Electrical and Computer Engineering Undergraduate Advising Guide
Fall 2008 Revision: Effective September 2008
Introduction
The EE & CpE BS degree programs have been merged into the new 180-credit Bachelor of Science degree program in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). All new freshmen entering Fall 2006 or later will be enrolled in this program, rather than its predecessor programs. The final term for graduation with an Electrical and Electronics Engineering major or Computer Engineering major is Spring 2012.
Electrical and computer engineers engage in the design, construction and programming, and applications of electronics and integrated circuits, digital computers and embedded systems, power generation and utilization, communication and computer networks, electronic materials and devices, electromagnetic, microwave and optical ciruits and systems, control systems and signal processing and conditioning.
The undergraduate electrical and computer engineering courses and requirements are designed to provide a strong background in the fundamental areas in electrical and computer engineering, including digital logic, electrical fundamentals, electronics, systems & signals, computer networks, transmissions lines, computer science, and computer architecture.
Course work leading to the undergraduate degree incorporates required course work in the supporting disciplines of mathematics, physical sciences, and computer science. Students select further study beyond the required course work, for either more depth in a subdiscipline or further breadth across engineering. The undergraduate program is supported by well-equipped laboratories which provides direct experience with electronic circuits, digital logic, electronic materials, electric machines, IC design, optoelectronics, RF techniques, instrumentation, and microprocessors.
Students enter the program by declaring pre-electrical and computer engineering as their major when they enroll at Oregon State. The recommended high school preparation is four years of mathematics, science, and English.
Electrical and computer engineering majors are encouraged to participate in the MECOP internship program. All students are encouraged to participate in the student chapter of the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and/or the student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).
Graduates of this program are prepared either to pursue advanced graduate degrees or to seek employment in business, industry, or government. The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at Oregon State University offers programs leading to the B.S., M.Eng., M.S., and Ph.D degrees in the general fields of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
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Electrical and Computer Engineering Major
Oregon State University offers the Pacific Northwest's most innovative and hands-on undergraduate degree program in electrical and computer engineering. Students are able to choose between eleven different tracks, all of which lead to the BS in electrical and computer engineering.
Every student completes 122 credit hours of core classes. These classes provide a solid grounding in the fundamental knowledge in electrical and computer engineering. These classes are:
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Tools and Concepts
- Differential Calculus
- Integral Calculus
- Vector Calculus I and II
- Differential Equations
- Matrix and Power Series Methods
- General Physics with Calculus I, II, and III
- Chemistry for Engineers
- Digital Logic Design and Lab
- Electrical Fundamentals I, II, and III
- Elements of Discrete Mathematics I
- Computer Science I and II (Java)
- Data Structures
- Systems and Signals I and II
- Electronics I and II
- Introduction to Probability and Random Signals
- Computer Organization and Assembly Language
- Transmission Lines
- English Composition
- Technical Writing
- Public Speaking
- Senior Design Project
In addition to these core classes, each electrical and computer engineering major takes the courses associated with one of the following tracks: Computer and Network; Energy Systems, Integrated Circuits; Systems, Signals, and Communications; Optoelectronics; Materials and Devices; High Frequency Systems and Applied Electromagnetics; RF Communications; Self-Designed; Robotics and Controls; and Generalist.
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Tracks
Computer and Network
The computer and network track addresses the issues related to architecture, programming, and communication of computing devices, which include computers, handheld devices, and sensors. Study of computer systems involves digital design, microcomputer architecture, and high-level and assembly language programming. Computer networking deals with the design of protocols that enable multiple computers/devices to communicate effectively over a wired or wireless medium.
Sample Plan
Energy Systems
Energy Systems encompasses the disciplines of power electronics, electric machines and drives, power systems and renewables. These disciplines must work together to generate, deliver, and condition power. Energy Systems covers everything between power generation and the end user, including: power electronic converters (e.g. power supplies); electric motors and generators (e.g. wind, wave, and other renewable energy generators); motor drives (e.g. hybrid and electric vehicles); and transmission systems (e.g. transformers and transmission lines).
