EE Degree & Concentrations

Programming & Career Focus

Electrical engineers design electronic systems – nearly anything with an electron or photon – including circuits, power, nanotechnology, communication, biomedical, and information systems.

EE Requirements & Concentrations

EE Core:

Foundation for all EE students in electric circuits, digital logic, computer systems, programming, signals, linear systems, microelectronics, electromagnetics, teaming and communication, and the social and ethical dimensions of the practice of electrical and computer engineering.

The EE curriculum requires:

  • Math: MA 141, MA 241, MA 242, ST 371
  • Science: CH 101, CH 102, PY 205, PY 206, PY 208, PY 209
  • EE Core: ECE 109, ECE 200, ECE 209, ECE 211, ECE 212, ECE 220, ECE 301, ECE 302, ECE 303, ECE 380/381/383, ECE 484/482, ECE 485/483
  • Concentration Core & Electives: 12 credit hours following specific concentration requirements and choosing electives from a provided list
  • Open Electives: 12 credit hours from a pre-determined list of open electives (can be outside of ECE course offerings)
  • Other Major Requirements: E 101, E 102, E 115, COM 110, Economics (EC 201 or EC 205 or ARE 201), ENG 331
  • GEPs: ENG 101, GEP Humanities (6 hours), GEP Social Science (3 hours) GEP Health and Exercise Studies (2 hours) GEP Elective (3 hours), Co-requisites of Global Knowledge, Foundations of American Democracy and World Language Proficiency
EE Concentrations

Analog Circuits

The Analog Circuits concentration requires an advanced course in electronics and hands-on experience in the analog electronics laboratory. Students deepen their knowledge in this area through courses in power electronics, radio system design, and solid-state devices.

  • Required:
    • ECE 403: Electronics Engineering
    • ECE 426: Analog Circuits Lab 
  • Electives (pick 2):
    • ECE 434  Fundamentals of Power Electronics
    • ECE 404  Introduction to Solid-State Devices
    • ECE 424/ECE 524  Radio System Design

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

The Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) concentration prepares students to enter this rapidly growing industry by providing a robust mathematical foundation and expertise in state-of-the-art tools in this domain. Required courses include linear algebra and machine learning. Elective courses cover deep learning, data science, and signal processing.

  • Required:
    • Math 305 or 405: Linear Algebra
    • ECE 411: Introduction to Machine Learning
  • Pick 6 Credits:

Biomedical Instrumentation

The Biomedical Instrumentation concentration prepares students for the design of computer and electrical systems for use in biomedical applications. The required courses focus on wearable biosensors and microsystems and embedded systems architecture. Electives in this concentration emphasize deeper knowledge in electronics, custom hardware design, nanomanufacturing techniques and applications, neural interface engineering, and medical instrumentation.

  • Required:
    • ECE 418 Wearable Biosensors and Microsystems
    • ECE 460/ECE 560 Embedded System Architecture
      • ECE 306 is a prerequisite, must be taken as an open elective
  • Electives (Pick 2):
    • ECE 403 – Electronics Engineering
    • ECE 464 / ECE 564 – ASIC and FPGA Design and Verilog
    • BME 425 – Bioelectricity or ECE 505 – Neural Interface Engineering
    • ECE 442 – Integrated Circuit Technology and Fabrication
      • ECE 404 – Intro. to Solid State Devices is a prerequisite, can be taken as an open elective 
      • OR ECE 468 – Conventional & Emerging Nanomanufacturing Techniques & Applications in Nanosystems
    • ECE 522 – Medical Instrumentation

Communications and Signal Processing

The concentration in Communications and Signal Processing provides a broad foundation to the knowledge and principles common to all communications systems. The concentration has a required list of courses from which a student must select two, and this covers the areas of communications, signal processing, machine learning, and wireless communication systems. The concentration has a list of electives that includes linear algebra, computer networking, machine learning, deep learning, transmission lines and antennas, optical communications, radio system design and data science.

  • Required (pick 2):
    • ECE 402 Communications Engineering
    • ECE 410 Introduction to Signal Processing
    • ECE 411 Introduction to Machine Learning
    • ECE 420 Wireless Communication Systems
  • Electives (pick 2):
    • MA 305 Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices
      • OR MA 405 Introduction to Linear Algebra
    • ECE 402 Communications Engineering
    • ECE 407 Introduction to Computer Networking
    • ECE 410 Introduction to Signal Processing
    • ECE 411 Introduction to Machine Learning
    • ECE 420 Wireless Communication Systems
    • ECE 422 Transmission Lines and Antennas for Wireless
    • ECE 423 Introduction to Photonics and Optical Communications
    • ECE 424 Radio System Design
    • ECE 425/492 Introduction to Neural Networks
    • ECE 512 Data Science from a Signal Processing Perspective

Controls and Robotics

This concentration prepares students to work in the field of controls and robotics, which includes exciting application areas such as autonomous ground and aerial vehicles, power systems and industrial robotics. Students taking this concentration will build a foundation in this area by taking linear algebra, an introductory course in control systems, and an advanced course in digital control systems. Elective courses include topics in machine learning, deep learning, industrial robot systems, mechatronics and embedded systems.

  • Required:
    • Math 305 or 405: Linear Algebra, 
    • ECE 308: Elements of Control Systems
    • ECE 436: Digital Control Systems
  • Elective (pick one):
    • ECE 455: Industrial Robot Systems
    • ECE 456: Mechatronics
    • ECE 460: Embedded Systems Architectures
    • ECE 411: Introduction to Machine Learning
    • ECE 425/492: Introduction to Neural Networks

Digital Circuits

The Digital Circuits concentration provides students a foundation in digital hardware design, from hardware description languages to large scale custom hardware designs for application specific integrated circuits or FPGAs. Electives deepen knowledge supporting disciplines, such as communications hardware, electronics, and solid-state devices.

  • Required:
    • ECE 310: Design of Complex Digital Systems
    • ECE 464/564: ASIC and FPGA Design in Verilog 
  • Electives (pick two):
    • ECE 404  Introduction to Solid-State Devices
    • ECE 402  Communications Engineering
    • ECE 403  Electronics Engineering

Electronic Devices

The Electronic Devices concentration provides students with a foundation in nanotechnology and solid-state devices. Electives in integrated circuit technology, fabrication, thermal energy harvesting, and wearable biosensors deepen that knowledge. Advanced coursework is offered in physical electronics, semiconductor power devices, and principles of MOS transistors.

  • Required:
    • E 304 Introduction to Nanoscience and Technology
    • ECE 404 Introduction to Solid State Devices
  • Electives (Pick two):
    • ECE 442 – Integrated Circuit Technology 
    • ECE 418 – Wearable Biosensors 
    • ECE 489/589 – Solid-State and Thermal Energy Harvesting 
    • ECE 530 – Physical Electronics 
    • ECE 538 – IC Fabrication 
    • ECE 553 – Semiconductor Power Devices 
    • ECE 557 – Principles of MOS Transistor

Music Technology

The concentration in music technology gives students the skills and interdisciplinary knowledge needed to design new musical technology using electrical components and systems. The required courses include signal processing and two course sequencing from the Music Technology department. Electives emphasize embedded systems, wireless communications, and machine learning.

  • Required:
    • MUT 431 – Music Technology 1
    • MUT 432 – Music Technology 2
    • ECE 410 – Introduction to Digital Signal Processing
  • Elective (pick 1):
    • ECE 306 – Introduction to Embedded Systems
    • ECE 411 – Machine Learning
    • ECE 420 – Wireless Communication Systems

Optics and Photonics

The Optics and Photonics concentration provides students with a foundation in nanoscience and technology, photonics, and optical communication devices. Electives cover solid-state devices, integrated circuit design and fabrication, and solid-state solar and thermal energy harvesting. Advanced courses cover semiconductor optoelectronic devices and physical electronics.

  • Required:
    • E 304 Introduction to Nanoscience and Technology
    • ECE 423 Introduction to Photonics & Optical Communication
  • Electives (pick 2):
    • ECE 404 – Solid State Devices
    • ECE 442 – Integrated Circuit Technology
    • ECE 489/589 – Solid-State and Thermal Energy Harvesting 
    • ECE 523 – Photonics and Optical Communications
    • ECE 529 – Semiconductor Optoelectronic Devices 
    • ECE 530 – Physical Electronics

Power Systems

Power Systems Concentration gives students a deep appreciation for modern power systems, power system analysis and supporting topics in power electronics, electric motors, and renewable energy systems. Students may take supporting electives that reinforce power systems from the broader set of ECE electives.

  • Required:
    • ECE 305: Principles of Electromechanical Energy Conversion 
    • ECE 451: Power System Analysis
  • Electives (pick 2):
    • ECE 434: Power Electronic Devices
    • ECE 452: Renewable Electric Energy Systems
    • ECE 453: Electric Motor Drives

Radio Frequency (RF) Circuits

The RF Circuits Concentration covers the fundamentals of transmission lines and antennas for wireless communications. Students further build their skills through a required radio system design course. Electives will deepen a student’s knowledge of hardware design using advanced electronics and solid-state technology.

  • Electives (pick 2):
    • ECE 422: Antennas and Wireless Communication
    • ECE 424: Radio System Design
  • Electives (pick 2):
    • ECE 404  Introduction to Solid-State Devices
    • ECE 402  Communications Engineering
    • ECE 403  Electronics Engineering

Total Credits

122 credit hrs minimum required to graduate

Renewable Electric Energy Systems

The REES (Renewable Electric Energy Systems) concentration is a set of elective coursework, within the EE major, which focuses on electromechanical energy conversion, renewable electric power systems, power electronics, and power transmission/ distribution systems.

Dual Degree

Students who complete first-year engineering requirements can apply to CODA in the Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering Programs. Once you are in the department with one major, after completing both ECE 109 and ECE 200 you can request to be placed in the Dual Degree Program by completing the steps found on the Changing Your Major page.

New curriculum (fall 25+): Double Majors will need to pick two concentrations, one in EE and CPE. Note, you may not pick AI/ML twice. 

  • Three additional courses for an EE major to double major in CPE: (1) CSC 226, (2) ECE 306, (3) ECE 309. You’ll use the 4 open electives to take the 4 required courses in a CPE concentration.
  • Three additional courses for a CPE major to double major in EE: (1) ECE 302, (2) ECE 303, (3) your fourth EE concentration course. You’ll use 3 open electives for 3 of the required courses in an EE concentration.

Total Credit Hours: 131 for Dual Degree