Engineering - Electrical and Computer

Mission

To prepare students for the profession of Electrical and Computer Engineering; to enable them to solve problems of substance through the application of fundamental principles, disciplined practices and modern methods; to instill the humility of contribution to ventures larger than themselves, and the courage to lead others in the pursuit of such ventures; to inspire an ethic of service to all mankind in the context of a global community; and finally, to instill a lifelong thirst for the knowledge of their craft.

Learning Outcomes

At the time of graduation, students in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Program are expected to have attained the following Student Outcomes:

• Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.

• 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.

• Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.

• 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.

• Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.

• Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.

• Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Goals

Graduates from the Electrical and Computer Engineering Program are expected to have attained the following Program Educational Objectives within two to four years of graduation:

• Attain respect for competence in the skills of engineering practice by solving problems and leading others in the pursuit of solutions.

•  Effectively communicate the results of their work.

•  Work professionally in team environments to design electrical and computer systems.

•  Pursue professional development through life-long learning to better serve in an evolving global society.

•  Demonstrate initiative and perform leadership roles in an ethical manner.

•  Perceive the impact of their professional decisions on society.

During the first two years, students receive intensive instruction in mathematics and basic physical sciences as well as fundamental principles and techniques of engineering. Students are introduced to the basic tools and problem-solving techniques they will use throughout their careers.

The final two years are spent in courses that are more focused and cover a broad spectrum of electrical and computer engineering topics, half of which include a laboratory-intensive environment. In these courses, students apply their knowledge to solve discipline-specific engineering problems, often in projects that present open-ended problems.

In the fourth year, a completely open-ended design experience spans the senior year, in which students can exercise creativity to solve current engineering problems. Designing, building, testing, and evaluating projects in such application areas as instrumentation and data acquisition, computer network control, SCADA systems security, robotics, wireless communication, and machinery controls is typical of this experience. Constraints such as economics, safety, reliability, aesthetics, ethics, and social impact are considered. This experience builds upon the fundamental concepts of engineering topics, mathematics, basic sciences, the humanities and social sciences, and communication skills developed earlier in the undergraduate experience. The design team experience allows close coordination with an individual faculty member. The scope of the project is designed to match the requirements of practice within the electrical and computer engineering discipline.

Potential Careers

Graduates have the option of beginning a career in either the military or civilian life, or attending graduate school. Career choices for ECE graduates are extremely diverse; below is an abbreviated list from “Your Career in the Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Engineering Fields,” a website published by the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).  

• Signal Processing

• Aerospace and Electronic Systems

• Circuits and Systems

• Communications

• Computers

• Consumer Electronics

• Control Systems

• Industrial Electronics

• Industry Applications

• Instrumentation and Measurement

• Power Electronics

• Power Engineering

• Robotics

• Systems, Man and Cybernetics

• Frequency Control

• Vehicular Technology

The IEEE is the largest professional organization that serves Electrical and Computer Engineers, as well as many other types of engineers in related fields.  To see the IEEE website that discusses a broader range of ECE career opportunities, please sample a few videos at this IEEE.tv website, or visit this website maintained by TryEngineering.org. 

Accreditation

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Electrical and Computer Engineering.

There is no additional criteria to declare this major.