Sample Plan
Integrated Circuits
Integrated circuits (ICs or chips) are miniaturized electronic components manufactured on a single semiconductor (silicon) substrate. Consumer, biomedical, aerospace, and military electronics rely on the performance and miniaturization benefits obtained with ICs. A study of ICs involves applications of basic semiconductor devices (diodes, bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), and metal oxide field effect transistors (MOSFETs) in useful circuit functions. The focus is on principles, analysis, and design of a wide variety of circuits.
Sample Plan
Systems, Signals, and Communications
Signals, including audio (speech, acoustics, music), image (video, multimedia, medical scans) and remote sensing data, are phenomena that vary with time, space, or other parameters. Systems can be regarded as devices that manipulate signals. The disciplines of signal and image processing are concerned with the analysis and synthesis of signals and their interaction with systems. In communications, the objective is to transfer information (signals) from one or many sources to one or many destinations, which requires the design of transmission schemes (e.g., modulation and coding), receivers, and filters. The Systems, Signals and Communications track covers the fundamentals of analog and digital signals and systems, the mathematical tools for the analysis of determinate and random signals, and applications to digital signal processing, digital image processing, and digital/analog communications.
Sample Plan
Optoelectronics
Optoelectronics is the study and design of electronic devices that interact with light. Examples of such devices include the semiconductor lasers used in CD players and fiber optic communications as well as lasers used in medicine and micromachining and the image sensors found in digital cameras. Students in this track will learn the basics of semiconductor electronic devices as well as optics, lasers, guided-wave optics, and circuit design.
Sample Plan
Materials and Devices
Materials and Devices concerns how semiconductor devices, such as transistors, diodes and sensors, work and how they are built. Introductory courses cover the physics and properties of electronic materials: semiconductors, metals and insulators and how these materials are combined to form electronic devices. Higher level courses specialize in particular areas such as optoelectronics, semiconductor processing, magnetics, or sensors. In the undergraduate semiconductor fabrication laboratory, students learn to use semiconductor processing equipment in the “clean room” to fabricate and test their own diodes and transistors.
Sample Plan
High Frequency Systems and Applied Electromagnetics
High Frequency Systems and Applied Electromagnetics pertains to the creation and propagation of radio frequency (RF), microwave and optical signals. This field covers antennas, microwave and optical waveguides, how electromagnetic fields propagate through space, and very high frequency electronic devices. As computer processing speeds (clock rates) get faster and faster, every electrical path on a chip begins to act like an antenna, causing loss and cross-talk between lines and components. These problems are addressed in this field.
Sample Plan
RF Communications
RF Communications deals with how radio signals are generated at one place, transmitted through the radio channel, received, and processed to recover the original information signal at another place. It also covers the associated devices/circuits and components to realize these transmission and reception functions. This is one of the most important aspects of modern wireless communication systems and networks such as mobile cellular phone networks, wireless internet access, audio broadcast, and television. The courses in this track train students on radio transmission principles, communications and signal processing theories, and radio system and network architecture. In this information era, information technology has become the most critical area and has the most significant impact on the daily life of human beings.
Sample Plan
Self-Designed Track
This track allows students to design their own track. Self-designed tracks must include 30 credits of restricted electives, of which a minimum of 16 credits must be additional ECE 300-level or ECE 400-level courses. Self-designed tracks must be approved by the ECE Head Advisor.
Robotics and Controls
Sample Plan
Generalist/FE Exam Prep
Sample Plan
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Pre-Electrical and Computer Engineering Program
The undergraduate program is divided into two halves. Lower-division (freshman and sophomore) courses comprise a program of pre-electrical and computer engineering study that a student completes before applying for entry into the upper-division "professional program" of electrical and computer engineering. The pre-electrical and computer engineering courses may be taken at Oregon State University or at any accredited college or university that offers equivalent courses transferable to Oregon State.
The pre-electrical and computer engineering courses are the same for students in all tracks.
