify the existing computer engineering workforce. 

“The new computer engineering degree at UTEP will play a significant role in addressing the national demand for a diverse workforce,” said Kenith Meissner, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering. “We are giving our students an opportunity to prepare for a high-demand field, diversify the computer engineering workforce, and contribute to the Paso del Norte region competitiveness in the global market.”

Undergraduates in the program have the opportunity to conduct research and work with professors on national and international collaborations. Students will graduate prepared to work in the industry or enter graduate school.

“Computer engineers are critical to many industries such as software, automotive, energy, consumer products, industrial automation and control, robotics, aerospace and countless more,” said Miguel Velez-Reyes, Ph.D., department chair for computer and electrical engineering at UTEP. “Giving UTEP students access to pursue this engineering degree will support Texas competitiveness in the global market.”

The new degree also will help make computer engineering and the careers it can lead to more accessible to individuals in the El Paso region. Currently, the closest similar bachelor’s program is more than 250 miles away in New Mexico or 345 miles away in Texas.

“The computer engineering degree will contribute to the national need of a diverse workforce,” Velez-Reyes said. “According to the Pew Research Center, Hispanics represent 17% of the general workforce but 8% of the computing workforce. Offering this undergraduate degree program in El Paso with a large proportion of Hispanic residents will very likely increase the number of Hispanic graduates with a computing-related degree subsequently prepared to participate in the computing workforce.”

Students looking for internships and full-time employment after graduation will have the opportunity to work in a variety of environments, including private organizations, research and development, and the government. Computer engineers often find solutions to problems, test devices and develop new products, working as software engineers, systems engineers and more.

“Students can pursue career opportunities with companies such as Texas Instruments, Raytheon Technologies, Intel, Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, IBM, NASA, Blue Origin, National Laboratories and more,” Velez-Reyes said. “Graduates may also be recruited in health and non-technology companies.”

The B.S. in Computer Engineering is UTEP’s 75th bachelor’s degree program.

UTEP’s College of Engineering offers 33 programs across its seven academic departments including bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in fields such as aerospace, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, and more. The college’s more than 4,400 students also have access to 15 state-of-the-art laboratories and research centers.

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