2012-2013 University Catalog 
  
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2012-2013 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, http://www.abet.org. 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.  Academic credit is not given for co-op experience. 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, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

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 are also 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.

For the BS Electrical Engineering degree, students must complete 120 credits, including all of the following:

Electrical and Computer Engineering Credits: 55

Computer Science Credits: 7

Mathematics and Statistics Credits: 20

Physics Credits: 12

Engineering Credits: 2

English, Communication, and Economics Credits: 9

Additional University General Education (15 credits)

Students must complete all University General Education  requirements not fulfilled by major requirements.  General Education courses should be selected from the department’s list of approved courses.  The Synthesis general education requirement is satisfied by ECE 492 and ECE 493.

  • Written Communication (lower): 3 credits
  • Literature: 3 credits
  • Arts: 3 credits
  • Western Civilization/World History: 3 credits
  • Global Understanding: 3 credits

Note:

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.

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 requirements may also meet some or all of the Advanced Engineering Lab and Technical Elective requirements.

▲ Concentration in Bioengineering (BIOE)

Students must complete:
And two courses from:

▲ 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)

Students must complete:
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 Credits: 16

Second Semester Credits: 14

Third Semester Credits: 16

  • Literature course  Credits:  3

Fourth Semester Credits 15

Fifth Semester Credits: 17

  • Arts course  Credits:  3

Sixth Semester Credits: 15

Seventh Semester Credits: 15

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

Eighth Semester Credits: 12

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

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 portfolio of writing assignments is done in ECE 491 Engineering Seminar.

Termination from the Major

No math, science or Volgenau School of Engineering course, required for the major, may be attempted more than three times. Those students who do not successfully complete such a course within three attempts will be terminated from the major. For more information, see the “Termination from the Major” section under Academic Standing. 

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.