Pre-Electrical and Computer Engineering Core (Required for Professional Program)
ECE 112 |
Introduction to ECE: Concepts |
3 |
MTH 251 |
Differential Calculus |
4 |
MTH 252 |
Integral Calculus |
4 |
MTH 254 |
Vector Calculus I |
4 |
MTH 256 |
Applied Differential Equations |
4 |
MTH 306 |
Matrix and Power Series Methods |
4 |
CH 201 |
Chemistry for Engineering Majors |
3 |
PH 211 |
General Physics with Calculus I |
4 |
PH 212 |
General Physics with Calculus II |
4 |
PH 213 |
General Physics with Calculus III |
4 |
ENGR 201 |
Electrical Fundamentals I |
3 |
ENGR 202 |
Electrical Fundamentals II |
3 |
COMM 111 or 114 |
Speech |
3 |
WR 121 |
English Composition |
3 |
Students must apply to the College of Engineering for admission into the upper-division "professional program" in electrical and computer engineering. The College accepts professional program applications in the spring term for admission the following fall term. It also accepts applications fall term for winter term admission.
Most students apply to the professional program during the spring term of their sophomore year, asking for fall admission to the program. Students applying for fall admission must demonstrate that they will have completed all (or all but one) of the required courses in the pre-electrical and computer engineering program by the beginning of fall term. In addition, students must demonstrate that they will have completed at least 80 hours of coursework by the beginning of fall term.
In order to qualify for admission to the professional program, a grade of C or better must be earned in every pre-electrical and computer engineering core course. A course in which a grade of C- or lower is received must be repeated.
Applicants for admission are evaluated by the School and are ranked according to GPA in the pre-electrical and computer science core courses. The College Advising Guide details the manner in which the GPA is computed for ranking purposes.
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Electrical and Computer Engineering (Professional) Program
The professional program in electrical and computer engineering consists of junior and senior level courses. Enrollment in the program is limited to the number of students who can be served by the faculty and facilities available.
Electrical and Computer Engineering Core Courses
ECE 322 |
Electronics I |
4 |
ECE 323 |
Electronics II |
4 |
ECE 351 |
Signals & Systems I |
3 |
ECE 352 |
Signals & Systems II |
4 |
ECE 353 |
Introduction to Probability and Random Signals |
3 |
ECE 372 |
Introduction to Computer Networks |
4 |
ECE 375 |
Computer Organization and Assembly Language |
4 |
ECE 391 |
Transmission Lines |
4 |
ECE 441 |
Senior Design Project |
2 |
ECE 442 |
Senior Design Project |
2 |
ECE 443 |
Senior Design Project |
2 |
The Senior Design Project
The Senior Design Project is a requirement designed to give students an electrical and computer engineering project like they will experience in the real world, taken completely through the engineering creation cycle. As a team, the students formulate, design, implement, document, and test the product. The classes ECE 441, ECE 442, and ECE 443 make up the Senior Design Project.
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Graduate School
Graduate school applications are generally made late in the fall of the senior year. Students are usually required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and submit the scores as a part of the application. Students interested in graduate studies should talk to their advisors and talk to faculty who have expertise in the specific area of interest for the student. The Peterson's Guide and the ACM Guide to Graduate Study are very useful resources.
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Advising
The first advising session for each student is typically with the Head Undergraduate Advisor. If you are transferring credits to Oregon State from another instituation or another major, these credits should be evaluated at this time.
After meeting with the Head Undergraduate Advisor, students develop a two-year academic plan. This academic plan becomes an important advising tool and needs to be kept up-to-date. Students are encouraged to plan their own programs of study for each term listed on their academic plan. Their plan should fit their own pace and interests within the limits of the degree requirements. It is the student's responsibility to determine those objectives and to develop an academic plan. The Student Services office is there to advise students on their progress, answer questions about requirements and policies, and help students evaluate different choices or plans.
It is School and University policy that students are responsible for the completion of the academic requirements for a degree. Each student must have an updated academic plan in their student file before they can receive the PIN code they need to register for classes.
The advising and registration procedure is as follows:
Advising during fall and winter term - All CS students who have an updated academic plan in their student file and who are making satisfactory progress towards their degree requirements will have their PIN code emailed to their ONID account prior to their priority registration time. The School of EECS defines what is meant by satisfactory progress as it relates to this process.
