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Degree. B.S. degree in electrical engineering and B.S. degree
in computer engineering. The computer engineering degree is offered jointly
by the department of Electrical Engineering and The School of Computing.
See the information under Computer Engineering elsewhere in this section of
the catalog.
Major Status. In order to take sophomore
or higher-level classes in electrical engineering, students must attain
major status (except as noted below). Students may apply for major status
after completing, with a letter grade, the following classes:
Classes (Hours)
ECE 1270 (4)
ECE 1020 (1)
1MATH 1270 (4)
1MATH 1280 (4)
CP SC 1010 (0.5)
CP SC 2000 or 2010 (4)
PHYS 2210 (4)
Eligibility for
admission is determined by the GPA on the classes listed above. If a
student takes a class more than once, only the grade for the first repeat
is counted. A withdrawal (W), an audit (V), or an incomplete (I) on the
transcript counts as having taken the class.
A student who does not
have a passing grade on the first repeat of a required class cannot be
admitted to major status. See requirements, following, for information
about the C- minimum passing grade required in specified core courses.
The following rule
applies to all classes that are used in the evaluation for admission to
full major status: a student may repeat, once each, up to four classes
without penalty. The grade received in each of the four classes the second
time it is taken (first repeat) is used in computing the GPA. For the fifth
and any subsequent classes a student repeats, only 80 percent of the grade
points received on the first repeat are used in the evaluation.
Students are ranked by
GPA, and the best students are admitted. The admission GPA may fluctuate in
accordance with the number of students the department is capable of
training and the academic level of those students.
Students who transfer
from other accredited electrical-engineering programs are evaluated on the
same basis as University
of Utah students.
Only grades in classes taken in an accredited electrical-engineering
program count in the evaluation. Transfer students from nonaccredited1
programs ready to take electrical-engineering classes may be permitted to
take classes on a probationary basis if their transfer GPA equals the
entry-level GPA for that year. See the department web site for more
information on probation and admission of transfer students from nonaccredited programs.
Contact the department
office for the application deadlines. The major admission application form
is available from the ECE Department office or on the department web site.
Admission applications are evaluated at the end of each semester when
grades for that semester are available.
Students who do not
attend the University during the academic year they are admitted to major
status must reapply to attend in a later year.
Students in Other
Majors. ECE
classes numbered below 2000 are open to all U of U students. Anyone who
meets University admission standards and has the prerequisites may take ECE
1270 and 1020, and CP SC
1010 and 2000 or 2010. ECE 3900, 3910, 4900, and 4910 and ECE/CP SC 4710, 3992, 4991, and 4992 are open only to Electrical
or Computer Engineering students in major status and may not be taken by
students in other majors. ECE classes numbered 2000 or above may be taken
by students in other majors only if all of the following requirements are
met: The student must have passing grades in all required prerequisites and
a cumulative GPA on technical classes that equals the EE major GPA, the
instructor must give permission, and space must be available in the class.
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1Nonaccredited refers to programs that do not have electrical
engineering accreditation, even though they may have technology or other
accreditation.
Requirements. A handbook containing detailed information about the
electrical engineering degree is available in the ECE office and on the ECE
web site: www.ece.utah.edu. Announcements regarding changes in requirements
are also posted on department bulletin boards and web site. It is essential
that students obtain up-to-date information on changes in requirements and
curriculum. Students must keep informed and are responsible for completion
of program requirements.
The following classes are required for the B.S. degree in electrical
engineering. Taking them in the order shown ensures that students have the
necessary prerequisites. Students should plan their technical electives and
general education classes to coordinate with these required classes.
Requirements for the Major and Model Plan of Study for students working 20
hours or less. Suggested five-year and six-year plans are available on the
ECE web site.
