Program Overview

Major in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Concentration

The Major in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Concentration is designed for undergraduate electrical engineering majors who wish to specialize in the aerospace discipline. This program offers students a foundation in electrical engineering and specialized training in aerospace engineering.

Overview

Aerospace engineering is a broad and dynamic field that centers on the design, construction, and science behind aircraft and spacecraft. The aerospace concentration provides students with an electrical engineering degree and specialized training in the aerospace discipline. Coursework focuses on applications of key electrical engineering principles in areas such as deep-space communications, robotics, embedded systems, flight avionics, and more.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

1. Identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems in aerospace systems by applying principles of electrical engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. Apply the engineering design process to develop electrical engineering solutions for aerospace systems, balancing technical objectives with broader considerations.
3. Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in aerospace systems and make informed judgments.
5. Function effectively on teams, collaborating on tasks related to aerospace systems.
6. Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze results, and use electrical engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. Acquire and apply new knowledge in advancing aerospace systems.

Requirements

• Freshman:
  • CHEM 111: General Chemistry I (GT-SC2)
  • CHEM 112: General Chemistry Lab I (GT-SC1)
  • CO 150: College Composition (GT-CO2)
  • ENGR 111: Fundamentals of Engineering
  • ENGR 114: Engineering for Grand Challenges
  • MATH 160: Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1)
  • MATH 161: Calculus for Physical Scientists II (GT-MA1)
  • PH 141: Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1)
  • Select one group from the following:
    • Group A: CS 150B: Culture and Coding: Python (GT-AH3)
    • Group B or Group C: Arts and Humanities
• Sophomore:
  • ECE 205: Analog Circuits I
  • ECE 206: Analog Circuits II
  • ECE 232: Introduction to Project Practices
  • ECE 252: Introduction to Digital Circuits
  • ECE 253: Microcontrollers and C for Internet-of-Things
  • ECE 303/STAT 303: Introduction to Communications Principles
  • MATH 261: Calculus for Physical Scientists III
  • MATH 340: Intro to Ordinary Differential Equations
  • PH 142: Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GT-SC1)
  • Select one group from the following:
    • Group A: CS 164: CS1--Computational Thinking with Java
    • Group B: CS 152: Python for STEM
    • Group C: CS 163: CS1---No Prior Programming Experience
• Junior:
  • ECE 311: Linear System Analysis I
  • ECE 312: Linear System Analysis II
  • ECE 331: Electronics Principles I
  • ECE 332: Electronics Principles II
  • ECE 341: Electromagnetic Fields and Devices I
  • ECE 342: Electromagnetic Fields and Devices II
  • JTC 300 or CO 301B: Strategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)
  • Science/Math/Engineering Electives (See list below)
• Senior:
  • ECE 401: Senior Design Project I
  • ECE 402: Senior Design Project II
  • ECON 202: Principles of Microeconomics (GT-SS1)
  • Aerospace Technical Electives (See list below)
  • Electrical Engineering Technical Electives (See list below)
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Historical Perspectives

