Academic Catalog 2023–2024

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Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering

Overview

ABET-logo.jpgThe Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. ABET is the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology.  ABET accreditation assures that programs meet standards to produce graduates ready to enter critical technical fields that are leading the way in innovation and emerging technologies and anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public.

Electrical engineering is a science-oriented branch of engineering, primarily concerned with all the phases of development and utilization of electric signals. The study of electrical engineering can be conveniently divided into the areas of circuits, electronics, electromagnetism, electric energy systems, communications, control, and computer engineering. Due to the extremely rapid growth and change in the application of electrical engineering principles, the curriculum is designed to concentrate on a solid core of basic foundation courses, covering all areas of electrical engineering. As part of the academic program, six credits of professional experience are also included in the last summer prior to graduation to give students an opportunity to integrate classroom instruction with practical work experience. Students also have the choice to follow an Extended Experiential Learning Study Plan, which requires performing an extended professional experience for an extra semester (Fall or Spring, spanning 6 uninterrupted months) to further gain from working on real-life problems. Students also have the choice to follow an Extended Experiential Learning Study Plan, which requires performing an extended professional experience for an extra semester (Fall or Spring, spanning 6 uninterrupted months) to further gain from working on real-life problems.

Mission

The mission of the B.E in Electrical Engineering is to educate each student to become a responsible and productive electrical engineer capable of effectively managing future challenges.

Program Educational Objectives

Upon graduation, the graduates of the B.E. in Electrical Engineering program will:

  1. demonstrate technical aptitude in Electrical Engineering careers and/or graduate studies,
  2. establish themselves in diverse fields of Electrical Engineering, and
  3. conduct themselves as effective professionals.

Student Outcomes

Upon completion of the B.E. in Electrical Engineering, students will acquire:

  1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  2. an ability to 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
  3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  4. an ability to 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
  5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Admission Requirements

The application process is the same as for all undergraduate programs (see Admissions). Applicants will be evaluated by the School of Engineering Admissions Council and final acceptance will be based on each applicant’s qualifications and the availability of places. More details are found in the SOE Admissions Quick Guide.

Curriculum

For the B.E. in Electrical Engineering, a student must complete a minimum of 150 credits, distributed as follows:

  • Electrical Engineering Core Courses (95 credits)
  • Mathematics and Science Core Courses (19 credits)
  • Other Engineering Required Courses (15 credits)
  • LAS Requirements (18 credits)
  • Free Elective Course (3 credits)

Additionally,

  • a minimum residency of four years including three summer semesters is required prior to graduation
  • a capstone design project is required for all students in addition to successful completion of the course of study.

Electrical Engineering Core Courses (95 credits)

  • COE211 Computer Programming (4 cr.)
  • COE321 Logic Design (3 cr.)
  • COE322 Logic Design Lab (1 cr.)
  • COE323 Microprocessors (3 cr.)
  • COE324 Microprocessors Lab (1 cr.)
  • ELE300 Electric Circuits (3 cr.)
  • ELE303 Electrical Circuits Lab (1 cr.)
  • ELE391 Mathematical Methods in ELE (3 cr.)
  • ELE401 Electronics I (3 cr.)
  • ELE402 Electronics I Lab (1 cr.)
  • ELE411 Electromagnetic Fields (3 cr.)
  • ELE413 Electromagnetic Waves (3 cr.)
  • ELE420 Electromechanics (3 cr.)
  • ELE422 Power Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE423 Electric Machines Lab (1 cr.)
  • ELE430 Signals and Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE442 Control Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE443 Control Systems Lab (1 cr.)
  • ELE493 Professionalism in Engineering (3 cr.)
  • ELE498 Professional Experience (6 cr.)
  • ELE501 Microelectronics (3 cr.)
  • ELE537 Communication Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE538 Noise in Communication Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE539 Telecommunication Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE540 Communication Systems Lab (1 cr.)
  • ELE593 Electrical Engineering Applications (3 cr.)
  • ELE595 Capstone Design Project I (3 cr.)
  • ELE596 Capstone Design Project II (3 cr.)
  • ELE      Technical Elective (3 cr.)1
  • ELE      Technical Elective (3 cr.)1
  • ELE      Technical Elective (3 cr.)1
  • ELE      Technical Elective (3 cr.)1
  • ECE      Technical Elective (3 cr.)1
  • ECE      Technical Elective (3 cr.)1
  • Engineering Elective (3 cr.)2

1 ECE Technical Electives

An ELE student must take a total of eight technical electives. Four different courses must be taken from ELE tracks; the remaining four technical electives can be selected from any track (COE or ELE or No Track).

Courses not assigned to a track can count as either COE or ELE. 

ELE Track

Communication and Signal Processing (ELE track)

  • ELE531 Optical Fiber Communications (3 cr.)
  • ELE535 Information and Coding Theory (3 cr.)
  • ELE539 Telecommunication Systems
  • ELE552 Digital Image and Video Processing and Compression (3 cr.)

Integrated Circuits, Electronics, and Control (ELE track)

  • ELE557 Simulation of Electronic Circuits (3 cr.)
  • MCE540 Biomechatronics (3 cr.)

Electric Power and Energy Systems (ELE track)

  • ELE521 Electrical Energy Storage Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE525 Faulted Power Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE526 Renewable Energy Sources (3 cr.)
  • ELE529 Design & Operation of Smart Grids (3 cr.)
  • ELE599D Topics: Electricity Markets & Renewable Energy (3 cr.)

COE Track

Computer Hardware (COE track)

  • COE423 Computer Architecture (3 cr.)
  • COE424 Digital Systems (3 cr.)
  • COE431 Computer Networks (3 cr.)
  • COE522 High Performance Computer Architecture (3 cr.)
  • COE527 VLSI Design (3 cr.)
  • COE599F Topics: Testing for Digital Integrated Circuits (3 cr.)

