Electrical Engineering, B.S.E. 1
Electrical
Engineering, B.S.E.
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: 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
including: electrical power generation and distribution,
medical image processing, computer systems, or design of
micro- and nano-scale optical and electronic devices.
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.
Graduates of the 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 in 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
• participate in lifelong learning activities that enhance their
professional and personal development.
Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a major in
electrical engineering requires a minimum of 128 s.h. The
major in electrical engineering 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 elective focus areas according
to the type of job or research they plan to pursue. They also
choose one of two tracks to support their elective focus area.
Students complete the B.S.E. core requirements, which
include RHET:1030 Rhetoric; ENGR:1100 Engineering Problem
Solving I and ENGR:1300 Engineering Problem Solving II;
and courses in chemistry, engineering mathematics and
fundamentals, and physics. They must earn a grade of
C-minus or higher in the core requirements MATH:1550
Engineering Mathematics I: Single Variable Calculus and
MATH:1560 Engineering Mathematics II: Multivariable
Calculus.
They also complete the curriculum designed for their major
program, which covers four major stems: mathematics and
basic sciences, engineering topics, an elective focus area, and
the general education component. For information about the
curriculum stems, see Bachelor of Science in Engineering in
the Catalog.
Electrical engineering students complete the curriculum listed
under Academic Plans [p. 2]. During their second year,
they select an elective focus area (EFA) and choose a track
that corresponds with it: the computer track or the electrical
track. They begin taking track and EFA courses in their third
year.
Elective Focus Area and Track
Students select an elective focus area to personalize their
curriculum and to help them prepare for the type of job or
research they plan to pursue. More than 20 EFAs are available,
such as bioinformatics, business, communication systems,
medical imaging, nanotechnology, power systems, and
software; for a complete list, see ECE Elective Focus Areas on
the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
website. Students also may work with their academic advisor
to create a customized EFA plan tailored to their goals and
objectives. In addition, they select one of two curricular tracks
—computer or electrical—to support their EFA. Students also
complete five required courses in their track, two electrical
engineering program courses common to both tracks, and
seven EFA courses.
Students who choose their track and EFA courses carefully
may be able to earn the Certificate in Sustainability, the
Certificate in Technological Entrepreneurship, or one of several
undergraduate minors offered by the University without taking
courses beyond those required for the electrical engineering
major. Students in the computer track automatically meet the
requirements for a minor in computer science.
The electrical engineering major requires the following track
and elective focus area courses.
Required Computer Track Courses
Students in the computer track complete these five track
courses:
ECE:3330
ECE:3350
ECE:3360
CS:2210
CS:3330
Introduction to Software Design
Computer Architecture and
Organization
Embedded Systems and
Systems Software
Discrete Structures
Algorithms
3
3
3
3
3
Required Electrical Track Courses
Students in the electrical track complete these track courses:
ECE:3400
ECE:3410
ECE:3500
ECE:3600
ECE:3720
Linear Systems II
Electronic Circuits
Communication Systems
Control Systems
Electrical Engineering Materials
and Devices
3
4
3
3
3
Track Breadth and Depth Electives
Students complete one track breadth elective and one track
depth elective.
Students in the computer track must choose their track
breadth elective from the list of required electrical track
courses above. Students in the electrical track must choose
their track breadth elective from the list of required computer
track courses. Students in either track may instead use
2 Electrical Engineering, B.S.E.
ECE:3540 Communication Networks as their track breadth
elective.
MATH:1550
The track depth elective must be an advanced course in a
subject area within a student's track—normally numbered
4000 or above. For a complete list of depth electives for each
track, consult the Department of Electrical and Computer
Engineering.
RHET:1030
Spring
ENGR:1300
MATH:1560
Elective Focus Area Courses
Students complete seven elective focus area courses, which
they choose according to guidelines established by the
department. For a list of EFAs and course selection guidelines,
see ECE Elective Focus Areas on the Department of Electrical
and Computer Engineering website.
Capstone Design Courses
In their senior year, students complete a two-semester
capstone design sequence culminating in the development
and implementation of a significant, original project.