Science/Math/Engineering Electives

• BC 351: Principles of Biochemistry
• BIOM 200: Fundamentals of Biomedical Engineering
• BIOM 350A: Study Abroad--Ecuador: Prosthetics
• BIOM 350C: Study Abroad--Ireland: Biomedical Engineering and Healthcare
• BMS 300: Principles of Human Physiology
• BMS 301: Human Gross Anatomy
• BMS 325: Cellular Neurobiology
• BMS 345: Functional Neuroanatomy
• BZ 310: Cell Biology
• CBE 160: MATLAB for Chemical and Biological Eng
• CHEM 245: Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry
• CHEM 246: Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Laboratory
• CIVE 260: Engineering Mechanics-Statics
• CIVE 371: Study Abroad--Peru: Grand Challenges in Engineering in Peru
• CS 165: CS2--Data Structures
• CS 214: Software Development
• CS 220: Discrete Structures and the Applications
• CS 310H/IDEA 310H: Design Thinking Toolbox: Mixed Reality Design
• CT 301: C++ Fundamentals
• CT 307: High Performance Programming in Rust
• DSCI 320/MATH 320: Optimization Methods in Data Science
• ECE 395A: Independent Study 2
• ECE 395B: Independent Study: Open Option Project 2
• ECE 395C: Independent Study : Vertically Integrated Project 2
• ENGR 300: 3D Printing Lab for Engineers
• ENGR 422: Technology Entrepreneurship
• ENGR 478: Applied Engineering Data Analytics
• HES 307: Biomechanical Principles of Human Movement
• IDEA 310L: Design Thinking Toolbox : Creating Things That Think
• IDEA 310O: Design Thinking Toolbox: Digital Interaction and Game Design
• LIFE 103: Biology of Organisms-Animals and Plants (GT-SC1)
• MATH 151: Mathematical Algorithms in Matlab I
• MATH 229: Matrices and Linear Equations
• MATH 235: Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning
• MATH 301: Introduction to Combinatorial Theory
• MATH 317: Advanced Calculus of One Variable
• MATH 331: Introduction to Mathematical Modeling
• MATH 332: Partial Differential Equations
• MATH 360: Mathematics of Information Security
• MATH 366: Introduction to Abstract Algebra
• MATH 369: Linear Algebra I
• MECH 200A: Introduction to Manufacturing Processes: Lecture
• MECH 200B: Introduction to Manufacturing Processes : Laboratory
• MECH 201: Engineering Design I
• MECH 202: Engineering Design II
• MIP 300: General Microbiology
• PH 314: Introduction to Modern Physics
• PH 341: Mechanics
• PH 353: Optics and Waves
• PSY 253: Human Factors and Engineering Psychology
• STAT 158: Introduction to R Programming
• SYSE 501: Foundations of Systems Engineering

Aerospace Technical Electives

• ATS 550: Atmospheric Radiation and Remote Sensing
• ECE 404: Experiments in Optical Electronics
• ECE 411: Control Systems
• ECE 412: Digital Control and Digital Filters
• ECE 415: Semiconductor Physics and Junctions
• ECE 421: Telecommunications I
• ECE 441: Optical Electronics
• ECE 444: Antennas and Radiation
• ECE 452: Computer Organization and Architecture
• ECE 455: Introduction to Robot Programming/Simulation
• ECE 456: Computer Networks
• ECE 461: Power Systems
• ECE 512: Digital Signal Processing
• ECE 514: Applications of Random Processes
• ECE 516: Information Theory
• ECE 520: Optimization Methods--Control and Comm.
• ECE 521: Satellite Communication
• ECE 528/CS 528: Embedded Systems and Machine Learning
• ECE 529: Signal Processing & Artificial Intelligence
• ECE 536: RF Integrated Circuit Design
• ECE 539: Digital Communications
• ECE 540: Computational Electromagnetics
• ECE 541: Applied Electromagnetics
• ECE 545: FPGA Signal Processing/Software-Defined Radio
• ECE 548: Microwave Theory and Component Design
• ECE 549: Radar Systems and Design
• ECE 553: Adaptive Systems and Machine Learning
• ECE 554: Computer Architecture
• ECE 556: AI for Radar and Remote Sensing
• ECE 561/CS 561: Hardware/Software Design of Embedded Systems
• ECE 562: Power Electronics I
• ECE 565/ENGR 565: Electrical Power Engineering
• ECE 572: Semiconductor Transistors
• ECE 578: Satellite Data Analysis
• ECE 579: Global Navigation Satellite Systems
• ENGR 430: Engineering With Drones
• ENGR 570: Coupled Electromechanical Systems
• MECH 518: Orbital Mechanics
• MECH 519: Aerospace Vehicles Trajectory and Performance

Electrical Engineering Technical Electives

• ATS 550: Atmospheric Radiation and Remote Sensing
• CS 314: Software Engineering
• CS 320: Algorithms--Theory and Practice
• CS 345: Machine Learning Foundations and Practice
• CS 356: Systems Security
• CS 370: Operating Systems
• CS 4XX: Any CS course numbered 400-479, excluding CS 457 and CS 470
• CS 5XX: Any CS course numbered 500-579
• DSCI 475: Topological Data Analysis
• ECE 4XX: Any ECE course at the 400-level
• ECE 495A: Independent Study 2
• ECE 495B: Independent Study: Open Option Project 2
• ECE 495C: Independent Study: Vertically Integrated Projects 2
• ECE 5XX: Any ECE course at the 500-level
• ENGR 430: Engineering With Drones
• ENGR 570: Coupled Electromechanical Systems
• MATH 417: Advanced Calculus I
• MATH 418: Advanced Calculus II
• MATH 419: Introduction to Complex Variables
• MATH 450: Introduction to Numerical Analysis I
• MATH 451: Introduction to Numerical Analysis II
• MATH 460: Information and Coding Theory
• MATH 463: Post-Quantum Cryptography
• MATH 466: Abstract Algebra I
• MATH 469: Linear Algebra II
• MATH 474: Introduction to Differential Geometry
• MECH 403: Energy Engineering
• MECH 518: Orbital Mechanics
• MECH 519: Aerospace Vehicles Trajectory and Performance
• MECH 564: Fundamentals of Robot Mechanics and Controls
• PH 315: Modern Physics Laboratory
• PH 425: Advanced Physics Laboratory
• PH 451: Introductory Quantum Mechanics I
• PH 452: Introductory Quantum Mechanics II
• PH 462: Statistical Physics
• STAT 421: Introduction to Stochastic Processes

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program

To prepare for the first semester, the curriculum for this major assumes students enter college prepared to take calculus.

In order to maintain professional standards required of practicing engineers, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering requires a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.000 in electrical engineering courses as a graduation requirement. It is the responsibility of any student who fails to maintain a 2.000 average to work with their advisor to correct grade point deficiencies. ECE courses required for the major at the 100, 200, and 300 level must be passed with a minimum grade of C (2.000); grades below a C will require the student to retake the course. ECE courses designated as an elective are exempt from the C or higher minimum grade requirement.

Semester Plan

• Semester 1:
  • CHEM 111: General Chemistry I (GT-SC2)
  • CHEM 112: General Chemistry Lab I (GT-SC1)
  • ENGR 111: Fundamentals of Engineering
  • MATH 160: Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1)
  • Course(s) from Group A, B, or C
• Semester 2:
  • CO 150: College Composition (GT-CO2)
  • ENGR 114: Engineering for Grand Challenges
  • MATH 161: Calculus for Physical Scientists II (GT-MA1)
  • PH 141: Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1)
• Semester 3:
  • ECE 205: Analog Circuits I
  • ECE 252: Introduction to Digital Circuits
  • MATH 261: Calculus for Physical Scientists III
  • PH 142: Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GT-SC1)
  • Course(s) from Group A, B, or C
• Semester 4:
  • ECE 206: Analog Circuits II
  • ECE 232: Introduction to Project Practices
  • ECE 253: Microcontrollers and C for Internet-of-Things
  • ECE 303/STAT 303: Introduction to Communications Principles
  • MATH 340: Intro to Ordinary Differential Equations
• Semester 5:
  • ECE 311: Linear System Analysis I
  • ECE 331: Electronics Principles I
  • ECE 341: Electromagnetic Fields and Devices I
  • JTC 300 or CO 301B: Strategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)
  • Science/Math/Engineering Electives
• Semester 6:
  • ECE 312: Linear System Analysis II
  • ECE 332: Electronics Principles II
  • ECE 342: Electromagnetic Fields and Devices II
  • Science/Math/Engineering Electives
• Semester 7:
  • ECE 401: Senior Design Project I
  • Aerospace Technical Electives
  • Electrical Engineering Technical Electives
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Historical Perspectives
• Semester 8:
  • ECE 402: Senior Design Project II
  • ECON 202: Principles of Microeconomics (GT-SS1)
  • Aerospace Technical Electives
  • Electrical Engineering Technical Electives
  • The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study.