 |
Catalog Index Search the 2000-2001 Catalog: |
School of Information Technology & Engineering
Electrical and Computer EngineeringFacultyProfessors: Black, Cook, Ephraim, Gertler, Griffiths, Ioannou, Levis, Manitius (chair), Mulpuri, Tabak, Van TreesAssociate professors: Athale, Baraniecki, Beale, Berry, Ceperley, Chang, Haney, Hintz, Jabbari, Pachowicz, Paris, W. Sutton Assistant professors: Gaj, Mark, Wage (Visiting) Adjunct professors: Beatty, Finn, Gee, Gorman, Kreidl, Lyons, MacDonald, Martin, Matolak, Mayhew, C. Schaefer, Shumaker, Storey, Wasson, Yegenoglu Course WorkThe Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department offers all courses designated ECE in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog.Undergraduate ProgramsThe undergraduate education mission of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department is to provide a quality education for electrical engineering and computer engineering students to support the needs of Virginia and the nation. The objectives of the department are to
Electrical Engineering, B.S.Electrical engineering is a major field of modern technology. Electrical engineers are involved in research, development, design, production, and operation of a wide variety of devices and systems, from integrated circuits and microwave and laser devices, to communication systems, control systems, radar, robots, large telecommunication networks, and power networks. The bachelor's program in electrical engineering at George Mason is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and is staffed by 25 full-time professors, including five fellows of IEEE or other professional societies. The curriculum provides a strong background in the fundamentals of electrical engineering as well as senior-level courses in the important areas of electronics, communications and signal processing, computer engineering, and controls and robotics. Further, the curriculum includes nine credits of senior technical electives, two credits of advanced engineering labs, and three credits of Senior Advanced Design Project, which may be used for further concentration in one of these areas. Career opportunities exist in the areas of engineering research and development, system design, system integration, engineering management, engineering consultancy, technical sales, and many others. The program provides a strong preparation for graduate study. The requirements for the degree may be satisfied on a part-time or co-op basis. Cooperative education provides students with the opportunity to integrate paid, career-related work experience with classroom learning. In addition to the usual financial aid available to all students through the Office of Student Financial Aid, electrical engineering majors are eligible to apply at the ECE Department for several scholarships provided by professional societies and industrial organizations, such as the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, the Association of Old Crows, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, and Rockwell International. Computer engineering, communications/signal processing, control systems, and electronics concentrations are available within the electrical engineering baccalaureate program. Completion of specific senior-level courses leads to one of these designations on the student's transcript upon graduation. All electrical engineering students are required to see their major advisor before course registration each semester. Students interested in electrical engineering who are not declared majors also are invited to obtain advising at the ECE Department office. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain and follow a sample schedule published by the department to ensure that course prerequisites are satisfied. Course requirements for the B.S. in Electrical Engineering are as follows:
Students who want to change their major to electrical engineering must have at least a 2.750 GPA in all math, physics, engineering, and computer science courses, and should have successfully completed MATH 114. The university writing-intensive requirement is satisfied by completion of ECE 492 and 493 Senior Advanced Design Project I and II. Computer Engineering, B.S.The field of computer engineering can be described as a blend of electrical engineering and computer science. It is an amalgam of the computer hardware orientation of an electrical engineering program and the operating systems and languages of a computer science program Computer engineers are involved in research, development, design, production, and operation of a wide variety of digital systems, from integrated circuits to computer systems and large-scale computer networks. Reflecting the industry trend to integrate hardware and software development, the computer engineering program is built around software, running on advanced hardware, that can simulate and assist in the design of new digital systems. Advanced software such as VHDL and software tools, such as logic and system design tools by Mentor Graphics and Cadence Design Systems, can be used to model hardware and hardware functionality from the system and architecture level down to the gate level and can include relations to integrated circuit fabrication technology. Design and testing methodology involving these tools is taught in the program. Career opportunities exist in the areas of engineering research and development, product design, digital system design and integration, engineering management, engineering consultancy, technical sales, and many others. The curriculum provides a strong background in the fundamentals of computer engineering. A number of technical elective tracks are offered, ranging from strongly hardware oriented to strongly software oriented. A major project with appropriate planning, documentation, and oral and written reports is required. The requirements for the degree may be satisfied on a part-time or coop basis. Cooperative education provides students with the opportunity to integrate paid, career-related work experience with classroom learning. In addition to the usual financial aid available to all students through the Office of Student Financial Aid, computer engineering majors are eligible to apply at the ECE Department for several scholarships provided by professional societies and industrial organizations, such as the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, the Association of Old Crows, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, and Rockwell International. All computer engineering students are required to see their major advisor before course registration each semester. Students interested in computer engineering who are not declared majors are also invited to obtain advising at the ECE Department office. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain and follow a sample schedule published by the department to ensure that course prerequisites are satisfied. Course requirements for the B.S. in Computer Engineering are as follows:
