Major in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Concentration

Electrical engineering is a broad discipline that is essential to our everyday lives. Our professors will teach students to think like an engineer to drive what’s next in technology and create a better world for all, from advanced medical devices to self-driving cars to smart homes.  

Our students are imaginative and inventive and love the thrill of problem-solving. Whether working on a senior design project that satisfies real customer requirements to participating in a day-long hacker competition, students will have the opportunity to turn their bold ideas into original projects at every level of our program. 

Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) courses and research areas span a range of disciplines that include:
• Biomedical Engineering
• Communications and Signal Processing
• Computer Engineering
• Controls and Robotics
• Electromagnetics and Remote Sensing
• Lasers and Photonics

Learning Objectives

The ECE program educational objectives are designed and implemented around the following three principal attributes: mastery, innovation, and leadership.

Graduates of the Electrical Engineering program will be able to:

1. Identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems in electrical systems and devices by applying principles of electrical engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. Apply the engineering design process to produce electrical engineering solutions, balancing technical objectives with broader considerations including public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
3. Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in electrical engineering and make informed judgments, considering their impact in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
5. Function effectively on teams, collaborating on tasks related to electrical engineering, to establish goals, task plans, and to meet task objectives.
6. Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze results, and use principles of electrical engineering to draw conclusions.
7. Acquire and apply new knowledge in electrical engineering, leveraging appropriate learning strategies.

Effective Fall 2025

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 ECE 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. 

 Science/Math/Engineering Electives 

Technical Electives 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ATS 550	Atmospheric Radiation and Remote Sensing	3
CS 314	Software Engineering	3
CS 320	Algorithms--Theory and Practice	3
CS 345	Machine Learning Foundations and Practice	3
CS 356	Systems Security	3
CS 370	Operating Systems	3
CS 4XX Any CS course numbered 400-479, excluding CS 457 and CS 470		4
CS 5XX Any CS course numbered 500-579		4
DSCI 475	Topological Data Analysis	2
ECE 4XX Any ECE course at the 400-level		Var.
ECE 495A	Independent Study 2	1-6
ECE 495B	Independent Study: Open Option Project 2	1
ECE 495C	Independent Study: Vertically Integrated Projects 2	1
ECE 5XX Any ECE course at the 500-level		Var.
ENGR 430	Engineering With Drones	3
ENGR 570	Coupled Electromechanical Systems	3
MATH 417	Advanced Calculus I	3
MATH 418	Advanced Calculus II	3
MATH 419	Introduction to Complex Variables	3
MATH 450	Introduction to Numerical Analysis I	3
MATH 451	Introduction to Numerical Analysis II	3
MATH 460	Information and Coding Theory	3
MATH 463	Post-Quantum Cryptography	3
MATH 466	Abstract Algebra I	3
MATH 469	Linear Algebra II	3
MATH 474	Introduction to Differential Geometry	3
MECH 403	Energy Engineering	3
MECH 518	Orbital Mechanics	3
MECH 519	Aerospace Vehicles Trajectory and Performance	3
MECH 564	Fundamentals of Robot Mechanics and Controls	3
PH 315	Modern Physics Laboratory	2
PH 425	Advanced Physics Laboratory	2
PH 451	Introductory Quantum Mechanics I	3
PH 452	Introductory Quantum Mechanics II	3
PH 462	Statistical Physics	3
STAT 421	Introduction to Stochastic Processes	3

¹

Recommended sequence for most incoming students is Group A: CS 150B to CS 164.

²

A total of 6 credits of Independent Study may apply toward degree requirements. This includes credit for ECE 395A, ECE 395B, ECE 395C, ECE 495A, ECE 495B, and ECE 495C combined.

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:

TO PREPARE FOR 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.