University of Kentucky - College of Engineering - Computer Engineering

Live your life in silicon

Without the chips, graphics cards, mice and monitors we use every day, computer programming would be just a bunch of meaningless ones and zeros. Computer engineers design and develop the computational technologies that make up modern computers, cell phones, printers, cars, satellites and airplanes, as well as researching in fields diverse as networking, telecommunications, security and artificial intelligence.

The architecture of innovation

Unlike computer scientists, who tend to focus on the software side of things, computer engineers work to optimize the connection between a computer’s hardware and software sides. As computers become faster and smaller, finding efficient ways of harnessing their power becomes more and more important. Computer engineers work to overcome barriers on the small side, such as computers limited by the speed of light and circuits so small that the molecular properties of components becomes important.

Connections in technology

Computer engineers work to tie computers to one another and to other components by helping develop better network and telecommunication hardware. From the computers that run a nuclear reactor to the sophisticated hardware that powers your cell phone, computer engineers are everywhere. Recent innovations such as capacitive touch screen technologies and voice recognition software would not be possible without their contributions.

UK computer engineering faculty member designed cluster supercomputers that set a number of world records for their performance – and dozens of UK undergraduate student volunteers helped build each machine.