Program Overview

---

Electrical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Electrical engineers develop technologies and systems for a wide variety of applications ranging from telecommunications to medical imaging. They play a central role in the design and implementation of any technology that is powered by electricity as well as the generation and distribution of electric power. Topics covered in the electrical engineering curriculum include the design of electronic circuits, communication systems, control systems, and semiconductor devices. Students may opt to specialize in any of these areas as well as others that include electrical power generation and distribution, medical image processing, computer systems, or design of micro- and nano-scale optical and electronic devices.

The major provides technical depth and breadth as well as flexibility and the opportunity for students to customize their programs according to their own goals. Students choose one of several focus areas according to the type of job or research they plan to pursue. More than 20 focus areas are available; see Focus Areas on the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering website. Students also have the opportunity to work with their academic advisor to build a focus area plan that adheres to their goals and objectives. Focus areas allow students to personalize their curriculum and prepare them for the jobs or research they intend to pursue.

In their senior year, students complete a two-semester capstone design sequence culminating in a significant, original project.

Educational Objectives

Graduates of the electrical engineering program will:

• exhibit leadership and vision in contributing to the technical and policy decisions of industry, government, and research enterprises;
• demonstrate problem-solving abilities that permit them to contribute to a variety of technical, business, and academic careers;
• thrive in diverse, global, and multidisciplinary environments;
• possess the ability to communicate effectively and participate collaboratively in interactions with engineers and other professionals; and
• understand the importance of participating in lifelong learning activities that enhance their professional and personal development.

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) with a major in electrical engineering requires a minimum of 128 s.h. of credit. At the time of graduation, students must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all college work used to complete degree requirements and in all UI coursework in order to be awarded the BSE.

The curriculum is built on a common core of electrical and computer engineering courses taken by all students. Beginning in their sophomore year, students select either the electrical or computer curricular track and begin taking more specialized courses. The electrical track is intended to provide a broad background in electrical engineering concepts and practice that prepares students for graduate study or electrical engineering careers in a wide range of industries and organizations. The computer track provides focus and depth for students preparing for graduate study or a career in computer hardware or software engineering. Students begin taking track and focus area elective courses in their third year.

All BSE students are required to take the same collegiate curriculum. For information about these collegiate requirements, see the Bachelor of Science in Engineering, BSE in the catalog. 6 s.h. of a student's major courses fulfill the basic science or college-level math collegiate requirement. Students completing the major in electrical engineering fulfill the collegiate statistics requirement by completing STAT:2020 Probability and Statistics for the Engineering and Physical Sciences.

The BSE with a major in electrical engineering requires the following coursework.

Requirements Summary

• Collegiate Curriculum: 49 s.h.
• Basic Science and College-Level Math, from Major Requirements or Focus Area: 6 s.h.
• Major Requirements, Computer Track: 46 s.h.
• Focus Area, Computer Track: 27 s.h.
• Major Requirements, Electrical Track: 49 s.h.
• Focus Area, Electrical Track: 24 s.h.

Major Requirements

Major requirements include a set of common courses (29 s.h.), required courses within one of two tracks (16 s.h. in the computer track, 19 s.h. in the electrical track), one departmental seminar (1 s.h.), and two capstone design courses (6 s.h.).

Common Courses

• ECE:2400: Linear Systems I (3 s.h.)
• ECE:2410: Principles of Electronic Instrumentation (4 s.h.)
• ECE:3320: Introduction to Digital Design (3 s.h.)
• ECE:3360: Embedded Systems (3 s.h.)
• ECE:3700: Electromagnetic Theory (3 s.h.)
• ENGR:2120: Electrical Circuits (3 s.h.)
• ENGR:2730: Computers in Engineering (3 s.h.)
• MATH:3550: Engineering Vector Calculus (3 s.h.)
• PHYS:1612: Introductory Physics II (with lab) (4 s.h.)

Tracks

Beginning in the second year of study, students select either the electrical or computer curricular track and begin taking more specialized courses. The options for breadth and depth courses in the focus area are in part informed by the track a student is completing; see the section titled "Focus Area."

Computer Track Required Courses

• ECE:3330: Introduction to Software Design (3 s.h.)
• ECE:3350: Computer Architecture and Organization (3 s.h.)
• CS:2210: Discrete Structures (3 s.h.)
• CS:2230: Computer Science II: Data Structures (4 s.h.)
• CS:3330: Algorithms (3 s.h.)

