Dartmouth’s Online MEng in Computer Engineering: Beyond Skills, A Philosophy of Learning

When you enroll in Dartmouth’s online Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering (MEng-CE), you don’t just gain technical expertise; you gain the ability to learn, adapt, and grow as an engineer in any environment. And that’s by design.

Assistant Professor Michael Kokko, who brings nearly a decade of experience as a robotics engineer and senior systems engineer, explains:

“Yes, we want students to graduate with strong technical skills. But more importantly, we want to teach them how to learn, how to pick up new skills quickly, and how to apply them effectively.”

This philosophy runs throughout Dartmouth’s online MEng-CE. Whether you come from a hardware-heavy background or are newer to the field, the MEng program is built for ambitious learners from a range of backgrounds, designed to meet you where you are, then broaden your capabilities.

Real-World Experience, Real Impact in the Classroom

Professor Michael Kokko knows what it takes to solve problems in industry because he’s done it, across roles in robotics, systems engineering, and software.

“I love the DIY process and hacking something together in the garage. But when you’re working with the market and multiple people, it’s helpful to have the oversight, the plan, and the metrics to know you’re moving in the right direction.”

That’s exactly the design philosophy he brings to his course on Distributed Computing, where students learn to write code for robotic agents and tackle real-world system design challenges.

A Hands-On Approach, Even Online

One of Dartmouth’s strengths is translating its in-person, project-based culture into the online environment.

“If you look at the courses in the online MEng program, we try to translate what we do in person to the online platform. The feedback has been that students appreciate how hands-on it has been. They’re working with peers, communicating on Slack, tackling group projects, and focused on building, testing, and designing something together.”

From virtual labs on Coursera (no setup or dependencies required) to real-world robotics projects, students are engaged in the same collaborative, problem-solving curriculum as on-campus learners.

Teaching Students to Learn

The program is intentionally designed to push students out of their comfort zones. In the Distributed Computing course, for example, students work in Go, a programming language most students have never touched before.

“The majority of my students haven’t programmed in Go. There’s some hesitation at first, but the overall learning objective is to become comfortable with the process of learning something new.”

The goal is for students to develop confidence in tackling unfamiliar challenges, which mirrors the realities of industry work.

“We’re trying to get students to say, ‘I need to learn this new task. I don’t know much about it, but I know I’m trying to get from point A to point B, so I’ll learn what I need to in order to make that connection.’”

A Supportive, Small-School Culture

Dartmouth’s smaller engineering school is both a challenge and a strength. The student-to-faculty ratio allows for personalized mentorship and a true sense of community. The care that each professor has for their students is palpable, even online.

“We’re a really dedicated team. You’re not watching videos recorded by faculty years ago. We have faculty on Zoom with students twice a week, outside of office hours, too. We’re here to help students.”

Students come from a variety of backgrounds with a range of skillsets and expertise. The program is designed for all of them. Professor Kokko emphasizes the importance of having diverse fields of thought in the classroom and describes how real-life applications are a core part of his teachings. 

“What we do here is teach skills and teach to learn. That’s what students can hope to get out of the program. And the group projects are structured to make sure everyone has a meaningful, connected experience.”

Why Dartmouth’s MEng-CE Stands Out

If you’re looking to advance your career at the intersection of computer engineering and hardware, Dartmouth offers:

• A robust curriculum grounded in real-world projects.
• Faculty with deep industry experience who are active in current research and case studies.
• Small class sizes and high engagement, even online.
• Virtual lab environments that make it easy to jump into coding and design without the headache of setup.
• Hardware for hands-on experience that is shipped to all students in the program and used in multiple courses.
• A philosophy of learning that stays with you long after graduation.
  

As Professor Kokko says:

“I would encourage anybody who’s interested in furthering their education or career at the intersection of computer engineering and hardware to consider this program. We do our best to say, ‘Have you had an experience where you’ve seen something like this before?’ and ‘How do we connect that to our current topic?’ We want to make this degree something that is going to be approachable for all of our students.”

Ready to take the next step? 

If you’re curious, ambitious, and interested in an online engineering degree designed for working professionals, Dartmouth’s online Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering might be your next step. With professors like Michael Kokko leading the way, you won’t just learn, you’ll connect, grow, and thrive. 

Take the next step and dive headfirst into the future with a 100% online, hands-on experience from Dartmouth.