University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 1
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in
Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering is a multifaceted discipline that over the last
century has produced an astounding progression of technological
innovations that have shaped virtually every aspect of modern life.
Electrical engineers need a broad and solid foundation in mathematics
and physics to support their education in the engineering principles of
analysis, synthesis, design, implementation, and testing of the devices
and systems that provide the bedrock of modern energy, communication,
sensing, computing, medical, security, and defense infrastructures.
Within each subdiscipline one can find application domains that strongly
rely on hands-on experimental work or that are based on theoretical,
mathematical and computational approaches. The multidisciplinary
nature of the electrical engineering education addresses the growing
demand for the innovation and design of sensing, communication,
computing, and decision-making systems of increasing complexity in
consumer, defense, and medical applications.
The curriculum starts with a core of fundamental courses on circuits,
electromagnetics, solid-state electronics, and computer systems, leading
to a comprehensive array of specialized courses and laboratories in all
of the important areas of modern electrical engineering. These range
from power and energy systems to electronic, opto-electronic, and
photonic devices; integrated circuits; telecommunications and remote
sensing; control systems; robotics; signal processing; and bio-medical
instrumentation and sensing.
Overview of Curricular Requirements
1
4
PHYS 212
University Physics: Elec & Mag
4
PHYS 213
Univ Physics: Thermal Physics
2
PHYS 214
Univ Physics: Quantum Physics
2
Total Hours
1
31
MATH 220 may be substituted, with four of the five credit hours applying
toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no
background in calculus.
Electrical Engineering Technical Core
These courses stress fundamental concepts and basic laboratory
techniques that comprise the common intellectual understanding of
electrical engineering.
1
ECE 110
Introduction to Electronics
ECE 120
Introduction to Computing
3
4
ECE 220
Computer Systems & Programming
4
ECE 210
Analog Signal Processing
4
2
ECE 313
Probability with Engrg Applic
ECE 329
Fields and Waves I
3
ECE 340
Semiconductor Electronics
3
ECE 385
Digital Systems Laboratory
3
ECE 445
3
Senior Design Project Lab
Total Hours
3
4
31
Freshmen take ECE 110 for 3 credit hours. Lab-only version of ECE
110 taken by transfer students (with special permission) is 1 credit
hour.
STAT 410 may be substituted.
ECE 496 AND ECE 499 may be substituted.
This elective requirement gives each student freedom to define a
technical course of study in electrical engineering of considerable
breadth and focus. The Advanced Core ECE Electives are
introductory to major subdisciplines of electrical engineering (http://
www.ece.illinois.edu/academics/ugrad/subdisciplines).
32 hours, to include:
Non-ECE courses
5
5
6
ECE Courses to include:
0
0
External transfer students take ENG 300 instead.
Foundational Mathematics and Science
These courses stress the basic mathematical and scientific principles
upon which the engineering discipline is based.
CHEM 102
General Chemistry I
3
CHEM 103
General Chemistry Lab I
1
MATH 221
Calculus I
MATH 231
Calculus II
1
University Physics: Mechanics
Technical Electives
These courses introduce the opportunities and resources your college,
department, and curriculum can offer you as you work to achieve
your career goals. They also provide the skills to work effectively and
successfully in the engineering profession.
Total Hours
4
PHYS 211
3
Orientation and Professional Development
1
4
Intro to Differential Eq Plus
2
Technical grade point average requirements for graduation
and advanced-level course registration apply to students in
this curriculum. These rules are summarized at the College
of Engineering's undergraduate advising website (https://
wiki.cites.illinois.edu/wiki/display/ugadvise/Technical+GPA
+Requirements).
Engineering Orientation
Calculus III
MATH 286
1
The curriculum requires 128 hours for graduation and is organized as
shown below.
ENG 100
MATH 241
20
Select three from the following list of Advanced Core ECE
electives:
ECE 391
Computer Systems Engineering
or CS 225
Data Structures
ECE 310
Digital Signal Processing
ECE 330
Power Ckts & Electromechanics
ECE 342
Electronic Circuits
ECE 350
Fields and Waves II
Select three ECE labs identified in the List of Technical
5
Electives
4
3
Information listed in this catalog is current as of 09/2016
2 Electrical Engineering
Liberal Education
Second Semester
The liberal education courses (https://wiki.cites.illinois.edu/wiki/display/
ugadvise/Liberal+Education+Electives) develop students’ understanding
of human culture and society, build skills of inquiry and critical thinking,
and lay a foundation for civic engagement and lifelong learning.
CHEM 102 General Chemistry I
& CHEM 103
Electives from the campus General Education Social and
Behavioral Sciences list.