Computer Software and Networks (COE track)

  • COE414 Operating Systems (3 cr.)
  • COE415 Computer Programming II” 
  • COE418 Database Systems (3 cr.)
  • COE545 Information Security (3 cr.)
  • COE599E Topics in Computer Software (3 cr.)

AI Systems Engineering (COE track)

  • COE543 Intelligent Data Processing & Applications (3 cr.)
  • COE544 Intelligent Engineering Algorithms (3 cr.)
  • COE554 Computer Vision and Deep Learning (3 cr.)

No Track

  • ELE553 Reliability Evaluation of Engineering Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE594 Undergraduate Research Project (3 cr.)
  • ELE594H Undergraduate Research Project (3 cr.)
  • COE555 Queuing Theory (3 cr.)

Note that except for ELE305, ELE391 and COE312, any COE/ELE course can be considered as a Technical Elective as long as it is not a required course. COE599/ ELE599 may be taken more than once for credit when topics differ.

Mathematics and Science Core Courses (19 credits)

  • MTH201 Calculus III (3 cr.)
  • MTH206 Calculus IV (3 cr.)
  • MTH207 Discrete Structures I (3 cr.)
  • MTH304 Differential Equations (3 cr.)
  • GNE331 Probability & Statistics (3 cr.)
  • PHY201 Electricity & Magnetism (4 cr.)

Other Engineering Required Courses (15 credits)

  • GNE212 Engineering Mechanics (3 cr.)
  • GNE301 Professional Communication (2 cr.)
  • INE320 Engineering Economy I (3 cr.)
  • MEE211 Engineering Graphics (1 cr.)
  • COE201 Computer Proficiency (1 cr.)
  • GNE303 Engineering Ethics (2 cr.)
  • GNExxx SOE Signature Course (3 cr.)3

2 Engineering Elective Signature Courses

  • GNE335 Introduction to Sustainable Engineering (3 cr.)
  • GNE337 Introduction to Virtual Reality (3 cr.)
  • GNE340 Engineering Entrepreneurship (3 cr.)

LAS Requirements (18 credits)

Core Courses (6 credits):

  • ENG202   Advanced Academic English (3 cr.)
  • COM203  Art of Public Communication (3 cr.)

Elective Courses (12 credits)

  • The additional 12 credits of Liberal Arts Electives should be taken as described here.

Free Elective (3 credits)

Recommended Study Plan

Year One

Fall (16 credits)

  • GNE212 Engineering Mechanics (3 cr.)
  • ENG202 Advanced Academic English (3 cr.)
  • PHY201 Electricity and Magnetism (no lab) (3 cr.)
  • MTH201 Calculus III (3 cr.)
  • MTH207 Discrete Structures I (3 cr.)
  • COE201 Computer Proficiency (1 cr.)

Spring (16 credits)

  • COE211 Computer Programming (4 cr.)
  • MTH206 Calculus IV (3 cr.)
  • MTH304 Differential Equations (3 cr.)
  • LAS Elective (3 cr.)
  • LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Summer (6 credits)

  • COM203 Art of Public Communication (3 cr.)
  • LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Year Two

Fall (17 credits)

  • MEE211 Engineering Graphics (1 cr.)
  • COE321 Logic Design (3 cr.)
  • LAS Elective (3 cr.)
  • ELE300 Electric Circuits (3 cr.)
  • ELE303 Electrical Circuits Lab (1 cr.)
  • ELE391 Mathematical Methods in Electrical Engineering (3 cr.)
  • GNE331 Probability & Statistics (3 cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

  • ELE401 Electronics I (3 cr.)
  • ELE402 Electronics I Lab (1 cr.)
  • ELE411 Electromagnetic Fields (3 cr.)
  • ELE430 Signals and Systems (3 cr.)
  • COE322 Logic Design Lab (1 cr.)
  • COE323 Microprocessors (3 cr.)
  • Free Elective (1 cr.)

Summer (7 credits)

  • GNE301 Professional Communication (2 cr.)
  • GNE303 Engineering Ethics (2 cr.)
  • INE320 Engineering Economy I (3 cr.)

Year Three

Fall (17 credits)

  • ELE Elective 1 (3 cr.)
  • ELE413 Electromagnetic Waves (3 cr.)
  • ELE442 Control Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE443 Control Systems Lab (1 cr.)
  • ELE493 Professionalism in Engineering (3 cr.)
  • ELE537 Communication Systems(3 cr.)
  • COE324 Microprocessors Lab (1 cr.)

Spring (16 credits)

  • ELE Elective 2 (3 cr.)
  • ELE Elective 3 (3 cr.)
  • ELE Elective 4 (3 cr.)
  • ELE420 Electromechanics (3 cr.)
  • ELE538 Noise in Communication Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE540 Communication Systems Lab (1 cr.)

Summer (6 credits)

  • ELE498 Professional Experience (6 cr.)

Year Four

Fall (18 credits)

  • ECE Elective 1 (3 cr.)
  • ECE Elective 2 (3 cr.)
  • ELE422 Power Systems (3 cr.)
  • ELE501 Microelectronics (3 cr.)
  • ELE595 Capstone Design Project I (3 cr.)
  • COE521 Embedded Systems (3 cr.)

Spring (16 credits)

  • ELE423 Electric Machines Lab (1 cr.)
  • ELE593 Electrical Engineering Applications (3 cr.)
  • ELE596 Capstone Design Project II (3 cr.)
  • ECE Elective 3 (3 cr.)
  • ECE Elective 4 (3 cr.)
  • GNExxx SOE Signature Course (3 cr.)