2011-2012 University Catalog 
  
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2011-2012 University Catalog

Electrical Engineering, BS

Banner Code: VS-BS-ELEN

School: Volgenau School of Engineering 

Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering 

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, including integrated circuits and microwave and laser devices, communication systems, control systems, radar, robots, large telecommunication networks, and power networks.

The bachelor’s program in electrical engineering at Mason is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-4012;  telephone 410-347-7700. The electrical engineering program is staffed by 25 full-time professors, including eight fellows of IEEE or other professional societies. The curriculum provides a strong background in the fundamentals of electrical engineering and senior-level courses in the important areas of electronics, networks, communications and signal processing, computer engineering, and controls and robotics. Further, the curriculum includes 9 credits of senior technical electives, 2 credits of advanced  engineering labs, and 3 credits of senior advanced design project, which may be used for further concentration in one of these areas.

Career opportunities exist in engineering research and development, system design, system integration, engineering management, engineering consultancy, technical sales, and patent law, among others. The program provides a strong preparation for graduate study.

Degree requirements 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, including the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, the Association of Old Crows, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and Rockwell International.

Degree Requirements

All electrical engineering students are strongly encouraged to see their major advisor before course registration each semester. Students interested in electrical engineering who have not declared a major also are invited to obtain advising from the ECE Department. Students are strongly encouraged to follow the sample schedule below to ensure that course prerequisites are satisfied.

Students must complete each ECE, BENG and ENGR course presented as part of the required 120 credits for the degree with a grade of C or better.

The 120 credits required for the BS in electrical engineering are as follows:

Note:

General education courses should be selected from the department’s list of approved courses.  The Synthesis general education requirement is satisfied by ECE 492 plus ECE 493 or by BENG 492 plus BENG 493.  All students must submit at least 24 credits of social science and humanities course work, which is normally satisfied by the 24 credits of university general education social science and humanities courses listed above. Technical electives should be selected from the department’s list of approved courses. The required design content must be satisfied by the technical electives.

Concentrations

Concentrations are available within the electrical engineering baccalaureate program. Completion of specific science courses and senior-level courses leads to one of these designations on the student’s transcript on graduation.

▲ Concentration in Bioengineering (BIOE)

There are no longer any “substitutions” or “replacements” for the Bioengineering Concentration.   Students must complete:

▲ Concentration in Communications and Signal Processing (CSP)

Students must complete:

And three courses from:

▲ Concentration in Computer Engineering (CPE)

Students must complete:

And two courses from:

▲ Concentration in Control Systems (CON)

And three courses from:

▲ Concentration in Electronics (ELE)

Students must complete

And three courses from:

Total: 120 credits

Sample Schedule

The following is a sample schedule that an undergraduate electrical engineering major would follow to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

First Semester

Total: 16 credits

Second Semester

Total: 14 credits

Third Semester

  • Literature course  Credits:  3

Total: 16 credits

Fourth Semester

Total: 15 credits

Fifth Semester

  • Arts course  Credits:  3

Total: 17 credits

Sixth Semester

Total: 15 credits

Seventh Semester

  • Advanced engineering lab   Credits:  1
  • Technical elective   Credits:  3
  • Global understanding course   Credits:  3

Total: 15 credits

Eighth Semester

  • Advanced engineering lab  Credits:  1
  • Technical elective   Credits:  3
  • Technical elective   Credits:  3

Total: 12 credits

Change of Major

Students who want to change their majors to electrical engineering must have at least a 2.75 GPA in all math, physics, engineering, and computer science courses, and should have successfully completed MATH 114.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

Mason’s writing-intensive requirement is satisfied by the following group of three courses: ECE 333, ECE 445 and ECE 491 in which faculty provide feedback on student writing assignments. Drafts and revisions are required. Final evaluation of student’s protfolio of writing assignments is done in ECE 491 Engineering Seminar.

Double Major Programs for Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering

Computer engineering majors and electrical engineering majors can earn degrees with double majors in a number of disciplines.  Computer engineering and computer science are frequently combined.  Electrical engineering has been combined with computer engineering, computer science, physics or math.  Details are available in the department brochures or at the Volgenau School web site volgenau.gmu.edu.