Course Information Suite

Programs of Study: Undergrad

Electrical and Computer Engineering

ece.illinois.edu
Head of Department: Andreas C. Cangellaris
Department Office: 155 Everitt Laboratory, 1406 West Green, Urbana, (217) 333-2300

Curriculum in Electrical Engineering

ece.illinois.edu

For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineering is a multifaceted discipline that has evolved incessantly over the last century, producing an astounding progression of technological innovations based on the use of electricity which have shaped virtually every aspect of modern life.  Because of the variety of possible applications, electrical engineers need a broad background in mathematics and physics, and within each sub-discipline one can find application domains that strongly rely on hands-on experimental work or that are based as importantly on theoretical, mathematical and computational approaches.  As technology progresses, the multidisciplinary aspects of the electrical engineering profession are also becoming more important to meet the growing demand for the design of electrical and electronic systems of ever increasing complexity in consumer, defense, and medical applications.

The curriculum starts with a core of fundamental courses on circuits, electromagnetics, solid-state electronics, and computer systems, leading to a comprehensive array of specialized courses and laboratories in all of the important areas of modern electrical engineering.  These range from power and energy systems to electronics devices and integrated circuits, telecommunications and remote sensing, control systems, robotics, signal processing, bioengineering, and acoustics.

Overview of Curricular Requirements

The curriculum requires 128 hours for graduation and is organized as shown below.

Technical grade point average requirements for graduation and advanced-level course registration apply to students in this curriculum. These rules are summarized at the College of Engineering's undergraduate advising Web site.

Orientation and Professional Development

These courses introduce the opportunities and resources your college, department, and curriculum can offer you as you work to achieve your career goals. They also provide the skills to work effectively and successfully in the engineering profession.

Hours Requirements
0 ENG 100—Engineering Orientation1
0 Total
1. External transfer students take ENG 300—Engrg Transfer Orientation instead.

Foundational Mathematics and Science

These courses stress the basic mathematical and scientific principles upon which the engineering discipline is based.

Hours Requirements
3 CHEM 102—General Chemistry I
1 CHEM 103—General Chemistry Lab I
4 MATH 221—Calculus I1
3 MATH 231—Calculus II
4 MATH 241—Calculus III
4 MATH 286—Intro to Differential Eq Plus
4 PHYS 211—University Physics: Mechanics
4 PHYS 212—University Physics: Elec & Mag
2 PHYS 213—Univ Physics: Thermal Physics
2 PHYS 214—Univ Physics: Quantum Physics
31 Total
1. MATH 220—Calculus may be substituted, with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.

Electrical Engineering Technical Core

These courses stress fundamental concepts and basic laboratory techniques that comprise the common intellectual understanding of electrical engineering.

Hours Requirements
4 ECE 110—Intro Elec & Computer Engrg
4 ECE 190—Intro to Computing Systems
4 ECE 210—Analog Signal Processing
3 ECE 290—Computer Engineering I
3 ECE 313—Probability with Engrg Applic1
3 ECE 329—Fields and Waves I
2 ECE 385—Digital Systems Laboratory
3 ECE 340—Semiconductor Electronics
4 ECE 445—Senior Design Project Lab
30 Total

1. STAT 410—Statistics and Probability II may be substituted.

Technical Electives

This elective requirement gives each student freedom to define a technical course of study in electrical engineering of considerable breadth and focus. The Advanced Core ECE Electives are introductory to major subdisciplines of electrical engineering.

Hours Requirements
33 to include at least: Selected from the departmentally approved List of Technical Electives
(i) 6 hours
Non-ECE courses
(ii) 3 courses
Selected from the following list of Advanced Core ECE electives:
4 hours
ECE 391—Computer Systems Engineering or
CS 225—Data Structures
3 hours
ECE 310—Digital Signal Processing
3 hours
ECE 330—Power Circuits & Electromechanics
3 hours
ECE 342—Electronic Circuits
3 hours
ECE 350—Fields and Waves II
(iii) 2 courses ECE labs identified in the List of Technical Electives
(iv) 20 hours ECE courses
33 Total

Liberal Education

The liberal education courses develop students’ understanding of human culture and society, build skills of inquiry and critical thinking, and lay a foundation for civic engagement and lifelong learning.

