Intro to Computer Engineering
CSE 1302 - Intro to Computer Engineering - Fall 2026
Course Information
CSE 1302 is a 3 credit, in-person course. This syllabus applies to all sections.
This course introduces students to fundamental concepts in the basic operation of computers, ranging from desktops and servers to microcontrollers and handheld devices. Subjects include digital and analog input/output, sensing the physical world, information representation, basic computer architecture and machine language, time-critical computation, machine-to-machine communication and protocol design. Students will use both desktop systems and handheld microcontrollers for laboratory experiments. Active-learning sessions are conducted in a studio setting in which students interact with each other and the professor to solve problems collaboratively.
Put another way, we explore the universal similarities between all modern computing problems: how do we represent data? How do we communicate with other computers? How do processors "think"?
Prerequisite: CSE 1301 or equivalent.
Required Materials
- The course textbook, provided here at no cost - there is nothing to purchase.
- A SparkFun Inventor's Kit (Arduino-compatible), which includes the RedBoard, breadboard, and components used in every studio and assignment.
- The Arduino IDE and the Eclipse IDE, both free. Lab machines have both installed if you prefer not to use your own laptop.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the semester, students should be capable of the following:
- Information representation - understanding various forms of information representation in digital computers and converting among those representations.
- Automata - using finite-state machines to reason about algorithmic operations and implementing finite-state machines in software.
- Timing and Events - authoring software for which "when something happens" is a functional correctness criteria.
- Data communication - authoring software to communicate between two dissimilar computing systems (e.g., having distinct representations for integer data types).
- Assembly language - designing and authoring software in assembly language, including interfacing with a high-level language.
Administrative Logistics
The instructor for the course this semester is James Orr. Please use Piazza for any course-related communication. If the subject is sensitive, send a private Piazza message rather than posting publicly.
Head TAs this semester are Ayla Burba and Chiagozie Okoye. TA office hours are documented here.
Studios will be in Urbauer 216/218 every Tuesday, lectures will be in Lopata 101 every Thursday. Class meets from 1:00-2:20 pm and 2:30-3:50 pm. Lab locations are on the 2nd floor of Urbauer. Come to the lab for which you are registered, but we may move you to a different section (at the same time) to better handle the load.
We will primarily use Piazza for communication in the class. Please use Piazza over email for asking questions.
Here are some useful links:- Course Policies
- Style Guide
- Course Textbook
- Piazza
- Canvas
- GitHub
- Additional reference material is available below.
Calendar
The calendar is subject to change during the course of the semester.
- Aug 20
Assigned: Prep 0 Yes, before the semester begins!
Due: - Aug 25
Assigned: Studio 0
Due: Prep 0 Studio 0 - Aug 27
Assigned: Prep 1 Quiz 1A Slides Lecture - Introduction, Information Representation, and Finite-State Machines
Due: Quiz 1A - Sep 01
Assigned: Studio 1 Assignment 1 Quiz 1B
Due: Prep 1 Studio 1 - Sep 03
Assigned: Prep 2 Quiz 2A Slides Lecture - Circuits and I/O
Due: Quiz 2A - Sep 08
Assigned: Studio 2 Assignment 2 Quiz 2B
Due: Assignment 1 Quiz 1B Prep 2 Studio 2 - Sep 10
Assigned: Prep 3 Quiz 3A Slides Lecture - Timing and Analog Inputs
Due: Quiz 3A - Sep 15
Assigned: Studio 3 Assignment 3 Quiz 3B
Due: Assignment 2 Quiz 2B Prep 3 Studio 3 - Sep 17
Assigned: Prep 4 Quiz 4A Slides Lecture - Computer Communications
Due: Quiz 4A - Sep 22
Assigned: Studio 4 Assignment 4 Quiz 4B
Due: Assignment 3 Quiz 3B Prep 4 Studio 4 - Sep 24
Assigned: Prep 5 Quiz 5A Slides Lecture - Delta Timing
Due: Quiz 5A - Sep 29
Assigned: Studio 5 Assignment 5 Quiz 5B
Due: Assignment 4 Quiz 4B Prep 5 Studio 5 - Oct 01
Assigned: Prep 6 Quiz 6A Slides Lecture - Communications Protocols and Review for Exam 1
Due: Quiz 6A - Oct 06
Assigned: Fall Break, no class
Due: - Oct 08
Assigned: Exam 1 in class
Due: - Oct 13
Assigned: Studio 6 Assignment 6 Quiz 6B
Due: Assignment 5 Quiz 5B Prep 6 Studio 6 - Oct 15
Assigned: Prep 7 Quiz 7A Slides Lecture - Analog Outputs and Pulse-width Modulation
Due: Quiz 7A - Oct 20
Assigned: Studio 7 Assignment 7 Quiz 7B
Due: Assignment 6 Quiz 6B Prep 7 Studio 7 - Oct 22
Assigned: Prep 8 Quiz 8A Slides Lecture - Computer Architecture and Assembly Language
Due: Quiz 8A - Oct 27
Assigned: Studio 8 Assignment 8 Quiz 8B
Due: Assignment 7 Quiz 7B Prep 8 Studio 8 - Oct 29
Assigned: Prep 9 Quiz 9A Slides Lecture - Assembly Language and Review for Exam 2
Due: Quiz 9A - Nov 03
Assigned: No studio today. We are available for demos and exam review.
Due: - Nov 05
Assigned: Exam 2 in class
Due: - Nov 10
Assigned: Studio 9 Assignment 9 Quiz 9B
Due: Assignment 8 Quiz 8B Prep 9 Studio 9 - Nov 12
Assigned: Prep 10 Quiz 10A Slides Lecture - Memory
Due: Quiz 10A - Nov 17
Assigned: Studio 10 Assignment 10 Quiz 10B
Due: Assignment 9 Quiz 9B Prep 10 Studio 10 - Nov 19
Assigned: Slides Lecture - Review for Exam 3
Due: - Nov 24
Assigned: TBD / Flex
Due: - Nov 26
Assigned: Thanksgiving Break, no class
Due: - Dec 01
Assigned: No studio today. We are available for demos and exam review.
Due: Assignment 10 Quiz 10B - Dec 03
Assigned: Exam 3 in class
Due: - TBD
Assigned: Cumulative Final Exam - scheduled by the University Registrar during the final exam period
Due:
References
Here are links to explanatory guides on course material:
Here are links to external reference materials: