Faruque, Heckmann, Miles, Salehfar,
Schultz (Interim Chair) and Won

The mission of the department is to provide students with a strong foundation in the traditional and contemporary areas of electrical engineering. The objective of the undergraduate program is to educate students in science and engineering so that they can identify and solve technological problems in society. Social and humanistic issues are also emphasized in the general education component of the program to provide breadth in education. The program provides graduates with the knowledge, aptitudes, and attitudes which prepare them for corporate and government entry-level positions or to pursue further education at the graduate level.

The department has the following educational objectives:

1. Provide students with a strong foundation in the traditional and contemporary areas of electrical engineering.
2. Educate students in science and engineering so that they can identify, understand, and solve technological problems in society.
3. Provide students with the knowledge and opportunity which prepare them for practice or to pursue further education at the graduate level.
4. Provide students with breadth of knowledge in social and humanitarian issues.
5. Maintain a nationally competitive electrical engineering program.

The department is committed to fostering a close student-faculty educational environment which facilitates self-development, self-confidence, and competence. This commitment extends to providing an excellent undergraduate electrical engineering program that en- compasses both breadth and depth. The technical and liberal arts components of the curriculum provide the students with the opportunity for self-development, technical competence, and awareness of economic and ethical responsibilities. The technical curriculum includes: (1) basic engineering science; (2) traditional electrical engineering areas, such as circuits, analog/digital electronics, electric energy conversion, control systems, computer-aided design, and electromagnetic fields; and (3) electives, by which junior and senior-level students may select courses with a focus on a particular subject, or related subjects, in electrical engineering. These areas of concentration include systems engineering, power systems planning and distribution, signal processing, controls and robotics, digital design, and applied electromagnetics.

To prepare students for engineering practice, design and hands-on experience are emphasized throughout the curriculum and supported by diverse laboratory facilities to implement design ideas. Students are introduced to subject related design tools in several required and elective courses in preparation for a major senior design experience. Every student is required to complete a comprehensive design project. Computer applications, statistical methods, and written/oral/interpersonal communication skills are also emphasized in the curriculum. Cooperative education is encouraged as a vehicle for enhancing students’ communication and interpersonal skills, in addition to establishing an awareness of industrial practices and technical development. Opportunities to enhance teamwork, written and oral communication, and self-learning skills are available across the curriculum. Students are encouraged to promote the profession and develop leadership skills through involvement in honorary and professional societies, as well as participation in laboratory and design project activities.

The department has a strong student advising program, which facilitates individual contact with students to help them make sound academic decisions and to understand the purpose of their education and the profession. Through this program, students and faculty establish personal relationships and enthusiasm toward engineering education.

To allow qualified students to complete a graduate degree in one year, beyond that required to receive the baccalaureate degree alone, the department offers combined Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE)/Master of Science (with a major in Electrical Engineering) and BSEE/Master of Engineering degrees.

See Combined Degree Program under the School of Engineering and Mines for additional details.

In addition to the traditional broad electrical engineering program, the department makes two focus areas available to students with interest in Aerospace or Computer Science. All three programs are listed in their entirety as follows: