The Majors

The department offers two undergraduate degree programs leading to the Bachelor of Science, with majors in Electrical Engineering (EE) and in Computer Systems Engineering (CSE). Detailed descriptions of both degree programs are available on the departmental website, ece.umass.edu. Both require a set of lower-division core courses, and allow flexibility in the upper-division electives. All majors must also fulfill General Education and college requirements.

The department curricula prepare students for employment or graduate studies in a wide variety of technical subfields such as electronic systems, wireless analog and digital communication, computer networks, embedded computing, computational analysis, environmental sensing systems, antenna design, electromagnetics, microwave engineering, system modelling, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), and physical electronics.

CSE and EE graduates are well grounded in the fundamental concepts of mathematics, science, and engineering. They are able to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering; design and conduct experiments, as well as analyze and interpret data; and design a system, component or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability. Graduates are able to function on multidisciplinary teams and identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems. They have an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility and are able to communicate effectively. They have the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context. Graduates also recognize the need for, and are able to engage in, lifelong learning, and have knowledge of contemporary issues. Graduates are proficient in the use of techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

Admission to the Majors

Students are not admitted into the majors until the sophomore year, and must complete the first year requirements before admission. Applicants are required to have earned grades of C or better in each of the following courses: MATH 131; MATH 132; ENGIN 110, 111, 112 or 113; CMPSCI 121, PHYSICS 151; ENGLWRIT 112. Students planning to apply for admission to EE or CSE should take ENGIN 112, MATH 131 and PHYSICS 151 in the first semester and CMPSCI 121, MATH 132 and PHYSICS 152 in the second semester.  Students must also be in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.

ENGLWRIT 112 should be taken in either the first or second semester. If this plan is not followed, the student is advised to consult the Chief Undergraduate Advisor.

Requirements for EE Majors

Freshmen
Fall
ENGIN 112 Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering
MATH 131 Calculus I
Social World Elective (or ENGLWRIT 112)
PHYSICS 151 General Physics I
Spring
CMPSCI 121 Introduction to Problem Solving with Computers
MATH 132 Calculus II
PHYSICS 152 General Physics II
ENGLWRIT 112 College Writing (or Social World Elective)

Sophomores
Fall
211 Circuit Analysis I
242 Data Structures and Algorithms
MATH 331 Differential Equations
Thematic Elective
Social World Elective
(see Notes 1, 2, and 3)
Spring
212 Circuit Analysis II
232 Hardware Organization and Design
MATH 233 Multivariate Calculus
MATH 235 Linear Algebra
BIOLOGY 110 Introductory Biology for Science Majors or
BIOLOGY 151 Introductory Biology I
(see Notes 1, 2, and 3)

Juniors
Fall
313 Signals and Systems
323 Electronics I
344 Semiconductor Devices and Materials
353 Computer Systems Laboratory I
(see Note 5)
Spring
303 Junior Seminar
314 Introduction to Probability and Random Processes
324 Electronics II
333 Fields and Waves
ENGIN 351 Writing in Engineering

Seniors
Fall
415 Senior Design Project I
EE Elective
EE Elective
Social World Elective
(see Note 6)
Spring
416 Senior Design Project II
EE Elective
EE Elective
Social World Elective
(see Notes 6)

Requirements for CSE Majors

Freshmen
Fall
ENGIN 112 Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering
MATH 131 Calculus I
Social World Elective (or ENGLWRIT 112)
PHYSICS 151 General Physics I
Spring
CMPSCI 121 Introduction to Problem Solving with Computers
MATH 132 Calculus II
PHYSICS 152 General Physics II
ENGLWRIT 112 College Writing (or Social World Elective)

Sophomores
Fall
211 Circuit Analysis I
242 Data Structures and Algorithms
MATH 331 Differential Equations
Thematic Elective
Social World Elective
(see Notes 1, 2, and 3)
Spring
212 Circuit Analysis II
232 Hardware Organization and Design
MATH 235 Linear Algebra
CMPSCI 250 Introduction to Computation
BIOLOGY 110 Introductory Biology for Science Majors or
BIOLOGY 151 Introductory Biology I
(see Notes 1, 2, and 4)

Juniors
Fall
313 Signals and Systems
323 Electronics I
353 Computer Systems Lab I
373 Software Intensive Engineering
(see Note 5)
Spring
303 Junior Seminar
314 Introduction to Probability and Random Processes
354 Computer Systems Lab II
374 Computer Networks and the Internet
ENGIN 351 Writing in Engineering

Seniors
Fall
415 Senior Design Project I
CSE Elective
CSE Elective
Social World Elective
(see Note 6)
Spring
416 Senior Design Project II
CSE Elective
CSE Elective
Social World Elective
(see Notes 6)

Notes

1. EE and CSE students must take either BIOLOGY 110 or BIOLOGY 151. Students who are interested in pursuing more advanced coursework in Biology should take BIOLOGY 151, normally to be followed by BIOLOGY 152 as their Thematic Elective. Although most CSE and EE students take BIOLOGY 110 in the spring semester, students who opt to take BIOLOGY 151 take that course in the fall and the Thematic Elective in the spring.

2. Thematic electives are approved courses in a field outside ECE that are relevant to the student’s career objectives and interests. The current fields are: 1) Biology and Chemistry; 2) Physics and Astronomy; 3) Mathematics; and 4) Engineering Management. Please consult the ECE website for details.

3. A student who has been admitted to EE or CSE but has taken ENGIN 110, 111 or 113 instead of ENGIN 112 in the first year must take ENGIN 112 in the fall semester of the second year. A student who passes ENGIN 112 with a grade of C or better after passing ENGIN 110, 111 or 113 with a grade of C or better will be allowed to count the first ENGIN course as the Thematic Elective.

4. CSE students may take MATH 455 Introduction to Discrete Structures (3 cr., spring only) in place of CMPSCI 250.

5. One must be an Electrical Engineering (EE) or Computer Systems Engineering (CSE) student and have the requisite course requirements before one enrolls in 300-level E&C-ENG courses. 

6. At least two of the EE/CSE senior electives must be at the 500 level and not used to fulfill requirements of another major.

Additional Requirements

No course taken on a Pass/Fail basis may be applied to General Education, major or PR-ENGIN requirements.

In addition to fulfilling the course requirements, all Electrical Engineering and Computer Systems Engineering seniors must complete, before graduating, a survey that assesses their undergraduate education.

Departmental Honors

The ECE Department offers a Departmental Honors (DH) track for qualified students who enter Commonwealth Honors College at or before the beginning of their junior year. The DH track provides students with the opportunity to engage in ECE honors colloquia and in research/project work that culminates in a senior honors thesis or honors project. For further information on the DH tracks in Electrical Engineering and Computer Systems Engineering, as well as eligibility and application procedures, see www.honors.umass.edu/dhreqs. Questions can be directed to Professor Neal Anderson, the ECE Departmental Honors Coordinator.