Below, we present this educational journey in detail. You will discover how each module builds on the previous one, creating a versatile engineering profile with in-depth technical knowledge and prepared to access the best career opportunities. Join us as we explore the modules that will turn you into a technology expert at UAX.
First year
The first year, divided into two four-month terms, with a course load of 60 ECTS credits, is designed to build the foundations of computational thinking from scratch. You’ll acquire the mathematical, physical and programming foundations essential for any engineer, regardless of their future specialisation.
Communication in a Foreign Language 1
In a globalised technological world, English is the lingua franca. This year-long module will equip you with the language skills needed to reach a B1–B2 level. It is a cross-disciplinary tool that you will use throughout your degree.
Programming
Here you will begin your journey as a software developer. You will learn the logical foundations of computational thinking and apply them in your first programming language, writing algorithms to solve problems. This module is the cornerstone upon which you will build all your knowledge as an engineer.
Physics
This module will provide you with a fundamental understanding of the physical principles that govern hardware and communications. You’ll study concepts of electricity, magnetism and waves, which are essential for understanding how a computer’s electronic components work and how information travels.
Computer Science 1
This module establishes the basic knowledge of computing and information systems that every engineer must master. The course focuses on a universal tool for data management: the spreadsheet, where you will learn advanced techniques for working with operations, formulas and functions in Excel. You will take it a step further by learning to use Python, one of the most powerful and in-demand programming languages.
Mathematics 1
Mathematics is the language upon which all computing is built. In this subject, you will consolidate your foundations in calculus and algebra —indispensable tools for fields such as artificial intelligence , cryptography and algorithm analysis. A good engineer needs a solid grasp of mathematics.
Communication Skills 1
Being a good engineer is not just about knowing technology, but also about knowing how to communicate it. This module will teach you how to structure technical reports, deliver effective presentations and present your ideas clearly and concisely. You will develop written and oral communication skills.
Data Structures
Once you know how to programme, the next step is to learn how to organise information efficiently. You will study lists, queues, stacks, trees and graphs, understanding how choosing the right data structure can make a programme thousands of times faster and more efficient. This is a key subject for developing high-quality software.
Fundamentals of Communications Networks
You will discover the principles that make the Internet and communication between computers possible. You will learn about network models such as TCP/IP, addressing and the protocols that allow data to travel from one point to another across the globe. This forms the basis for understanding how the web and distributed systems work.
Digital Systems
This module takes you to the heart of hardware, down to the level of logic circuits. You will learn to design and analyse combinational and sequential digital circuits using logic gates. You will understand how, starting with simple on/off switches, computer processors and memory are constructed.
Mathematics 2
You will continue to expand your mathematical toolkit, delving into areas such as matrices, differential equations and discrete mathematics. These concepts are crucial for understanding the complexity of algorithms and for modelling real-world problems that you will then solve using software.
Communication Skills 2
You will continue to hone your communication skills, now focusing on team communication and project management. You will learn techniques for negotiation, collaboration and writing more complex technical documentation. The aim is to prepare you for working in real-world software development teams.
Second year
This second year, also organised into two four-month terms and totalling 60 ECTS credits, takes you to the heart of computer engineering. You will study operating systems, computer architecture and more advanced programming paradigms, as well as gaining an introduction to the business world.
Communication in a Foreign Language 2
You will take your command of technical English a step further. This year-long module focuses on understanding and producing more complex texts, as well as preparing for presentations and debates on engineering-related topics. The aim is for you to achieve a level of fluency that will enable you to work in any multinational company.
Computer Science 2
You will delve deeper into the concepts of computer science, tackling topics such as computer architecture and information management at a more advanced level. This year-long module links the first-year fundamentals to the complex systems you will study later on.
Object-Oriented Development
You will learn one of the most important and widely used programming paradigms in the software industry. You will discover how to organise your code into ‘objects’ that encapsulate data and behaviour, enabling you to build larger, more modular and easier-to-maintain applications.
Computer Architecture
Here you will understand the fundamentals of systems based on microprocessor and microcontroller programming as the foundation for computer architecture. You will also learn about the characteristics of the MIPS architecture, as well as its relationship with high-level languages.
Operating Systems
You will study how an operating system (such as Windows, Linux or macOS) manages processes, memory, the file system and devices. You will learn to programme at a level closer to the system, understanding how the machine’s resources are allocated.
Business Economics
Technology operates within a business context. This module will provide you with the fundamentals of economics and business management so that you can understand how technology companies operate, how they are financed and how they make strategic decisions.
Databases
You will learn to design, manage and query large volumes of information in a structured way. You will specialise in the relational model and the SQL language, the industry-standard tools for working with databases. This is an essential skill for almost any computer engineering role.
Networks
In this module, you will learn the principles of communication protocols and layered architecture, as well as how to configure network services and test that they are functioning correctly.
Programming Techniques
You will go beyond basic programming to learn advanced software design techniques and patterns. You will study how to write clean, efficient and scalable code, applying the principles used by professional software engineers to build robust, high-quality systems.
Statistics
Statistics forms the basis of data analysis and machine learning. You will learn to analyse datasets, calculate probabilities and draw inferences to make evidence-based decisions. This training is essential for specialising in areas such as data science or artificial intelligence.
Third year
In the third year, comprising a total of 60 ECTS credits, the programme becomes much more specialised. Over two semesters, you will focus on advanced areas of software engineering, operating systems and networks, as well as having your first formal introduction to artificial intelligence.
