Computer engineering is a multidisciplinary program that builds on the fundamentals of computer science, electrical engineering, industrial engineering and applied mathematics. Graduates of this program will have the knowledge and skills necessary to advance the design, system integration, testing, evaluation and deployment of the state-of-the-art hardware and software for systems that include computing, communications and networking (wired and wireless), control functions, sensing, signal processing and actuation. The MS program is intended for students who want to gain knowledge deeper than that provided at the BS level and sufficient for designing and implementing state-of the-art systems in industrial research and development positions. The program is also appropriate for students contemplating future PhD study and desiring to gain experience in research. Master's graduates may work under the direction of PhD scientists and engineers in high-tech lab settings assisting in developing innovative products and systems that require strong foundational knowledge in the underlying sciences and the ability to synthesize and analyze engineering principles as they relate to the development of new computer engineering technology.

Component manufacturers: The key components that are integrated into a modern computer system include system software, integrated circuits (IC) and boards. Significant players in this market with a presence in Arizona include Intel, IBM, Motorola, Microchip, ON Semiconductor, Freescale, NXP and Marvell Technology. System integrators: The computing system components are integrated into finished end products by system integrators. Arizona is home to several major electronic control system integrators that cater to the aerospace/defense market including Honeywell, Raytheon, Boeing and General Dynamics. System innovators: The software and hardware components are designed and structured in novel ways by system innovators to provide solutions to new problems or to solve old problems in a more efficient and effective manner. Arizona is home to several companies which do computing systems research including Intel and IBM.