Electrical Engineering (EE) Program Undergraduate Curriculum Listed By Year and Semester - Catalog Course Descriptions

Catalog Course Descriptions


Freshman Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Course Credits Course Credits
MATH425 Calculus I 4 MATH426 Calculus II 4
CHEM405 General Chemistry 4 PHYS407 General Physics I 4
ECE401 Perspectives in Electrical and Computer Engineering 4   General Education Elective 4
CS410 or CS415** Introduction to Scientific Programming 4 ENGL401 General Education: Writing 4
Total credits 16 Total credits 16


Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Course Credits Course Credits
ECE541 Electric Circuits 4 ECE548 Electronic Design I 4
ECE543 Introduction to Digital Systems 4 ECE562 Computer Organization 4
MATH527 Differential Equations with Linear Algebra 4   General Education Elective 4
PHYS408 General Physics II 4 ME523 Introduction to Statics and Dynamics 3
Total credits 16 Total credits 15


Junior Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Course Credits Course Credits
ECE617 Junior Laboratory I 4 ECE618 Junior Laboratory II 4
ECE651 Electronic Design II 4 ECE668 Fundamentals of Computer Engineering 4
ECE633 Signals and Systems I 3 ECE634 Signals and Systems II 3
ECE544 Engineering Analysis 4 ECE647 Random Processes and Signals in Engineering 3
  General Education Elective 4   ECE603 Electromagnetic Fields and Waves 4
Total credits 19 Total credits 18


Senior Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Course Credits Course Credits
ECE7XX Professional Elective 4 ECE7XX Professional Elective 4
ECE7XX Professional Elective 4 ECE7XX Professional Elective 4
  General Education Elective 4   General Education Elective 4
  General Education Elective 4 ECE792 Senior Project II 2
ECE791 Senior Project I 2  
Total credits 18 Total credits 14

** Students who may be considering the Computer Engineering Degree Program should take CS 415.

Catalog Course Descriptions

ECE401. Perspectives in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Fundamental concepts of analysis and design in electrical engineering presented through an examination of real-world problems selected from diverse application areas. Provides a context for the electrical engineering curriculum and introduces the profession and the activities of electrical engineering. Three lectures and one computer laboratory per week. Prereq: required of ECE students only; others by permission. Writing intensive. 4 cr.

ECE537. Introduction to Electrical Engineering
Fundamentals of electrical engineering. Topics are: circuit elements; signal waveforms; circuit laws and theorems; transfer functions; free, forced, and steady state responses; power calculations; amplifiers; and magnetic circuits. Non-ECE majors only. Prereq: MATH527; PHYS408. Lab. 4 cr.

ECE541. Electric Circuits
Linear passive circuits beginning with resistive circuits, power and energy relations, mesh and node analysis. Transient and steady-state behavior of simple circuits containing energy storage elements (capacitors, inductors). Introduction to linear active circuits using dependent source models and ideal op amps. Introduction to transfer function and frequency response concepts. For ECE majors only. Prereq: MATH426; pre- or coreq: PHYS408. Lab and discussion. 4 cr.

ECE543. Introduction to Digital Systems
Fundamental analysis and design principles. Number systems, codes, Boolean algebra, and combinational and sequential digital circuits. Lab: student-built systems using modern integrated circuit technology and an introductory design session on a CAD workstation. Lab. 4 cr.

ECE544. Engineering Analysis
Introduction of approximation and error analysis methods as fundamental engineering tools. Boundary value problems in mechanics, fluid dynamics, and electrostatics. Analysis of engineering problems using integral and differential calculus of functions of several variables. Examination of electrostatics, magnetostatics, and fluid and wave mechanics using vector differential and integral calculus. Prereq: MATH527. 4 cr.

ECE548. Electronic Design I
Introduction to electronic design for analog signal processing. Linear op amp circuits for amplification and filtering. Use of Laplace techniques for filter specification; simple passive and op amp filter realizations. Discrete active devices (FET and BJT): operating characteristics, biasing considerations, canonical amplifier configurations including differential amplifiers. Prereq: ECE541. Lab. 4 cr.

ECE562. Computer Organization
Basic computer structure, including arithmetic, memory, control, and input/output units; the trade-offs between hardware, instruction sets, speed, and cost. Laboratory experiments involving machine language programming and I/O interfacing using microcomputers. Prereq: CS410; ECE543; permission. Lab. 4 cr.

ECE596. Topics in Electrical Engineering
Topics in electrical engineering. Prereq: permission. 1-4 cr.