Electrical Track Required Courses

• ECE:3400: Linear Systems II (3 s.h.)
• ECE:3410: Electronic Circuits (4 s.h.)
• ECE:3500: Communication Systems (3 s.h.)
• ECE:3600: Control Systems (3 s.h.)
• ECE:3720: Semiconductor Devices (3 s.h.)
• PHYS:2704: Physics IV (without lab) (3 s.h.)

Departmental Seminar

The major in electrical engineering includes ECE:3000 Electrical and Computer Engineering Professional Seminar, typically taken in the third year.

Capstone Design Courses

In their final year of study, students complete a two-semester capstone design sequence culminating in the development and implementation of a significant, original project. The capstone design experience emphasizes teamwork, professionalism, open-ended problem solving, and the ability to work within real-world constraints and engineering standards.

• ECE:4880: Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design 1 (3 s.h.)
• ECE:4890: Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design 2 (3 s.h.)

Focus Area

Students must select focus area courses according to guidelines established by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. A number of established focus areas are available, and students also may work with their academic advisor to create a customized plan tailored to their goals and objectives. Focus areas allow students to personalize their curriculum and to prepare them for the jobs or research they intend to pursue.

Focus areas in the electrical engineering major consist of one breadth elective (at least 3 s.h.), one depth elective (3 s.h.), two electrical and computer engineering courses (prefix ECE) numbered above 5000 (6 s.h.), two technical electives that align with the focus area (at least 6 s.h.), and two additional elective courses (6 s.h.). Students completing the computer track take an additional elective course (at least 3 s.h.) in electrical and computer engineering (prefix ECE).

The options for breadth and depth courses in the focus area are in part informed by the track a student is completing—computer or electrical. Carefully selected elective and general education courses may contribute to earning a minor and/or certificate, including the Certificate in Sustainability (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) or the Certificate in Technological Entrepreneurship (College of Engineering). Students who take an additional advanced math course meet the requirements for a minor in mathematics (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences). Students on the computer track who take an additional approved computer science course (prefix CS) meet the requirements for a minor in computer science (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences).

Breadth Elective

Students in the computer track must choose their breadth elective from the list of required electrical track courses. Students in the electrical track must choose their breadth elective from the list of required computer track courses. See the section titled "Tracks." Students in either track may instead use ECE:3540 Communication Networks as their breadth elective.

Depth Elective

The depth elective must be an advanced course, normally numbered 4000 or above, in a subject area within a student's track.

Computer Track

• ECE:5320/CS:5610: High Performance Computer Architecture (3 s.h.)
• ECE:5450/IGPI:5450: Machine Learning (3 s.h.)
• ECE:5460/IGPI:5460: Digital Signal Processing (3 s.h.)
• ECE:5480/IGPI:5480: Digital Image Processing (3 s.h.)
• ECE:5525: Cryptography (3 s.h.)
• ECE:5800/CS:5800: Fundamentals of Software Engineering (3 s.h.)
• ECE:5810/CS:5810: Formal Methods in Software Engineering (3 s.h.)
• ECE:5840: Software Security (3 s.h.)
• ECE:5845: Modern Databases (3 s.h.)
• CS:4400: Database Systems (3 s.h.)
• CS:4420: Artificial Intelligence (3 s.h.)

Electrical Track

• ECE:5320/CS:5610: High Performance Computer Architecture (3 s.h.)
• ECE:5410: Advanced Circuit Techniques (3 s.h.)
• ECE:5415: Radio Frequency Electronics (3 s.h.)
• ECE:5455: Statistical Foundations of Inference and Machine Learning (3 s.h.)
• ECE:5480/IGPI:5480: Digital Image Processing (3 s.h.)
• ECE:5500: Digital Communications (3 s.h.)
• ECE:5600: Control Theory (3 s.h.)
• ECE:5620: Electric Power Systems and Renewable Energy (3 s.h.)
• ECE:5640/IGPI:5641: Computer-Based Control Systems (3 s.h.)
• ECE:5700: Advanced Electromagnetic Theory (3 s.h.)

Advanced Electrical and Computer Engineering Electives

Students complete at least two Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering courses (prefix ECE) numbered above 5000. Specific recommendations vary based on focus area.

Additional Electives

Students select additional courses from the focus area categories or from a list of suggested electives for their specific focus area. Additional electives for students pursuing the computer track total at least 15 s.h. (typically five courses) while electrical track electives total at least 12 s.h. (typically four courses).

