Computer engineering is a discipline dedicated to the design, construction and programming of computers and computer-based systems. It is focused on the study of digital hardware systems design and software development to control and interact with real-world devices. Computer engineering at UMaine centers around hardware and hardware/software integration, including digital hardware design, microprocessors, microcontrollers and programming in a variety of languages. Students benefit from the program?s active learning during their first year when they learn to prototype digital circuits and program a microcontroller. Hands-on learning continues through the completion of their senior capstone design project.