ECE603. Electromagnetic Fields and Waves I
Maxwell's equations in integral and differential form with applications to static and dynamic fields. Uniform plane waves in free space and material media. Boundary conditions; simple transmission line theory; parallel plate and rectangular waveguides; simple radiating systems. Prereq: PHYS408; ECE544 or equivalent. 4 cr.

ECE603H. Electromagnetic Fields and Waves I/Honors
Same topics as ECE603. Honors students will attend an additional one-hour meeting each week. Prereq: PHYS408; ECE544 or equivalent. 4 cr.

ECE617. Junior Laboratory I
Application of laboratory instrumentation to the investigation of active and passive circuit characteristics; introduction to computer-aided design, analysis, and testing; development of report writing and oral presentation skills. Coreq: ECE633; ECE651. Writing intensive. 4 cr.

ECE618. Junior Laboratory II
Laboratory exercises in the design and analysis of active circuits, techniques of signal processing, and the properties of distributed circuits. Continued development of report writing and oral presentation skills. Prereq: ECE617. Coreq: ECE603. Writing intensive. 4 cr.

ECE633. Signals and Systems I
Mathematical characterization of continuous-time physical systems using time- and frequency-domain concepts. Properties of linear systems described by ordinary differential equations. Fourier analysis of signals and system frequency response functions. Applications to communication and control systems. Introduction to system simulation using computer methods. Prereq: MATH527 or equivalent. Coreq: ECE544 or equivalent. 3 cr.

ECE633H. Signals and Systems I/Honors
Same topics as ECE633. Honors students will attend an additional one-hour meeting each week. Prereq: MATH527 or equivalent. Coreq: ECE544 or equivalent. 4 cr.

ECE634. Signals and Systems II
Transient response analysis of linear systems using Laplace transforms, application to feedback control systems. Introduction to discrete-time linear systems; system response determination using Z-transform; elementary design of digital filters and controllers. State variable formulation of dynamical systems. Prereq: ECE633 or permission. 3 cr.

ECE647. Random Processes and Signals in Engineering
Emphasis on applied engineering concepts such as component failure, quality control, noise propagation. Topics include random variables, probability distributions, mean and variance, conditional probability, correlation, power spectral density. Prereq: MATH426. 3 cr.

ECE651. Electronic Design II
Design of fundamental circuit blocks in electronic systems. Multistage amplifiers; feedback systems and stability; power amplifiers. Nonlinear electronic circuits: oscillators, function generators; clippers and peak detectors; A/D and D/A conversion. Switching mode and logic circuits. Prereq: ECE548. 4 cr.

ECE668 - Fundamentals of Computer Engineering
Software engineering principles and practices; computer-aided design and computer-aided engineering methodologies; sampled data systems; computer architecture comparisons and tradeoffs. Prereq: ECE612, PHYS408 or permission. Lab. 4 CR.

ECE681. Teaching Experience
Credit for assisting in the instruction of undergraduate laboratories. Available on a limited basis to students selected by the department chairperson. May be repeated for credit up to a total of 4 credits. 1 cr.

Some 700-level courses are offered subject to adequate student demand. Most 700-level courses require writing reports and giving oral presentations.

ECE704. Electromagnetic Fields and Waves II
Loop antennas; aperture and cylindrical antennas; self and mutual impedance; receiving antennas and antenna arrays; bounded plane waves; rectangular and cylindrical waveguides; waveguide discontinuities and impedance matching; solid state microwave sources. Prereq: ECE603. 4 cr.

ECE791 - Senior Project I
Capstone engineering design project that draws on previous coursework and involves many of the following features: synthesis, analysis, alternative approaches, modeling, construction, simulation, testing, and evaluation. Designs must consider realistic constraints such as time, economics, safety, reliability, functionality, social and environmental implications, practicality, etc. Oral and written reports required. Normally taken by ECE seniors in conjunction with other technical electives or work experience. Writing intensive. 2 cr. Cr/F.

ECE791H - Senior Honors Project I
See description for ECE 791. Honors students will attend an additional meeting each week and engage in independent and advanced project work. Cr/F. Cr. 2

ECE792 - Senior Project II
Continuation of ECE 791. This course requires the completion of the capstone design experience. Cr/F. Cr. 2

ECE792H - Senior Honors Project II
See description for ECE 792. Honors students will attend an additional meeting each week and engage in independent and advanced project work. Cr/F. Cr. 2

ECE Professional Elective Courses

Professional electives normally consist of 700-level ECE courses. Each course must carry at least three credits, and no more than one can be an independent study, special topics, or project course. Alternatives are courses specified by a student-designed plan approved by the ECE Undergraduate Committee.

