Colleges look for certain high school classes on a student's transcripts as prerequisites for a computer engineering bachelor's degree program. According to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, students should have at least four years of English and two years of social science. Four years of science are recommended as well, including chemistry and physics. Students should also take mathematics during all four years of high school, including classes in trigonometry and precalculus.
A computer engineering bachelor's degree program will include a significant amount of science and mathematics classes in addition to the general education requirements of the college or university. Students should expect classes like introduction to computing, software engineering, computer hardware and computer design. Electives for a computer engineering degree may include operating systems, artificial intelligence or database design.
Computer engineers learn how to design and create software applications and computer systems. They must also learn how to test and evaluate computer networks, business applications and operating systems. Much of this work involves documented planning diagrams and flowcharts as well as the use of complex computer algorithms. Computer engineers must be able to understand and use programming languages as well.
A number of degrees can lead to a career in computer engineering. Systems software engineers may major in computer science or computer information systems. Other relevant tracks of study are mathematics, information systems and computer science. Students can also choose to focus their elective choices in a specific area, such as business or the physical sciences, in order to prepare for a future career.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer engineers need to pursue continuing education throughout their career in order to keep up with changing technologies. A master's degree may be necessary for complex positions, though there are also many certification courses designed to provide proficiency in a certain technology, software or application. These courses may be offered at local colleges, distance learning programs or through a software vendor.