• University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
• University of Alabama
• University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
• University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
  

Computer hardware and software concepts are core components in computer engineering curricula throughout the country. The goal is to develop assessment instruments to measure change in the conceptual understanding of computer engineering by students who have completed sophomore-level courses, such as digital logic and computer design, data structures, or introduction to computer organization. The first version of the Computer Engineering Concept Inventory (CPECI) is presently under development. For more information on the development of the CPECI, please contact Paul Fortier, Howard Michel, or Hong Liu of the Electrical Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, or , Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alabama.

Three areas listed below show the initial core concepts to be covered by the first version of the CPECI. Thirty questions covering these areas have been developed as the alpha version of the CPECI. An additional 37 questions are being reviewed to consider as improvements to existing questions or as additions to the CPECI. Ultimately, there will be 20 to 30 questions in each of these three areas.

• Digital components
• Computer architecture and organization
• Programming fundamentals