6
PHYS 211 University Physics: Mechanics
4
MATH 231 Calculus II
3
Electives from the campus General Education Humanities and
the Arts list.
6
ECE 120
Introduction to Computing
Semester Hours
Electives either from a list approved by the college, or from
the campus General Education lists for Social and Behavioral
Sciences or Humanities and the Arts.
6
RHET 105 18
Composition
Second Year
MATH 241 Calculus III
4
PHYS 212 University Physics: Elec Mag
4
ECE 220
4
Computer Systems Programming
Liberal Education elective
These courses teach fundamentals of expository writing.
Writing and Research
4
Advanced Composition (satisfied by completing ECE 445 in
the Electrical Engineering Technical Core). May be satisfied
by completing a course in either the liberal education or free
elective categories which has the Advanced Composition
designation.
Total Hours
4
Free Electives
Free electives. Additional unrestricted course work, subject
to certain exceptions as noted at the College of Engineering
advising Web site, so that there are at least 128 credit hours
earned toward the degree.
12
Semester Hours
PHYS 213 Univ Physics: Thermal Physics
2
PHYS 214 Univ Physics: Quantum Physics
2
MATH 286 Intro to Differential Eq Plus
4
ECE 210
4
Analog Signal Processing
Free elective
4
Semester Hours
16
First Semester
4
ECE 313
Probability with Engrg Applic
3
ECE 329
Fields and Waves I
3
Technical elective
5
7
Liberal education elective
3
Semester Hours
ECE 385
Digital Systems Laboratory
3
ECE 340
Semiconductor Electronics
3
5
Liberal education elective
8
3
Semester Hours
Fourth Year
First Year
Liberal Education elective
First Semester
Hours
RHET 105 Writing and Research
OR
4
6
ECE 445
Senior Design Project Lab
Technical electives
5
1
4
Introduction to Electronics
3
ENG 100
Engineering Orientation
Semester Hours
Information listed in this catalog is current as of 09/2016
3
4
0
15
17
4
5
Free electives
4
3
Semester Hours
3
16
Second Semester
5
Free electives
MATH 221 Calculus I
3
First Semester
Technical electives
CHEM 102 & CHEM 103
4
17
Second Semester
The schedule that follows is illustrative, showing the typical sequence
in which courses would be taken by a student with no college course
credit already earned and who intends to graduate in four years. Each
individual's case may vary, but the position of required named courses is
generally indicative of the order in which they should be taken.
Liberal Education elective
4
16
Second Semester
Technical electives
Suggested Sequence
2
3
Third Year
These unrestricted electives, subject to certain exceptions as
noted at the College of Engineering advising website (https://
wiki.cites.illinois.edu/wiki/display/ugadvise/Free+Electives?src=search),
give the student the opportunity to explore any intellectual area of unique
interest. This freedom plays a critical role in helping students to define
research specialties or to complete minors. At least seven hours must be
taken for a grade.
ECE 110
4
15
First Semester
Total Hours
RHET 105
OR
4
Semester Hours
Total Hours:
1
12
4
16
128
MATH 220 may be substituted, with four of the five credit hours applying
toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no
background in calculus.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 3
2
3
4
5
6
Freshmen take ECE 110 for 3 credit hours. Lab only version of ECE
110 taken by transfer students (with special permission) is 1 credit
hour.
Liberal education electives (https://wiki.cites.illinois.edu/wiki/display/
ugadvise/Liberal+Education+Electives) must include 6 hours of social
& behavioral sciences and 6 hours of humanities & the arts course work
from the campus General Education lists. The remaining 6 hours may
be selected from a list maintained by the college, or additional course
work from the campus General Education lists for social & behavioral
sciences or humanities & the arts. Students must also complete the
campus cultural studies requirement by completing (i) one western/
comparative culture(s) course and (ii) one non-western/U.S. minority
culture(s) course from the General Education cultural studies lists. Most
students select liberal education courses that simultaneously satisfy
these cultural studies requirements. Courses from the western and nonwestern lists that fall into free electives or other categories may also be
used satisfy the cultural studies requirements.
STAT 410 may be substituted
A minimum of 32 hours chosen from the departmentally approved list of
Technical Electives (http://www.ece.illinois.edu/academics/ugrad/
curriculum/tech-electives-06.asp). Of these, at least three courses are
to be chosen from the ECE advanced core electives and three courses
from the list of ECE laboratory electives; 20 hours must be ECE course
work, six hours non-ECE course work, and the remaining hours may be
chosen from the entire List.
Satisfies the General Education Advanced Composition requirement.
Information listed in this catalog is current as of 09/2016