(78.5 Semester Hours)
First Year
Fall Semester
1MATH 1270 Calculus I (4)
CP SC 1010 Introduction to UNIX (0.5)
CP SC 2000 or 2010 Computer Science I (4)
2WRTG 2010 Academic Writing and
Research (3)
3UGS 1100 E-LEAP (3)
Total Hours: 14.5
Spring Semester
4ECE 1270 Intro to Electrical
& Computer Eng (4)
4ECE 1020 Electrical Engineering
Problem Solving with Matlab (1)
1MATH 1280 Calculus II (4)
PHYS 2210 Physics for Scientists & Engineers I (4)
3UGS 1101 E-LEAP (3)
Total Hours: 16
Second Year
Fall Semester
ECE 2270 Fundamentals of Electric Circuits (4)
PHYS 2220 Physics for Scientists & Engineers II (4)
MATH 2250 Ordinary Differential Equations & Linear Algebra (3)
CHEM 1210 General Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 1215 General Chemistry Lab (1)
Total Hours: 16
Spring Semester
ECE 2280 Fundamentals of Engineering Electronics (4)
ECE 3700 Fundamentals of Digital Systems Design (4)
1MATH 2210 Calculus III (3)
5American Institutions (3)
Total Hours: 14
Third Year
Fall Semester
ECE 3300 Fundamentals of Electromagnetics &
Transmission Lines (4) ECE 3500 Fundamentals of Signals & Systems (4)
MATH 3150 Partial Differential Equations for Engineers (2)
ECE 3900 Junior Seminar (0.5)
Technical elective (4)
Total Hours: 14.5
Spring Semester
PHYS 3740 Introduction to Quantum Theory & Relativity (3)
ECE 3530 Engineering Probability & Statistics (3)
6ME EN or CHFEN 2300
Thermodynamics I (2)
WRTG 3400 Professional Writing (3)
ECE 3910 Pre-Thesis (0.5)
Technical elective (4)
Total Hours: 15.5
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
ECE 4900 Senior Thesis I (2)
Technical Electives (10)
Total Hours: 12
Spring Semester
ECE 4910 Senior Thesis II (3)
Technical Electives (9)
Total Hours: 12
Technical Electives (a minimum
of 27 semester hours required; at least 21 hours must be ECE classes)
Breadth Requirement: Take one class in at least three of the four
following areas:
Computer and Digital
Design: ECE 3810 (4) Computer Architecture
Electronics and Semiconductor Devices: ECE 3110 (4)
Engineering Electronics II Microwaves and Optics: Choose from ECE 5320 (4)
Microwave Engineering I; ECE 5324 (3) Antenna Theory and Design; ECE 5325
(3) Wireless Communication Systems; ECE 5330 (3) Introduction to Microwave
Tubes and Electronic Devices; ECE 5340, Numerical Techniques in Electromagnetics; or ECE 5410 (3) Lasers and their
Applications
Signals and Systems: ECE 3510 (4) Introduction to Feedback systems
Advanced Electrical Engineering Technical Electives. Students must take additional
advanced Electrical Engineering classes for a total of at least 21 credit
hours, including the breadth classes. ECE classes numbered 5xxx or higher,
including special topics classes with numbers 5960, 5961, 5961, are
acceptable technical electives. Some technical electives are numbered 3xxx,
although most 3xxx classes are required. Classes with both 5xxx and 6xxx
numbers should be taken as 5xxx classes by undergraduates.
New technical electives
being taught for the first time are given temporary special topics numbers:
5960, 5961, 5962 for higher-level classes or 3960, 3961, 3962 for
lower-level classes. When these classes become part of our regular
curriculum they are given permanent numbers.
Most technical
electives are numbered in accordance with the following system:
Classes in microelectronics are
x1xx and x2xx
Classes in microwaves and optics
are x3xx and x4xx
Classes in signal processing,
communications, and control systems are x5xx
Classes in computer and digital
design are x7xx and x8xx.
Additional Technical Electives. To bring the total technical
elective hours up to 27, students may take more ECE technical electives or
count up to six hours of approved non-ECE classes selected from a list
available in the ECE office. It is optional, not required, to take non-ECE
technical electives.