Systems Administration
You will learn how to install, configure and maintain the servers and computer systems that support applications and users. You will gain expertise in administering operating systems such as Linux, user management and task automation – a fundamental role in any technology company.
Software Engineering
This module teaches you the professional process for building large-scale software. You will study the different phases of the software life cycle, from requirements gathering and analysis through to design, testing and maintenance.
Concurrent Programming
You will discover how to make your programmes perform multiple tasks simultaneously to harness the power of modern multi-core processors. You will learn to manage threads, semaphores and monitors to avoid concurrency issues. This is a key skill for developing high-performance applications.
Event-Driven Programming
You will study the programming paradigm behind all graphical user interfaces. You will learn to design applications that respond to user actions (mouse clicks, keystrokes). This knowledge is essential for the development of desktop, web and mobile applications.
Advanced Operating Systems
You will explore the inner workings of modern operating systems in depth. You will study how to design security and information protection policies, and how to use tools for administering and configuring an operating system.
Network Administration
You will specialise in the management and maintenance of complex network infrastructures. You will learn how to configure advanced routers and switches, implement network security policies and monitor traffic to ensure the performance and availability of services.
Computer Architecture
You will go a step beyond the hardware structure to understand the design principles of modern processors. You will study concepts such as pipelining, superscalar processors and parallel architectures. This will enable you to understand what makes one processor faster and more powerful than another.
Artificial Intelligence
You will formally delve into one of the most revolutionary areas of computing. You will study the algorithms that enable machines to ‘learn’ and ‘reason’, exploring fields such as machine learning, neural networks and natural language processing. This module prepares you to design the intelligent systems of the future.
Human-Computer Interaction
This discipline focuses on designing technological systems that are easy and pleasant for people to use. You will learn the principles of usability and user experience (UX), evaluating and designing interfaces that are intuitive and efficient. The aim is to place the user at the centre of technological design.
Information Systems Planning and Management
You will learn how to align technology with an organisation’s business objectives. You will study how to strategically plan information systems, manage technology projects and assess return on investment. It serves as the bridge between the technology department and the company’s management.
Fourth year
The final year, which also comprises 60 ECTS credits, marks the culmination of your degree. You will tackle real-world technology projects, gain your first professional experience in a company and demonstrate everything you have learnt in your Final-Year Project.
New Information Technologies
You will explore the emerging trends and technologies that are shaping the future of the industry. You will analyse the impact of concepts such as Blockchain , the Internet of Things (IoT) and quantum computing. This module will keep you up to date and provide you with a strategic overview of the sector’s future.
IT Project Planning and Management
You will train to become a technology project manager. You will learn the methodologies and tools to plan, execute and monitor software projects from start to finish, managing scope, time, budget and risks. This is a highly sought-after skill for technical leadership roles.
Broadband Networks
You will gain an in-depth understanding of the technologies that enable high-speed internet connections. You will study fibre-optic networks, mobile networks such as 4G/5G and other access technologies that form the basis of today’s digital society.
Information Society
You will reflect on the social, ethical and legal impact of information technologies. You will analyse issues such as the digital divide, data privacy, intellectual property and cybersecurity from a humanistic and critical perspective.
Advanced Information Technologies
This module allows you to delve deeper into cutting-edge and highly specialised fields within computer science. You will study complex and topical issues that will prepare you for the industry’s most demanding technological challenges or to embark on a research career.
Networks and Platforms for Mass Data Processing
You will learn to work with large volumes of data ( Big Data ). You will study architectures and platforms such as Hadoop and Spark, which enable the distributed processing and analysis of massive amounts of data. This training is essential for those wishing to become data scientists or data engineer.
Business Administration and Management
You will strengthen your management skills, gaining a comprehensive understanding of a company’s strategic, financial and marketing management. This course prepares you to understand the business as a whole and to aim for management roles or launch your own start-up.
Technology Management
You will learn to manage technological innovation within an organisation. You will study how decisions are made regarding which technologies to adopt, how to manage the life cycle of technological products and how to protect innovation through patents.
Final-Year Project
This is the final project in which you will demonstrate all the skills you have acquired. You can undertake a software development project, a research project or a technology business plan, independently applying everything you have learnt during your degree. It is your key introduction to the professional world.
Work Placement (External Placement)
This 12-ECTS-credit optional module immerses you in your first work experience through 300 hours of work placement at a company in the sector. You’ll have the perfect opportunity to apply your technical knowledge to real-world projects and build a solid bridge to your first job. You’ll develop practical skills and expand your professional network.
The Certificate in Business & Product Innovation
This degree offers a unique opportunity: the chance to undertake, as an integrated part of the programme, a Certificate in Business & Product Innovation. These additional modules, spread over the four years, will provide you with a business and product management perspective that will clearly set you apart in the job market.
- During the first year, you’ll learn about Digital Marketing and obtain your Scrum Certificate, one of the most important agile methodologies.
- In the second year, you will study Business & Product Innovation and Lean Business, learning how to create and validate business models using agile methods.
- In the third year, you will explore Artificial Intelligence applied to Cybersecurity and the fundamentals of Fintech and Banking 4.0.
- Finally, in the fourth year, you will broaden your horizons to include booming sectors with the fundamentals of Digital Health and Retail 4.0.
Summary
As you have seen, the curriculum for the Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering is a comprehensive and demanding programme, designed to produce competent professionals in all key areas of technology. The combination of a strong technical foundation with the business acumen gained from the additional certificate and the practical experience offered by the optional modules results in an engineer who is equipped not only to develop technology, but also to lead, manage and innovate within the field.
Sources
Curriculum for the Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering at UAX
