Charting Your Course: Computer Engineering at NOVA and Beyond

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) offers a robust pathway for aspiring computer engineers. NOVA's curriculum meticulously prepares students for seamless transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering or related engineering disciplines. The Associate of Science Degree in Engineering at NOVA provides foundational engineering courses designed for transfer to specific engineering disciplines and senior institutions. NOVA's Engineering program is structured to equip students for transfer to a bachelor's degree program.

A Springboard to Diverse Engineering Fields

The curriculum at NOVA is not just limited to computer engineering; it serves as a launchpad for various engineering fields. These include:

Aerospace Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Systems Engineering

This broad foundation allows students to explore different engineering disciplines before specializing in computer engineering at a four-year university.

Affordable Education, Priceless Opportunities

One of the most significant advantages of starting your engineering education at NOVA is the affordability. You’ll receive an affordable engineering education. NOVA CORE (National Science Foundation S-STEM Scholarship for Engineering) offers a scholarship of $6,000 per year for two years to complete the A.S. degree, making quality education accessible.

Transfer Partnerships: Your Bridge to a Bachelor's Degree

NOVA emphasizes a smooth transition to four-year universities through established transfer partnerships. Students are advised to work closely with their engineering faculty advisor for program and course scheduling. Electives should be chosen carefully to meet requirements of the transfer institution. NOVA encourages students to explore the different Engineering majors and programs offered by NOVA's transfer partners.

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Career Prospects in the D.C. Metro Area

Upon completing a B.S. in Engineering, graduates can look forward to thousands of career prospects in the D.C. Metro area. The region is a hub for engineering jobs, offering diverse opportunities across various sectors. The average starting salary for an entry-level engineer in the D.C. Metro area is approximately $70,000, and the average mean salary is $118,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top three engineering sectors for the area are manufacturing, scientific and technical services, and government.

Foundational Coursework: Building a Solid Base

NOVA's computer engineering program includes essential coursework designed to build a strong foundation in programming and problem-solving.

EGR 125: Introduction to Computer Programming for Engineers

EGR 125 is an introductory course in computer programming for engineers. This course introduces problem solving and implementation of computer software solutions using a high-level programming language in a structured environment. It serves as the standard sequence of minimal programming content for all engineering majors and the first course in a programming sequence for electrical and electrical computer engineers. It is similar to the first course in computer science (CSC 221) with additional engineering programming applications included. Students may not earn credit for both. The course covers concepts and practice of algorithm design, language syntax, control structures, arrays, and introduction to object-oriented programming. Engineering applications, such as mathematical modeling, file input and output, and basic numerical methods, are also explored. The assignments in this course require mathematical problem-solving skills, algebraic modeling, and functions, and use of variables. Lecture 4 hours.

The ADVANCE Program: A Structured Path to George Mason University

For students aiming to continue their education at George Mason University, NOVA offers the ADVANCE program. This program provides a structured pathway to ensure a seamless transfer.

ADVANCE Program Milestones:

All ADVANCE students must adhere to the following requirements. For Milestones #1-#3, failure to meet these milestones will prevent a student from matriculating to Mason and/or result in termination from ADVANCE. For Milestones #4-#7, failure to meet these milestones may delay matriculation to Mason.

Students must complete their NOVA degree within 4 years of being admitted into ADVANCE. Students are highly encouraged to be continuously enrolled at NOVA/Mason to support progress towards degree completion.
Students must maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at NOVA and must have a minimum 2.5 GPA upon matriculation to Mason.
Students who wish to enroll at Mason for the fall semester must apply for NOVA spring graduation by March 1 or summer graduation by June 1.
Students must take first college-level MTH course and ENG 111 in the semester immediately following the completion of any MDE or EDE courses (excluding summer).
Students must complete a Mason Core Quantitative Reasoning course equivalent with a C or better no later than one semester before NOVA graduation.

ADVANCE Program-Specific Requirements:

All ADVANCE students in this degree program must adhere to the following requirements prior to matriculation. Failure to do so may prevent a student from matriculating into this program at Mason or progressing in coursework at Mason.

Engineering students must begin the calculus sequence within the first 30 credits and complete Calculus I and II with a B or better.

Specialization Options at George Mason University

Upon transferring to George Mason University, students can further specialize their computer engineering education through optional concentrations. These include:

Controls and Robotics
Embedded Systems
Computer Networks
Internet of Things
Hardware and System Security
Power and Energy Systems
Space-based Systems
Semiconductor Engineering

Semiconductor Engineering Concentration requirements may also meet some or all of the Technical Elective requirements.

Course Equivalency

ECE 101 (Intro to Electrical and Computer Engineering) can be waived if students have completed EGR 271 prior to transferring.

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