General Education + American
Institutions (a minimum of 21 semester hours)
All students must take
two classes from each of three Intellectual Exploration areas: Fine Arts,
Humanities, and Social and Behavioral Science. A class in ethics is
required, which also fills a humanities requirement. Students must fill the
American Institutions requirement either by passing an examination or by
taking one of four classes specified by the University. Students must also
take a diversity class. Some diversity classes may be double counted in one
of the Intellectual Exploration areas.
Total Hours: 126.5
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1Students with a Math AP AB score
of 3 or 4 or a Math Act score of 30 should take Math 1270 and 1280.
Students not eligible take Math 1210, 1220, and 2210. Math 2210 is not
required if 1270 and 1280 are completed.
2Non-native speakers must take
ESL classes.
3The E-LEAP classes are suggested
but not required.
4Students must take Electrical
Engineering 1020 and 1270 in the same semester.
5We recommend taking a test to
fill the American Institutions requirement. See the U of U Testing
Center for information.
6Students getting a physics minor
may substitute PHYS 3760.
Prerequisites. Students should follow a science-oriented curriculum in
high school, including mathematics, computer programming, physics and
chemistry.
1. Note the following
regarding prerequisites:
2. Students should complete their writing or English requirement in the
Freshman Year.
3. Students should complete their mathematics requirements as early as
possible, taking a mathematics class each semester. Students who are behind
in mathematics should consider taking a mathematics class in the summer
between the Freshman and Sophomore Years.
4. Electrical Engineering 1020, 1270, 2270, and 2280 are prerequisites to
most other electrical-engineering courses. Electrical Engineering 1270 and
1020 must be taken in the same semester.
5. The Mathematics 1270 series and the Physics 2210 series are
prerequisites to most of the electrical engineering courses.
If the student’s
program is irregular and the suggested curriculum is not followed, the
student must plan carefully to be sure all classes are taken in proper
sequence and that course prerequisites are observed. Most
electrical-engineering classes are taught only once a year.
Computer Engineering Major. A description of the Computer
Engineering program is found under the Computer Engineering heading in this
catalog.
Scholarships. Contact the department office for information about
undergraduate scholarships.
Transfer Students. Students
planning to transfer to the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
from other colleges and universities should read the section on transfer
students in the ECE undergraduate handbook found on the ECE web site.
After being admitted to
the University
of Utah, transfer
students must petition the ECE department for acceptance of transfer
classes that the student expects to count toward the electrical engineering
degree. Petition forms are available on the ECE web site. Transfer students
must complete the petition and have it evaluated by the department’s
Undergraduate Committee before applying for admission to major status. A
petition for acceptance of transfer credit is not an application for major
admission.
To qualify for
departmental major admission, transfer students must have the equivalent of
the classes listed under Major Status above. Grades received in classes
taken at schools without accredited electrical engineering programs are
handled differently from grades in classes at the University of Utah
or other schools with accredited Engineering programs. Contact an
undergraduate advisor for details.
Leave of Absence. Students who have attained major status who do not
register during any semester of any academic year (excluding summer), must
make a written request in advance for a leave of absence from the
department or risk losing their electrical engineering status. Contact the
department office for complete information on this policy.
Combined Bachelor/Master Degree in Electrical and
Computer Engineering. Initial admission to the program occurs near the end of the Junior
year. Minimum standards for admission to this program are a cumulative GPA
of 3.3, enrollment in or completion of ECE 3910, Junior Seminar, and prior
consultation with the Program Director. Students on the MS track must have
a recommendation letter from their intended research advisor. Admission
decisions will be made by the Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate
Committee. Only students currently enrolled full-time in the Electrical and
Computer Engineering Department will be considered for admission.
International students are not eligible for the combined program. Transfer
students must complete 24 credit hours as degree-seeking students at the University of Utah before applying for the
combined degree. Undergraduate status is maintained until two to three
semesters before completion of both degrees, at which time students with
satisfactory progress will be admitted to graduate status to pursue either
the Master of Engineering or Master of Science degree.
Students progressing to
graduate status must have maintained a 3.3 cumulative GPA, maintained
full-time status, and submitted an acceptable program of study for the
Master’s degree and plan to complete any remaining requirements for the
Bachelor’s degree within one year of obtaining graduate status. Upon
recommendation by the Director, the Electrical and Computer Engineering
Graduate Committee will make a formal recommendation for admission to the Graduate School. Formal Graduate
School admission
deadlines will be followed. Students not progressing to graduate status
will complete the Bachelor’s degree.
After admission to
graduate status, students may change their Master’s degree program from ME
to MS or from MS to ME under the existing guidelines set forth by the
Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Committee and the Graduate School. Upon successful completion
of the combined degree program, the student must apply to the Registrar’s
Office for graduation of their undergraduate degree and the department will
submit the necessary paperwork to the Graduate School for both graduate
degree so that both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees will be awarded
simultaneously. Students must satisfy all the departmental and University
requirements for each degree. Coursework may not be applied towards more
than one degree. Enrollment into a Ph.D. program may not occur until
completion of the combined degrees.
Degrees. M.S., M.E., E.E., Ph.D.
Director of Graduate
Studies, Om P. Gandhi, Sc.D.
For additional
information, see the Graduate Information section of this catalog. Complete
and updated descriptions of the degrees are on the Web at www.ece.utah.edu.
Areas of Specialization. Electromagnetics,
optics, microelectronic devices, communications, digital signal processing,
microwave devices, computer engineering, control systems, and semiconductor
devices.
Admission. Admission is based on an evaluation of both an
applicant’s academic profile and research potential. The Department of
Electrical & Computer Engineering accepts applications for fall
semester only. All application materials must be received by the Electrical
& Computer Engineering Department by January 15th for the following
fall semester.
The Electrical &
Computer Engineering Department has been designated as a prescreening
department. A prescreening department requires its applicants to submit all
application materials directly to their office for review BEFORE submission
to the University
of Utah Admissions Office.
Therefore, only those who are accepted by the department have their files
submitted to the University Admissions Office and pay ath
University application fee.
Applicants for graduate
study in the ECE Department must complete an online application accessed
through the department website and send ALL other application materials to
the department office to be received by the January 15th deadline. The
online application at the University
of Utah Admission
website MUST NOT be used. Applicants who fail to
comply with this procedure will not be considered and will not receive a
refund of the University application fee.
All applicants must
take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), general test only, except for domestic
applicants to the Master of Engineering degree.
International students
are required to take the TOEFL before they can be accepted for graduate study.
After beginning their studies, they are required to take the SPEAK test.
Students who score below 50 on the SPEAK test are directed to take English
courses.
Supervisory Committee. By the beginning of the second semester of
study, students must file a Request for Supervisory Committee form with the
department office. Generally, the committee consists of three members for
the M.S. degree, one member (chair only) for the M.E. degree, three members
for the degree of Electrical Engineer, or five members for the Ph.D.
degree.
Program of Study. By the beginning of the second semester of study,
students must submit to the department office, on the appropriate form, a
program of study approved by the student’s supervisory committee. The form
may be obtained from the department website.
Modifications to the
program are made by filing an Amendment to Planned Program of Study form
with the supervisory committee and obtaining required approval. The
amendment must be approved before the new course is taken.
Proficiency Requirement. All students seeking graduate
degrees in electrical and computer engineering must demonstrate proficiency
in three basic areas: circuits, electronics, and either electromagnetic
fields or systems.
Proficiency must be
demonstrated within one year after enrollment in the program either by:
1. Holding a BSEE or BSCE degree from an accredited school or by any
combination of the following:
2. Completing, with a grade of B or better, an undergraduate course in each
area. The classes which currently satisfy each area are:
circuits—ECE 2270; electronics—ECE 2280 or 3110; electromagnetic fields—ECE
3300; and systems—ECE 3500 or 3510.
3. Taking all of the regular exams (including the final) in one of the
undergraduate courses listed and completing the exams with an average grade
of B or better.
