At this time, there are many more embedded computers than desktop computers. They are in the data transmission systems of wireless and wired digital networks, in the fuel injection system for cars, in the flight control system for airplanes, in the motion control and sensor system for robots, in the control and protection systems of nuclear power plants and now appear prominently as components in low-cost toys and kitchen appliances. The future undoubtedly holds many more complex embedded systems.
The design of embedded systems requires a range of knowledge and skill. Specifically, software engineering, hardware design, electronic interfacing, computer networks for distributed systems and computer architecture are all important knowledge areas in computer engineering. In the context of a graduate program which has a software engineering program and an electrical engineering program, computer engineering at Mercer offers the full range of topics listed above and fills in with courses which integrate the areas.
The master's degree in computer engineering will provide students with the opportunity to pursue advanced study in these areas.