Electrical and Computer Engineering

Paul Neudorfer, PhD, Chair

Objectives

Electrical engineering is concerned with the use of electrical energy for the benefit of society. The profession of electrical engineering is scientifically based and design oriented. Its practice draws heavily upon the areas of mathematics, physics, and computer science as well as other branches of engineering and natural science.

The program strives to provide a broad foundation that will prepare graduates for productive lifelong careers in any of the various sub-fields of electrical engineering. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is teaching oriented and offers an undergraduate program that provides an integrated, contemporary perspective of the electrical engineering profession. The department’s goals are contained within its mission statement and related objectives:

Mission Statement

Within the rich tradition of Jesuit education, it is the mission of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering to teach and prepare broadly-educated, socially-responsible, articulate, and skilled engineers for leadership in electrical engineering and related fields.

Program Objectives

The department strives to prepare graduates who have the following traits:

Technical Proficiency: Basic knowledge in mathematics, physics, computing, and engineering theory and practice appropriate to the students’ chosen areas of specialization.
Communication Skills: Ability to communicate effectively and to critically evaluate meaning in written, oral, and graphical forms.
Professional Development: Appreciation of the broad spectrum of abilities needed in professional practice including skills in teamwork, leadership, creativity, and project management, and an understanding of professional ethics, workplace conventions, safety, and economics.
Personal Breadth: Appreciation of non-technical aspects of engineering, including ethical considerations, concern for society and the environment, and multi-cultural perspectives, as well as a commitment to life-long learning and service to the professional and civic communities.

Departmental Requirements

In addition to individual course prerequisites, departmental candidacy in one of the engineering departments is required for entry into 300 and 400 level courses. Candidacy is achieved by successfully completing all required 100 and 200 level CPSC, ECEGR, MATH, and PHYS courses and ENGL 110 with a combined grade point average of 2.50 or higher. Only courses graded C (2.00) or higher may be transferred from other institutions. Once enrolled in the department, 300- and 400-level courses may be transferred only with permission.

The electrical engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET http://www.abet.org.

Electrical Engineering Curricular Blocks

Courses taken to fulfill requirements toward the bachelor of science in electrical engineering degree are grouped into four interrelated curricular blocks. The foundations block includes courses in the natural sciences, mathematics, and computer science. The electrical or computer engineering fundamentals blocks include the 100, 200, and 300 level ECEGR and CPSC courses that are required in the two majors. The fundamentals block provides the basis for all advanced studies in the field. The advanced ECEGR block includes elective courses and the three-quarter senior design sequence. The advanced block allows students an opportunity to explore their individual interests within the field. Finally, the university core exposes students to a broad range of the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts.