Mar 13, 2025

2010-2011 General Catalog

2010-2011 General Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Electrical Engineering, BS

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The program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering is nominally a four-year program. The required program consists of a basic foundation of mathematics, science, computer science, engineering fundamentals, and laboratory and design experiences. Elective courses providing for one or more areas of technical focus, communication skills, and University Studies complete the program and prepare students for productive and rewarding careers in the electrical engineering profession.

Bachelor of Sciences in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Admission to Pre-Professional Program

Admission requirements for students desiring to major in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering are the same as those governing admission to the College of Engineering , except that students must also be “calculus ready.” That is, they must: (1) achieve a score of 27 or higher on the math ACT test; (2) complete MATH 1050 and MATH 1060 or MATH 1210 ; or (3) achieve an AP score of at least 3 on the AB Calculus or BC Calculus test.

Required Courses

Required courses are shown in the accompanying paragraphs; however, because of differences in high school or transfer student preparation, it is strongly recommended that students meet with the college academic advisor to plan a detailed semester-by-semester schedule for completing the preprofessional requirements. Particular attention must be paid to course prerequisites, requiring some students to take longer than four semesters to complete the preprofessional program. Students transferring into the department should consult with the college academic advisor for transfer credit evaluation and proper placement in the curriculum.

AP and CLEP credit may be used to meet some of the required technical and University Studies courses. Details concerning courses acceptable as electives are available from the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.

Pre-professional Program

Suggested Semester Schedule (126 credits)

Freshman Year (30 credits)

Fall Semester (15 credits)

MATH 1210 - Calculus I (QL) 4 *
CS 1400 - Introduction to Computer Science–CS 1 3 *
ECE 1000 - Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering 2 *
University Studies Breadth courses 6

Spring Semester (15 credits)

Sophomore Year (32-33 credits)

Fall Semester (16 credits)

MATH 2210 - Multivariable Calculus (QI) 3 *
MATH 2270 - Linear Algebra (QI) 3 *
PHYS 2220 - General Physics–Science and Engineering II (BPS/QI) 4 *
University Studies Breadth courses 6

Spring Semester (16-17 credits)

MATH 2280 - Ordinary Differential Equations (QI) 3 *
ECE 2250 - Electrical Circuits 4 *
ENGL 2010 - Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2) 3 *
Technical Elective course 3-4
University Studies Breadth course 3

Professional Program

Because of the variations in schedules, it is recommended that students meet with an advisor to work out a schedule for their junior and senior years. The following courses are required for students selecting the Professional Program in Electrical Engineering.

Suggested Semester Schedule

Junior Year (33-34 credits)

See note ¹

Fall Semester (17 credits)

Spring Semester (16-17 credits)

ECE 3410 - Microelectronics I 4
ECE 3640 - Signals and Systems 3
ECE 3870 - Electromagnetics I 4
Math/Science elective course 3
University Studies Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA) course 2-3

Senior Year (29-30 credits)

Fall Semester (15 credits)

ECE elective courses 15

Spring Semester (14-15 credits)

ECE 4850 - Engineering Communications (CI) 2 ***
ECE elective courses 6
University Studies Depth Social Sciences (DSS) course 3
ECE Capstone course*** 3-4

Capstone Courses (select 3-4 credits)

ECE 4840 - Engineering Design (CI) 3
ECE 5220 - Electro-optical Engineering 3
ECE 5240 - Space System Design 3
ECE 5340 - Mobile Robots 4
ECE 5770 - Microcomputer Interfacing 4
ECE 5930 - Special Topics in Electrical and Computer Engineering 1-4 (ECE 5660 or ECE 5810 should be taken concurrently) (3 credits maximum)

Technical Elective Courses (select 28 or more credits)

Electrical Engineering Electives (select 21-25 credits)

ECE 4650 - OPTICS I 3 ⁴
ECE 4680 - OPTICS II 3 ⁴
ECE 4740 - Computer and Data Communications 3

Note:

Also, any ECE 5000-level course (including ECE 5930 when topic relates to electrical engineering) may be counted as an Electrical Engineering Elective.

Math and Science Electives (select 3-7 credits)

Technical Electives (select 0-4 credits)

Note:

*These classes are required for admission to the Professional Engineering Program (PEP). Courses are listed under the semesters in which they best fit.

¹Some of the junior classes can be delayed until the senior year, but this may limit a student’s choice of electives during his or her senior year.

**ENGL 3080 must be taken before or concurrently with ECE 3810 .

***ECE 4850 and a capstone course must be taken during the same semester.

²Students cannot receive credit for both Engineering Mechanics and Analytical Mechanics.

³Students cannot receive credit for both Engineering Thermodynamics and Thermal Physics.

⁴Students cannot receive credit for both ECE Optics and PHYS Optics.