Introduction
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering 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.
All students complete a common electrical and computer engineering core that provides broad exposure to essential areas of the discipline, including digital and analog electronics, embedded microcontrollers, communications, and control systems.
In addition to the core curriculum, students select from a range of Higher Level EECE and Technical Elective courses. Although students may choose Higher Level EECE electives based on their individual interests and goals, they are encouraged to select courses that align with a thematically related technical track. Technical tracks typically consist of three or more coordinated courses that provide depth in a particular area of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Tracks offer a structured path for students who wish to deepen their knowledge in a specific domain, while still benefiting from the breadth of the EECE curriculum. Current technical tracks are described on the EECE Technical Tracks webpage.
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 circuits, 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.
Student Resources
Department website: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Department advising: Kaiser Borsari Hall 425, 360-650-2100, EECE@wwu.edu
Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
Career Services Center:
Sample Careers: Embedded Systems Engineer, Firmware Engineer, Hardware Design Engineer, Power Systems Engineer, Controls Engineer, Communications Engineer, Test Engineer, Systems Engineer, Applications Engineer, Technical Project Manager
How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):
Category of Major: Capacity-constrained major
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. More details and a FAQ are available at the Electrical and Computer Engineering admissions website.
Major Prerequisite courses
MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 204, PHYS 161, PHYS 162, CSCI 141 (or 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.
Summer Session
Applications are also accepted near the end of summer session on a space available basis, and are due by the fourth Tuesday in August. Only complete, on-time applications will be considered. Accepted students will be notified by September 1.
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.
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