Students who want to change their major to computer engineering must have at least a 2.750 GPA in all math, physics, engineering, and computer science courses, and should have successfully completed MATH 114. The university writing-intensive requirement is satisfied by completion of ECE 445 and 447, in which various aspects of project documentation and reports are prepared and critiqued. B.S. in Computer Engineering with a Minor in Computer ScienceComputer engineering majors can earn a minor in computer science upon taking an additional one-credit course, CS 105 Computer Ethics and Society. Double Major in Computer Engineering and Computer ScienceComputer engineering majors can earn a double major in computer engineering and computer science if they complete an additional 17 credits of courses according to an approved plan of study. Details are available in the departmental brochures or at IT&E's website, which can be accessed through the university's main website at www.gmu.edu. Graduate ProgramsGraduate programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in engineering prepare students for careers in industry, government, or academia. Graduate certificate programs provide a well-defined target for students who want to advance or update their knowledge in a selected area. The M.S. degrees in Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering and certificates in communications and networking, signal processing and VLSI design/manufacturing are offered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The Ph.D. in Information Technology is offered by the School of Information Technology and Engineering, and includes a number of courses with an electrical engineering or computer engineering emphasis. The new Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering program is going through an approval process. Details about these programs are available at the IT&E web site through the university's main web site at www.gmu.edu. The department is committed to high standards of teaching and research excellence in the vibrant areas of communications, digital systems design, computer networks, microprocessor and embedded systems, distributed computing, signal and image processing, control systems, intelligent systems, microelectronics, electromagnetics, and optoelectronics. The department recognizes the need to augment and enhance these areas through the use of modern information technology. Graduate students are offered a progressive environment with ample opportunities for the type of advanced engineering research that will be needed to confront the complex realities of the 21st century. The courses in these programs are offered during the evening or late afternoon hours to permit persons who are employed full time to enroll in the programs. For those who enter the programs on a full-time basis, some financial aid may be available in various forms such as teaching assistantships, research assistantships, work-study, or co-op agreements with local industry. Admission Admission is strictly competitive. The department's policy is to admit only those students who have demonstrated a potential for outstanding performance in their graduate work. Admission Categories Students may be admitted into one of the following categories: degree, provisional, or nondegree. Provisional admission is for students whose past performance provides reasonable, but not strong, evidence of their ability to pursue graduate work. To advance to degree status, provisional students must achieve a 3.000 GPA after 12 credits, must remove all undergraduate deficiencies (by completing the corresponding courses with a grade of B or better), and must receive a B or better in two core courses specific for the selected program and emphasis. The nondegree category is used primarily by students who wish to take courses but not necessarily pursue a degree. Nondegree students who wish to enter the degree program must formally apply for admission. Admission Requirements To be considered for admission to the master's program, applicants should have the following:
Non-ECE Students Students with B.S. or M.S. degrees in ECE-related disciplines (for example, computer science, mathematics, mechanical engineering, physics, electrical engineering technology) are encouraged to apply for admission. Such students may initially be admitted into the provisional category and advance to degree status by satisfying the requirements described in the Admissions Categories section. Such students may also be advised to take some courses from the undergraduate electrical or computer engineering curriculum, according to their intended area of emphasis and specific background. Transfer of Credit For the M.S. degree, up to six credits of transfer course work may be applied. Six additional credits (bringing the total to 12 credits) of transfer course work may also be applied if they are from schools that are a part of the Commonwealth Graduate Engineering program or from the School of Information Technology and Engineering nondegree status. Only courses for which one has received a grade of B or better can be considered for transfer. Transfer courses must have been taken within six years of the date of first George Mason course enrollment following admission in degree or provisional status. For certificates, up to three credits of transfer course work may be applied. Only courses for which one has received a grade of B or better can be considered for transfer. Transfer courses must have been taken within six years of the date of enrollment at George Mason for the first certificate course. Electrical Engineering, M.S.Emphases of the electrical engineering program are communications, signal processing, control and robotics, microelectronics, electromagnetics, and optoelectronics. Computer engineering remains a valid emphasis within the electrical engineering program; however, students interested in this emphasis are encouraged to pursue the M.S. in Computer Engineering instead. Course Work Each student must complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits beyond the bachelor's degree. This work must represent a cohesive set of courses leading to comprehensive knowledge in one concentration area. It cannot be a set of disjointed courses. The plan of study for the degree must include the following:
