Program Overview

Electrical and Computer Engineering Undergraduate Major (BS, HBS)

The curriculum in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) provides a wide range of opportunities in undergraduate study in the electrical engineering areas of communications, signal processing and controls, electronics and integrated circuits, power electronics and energy systems, materials and devices, electromagnetism, microwaves and optics, and the computer engineering areas of computer architecture, digital hardware design, and computer networks.

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science and Honors Bachelor of Science degree programs in ECE are accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. The ECE undergraduate program has the following Program Educational Objectives (PEOs):

• Graduates of the program will have successful careers.
• Graduates of the program will continue to learn and adapt to a changing world.
• Graduates of the program will practice ethical and inclusive principles that foster collaborative environments.

Program Requirements

The ECE undergraduate degree program includes a common set of core courses that provides a solid foundation as well as 29-credits of restricted electives. The restricted electives allow students to prepare for industry, graduate study, or other career paths, specializing or broadening further their knowledge and skills. Elective course work is available focusing on sustainability and renewable energy, computers and networks, energy systems, integrated circuits, systems signals and communications, materials and devices, RF/microwaves and optoelectronics, and robotics.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
• Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
• Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
• Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
• Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
• Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
• Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Curriculum

The ECE curriculum has been designed to meet the following minimum requirements:

• Mathematics and basic sciences: 45 credits
• Engineering science and design: 67.5 credits
• Upper-division courses: 60 credits
• Total credits required for graduation: 180 credits

Sample Program

A sample program for ECE majors is provided, outlining the courses to be taken in each year of study.

First Year

• CH 201 or CH 231: Chemistry for Engineering Majors or General Chemistry (3-4 credits)
• COMM 111 or COMM 114: Public Speaking or Argument and Critical Discourse (3 credits)
• CS 161: Introduction to Computer Science I (4 credits)
• CS 162: Introduction to Computer Science II (4 credits)
• ECE 111: Introduction to ECE: Tools (3 credits)
• ECE 112: Introduction to ECE: Concepts (3 credits)
• HHS 231: Lifetime Fitness for Health (2 credits)
• HHS 241: Lifetime Fitness (1-2 credits)
• MTH 231: Elements of Discrete Mathematics (4 credits)
• MTH 251: Differential Calculus (4 credits)
• MTH 252: Integral Calculus (4 credits)
• MTH 254: Vector Calculus I (4 credits)
• WR 121: English Composition (3 credits)
• Perspectives course (3 credits)

Second Year

• Biological Science course with lab (4 credits)
• CS 261: Data Structures (4 credits)
• ECE 271: Digital Logic Design (3 credits)
• ECE 272: Digital Logic Design Laboratory (1 credit)
• ENGR 201: Electrical Fundamentals I (3 credits)
• ENGR 202: Electrical Fundamentals II (3 credits)
• ENGR 203: Electrical Fundamentals III (3 credits)
• MTH 255: Vector Calculus II (4 credits)
• MTH 256: Applied Differential Equations (4 credits)
• MTH 306 or MTH 264 and MTH 265: Matrix and Power Series Methods or Introduction to Matrix Algebra and Introduction to Series (4 credits)
• PH 211: General Physics with Calculus (4 credits)
• PH 212: General Physics with Calculus (4 credits)
• PH 213: General Physics with Calculus (4 credits)

Third Year

• ECE 322: Electronics I (3 credits)
• ECE 323: Electronics II (3 credits)
• ECE 341: Junior Design I (3 credits)
• ECE 342: Junior Design II (3 credits)
• ECE 351: Signals and Systems I (3 credits)
• ECE 352: Signals and Systems II (3 credits)
• ECE 353: Introduction to Probability and Random Signals (3 credits)
• ECE 372/CS 372: Introduction to Computer Networks (4 credits)
• ECE 375: Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming (4 credits)
• ECE 391: Transmission Lines (3 credits)
• Difference, Power and Discrimination course (3 credits)
• Restricted Elective 1
• ECE 390 or CS 344: Electric and Magnetic Fields or Operating Systems I (4 credits)
• Contemporary Global Issues course (3 credits)
• WR 327: Technical Writing (3 credits)

Fourth Year

• CS 391: Social and Ethical Issues in Computer Science (3 credits)
• ECE 441, ECE 442, and ECE 443: Engineering Design Project (8 credits)
• Perspectives course (3 credits)
• Restricted Electives: Select four approved 400-level ECE courses (12-16 credits)
• Restricted Electives: Select one approved 400-level course (3-4 credits)
• Select 5-10 credits of approved Restricted Electives (5-10 credits)
• Credits to meet graduation requirement of 180 (5 credits)

Restricted Electives

A list of approved restricted electives is provided, including courses in electrical and computer engineering, computer science, and other related fields.

Major Code

The major code for the Electrical and Computer Engineering Undergraduate Major is 039.