Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Electrical and Computer Engineering, BS


Department of Engineering and Design, College of Science and Engineering

146 credits

Introduction

The Electrical and Computer Engineering program offers a B.S. degree in electrical and computer engineering.

The program serves current students, industry, the University, and the citizens of the state of Washington by preparing students to find pragmatic engineering solutions to problems, while understanding the impact of their solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.

The educational experience we provide emphasizes lab based experiential learning, teamwork, communication, and critical thinking, while the program curriculum provides current, practical engineering knowledge built on a sound mathematical and science background.

The Electrical and Computer Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.

The student begins the major in the second quarter of their freshman year with an orientation course and is generally enrolled in one or more major courses each quarter until graduation. The many laboratory courses provide a combination of practical experience with design and ultimately lead to a culminating project that spans the senior year.

The students may choose a concentration in either Electronics or Energy. Both concentrations include a common electrical and computer engineering core.

Electronics courses involve the development, design and application of circuits, devices, and firmware for embedded systems. Content includes digital and analog electronics, embedded microcontrollers, communications, controls, and digital signal processing.

Energy courses include a combination of advanced electrical and computer engineering courses and interdisciplinary courses in the sciences, economics, policy, and the environment. Topics deal with the sources, generation, control and utilization of electric power, energy conversion and storage, and smart power topics such as system analysis, protection and stability, solid state motor control, and industrial process control systems. Projects are normally interdisciplinary in collaboration with faculty in the Institute for Energy Studies.

Why Consider an Electrical and Computer Engineering Major?

Electrical and computer engineers conduct research, and design, develop, test, and oversee the development of electronic systems and the manufacture of electrical and computer equipment and devices. This includes a broad range of applications and specializations that generally involve both hardware and software - areas such as power systems, communications, analog and digital signal processing, embedded systems, and control systems. Products developed by electrical and computer engineers can have significant impacts on society. Recent examples include portable smart devices, medical instrumentation, electric and smart vehicles, sensor networks, and renewable and smart energy systems.

Contact Information
Engineering & Design Departmental Website: engineeringdesign.wwu.edu

Electrical and Computer Engineering Program Director
Andy Klein
Engineering Technology 270
360-650-2709
kleina5@wwu.edu

Program Coordinator
& Pre-Major Advisor

Lisa Ochs
Engineering Technology 204
360-650-4132
Lisa.Ochs@wwu.edu

Sample Careers

Supervision and technical analysis and design | Design and development engineering | Application support | Embedded systems | Wireless and wired communications | Distribution planning | Transmission planning | Operations | Energy market analyst

Major/Career Resources

www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml 
www.careercornerstone.org/eleceng/eleceng.htm
www.tryengineering.org/become-an-engineer/electrical-engineering

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Program Admissions: Admission to the Electrical and Computer Engineering major is a two-phase process: (i) students initially declare as pre-majors and (ii) once students complete the required prerequisite courses listed below, they apply to the major. Admission to full major status is determined by academic performance and other factors including an application questionnaire about the applicant’s experience, motivation, and goals. Admission to the major is competitive. Neither completion of the prerequisites nor attainment of any specific GPA guarantees admission.

Major Prerequisite courses: MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 204, PHYS 161, PHYS 162, CSCI 140, EECE 108, and EECE 111. Students must obtain at least a C- in the above courses and an overall GPA in them of 2.0 or higher to be considered. AP scores are converted to GPA as follows: 5 = A; 4 = B; 3 = C.  Decisions are based on cumulative GPA in the prerequisite courses, other required Major courses, overall GPA and questionnaire responses.

Application deadlines: Applications for admittance into Fall quarter are evaluated two times:

Spring Quarter: Applications are due on the Friday before finals week. Only complete, on-time applications will be considered. Applicants will be notified by the end of the week following finals week. Students who are accepted must register for Fall quarter EECE courses before the end of Phase I registration. Students who do not register by the end of Phase I registration may lose their major status.

Fall Quarter: Applications are also accepted in September at the beginning of Fall quarter on a space available basis, and are due by the deadline posted on the electrical and computer engineering program web page. Only complete, on-time applications will be considered. Accepted students will be notified by the start of Phase III registration.

Transfer Students: A transfer student that will be transferring into Fall quarter, Year 2, will be designated as a pre-major and will need to follow the standard application process with one exception: EECE 108 is not needed to apply, but it must be taken at the first opportunity on-campus; students transferring into Year 2 will be exempted from the requirement of taking co-requisite course EECE 109. A transfer student that has previous coursework that can be transferred to EECE core courses and will be entering the program sequence after Fall quarter, Year 2, may apply at any time. Acceptance will be based on space availability and academic performance. Transfer students who are interested in pursuing the Electrical and Computer Engineering program should meet with an advisor to discuss their options.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Requirements


All students must complete the supporting courses, the EECE core courses, and one of the concentrations.

EECE Electronics Concentration Courses (36 credits)


EECE Energy Concentration Courses (36 credits)