Computer Engineering, M.S.Computer engineering is a field that is at the interface of the computer science and electrical engineering disciplines, as it involves knowledge of both hardware and software development. The major distinction between computer engineering and computer science is that the computer engineer is more concerned with the physical implementation of computing devices, the interaction between hardware and software, and the methodologies for designing digital systems. The major distinction between computer engineering and electrical engineering is that the computer engineer is more concerned with the computational aspects of electrical engineering problems and the implementation of these solutions in digital devices. The emphases of computer engineering are digital systems design, computer networks, distributed computing systems, and microprocessor and embedded systems. Course Work Each student must complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits beyond the bachelor's degree. This work must represent a cohesive set of courses leading to comprehensive knowledge in one area of computer engineering. It can not be a set of disjointed courses. The plan of study for the degree must include the following:
A nonstandard emphasis may be created when appropriate, with the approval of the computer engineering graduate program coordinator. This emphasis must include components of both hardware and software development, and the corresponding plan of study must be composed of courses from both the ECE and Computer Science Departments. Degree Requirements Common to the M.S. in Computer Engineering and the M.S. in Electrical EngineeringStudent Advising Newly admitted graduate students must consult with the ECE graduate coordinator before they register for classes. Students should make an appointment by calling the ECE office. Each student is expected to select an emphasis from those available in each M.S. degree program. The student then is assigned an academic advisor from that area. Before the end of the second semester, each student must submit a plan of study (approved by his or her academic advisor) to the graduate coordinator's office. Plan of Study Before the end of the second semester, each student must submit a plan of study (approved by his or her academic advisor) to the graduate coordinator's office. This plan should be kept up to date by regular consultation with the student's academic advisor. A final, signed, version of this plan of study must be turned in when the student submits a graduation application. Seminar Requirement All degree candidates must attend a minimum of 10 graduate seminars approved for the given degree program. GPA and Time Requirements A maximum of two courses with a C grade may be applied toward the degree. The student must present a GPA of at least 3.000 for all courses submitted for the degree. All degree requirements (transfer courses, George Mason courses, seminars, thesis, scholarly paper) must be completed within six years. Graduation Requirements To complete the requirements for graduation, students may select one of the following options: Thesis Option Thesis students must complete ECE 799 Master's Thesis (6 credits) and 24 credits of course work. The thesis is particularly recommended for those students who wish to develop and document their research skills, and/or who contemplate subsequent enrollment in a Ph.D. program. The thesis involves a research effort, which is conducted under the guidance of a faculty advisor. In some cases, permission may be granted to complete a portion of the work at the student's place of employment. The final written thesis and oral defense are approved by the student's advisory committee. For the electrical engineering program, this committee consists of at least three full-time faculty members, including two from the student's major area and one from outside the area. For the computer engineering program, this committee includes faculty members from the ECE and CS Departments, including at least two affiliated with the M.S. in Computer Engineering program (one of whom must be from the ECE Department) and one from outside the M.S. in Computer Engineering program. Thesis students may not register for ECE 798 Research Project. Students must register for at least three credits of thesis for their first thesis semester. Following their first thesis semester, they must register for at least one credit of thesis each fall and spring semester until graduation. Scholarly Paper Option Students who select this option must complete 30 credits of course work or 27 credits of course work plus ECE 798 Research Project, and must present a scholarly paper. The scholarly paper is a technical report on an independent study, laboratory or computer experimentation, or literature search done by the student on a current scientific or technological topic, such as a survey of some new technologies, or new methodologies, or a case study of new applications, on a theme selected under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The student must demonstrate knowledge of the topic and make a satisfactory technical presentation of the paper in the Graduate Seminar. The scholarly paper and the final presentation must be approved by the student's advisory committee. When a student elects to submit an ECE 798, Research Project, final report as a scholarly paper, it is expected that the three credits of effort in ECE 798 will result in a much more substantial paper than a scholarly paper submitted in addition to 30 credits of regular course work. Certificate in Communications and NetworkingThe certificate in communications and networking provides graduate students with the opportunity to reach a demonstrated level of competence in one of the five emphases in communications and networking, communication networks, optical communications, mobile communication systems, communication theory, and digital communications. Course work toward the graduate certificate can be used for credit toward the M.S. in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering. However, the primary purpose of the certificate is to provide a well-defined target for students who want to advance their knowledge of modern communications but do not necessarily want to complete all the requirements for the M.S. degree. The certificate may be pursued concurrently with any of the graduate degree programs in the School of Information Technology and Engineering. Admission Requirements The certificate program in communications and networking is open to all students who hold a B.S. degree in any scientific or engineering discipline from an accredited university. Certificate Requirements The certificate is awarded upon completion of five graduate courses (15 credits) in the area of communications. A cumulative GPA of 3.000 is required, and at most one course with a grade of C may be applied toward the certificate. The certificate courses comprise two required foundation courses, one core course, and two elective courses. The latter three courses are to be in the chosen emphasis. Foundation Courses
Emphases After completing the foundation courses, students can choose an emphasis from the five emphases described below by taking three courses in that area, one of which is the corresponding core course. In rare cases, with prior approval from the chairman of the graduate committee, one elective course may be substituted with a course from a different emphasis.