 

ECE711. Digital Systems
Digital design principles and procedures, including top-down design techniques, introduction to VHDL and digital synthesis, prototyping and documentation methods, and realistic considerations such as grounding, noise reduction, loading, and timing; digital design and development tools; computer-aided design using microprocessor development systems and engineering workstations including hands-on experience with state-of-the-art design automation systems. Prereq: ECE707; permission. Lab. 4 cr.

ECE714. Introduction to Digital Signal Processing
Introduction to digital signal processing theory and practice, including coverage of discrete time signals and systems, frequency domain transforms and practical spectral analysis, digital filter terminology and design, and sampling and reconstruction of continuous time signals. Laboratory component providing an introduction to DSP design tools and real-time algorithm implementation. 50% theory, 50% design. ECE majors only. Prereq: ECE634; senior standing; programming experience; permission. Lab. 4 cr.

ECE715. Introduction to VLSI
Principles of VLSI (Very Large Scale Integrated) systems at the physical level. CMOS circuit and logic design, CAD tools, CMOS system case studies. Students exercise the whole development cycle of a VLSI chip: design, layout, and testing. Design and layout performed during Semester I. The chips are fabricated off campus and returned during Semester II, when they are tested by students. An IA grade is given at the end of Semester I. Prereq: ECE707. 4 cr.

ECE717. Introduction to Digital Image Processing
Digital image representation; elements of digital processing systems; sampling and quantization, image transformation including the Fourier, the Walsh, and the Hough transforms; image enhancement techniques including image smoothing, sharpening, histogram equalization, and pseudo-color processing; image restoration fundamentals. Prereq: ECE633 or equivalent; ECE647; CS410 or equivalent experience; permission. Lab. 4 cr.

ECE745. Fundamentals of Acoustics
Acoustic wave equation for air; laws of reflection, refraction, and absorption; characteristics and measurement of acoustical sources; human perception of sound, loudness, intensity; microphones; acoustical materials; problems in environmental sound control; ultrasonics; architectural acoustics. Prereq: PHYS408; MATH527; permission. Lab. 4 cr.

ECE757. Fundamentals of Communication Systems
Discussions of deterministic signals, Fourier spectra, random signals and noise, baseband communication, analog and digital modulation schemes, and system signal-to-noise ratio. Prereq: ECE633 or equivalent; ECE647; permission. Lab. 4 cr.

ECE758. Communication Systems
Design of high-frequency communication systems. RF amplification, modulators for AM and FM systems, receiving techniques, antennas, free-space propagation, propagation characteristics of the ionosphere. Prereq: ECE603; ECE757 or equivalent; permission. Lab. 4 cr.

ECE760. Introduction to Fiber Optics
Basic physical and geometric optics; solution of Maxwell's equations for slab waveguides and cylindrical waveguides, of both step index and graded index profiles; modes of propagation and cutoff; polarization effects; group and phase velocity; ray analysis; losses; fabrication; sources; detectors; couplers; splicing; cabling; applications; system design. Prereq: PHYS703 or ECE603 or permission. Lab. 4 cr.

ECE772. Control Systems
Development of advanced control system design concepts such as Nyquist analysis; lead-lag compensation; state feedback; parameter sensitivity; controllability; observability; introduction to nonlinear and modern control. Includes interactive computer-aided design and real-time digital control. Prereq: ECE634 or permission. (Also offered as ME772.) Lab. 4 cr.

ECE775. Applications of Integrated Circuits
Design and construction of linear and nonlinear electronic circuits using existing integrated circuits. Limitations and use of operational amplifiers. Laboratory course in practical applications of nondigital integrated circuit devices. Prereq: ECE 651; permission. Lab. 4 cr.

ECE777. Collaborative Engineering
Study of processes in which engineers from diverse disciplines cooperate to specify, design, manufacture, test, market, and maintain a product. Classes are organized in both technical and nontechnical flexible modules. Technical topics are advanced and relevant to project being developed, such as related research, technology, design methodology, and CAD tools. Nontechnical topics include ISO9000 quality system, engineering management, budget considerations, team building, communication and leadership skills, and concurrent engineering principles. The course utilizes collaborative engineering by team development of an engineering project, often a research oriented proof-of-concept prototype. Project is developed using ISO9000 principles and the Internet, accompanied by seminars and discussion sessions run by students who have been designated project leaders. Prereq: Senior standing. Lab. 4 cr.