The capstone design experience emphasizes team work,
professionalism, open-ended problem solving, and the
ability to work within real-world constraints and engineering
standards.
ECE:4880
ECE:4890
Principles of Electrical and
Computer Engineering Design
Senior Electrical and Computer
Engineering Design
3
3
Joint B.S.E./M.S.
The College of Engineering offers a joint (fast-track) Bachelor
of Science in Engineering/Master of Science for electrical
engineering undergraduate students who intend to earn
an M.S. in electrical and computer engineering. B.S.E./
M.S. students may take up to 12 s.h. of graduate-level
course work and do thesis-level research while they are still
undergraduates. They may count 9 s.h. of graduate course
work toward both degrees. Once students complete the
requirements for the bachelor's degree, they are granted the
B.S.E., and they normally complete the M.S. one year later.
To be admitted to the joint degree program, students must
have completed at least 80 s.h., must have a cumulative
g.p.a. of at least 3.25, and must submit a letter of application
to the chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer
Engineering. For more information, see Joint B.S./M.S. Degree
on the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
website.
Academic Plans
The following study plan includes the B.S.E. core requirements
and the curriculum for the electrical engineering major.
Some courses in the curriculum are prerequisites for others.
Students who take courses in the order below satisfy the
prerequisite requirements automatically. Students who do not
follow this sequence still must satisfy all course prerequisites.
Course
First Year
Fall
ENGR:1000
ENGR:1100
CHEM:1110
Title
Engineering Success for First-Year
Students (credit does not count
toward B.S.E. degree)
Engineering Problem Solving I
Principles of Chemistry I
Hours
1
3
4
Engineering Mathematics I: Single
Variable Calculus
Rhetoric
Hours
Engineering Problem Solving II
Engineering Mathematics II:
Multivariable Calculus
MATH:2550
Engineering Mathematics III:
Matrix Algebra
PHYS:1611
Introductory Physics I
General education component course
Hours
Second Year
Fall
ENGR:2110
Engineering Fundamentals I:
Statics
ENGR:2120
Engineering Fundamentals II:
Electrical Circuits
ENGR:2130
Engineering Fundamentals III:
Thermodynamics
MATH:2560
Engineering Mathematics IV:
Differential Equations
PHYS:1612
Introductory Physics II
Hours
Spring
ECE:2400
Linear Systems I
ECE:2410
Principles of Electronic
Instrumentation
ENGR:2730
Computers in Engineering
MATH:3550
Engineering Mathematics V: Vector
Calculus
General education component course
Hours
Third Year
Fall
ECE:3000
Professional Seminar: Electrical
Engineering
ECE:3320
Introduction to Digital Design
ECE:3700
Electromagnetic Theory
STAT:2020
Probability and Statistics for the
Engineering and Physical Sciences
Two required track courses
Hours
Spring
General education component course
Three required track courses
Two elective focus area courses
Hours
Fourth Year
Fall
ECE:4880
Principles of Electrical and
Computer Engineering Design
General education component course
Track breadth elective
Three elective focus area courses
Hours
4
4
16
3
4
2
4
3
16
2
3
3
3
3-4
14-15
3
4
3
3
3
16
1
3
3
3
6
16
3
9
6
18
3
3
3
9
18
Electrical Engineering, B.S.E. 3
Spring
ECE:4890
Senior Electrical and Computer
Engineering Design
General education component course
Track depth elective
Two elective focus area courses
Hours
Total Hours
3
3
3
6
15
129-130
Career Advancement
The engineering profession is a foundation for a variety
of careers in industry, medicine, law, government, and
consulting. Engineering majors hold eight of the top ten
spots on the list of 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. They consistently
rank among the most sought after and highest-paid
technology professionals. On average, 93-98 percent of
graduates are employed in their field of study or pursuing
advanced education within seven months of graduation.
Engineering Professional Development (EPD) 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. EPD
also offers individual advising and class presentations on
résumé and cover letter preparation, job and internship search
strategies, interviewing skills, and job offer evaluation.