New students enrolled in ECE 111 fall term will complete their academic plan as part of a homework assignment in that course.
Students who do not have an updated academic plan in their student file or who are not making satisfactory progress towards their degree requirements will have to meet with an advisor in order to get their PIN code. These students will have advising instructions emailed to their ONID account prior to their priority registration time.
Advising during spring term - All ECE students must submit a new two-year academic plan to the Student Services office each spring term. Student services advisors will review each plan and make changes as needed. Students who submitted a completed academic plan will pick up their plans along with their PIN code after attending one of the mandatory ECE presentations.
Students who do not submit a new two-year academic plan by the announced deadline will be notified as to when they should submit their academic plan. These students will not be able to pick up their academic plan until dead week which means they will not be able to register until phase 2 of priority registration. This may make it difficult for these students to get into the courses they want for fall term.
General advising
Students are encouraged to see an advisor about career planning and to discuss problems relating to their studies anytime during the year. Advisors may also refer students with special problems to specialized campus resources.
Students with special problems may also seek advice from the School's Undergraduate Head Advisor or from the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the College of Engineering. The first advising session for each student is typically with the Head Undergraduate Advisor.
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Academic Standards for Graduation
In order to graduate in Electrical and Computer Engineering, students must have a C or higher in all required courses in the Electrical and Computer Engineering program. (Any passing grade is acceptable for baccalaureate core courses) Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or better in major courses and a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or better in all Oregon State University coursework. Students are required to have 180 credit hours, at least 60 of them upper division, for graduation.
The College Advising Guide details grade requirements for courses taken before Fall 2008 and how the cumulative GPA in major courses is computed.
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Scholarships
Scholarships are available through the College and the University. Some scholarships are also available from the School of EECS. The scholarship application deadlines are February 1st of each year for the following academic year. For new students, the online Oregon State University application is used for scholarships. For all continuing students and for transfer students beginning in the professional program the following fall term, the College of Engineering online scholarship application is generally made available in late December and is due February 1st for the following academic year. College and School deadlines are announced in class, via email, and on bulletin boards. The Financial Aid Office has information on University and national scholarships.
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Student Professional Societies
EECS students are strongly encouraged to join one or both of the student chapters of the major professional societies for their profession (ACM and IEEE). Students joining these chapters receive publications; go on field trips; hear talks from professionals; increase their contacts with the faculty; learn about jobs, interview techniques, and resume writing; and find out about their profession.
In addition to the two major societies, the School supports the activities of students in AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society), SWE (Society of Women Engineers), and AWM (Association of Women in Mathematics), and others. All of these societies are open to all students.
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Internships
Internships are strongly recommended for ECE students. Such experiences serve as an important part of the educational process and also place the student in a better position when looking for a job after graduation. Job experience is an important qualification for many positions. Students completing internships often return to classes with a greater appetite for learning and a better understanding of academic and career objectives. The first step to an internship is to watch for opportunities posted on the Undergraduate Bulletin Board in KEC 1130, those registered with Career Planning and Placement Office in the Administrative Services Building, and those posted on the electronic bulletin boards. While most of these positions are for students with advanced standing, even first year students qualify for some.
The most prestigious internship program is MECOP (Multiple Engineering Co-Op Program). This program is a significant and innovative industry-university educational program. Students apply for the program toward the end of their sophomore year. Those students who are selected must commit to two six-month internships, and to the resulting two-term delay in completing a bachelor's degree. Each six-month internship is at a different company so that students experience different work environments. During their internship the students are given significant job assignments and earn 70% of entry level pay. On average, MECOP students receive starting salaries $6,000 higher than non-MECOP students after graduation because of their job experience.
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Jobs
Job searches are traditionally made through the Career Planning and Placement Office. Further opportunities exist through intern contacts, electronic bulletin boards, and the student chapters of professional organizations. Job openings are listed each week in the EECS Weekly News which is archived and an archived jobs list.
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