4. Completing an advanced course in the area and receiving a grade of B or
better. Advanced courses that qualify in each area are: circuits — ECE 5710
or 5720; electronics – ECE 5201, 5202, 5710 or 5720; electromagnetic fields
— ECE 5320, 5324 or 6310; and systems — ECE 5510, 5520, or 5530.
Research Comprehensive Examination. Candidates seeking research
degrees (M.S. and Ph.D.) must pass a Research Comprehensive Examination
administered by their supervisory committee at a time determined by that
committee but no later than the third semester of study for M.S. students
and the fifth semester of study for Ph.D. students. The Research
Comprehensive Examination will ordinarily include the defense of a written
formal research thesis proposal. The comprehensive examination and thesis
defense may not be taken during the same semester.
Thesis Final Examination. The thesis final examination
(oral thesis defense) is conducted by the supervisory committee. Ph.D.
students must defend at least two semesters after their comprehensive exam.
Ph.D. Qualifying Examination. All Ph.D.-degree aspirants must
pass the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination in accordance with Graduate School
and departmental regulations. This examination consists of a written part
and an oral part and must be taken during the second semester of
study. Upon successfully passing the examination, the student is
recommended to the Graduate
School for admission
to candidacy.
Credit Limitations. Up to nine hours of nonmatriculated
coursework may be included on a student’s program of study if approved by
the supervisory committee and the Department Graduate Committee. For
graduation, the cumulative GPA on the courses listed on the program of
study must be at least 3.0 with no grade lower than C-. For more detailed
information, see the Graduate Information section of this catalog.
M.S. Degree. Coursework listed
on the program of study must total a minimum of 30 hours of graduate
coursework at the 5000 level or above, in engineering and allied
fields. The 30 required hours must include the following:
1. A minimum of 12 hours of ECE courses;
2. At least 9 hours of the required 12 ECE hours must be at the 6000 or
7000 level;
3. 2 hours of Graduate Seminar (ECE 6900 and 6910);
4. 6-10 hours of thesis research (ECE 6970).
Check the department
M.S. handbook online for further requirements.
M.E. Degree. Coursework listed on the program of study must total a
minimum of 30 hours of graduate coursework at the 5000 level or above, in
engineering and allied fields. The 30 required hours must include the
following:
1. A minimum of 18 hours of ECE courses;
2. At least 15 hours of the required 18 ECE hours must be at the 6000 or
7000 level;
3. 2 hours of Graduate Seminar (ECE 6900 and 6910).
Check the department
M.E. handbook online for further requirements.
Degree of Electrical Engineer.
This is a non-thesis professional degree. Coursework listed on the
program of study must consist of at least 62 hours of graduate courses
(5000 level or above) beyond the B.S. degree, in engineering and allied
fields. The 62 required hours must include the following:
1. A minimum of 58 semester hours of graduate courses at the 5000 level or
above. Students with an M.S. degree may count 30 hours toward this
coursework.
2. 4 semesters of Graduate Seminar (ECE 6900, 6910, 7900, and 7910) or 2
semesters of Graduate Seminar (ECE 7900, 7910) for students with a prior
M.S. degree.
3. Up to 10 hours of coursework may be replaced with a “Special Project” or
6 hours of coursework for a previously completed M.S. thesis, but not both.
Check the department
E.E. handbook online for further requirements.
Ph.D. Degree. Coursework listed on the program of study must consist
of:
1. A minimum of 42 hours of graduate courses (5000 level or above) beyond
the B.S. degree, in engineering and allied fields. Students with an
M.S. degree may count up to 6 hours of thesis credit toward coursework. 2.
4 semesters of Graduate Seminar (ECE 6900, 6910, 7900, and 7910) or 2
semesters of Graduate Seminar (ECE 7900, 7910) for students with a prior
M.S. degree.
3. At least 36 semester hours of thesis research (ECE 7970). Students
with an M.S. degree may count any additional thesis hours (beyond the 6
used for coursework) toward these 36 hours.
Check the department Ph.D. handbook online for further
requirements.
Financial Assistance. A number
of research and teaching assistantships are available. Students interested
in financial aid should visit the department website at www.ece.utah.edu
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Electrical
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