Students may select courses in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (prefix ECE) not already taken for the major. Courses not listed here may be able to count toward the focus area requirements; students should consult an academic advisor.

While course recommendations for specific focus areas differ, the following is a list of potential elective courses for either track.

• ACCT:2100: Introduction to Financial Accounting (3 s.h.)
• ACCT:2200: Managerial Accounting Analytics and Data Visualization (3 s.h.)
• CEE:4107/CBE:4410: Sustainable Systems (3 s.h.)
• CHEM:1120: Principles of Chemistry II (4 s.h.)
• CHEM:2220: Organic Chemistry II (3 s.h.)
• CHEM:2410: Organic Chemistry Laboratory (3 s.h.)
• ENGR:2130: Thermodynamics (3 s.h.)
• ENTR:2000: Entrepreneurship and Innovation (3 s.h.)
• ENTR:3100: Entrepreneurial Finance (3 s.h.)
• ISE:2500: Engineering Economy (3 s.h.)
• ISE:4172: Big Data Analytics (3 s.h.)
• MATH:3800/CS:3700: Introduction to Numerical Methods (3 s.h.)
• MATH:4040: Matrix Theory (3 s.h.)
• MATH:4200: Complex Variables (3 s.h.)
• SEES:2013/BUS:2013/URP:2013: Introduction to Sustainability (3 s.h.)
• STAT:4143/PSQF:4143: Introduction to Statistical Methods (3 s.h.)
• STAT:4520/IGPI:4522/PSQF:4520: Bayesian Statistics (3 s.h.)
• STAT:4580/DATA:4580/IGPI:4580: Data Visualization and Data Technologies (3 s.h.)

Double Major in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science and Engineering

Students may earn a double major in electrical engineering (EE) and computer science and engineering (CSE). They must satisfy all requirements of the electrical track of the EE major and all requirements of the CSE major.

BSE/MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering

The College of Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Engineering/Master of Science for electrical engineering undergraduate students who intend to earn a MS in electrical and computer engineering. BSE/MS students may take up to 12 s.h. of graduate-level coursework and do thesis-level research while they are still undergraduates. They may count 9 s.h. of graduate coursework toward both degrees. Once students complete the requirements for the bachelor's degree, they are granted the BSE, and they typically complete the MS one year later.

To be admitted to the degree program, students must have completed at least 80 s.h., have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.25, and submit a letter of application to the chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. For more information, see Joint BS/MS Degree Program Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) on the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering website.

The engineering profession is a foundation for a variety of careers in industry, medicine, law, government, and consulting. Engineering majors consistently rank among the top-paid majors for bachelor's degree graduates, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Electrical engineers find employment everywhere smart technology is employed. On average, 93–98% of graduates are employed in their field of study or pursuing advanced education within seven months of graduation.

Electrical engineers work in research, design, development, manufacturing, sales, market analysis, consulting, field service, and management. They are employed in computer, semiconductor, software, aerospace, telecommunication, medical, radio, television, and power industries.

Engineering Career Services develops and promotes experiential education and professional opportunities for students. Professional staff coordinate the college's co-op and internship program, engage in employer outreach, and provide opportunities for students to network with employers, including an engineering career fair and other career-development programming each semester.

Engineering Career Services also offers individual advising and class presentations on résumé and cover letter preparation, job and internship search strategies, interviewing skills, and job offer evaluation.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.