ECE781. Physical Instrumentation
Analysis and design of instrumentation systems. Sensors, circuits, and devices for measurement and control. Elements of probability and statistics as applied to instrument design and data analysis. Transmission, display, storage, and processing of information. The design, implementation, testing, and evaluation of a relevant instrument system is an integral part of the course. Prereq: senior standing in ECE or equivalent; ECE651; permission. Lab. 4 cr.

ECE784. Biomedical Instrumentation
Principles of physiological and biological instrumentation design including transducers, signal conditioning, recording equipment, and patient safety. Laboratory includes the design and use of instrumentation for monitoring of electrocardiogram, electromyogram, electroencephalogram, pulse, and temperature. Current research topics, such as biotelemetry, ultrasonic diagnosis, and computer applications. Prereq: ZOOL 507-508 or equivalent; ECE651; permission. Lab. 4 cr.

ECE785. Underwater Acoustics
Vibrations, propagation, reflection, scattering, reverberation, attenuation, sonar equations, ray and mode theory, radiation of sound, transducers, and small- and large-signal considerations. Prereq: permission. 4 cr.

ECE795. Electrical Engineering Projects
Laboratory course. Students either join a department research project or engage in a project in an area of staff interest. Prereq: acceptance by staff member. 1-4 cr.

ECE796. Special Topics in Electrical Engineering
New or specialized courses and/or independent study. Prereq: permission. 1-4 cr.

Non-ECE Courses

MATH425- Calculus I
Calculus of one variable covering limits, derivatives of algebraic, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions; applications include curve sketching, max-min problems, related rates, and volume and area problems. Enrollment in MATH 425H requires concurrent enrollment in PHYS 407H. Prereq: completing MATH 418 with a grade of C or better or successfully passing the calculus placement test. (Not offered for credit if credit is received for MATH424.) Pre- or Coreq: PHYS407. Cr. 4

MATH425H - Honors/Calculus I
See description for MATH425. Cr. 4

MATH426 - Calculus II
Second course in calculus of one argument, techniques and applications of integration, polar coordinates, and series. Enrollment in MATH426H requires concurrent enrollment in PHYS408H. Prereq: MATH425. Pre-or Coreq: PHYS408. Cr. 4

MATH527- Differential Equations with Linear Algebra
Fundamental methods of solving first-order equations, essentials of matrix algebra; higher-order linear equations, and linear systems; series solutions; Laplace transforms; selected applications. Prereq: MATH426. Cr. 4

MATH 527H - Honors/Differential Equations with Linear Algebra
See description for MATH527. Cr. 4

ME523 - Introduction to Statics and Dynamics
Overview of statics and dynamics; two- and three-dimensional force systems; laws of equilibrium; moments of area; volume; inertia; stresses and strains; particle and rigid body dynamics; fixed and moving reference frames; impulse-momentum principles; work-energy relationships. Prereq: MATH426; PHYS407. Not for ME majors. Cr. 3

CS410 - Introduction to Scientific Programmings
Introduction to the concepts and techniques of computer programming. Particular emphasis on computer programming as a problem-solving technique in science and engineering applications. The C language is taught and used for assignments. Good programming style is stressed. Significant out-of-class programming required. Not open to students who have completed CS 407, 415, or the equivalent. Pre- or Coreq: MATH425. Cr. 4

CS415 - Introduction to Computer Science I
Theory and practice of computer science. Algorithm development and analysis; data abstraction techniques; elementary data structures; dynamic memory manipulation; debugging; and program design issues. Computer systems and applications. Intended for CS majors. Cr. 4

PHYS407 - General Physics I
Introductory course emphasizing motion, forces, energy, momentum, rotation, and oscillations. Recommended for the student specializing in science and engineering. Students in the Honors section must be co-enrolled in MATH 425H so that strong connections can be made between math and physics. 407H students work in groups in every class meeting. Prereq: thorough knowledge of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry; May not receive credit for both PHYS 401 and 407. Pre- or Coreq: MATH425. Special fee. Lab. Cr. 4

PHYS407H - Honors/General Physics I
See description for PHYS407. Co-requisites: MATH425H

PHYS408 - General Physics II
Introductory course emphasizing waves, sound, heat, electricity and magnetism. Recommended for students specializing in science and engineering. Students in the honors section must be co-enrolled in MATH 426H so that strong connections can be made between math and physics. 408H students work in groups in every class meeting. Prereq: PHYS407. May not receive credit for both PHYS402 and 408. Pre- or Coreq: MATH426. Special fee. Lab. Cr. 4