Nov 25, 2024  
2012-2013 UMass Dartmouth Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2012-2013 UMass Dartmouth Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Electrical Engineering Major

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BS degree

The Electrical Engineering program prepares students to meet changing high-technology needs in electrical engineering, and for graduate study, by providing a strong background in science, mathematics and engineering.

Electrical Engineering encompasses a broad range of specialties including communications, signal processing, instrumentation, control and automation, power conversion and distribution, RF and microwave devices and systems, and digital and analog techniques. In these specialties, electrical engineers work with devices and/or systems to perform functions such as research and development, systems analysis, management, production, testing, quality control or sales. They may pursue careers in many areas, such as monitoring and control of the environment, space exploration, aerospace and defense, ocean engineering, energy resources, biomedical engineering, information technology, law or medicine.

The program consists of a core of basic science and mathematical courses interwoven throughout the four years of study. The student also selects 15 credit hours in University Studies. Students begin to learn about their field in the first and second years of study. In the junior year, students gain a foundation for further study in particular branches of electrical engineering. A senior year composed primarily of elective courses and a capstone design project allows the students to concentrate their studies in one or more areas of their choice and hone their skills for the real world. A co-op experience is  also available for qualified students in cooperation with regional industries.

Students may join the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), a professional society with a student branch in the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Qualified students may also join the Zeta Xi Chapter of Eta Kappa Nu, the Electrical and Computer Engineering National Honor Society.

Calculation of the GPA in the Electrical Engineering Major

Students must have a minimum 2.000 cumulative grade point average (GPA) for all courses taken at the university in order to graduate. Students must also have a minimum 2.000 cumulative GPA in the major. For purposes of this computation:

  1. All courses with an ECE prefix except ECE 298, ECE 400, ECE 401, ECE 495 or ECE 595 count in calculating the GPA for the Electrical Engineering major.
  2. Courses required for the major but taken outside the major discipline are not counted in the calculation of the major cumulative GPA.
  3. If a course is repeated, only the most recent course grade (whether higher or lower) shall be used to calculate the major cumulative GPA.

Requirements

First Year

First Semester: 15 credits

  • University Studies requirement - 3 credits (See footnote 1 below)
  • Science Elective - 3 credits  (See footnote 2 below)

Second Semester: 17 credits

Second Year

First Semester: 16 credits

Second Semester: 17 credits

Third Year

First Semester: 16 credits

  • Engineering Mathematics - 3 credits  (See footnote 3 below)
  • University Studies requirement - 3 credits

Second Semester: 17 credits

  • University Studies requirement - 3 credits

Fourth Year

First Semester: 15 credits

  • Technical Elective - 3 credits  (See footnote 4 below)
  • Science Elective - 3 credits  (See footnote 2 below)
  • University Studies requirement - 3 credits 

Second Semester: 12 credits

  • Technical Electives - 6 credits  (See footnote 4 below)
  • University Studies requirement - 3 credits  

Total Credits: 125

Notes

* Alternative courses should only be taken in exceptional circumstances and with the written permission of an ECE faculty advisor (MTH 111 in lieu of MTH 113; MTH 112 in lieu of MTH 114; MTH 211 in lieu of MTH 213; PHY 113 in lieu of PHY 111; PHY 114 in lieu of PHY 112).

[1] See University Studies requirements, Clusters 3 and 4.

[2] Must be taken from this list: all BNG, CHM, and PHY courses numbered above 150; or all BIO and MLS courses numbered above 199. One of these courses must meet the University Studies Cluster 2B requirement.

[3] Must be taken from this list: ECE 455, ECE 485, MTH 221, MTH 311, MTH 350, or MTH 421.

[4] Must be taken from approved list of courses.

Technical Electives in Electrical Engineering

Technical electives are courses above and beyond the required courses that allow electrical engineering students to broaden or deepen their engineering knowledge in one or more technical areas. Students are required to complete four technical electives. Generally, allowable technical electives are any 400- or 500-level courses in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), Mathematics (MTH), Mechanical Engineering (MNE) or Computer Science (CIS) except seminars, independent study, directed study, internship or required courses within the program.

Choices of technical electives must always be discussed with, and approved by, the student’s academic advisor prior to enrollment. Some restrictions are:

  1. No more than one technical elective course may be taken from outside the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
  2. No more than one technical elective course may be taken at the 300-level.
  3. The student must have the required prerequisites and/or co-requisites for each course.
  4. Enrollment in 500-level courses requires a grade point average of at least 3.000, senior standing, and the written permission of the instructor.

 

Additional Technical Electives

Additional allowable courses are:

University Studies Requirements for Electrical Engineering

Degree candidates for the BS degree in Electrical Engineering must satisfy the University Studies requirements as described in the Academic Policies section of this Catalogue.

  • University Studies requirements in Clusters 1, 2A, and 5 are automatically satisfied by the courses shown as required for this major.
  • The University Studies requirements in Clusters 2B, 3, and 4 may be fulfilled by selecting courses from the approved lists in each cluster using the University Studies electives shown in the course requirement tables for each major.

University Studies Departmental Requirements

Students majoring in Electrical Engineering will meet their departmentally-determined University Studies requirements as follows:

Cluster 1C

Cluster 1E

Cluster 2

Cluster 5

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