Hours Requirements
6 Electives from the campus General Education social & behavioral sciences list.
6 Electives from the campus General Education humanities & the arts list.
6 Electives either from a list approved by the college, or from the campus General Education lists for social & behavioral sciences or humanities & the arts.
18 Total

Students must also complete the campus cultural studies requirement by completing (i) one western/comparative culture(s) course and (ii) one non-western/U.S. minority culture(s) course from the General Education cultural studies lists. Most students select liberal education courses that simultaneously satisfy these cultural studies requirements. Courses from the western and non-western lists that fall into free electives or other categories may also be used satisfy the cultural studies requirements.

Composition

These courses teach fundamentals of expository writing.

Hours Requirements
4 RHET 105—Principles of Composition
  Advanced Composition (satisfied by completing ECE 445 in the Electrical Engineering Technical Core). May be satisfied by completing a course in either the liberal education or free elective categories which has the Advanced Composition designation.
4 Total

Free Electives

These unrestricted electives, subject to certain exceptions as noted at the College of Engineering advising Web site, give the student the opportunity to explore any intellectual area of unique interest. This freedom plays a critical role in helping students to define research specialties or to complete minors. At least seven hours must be taken for a grade.

Hours Requirements
12 Free electives. Additional unrestricted course work, subject to certain exceptions as noted at the College of Engineering advising Web site, so that there are at least 128 credit hours earned toward the degree.

Suggested Sequence

The schedule that follows is illustrative, showing the typical sequence in which courses would be taken by a student with no college course credit already earned and who intends to graduate in four years. Each individual's case may vary, but the position of required named courses is generally indicative of the order in which they should be taken.

First Year

Hours First Semester
3 CHEM 102—General Chemistry I
1 CHEM 103—General Chemistry Lab I
0 ENG 100—Engineering Orientation
4 MATH 221—Calculus I1
4 RHET 105—Principles of Composition or
ECE 110—Intro Elec & Computer Engrg2
3 Liberal education elective3
15 Total

Hours Second Semester
4 ECE 110—Intro Elec & Computer Engrg or
RHET 105—Principles of Composition2
3 MATH 231—Calculus II
4 PHYS 211—University Physics: Mechanics
3 Liberal education elective3
3 Free elective
17 Total

Second Year

Hours First Semester
4 ECE 190—Intro to Computing Systems
4 MATH 241—Calculus III
4 PHYS 212—University Physics: Elec & Mag
3 Liberal education elective3
2 Free elective
17 Total

Hours Second Semester
4 ECE 210—Analog Signal Processing
3 ECE 290—Computer Engineering I
4 MATH 286—Intro to Differential Eq Plus
2 PHYS 213—Univ Physics: Thermal Physics
2 PHYS 214—Univ Physics: Quantum Physics
3 Liberal education elective3
18 Total

Third Year

Hours First Semester
3 ECE 313—Probability with Engrg Applic4
3 ECE 329—Fields and Waves I
2 ECE 385—Digital Systems Laboratory
4 Technical elective5
3 Liberal education elective3
15 Total

Hours Second Semester
3 ECE 340—Semiconductor Electronics
9 Technical electives5
4 Free elective
16 Total

Fourth Year

Hours First Semester
4 ECE 445—Senior Design Project Lab6
8 Technical electives5
3 Liberal education elective3
15 Total

Hours Second Semester
12 Technical electives5
3 Free electives
15 Total

1. MATH 220—Calculus may be substituted, with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.

2. RHET 105 may be taken in the first or second semester of the first year as authorized. The alternative is ECE 110.

3. Liberal education electives must include 6 hours of social & behavioral sciences and 6 hours of humanities & the arts course work from the campus General Education lists. The remaining 6 hours may be selected from a list maintained by the college, or additional course work from the campus General Education lists for social & behavioral sciences or humanities & the arts. Students must also complete the campus cultural studies requirement by completing (i) one western/comparative culture(s) course and (ii) one non-western/U.S. minority culture(s) course from the General Education cultural studies lists. Most students select liberal education courses that simultaneously satisfy these cultural studies requirements. Courses from the western and non-western lists that fall into free electives or other categories may also be used satisfy the cultural studies requirements.

4. STAT 410—Statistics and Probability II may be substituted

5. A minimum of 33 hours chosen from the departmentally approved list of Technical Electives. Of these, at least three courses are to be chosen from the ECE advanced core electives and two courses from the list of ECE laboratory electives; 20 hours must be ECE course work, six hours non-ECE course work, and the remaining hours may be chosen from the entire List.

6. Satisfies the General Education Advanced Composition requirement.