Major in ECE

Requirements for a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Core Courses:* 52 credits
 Concentration: 8 credits
Math Courses: 20 credits
Sciences:** 12 credits
Cluster: 12 credits
Humanities/Social Sciences: 8 credits
Electives: 16 credits

* Primary writing requirement (WRT105) included. Within Electrical and Computer Engineering, the upper-level writing requirement is met through writing assignments in ECE111, 112, 113, and ECE399.

**Courses that satisfy the Natural Science requirement are the following: Physics (PHY123 or higher); Astronomy (AST111 or higher); Chemistry (CHM103 or higher); Biology (BIO110 or higher); Earth & Environmental Science (EES101 or higher); Brain & Cognitive Sciences (BCS110 or  higher).

ECE Curriculum Guide

Required Science and Mathematics Courses

Every engineer must have a good foundation in the basic sciences and mathematics, as these are the very language of engineering. This Department requires of all students:

PHY 121, Mechanics  
PHY 122, Electricity and Magnetism 
MTH 161/142, Calculus 1
 MTH 162/143, Calculus 2  
MTH 165/163, Linear Algebra with Differential Equations  
MTH 164, Multidimensional Calculus  
One additional 4-credit Natural Science course (see above)

Optional Introductory ECE Courses

The department offers one optional introductory course in Electrical and Computer Engineering:

ECE 140, Introduction to Digital Music

If you want to take this optional course, you should sign up for it during your first semester.

If you do not take this introductory courses or one of the EAS courses, then you are required to take an additional upper-level elective course to meet graduation requirements.

Required Core ECE Courses (52 credits)

To provide a breadth of knowledge of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the Department requires all students to take these courses:

CSC 160 Engineering Computing
 ECE111, Introduction to Signals & Circuits  (Circuit and System Theory)  
ECE112, Digital Circuits (Logic Design)  
ECE113, Introduction to Signals & Circuits  (Circuit and System Theory)  
ECE241, Signals and Systems  
ECE242, Communications  
ECE221, Electronic Devices & Circuits  
ECE222, Integrated Circuit Design & Analysis 
ECE230, Fields and Waves  
ECE200, Computer Organization 
ECE216, Microprocessors and Data Conversion

In addition, students must complete two 2-credit seminar courses.

Concentration ECE Courses (8 credits)

To provide a depth of knowledge in at least one area of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the Department requires each student to take at least one advanced course and to complete a Capstone Design project in an area of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Options are described below.

VLSI Design 

ECE261 
ECE266

Networking, Communications, and Signals

Choose from the following advanced courses:  ECE244, ECE245, ECE246

Waves and Devices

Choose from the following advanced courses: ECE234

Computer Organization

ECE201

Design Project Sequence

ECE349
ECE 398, Senior Design Seminar. This course is an introduction to the process of design and serves as the starting point in the completion of the student's Senior Design Project.
ECE399, Introduces the student to the ethical, social, and safety consideration in engineering practice.

Humanities and Social Science Courses and Clusters

The Department requires all students to take at least five courses in the humanities and social sciences. These can be in either or both areas, but not all courses can be at the introductory level. The College has an additional requirement that three of these courses must constitute a "Cluster" of related work. Lists of previously-approved Clusters are available, or students can submit their own ideas for approval.