Ready to start in ECE from your first day at Queen’s?
Computer Engineering Direct Entry is a direct-entry undergraduate program option for students interested in pursuing a career in computer engineering from the start of their studies. Whether you aim to work in software, hardware, embedded systems, or emerging technologies, this program provides a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied aspects of computer engineering, preparing you for a wide range of roles in industry or further academic study.
As a Computer Engineering Direct Entry (CE-Direct) student, you will continue to benefit from the variety and interdisciplinary exposure of the common engineering first year. You will take several courses alongside students in the regular stream, maintaining a shared foundation across disciplines. However, the CE-Direct pathway offers a differentiated curriculum designed to give you an early start in your discipline.
In your first year, you will take two programming courses, compared to one in the general pathway. You will learn about probability and statistics earlier in the program, which is foundational for fields like artificial intelligence and machine learning. You will also take an introductory course in quantum computing, exposing you to advanced topics early in your academic journey. This specialized curriculum provides greater flexibility in choosing technical electives and pursuing internship opportunities in later years.
First Year CORE
APSC 101 Engineering Design & Practice
APSC 102 Experimentation
APSC 103 Engineering Client-based Design Project
APSC 111 Physics I
APSC 112 Physics II
APSC 131 Chemistry of Engineering Materials and Processes
APSC 132 Chemistry of Natural and Engineered Systems
APSC 143 Introduction to Computer Programming for Engineers
APSC 162 Engineering Graphics
APSC 171 Calculus I
APSC 172 Calculus II
APSC 174 Introduction To Linear Algebra
APSC 199 Engineering Communications 1
MREN 178 Data Structures and Algorithms
Second Year CORE
ELEC 221 Electric Circuits
ELEC 226 Probability & Random Processes
ELEC 231 Mathematical Methods I for Electrical and Computer Engineering
ELEC 252 Electronics I
ELEC 270 Discrete Mathematics with Computer Engineering Applications
ELEC 271 Digital Systems
ELEC 274 Computer Architecture
ELEC 279 Introduction to Object Oriented Programming
ELEC 280 Fundamentals of Electromagnetics
ELEC 290 Electrical and Computer Engineering Design and Practice
ELEC 292 Introduction to Data Science
Third Year CORE
ELEC 371 Microprocessor Interfacing and Embedded Systems
ELEC 373 Computer Networks
ELEC 374 Digital Systems Engineering
ELEC 377 Operating Systems
ELEC 379 Algorithms with Engineering Applications
ELEC 385 Fundamentals of Quantum Computing
ELEC 392 Engineering Design and Development
APSC 221 Economic and Business Practice
CMPE 223 Software Specifications, or
ELEC 376 Software Development Methodology
Fourth Year CORE
ELEC 498 Computer Engineering Project
Technical Electives
Complementary Studies Electives
Prospective students can choose to apply to Computer Engineering Direct Entry under a separate category in OUAC.
To learn more about CE-Direct, please refer to our Undergraduate Contact Page.