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 Engineering (CompE). 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.

CompE 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 seven courses: MATH 131; MATH 132; ENGIN 100, 110, 111, 112, 113, or 114; ECE 122; PHYSICS 151; PHYSICS 152; and ENGLWRIT 112. Students planning to apply for admission to EE or CompE should take ENGIN 112, MATH 131, and PHYSICS 151 in the first semester and ECE 122, MATH 132, and PHYSICS 152 in the second semester. (ECE 124 is also recommended for the second semester, though it is not required for admission to CompE or EE.) Students must also be in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00, and students must have a term GPA above 2.00 for the most recent "regular" term (fall or spring). 

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

Requirements for EE Majors

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

Spring
ECE 122  Intro. Programming for ECE
ECE 124  Introduction to Digital and Computer Systems
MATH 132  Calculus II
PHYSICS 152  General Physics II
(See Notes 2, 3, and 4)

Sophomores
Fall
ECE 201  Analytical Tools for ECE
ECE 202  Computational Tools for ECE
ECE 210  Circuits & Electronics I
MATH 233  Multivariate Calculus
Social World Elective

Spring
ECE 213  Continuous-Time Signals & Systems
ECE 214  Probability & Statistics
ECE 231  Intro. to Embedded Systems
ECE 244  Modern Physics and Materials for EE

Juniors
Fall
ECE 303  Junior Seminar
ECE 310  Circuits & Electronics II
ECE 315  Signal Processing Methods
ECE 333  Fields and Waves I
ECE 344  Semiconductor Devices and Materials
(see Note 5)

Spring
ECE 304  Junior Design Project
EE Elective
EE Elective
ENGIN 351  Writing in Engineering
Biological Sciences Elective
(see Notes 6 and 7)

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 CompE Majors

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

Spring
ECE 122  Intro. Programming for ECE
ECE 124  Introduction to Digital and Computer Systems
MATH 132  Calculus II
PHYSICS 152  General Physics II
(See Notes 2, 3, and 4)

Sophomores
Fall
ECE 201  Analytical Tools for ECE
ECE 202  Computational Tools for ECE
ECE 210  Circuits & Electronics I
ECE 241  Advanced Programming I
Social World Elective

Spring
ECE 213  Continuous-Time Signals & Systems
ECE 214  Probability & Statistics
ECE 231  Intro. to Embedded Systems
COMPSCI 250  Intro. to Computation

Juniors
Fall
ECE 303  Junior Seminar
ECE 322  Systems Software & Networking I
ECE 372  Introduction to Computer Engineering
ECE 331  Hardware Organization I
ENGIN 351  Writing in Engineering
(see Note 5)

Spring
ECE 304  Junior Design Project
CompE Elective
CompE Elective
CompE Elective
Life Sciences Elective
(see Notes 6 and 7)

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

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

Notes

  1. Students must earn a grade of C or better in one of the courses ENGIN 100, 110, 111, 112, 113, or 114. ENGIN 112 (Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering) is strongly recommended for students who intend to pursue the CompE or EE major.

  2. CompE majors who do not pass ECE 124 by the end of the spring semester (first year) should take ECE 124 (or its equivalent) during the following summer. EE majors who do not pass ECE 124 by the end of the spring semester may take it during the spring of their second year and postpone ECE 231. For more information, contact the Undergraduate Program Director.

  3. CompE or EE majors who do not earn C or better in MATH 132 by the end of the spring semester (first year) should take MATH 132 (or its equivalent) during the following summer, in order to stay on track for fall courses. For more information, contact the Undergraduate Program Director.

  4. EE majors who do not complete PHYSICS 152 by the end the spring semester (first year) should take PHYSICS 152 (or its equivalent) during the following summer. CompE majors who do not complete PHYSICS 152 by the end of the spring semester should take PHYSICS 152 during the following fall semester (second year) and postpone ECE 210 until the next year (fall of the third year). For more information, contact the Undergraduate Program Director.

  5. One must be an Electrical Engineering (EE) or Computer Engineering (CompE) 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. 

  7. The Biological Sciences Elective (EE) may be any course that fulfills the University's Gen Ed BS requirement. The Life Sciences Elective (CompE) must be an approved course in Biology, Environmental Science, or Microbiology. (Note that certain courses are offered only in the fall and others are only offered to first and second year students. Students may swap these electives with other courses, if needed. For more information, contact the Undergraduate Program Director.)

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 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.