Certificate in Signal ProcessingThe certificate in signal processing provides graduate students with a concise sequence of courses and laboratory experiences within the wide field of signal processing. Course work toward the graduate certificate can be used for credit toward the M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Statistical Science. However, the primary purpose of the certificate is to provide a well-defined target for students who want to advance or update their knowledge in this fast moving field but do not necessarily wish to complete all the requirements for the M.S. degree. The certificate may be pursued concurrently with any of the graduate degree programs in the School of Information Technology and Engineering. Admission Requirements The certificate program in signal processing is open to all students who hold a B.S. degree in any scientific or engineering discipline from an accredited university, and are in graduate status (either degree or nondegree) in IT&E. Certificate Requirements The certificate is awarded upon completion of five graduate courses (15 credits) in signal processing. A cumulative GPA of 3.000 is required, and at most one course with a grade of C may be applied toward the certificate. The certificate courses comprise two foundation courses taken by all students and three elective courses. Foundation Courses
Elective Courses After completing the two foundation courses, students can choose elective courses by taking three courses from the list below.
Certificate in VLSI Design/ManufacturingThe primary purpose of the certificate is to provide a well-targeted graduate continuing education possibility for people working in Northern Virginia's semiconductor and intellectual property business as well as every other interested person. This certificate is intended for the students who want to advance their knowledge of very large-scale integration (VLSI) design or VLSI manufacturing but do not necessarily wish to complete all requirements for the M.S. in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering. The course work is designed so that graduate students can reach a demonstrated level of competence either in VLSI design or VLSI manufacturing. Course work toward the graduate certificate can be used for credit toward the M.S. in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering. The certificate may be pursued concurrently with any of the graduate degree programs in the School of Information Technology and Engineering. Admission Requirements The certificate program in VLSI design/manufacturing is open to all students who hold a B.S. degree in any scientific and engineering discipline and are holding a graduate student status (degree or nondegree) in the School of Information Technology and Engineering. Students with nonscientific and nonengineering degrees are required to take remedial courses before being admitted into the certificate program. Certificate Requirements The certificate is awarded upon completion of five graduate courses (15 credits). These five courses include a required foundation course, a compulsory core course, and three elective courses, out of which at least two are in the selected concentration. A cumulative GPA of 3.000 is required and, at most, one course with a grade of C may be applied toward the certificate. At most, one course may be transferred from graduate course work at other accredited universities. After completing the foundation course (ECE 684), students can choose one of the two concentrations (VLSI design or VLSI manufacturing) described below by taking four courses in that concentration, one of which is to be the core course in that area. Foundation Course
VLSI Design Concentration Core Course
Electives
VLSI Manufacturing Concentration Core Course Electives
Ph.D. Study in Electrical and Computer EngineeringDoctoral study in electrical engineering and computer engineering is available through the Ph.D. in Information Technology program, which offers advanced courses in these disciplines, or in the Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering. The doctoral program allows the student to take a broad range of courses with ECE topics and research options. Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer EngineeringThe Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering is expected to open in fall 2000, subject to approval by State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Information about the status and details of the proposed program is available through the IT&E web site through the university's main site at www.gmu.edu. Students enrolled in the Ph.D. in Information Technology program may become eligible for transfer to the Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering program when it is approved, or they may continue their studies in the information technology program.
George Mason University:2000-2001 University Catalog: Catalog Index: School of Information Technology & Engineering: Electrical and Computer Engineering |
|