The Majors

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 six courses: MATH 131; MATH 132; ENGIN 110, 111, 112 or 113; ECE 122; PHYSICS 151; and 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 ECE 122 and MATH 132 in the second semester. (PHYSICS 152 is not required for admission to a major, but it should be taken in the second semester, if at all possible.) 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 11x  Introduction to Engineering
MATH 131  Calculus I
PHYSICS 151  General Physics I
ENGLWRIT 112  College Writing
Social World Elective
(See Note 1)

Spring
ECE 122  Intro. Programming for ECE
MATH 132  Calculus II
PHYSICS 152  General Physics II
Biological Sciences Elective
(See Notes 2, 3, and 4)

Sophomores
Fall
ECE 211  Circuit Analysis I
ECE 221  Introduction to Digital and Computer Systems
ECE 242  Data Structures and Algorithms
MATH 331  Differential Equations
Social World Elective

Spring
ECE 212  Circuit Analysis II
ECE 232  Hardware Organization and Design
MATH 233  Multivariate Calculus
MATH 235  Linear Algebra
Science Elective
(see Notes 2, 3, and 4)

Juniors
Fall
ECE 313  Signals and Systems
ECE 323  Electronics I
ECE 344  Semiconductor Devices and Materials
ECE 353  Computer Systems Laboratory I
(see Note 5)

Spring
ECE 303  Junior Seminar
ECE 314  Introduction to Probability and Random Processes
ECE 324  Electronics II
ECE 333  Fields and Waves
ENGIN 351  Writing in Engineering

Seniors
Fall
ECE 415  Senior Design Project I
EE Elective
EE Elective
Social World Elective
(see Note 6)

Spring
ECE 416  Senior Design Project II
EE Elective
EE Elective
Social World Elective
(see Note 6)

Requirements for CSE Majors

Freshmen
Fall
ENGIN 11x  Introduction to Engineering
MATH 131  Calculus I
PHYSICS 151  General Physics I
ENGLWRIT 112  College Writing
Social World Elective
(See Note 1)

Spring
ECE 122  Intro. Programming for ECE
MATH 132  Calculus II
PHYSICS 152  General Physics II
Biological Sciences Elective
(See Notes 2, 3, and 4)

Sophomores
Fall
ECE 211  Circuit Analysis I
ECE 221  Introduction to Digital and Computer Systems
ECE 242  Data Structures and Algorithms
MATH 331  Differential Equations
Social World Elective

Spring
ECE 212  Circuit Analysis II
ECE 232  Hardware Organization and Design
MATH 235  Linear Algebra
COMPSCI 250  Introduction to Computation
Science Elective
(see Notes 2, 3, and 4)

Juniors
Fall
ECE 313  Signals and Systems
ECE 323  Electronics I
ECE 353  Computer Systems Laboratory I
ECE 373  Software Intensive Engineering
(see Note 5)

Spring
ECE 303  Junior Seminar
ECE 314  Introduction to Probability and Random Processes
ECE 354  Computer Systems Lab II
ECE 374  Computer Networks and the Internet
ENGIN 351  Writing in Engineering

Seniors
Fall
ECE 415  Senior Design Project I
CSE Elective
CSE Elective
Social World Elective
(see Note 6)

Spring
ECE 416  Senior Design Project II
CSE Elective
CSE Elective
Social World Elective
(see Note 6)

Notes

1. Students must earn a grade of C or better in one of the courses ENGIN 110, 111, 112, or 113. ENGIN 112 (Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering) is strongly recommended for students who intend to pursue the CSE or EE major.

2. The Biological Sciences Elective can be any course that fulfills the University’s BS Gen Ed requirement.

3. The Science Elective must be an approved course in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.

4. A student may use BIO 110 (Introductory Biology for Science and Engineering Majors) or BIO 151 (Introductory Biology I) to fulfill both the University’s BS requirement and the department’s Science requirement.

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 ECE 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 or minor.

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.