Electrical Engineering, BSE

Computer Track

• First Year:
  • Fall: RHET:1030 Rhetoric: Writing and Communication (4 s.h.), MATH:1550 Engineering Calculus I (4 s.h.), CHEM:1110 Principles of Chemistry I (4 s.h.), ENGR:1100 Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving (3 s.h.), CSI:1600 Success at Iowa (0 s.h.)
  • Spring: GE: Approved Course Subjects (3 s.h.), MATH:1560 Engineering Calculus II (4 s.h.), MATH:2550 Engineering Matrix Algebra (2 s.h.), PHYS:1611 Introductory Physics I (4 s.h.), ENGR:1300 Introduction to Engineering Computing (3 s.h.)
• Second Year:
  • Fall: GE: Cultural Perspectives, Values, and Society (3 s.h.), MATH:2560 Engineering Differential Equations (3 s.h.), PHYS:1612 Introductory Physics II (4 s.h.), ENGR:2120 Electrical Circuits (3 s.h.), ENGR:2730 Computers in Engineering (3 s.h.)
  • Spring: MATH:3550 Engineering Vector Calculus (3 s.h.), CS:2210 Discrete Structures (3 s.h.), CS:2230 Computer Science II: Data Structures (4 s.h.), ECE:2400 Linear Systems I (3 s.h.), ECE:2410 Principles of Electronic Instrumentation (4 s.h.)
• Third Year:
  • Fall: STAT:2020 Probability and Statistics for the Engineering and Physical Sciences (3 s.h.), CS:3330 Algorithms (3 s.h.), ECE:3320 Introduction to Digital Design (3 s.h.), ECE:3330 Introduction to Software Design (3 s.h.), ECE:3700 Electromagnetic Theory (3 s.h.), ECE:3000 Electrical and Computer Engineering Professional Seminar (1 s.h.)
  • Spring: GE: Engineering Be Creative (3 s.h.), ECE:3350 Computer Architecture and Organization (3 s.h.), ECE:3360 Embedded Systems (3 s.h.), Focus Area: elective ECE course (3 s.h.), Focus Area: technical elective (3 s.h.), Focus Area: additional elective (3 s.h.)
• Fourth Year:
  • Fall: GE: Approved Course Subjects (3 s.h.), ECE:4880 Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design 1 (3 s.h.), Focus Area: breadth elective (3 s.h.), Focus Area: ECE 5000 or above course (3 s.h.), Focus Area: technical elective (3 s.h.)
  • Spring: GE: Approved Course Subjects (3 s.h.), ECE:4890 Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design 2 (3 s.h.), Focus Area: depth elective (3 s.h.), Focus Area: ECE 5000 or above course (3 s.h.), Focus Area: additional elective (3 s.h.)

Electrical Track

• First Year:
  • Fall: RHET:1030 Rhetoric: Writing and Communication (4 s.h.), MATH:1550 Engineering Calculus I (4 s.h.), CHEM:1110 Principles of Chemistry I (4 s.h.), ENGR:1100 Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving (3 s.h.), CSI:1600 Success at Iowa (0 s.h.)
  • Spring: GE: Approved Course Subjects (3 s.h.), MATH:1560 Engineering Calculus II (4 s.h.), MATH:2550 Engineering Matrix Algebra (2 s.h.), PHYS:1611 Introductory Physics I (4 s.h.), ENGR:1300 Introduction to Engineering Computing (3 s.h.)
• Second Year:
  • Fall: GE: Cultural Perspectives, Values, and Society (3 s.h.), MATH:2560 Engineering Differential Equations (3 s.h.), PHYS:1612 Introductory Physics II (4 s.h.), ENGR:2120 Electrical Circuits (3 s.h.), ENGR:2730 Computers in Engineering (3 s.h.)
  • Spring: MATH:3550 Engineering Vector Calculus (3 s.h.), STAT:2020 Probability and Statistics for the Engineering and Physical Sciences (3 s.h.), PHYS:2704 Physics IV (3 s.h.), ECE:2400 Linear Systems I (3 s.h.), ECE:2410 Principles of Electronic Instrumentation (4 s.h.)
• Third Year:
  • Fall: ECE:3000 Electrical and Computer Engineering Professional Seminar (1 s.h.), ECE:3320 Introduction to Digital Design (3 s.h.), ECE:3400 Linear Systems II (3 s.h.), ECE:3410 Electronic Circuits (4 s.h.), ECE:3700 Electromagnetic Theory (3 s.h.), Focus Area: technical elective (3 s.h.)
  • Spring: GE: Engineering Be Creative (3 s.h.), ECE:3360 Embedded Systems (3 s.h.), ECE:3500 Communication Systems (3 s.h.), ECE:3600 Control Systems (3 s.h.), ECE:3720 Semiconductor Devices (3 s.h.), Focus Area: additional elective (3 s.h.)
• Fourth Year:
  • Fall: GE: Approved Course Subjects (3 s.h.), ECE:4880 Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design 1 (3 s.h.), Focus Area: ECE 5000 or above course (3 s.h.), Focus Area: technical elective (3 s.h.), Focus Area: breadth elective (3 s.h.)
  • Spring: GE: Approved Course Subjects (3 s.h.), ECE:4890 Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design 2 (3 s.h.), Focus Area: ECE 5000 or above course (3 s.h.), Focus Area: additional elective (3 s.h.), Focus Area: depth elective (3 s.h.)