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 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, abet.org. 

Students begin the major in the second quarter of their first year with introductory courses and are 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 initiates at the end of the third year and spans the fourth year.

Students choose from one of several concentrations, all of which include a common electrical and computer engineering core. The core content includes digital and analog electronics, embedded microcontrollers, communications, and controls. The concentrations are as follows:

• The Electronics concentration focuses on the development, design and application of circuits, devices, and firmware for embedded systems, and includes advanced digital and analog electronics content.
• The Wireless Networking and Signal Processing concentration offers courses in digital signal processing, advanced communication systems, and networking technologies, and leads to an understanding of how to design and build wireless networks.
• The Energy concentration focuses on the generation, transmission, control, and utilization of electric power. Topics include energy conversion and storage, smart grid architecture, power system analysis, and electric machines. Projects are typically interdisciplinary in collaboration with faculty in the Institute for Energy Studies.
• The Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning concentration focuses on techniques that process and analyze data to enable machines to make predictions and decisions to accomplish complex tasks, and provides an overview of the use of ML and AI in engineering, the fundamental principles and algorithms, and the impact of ML and AI on humans and society.
• In addition, students in the major may propose a custom concentration in consultation with their faculty advisor. All Higher Level EECE Electives and the academic terms in which they will be taken must be specified, and the proposed custom concentration must be approved by the Program Director.

A course flow diagram and example plans of study are provided at the Electrical and Computer Engineering Advising website.

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 autonomous vehicles, sensor networks, and renewable and smart energy systems.

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 (or CSCI 141), 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 transferring into Fall quarter, Year 2 is designated as a pre-major and must 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.