Electrical engineers develop technologies and systems for a wide variety of applications ranging from telecommunications to medical imaging. They play a central role in the design and implementation of any technology that is powered by electricity as well as the generation and distribution of electric power. Topics covered in the electrical engineering curriculum include: design of electronic circuits, communication systems, control systems, and semiconductor devices. Students may opt to specialize in any of these areas as well as others that include electrical power generation and distribution, medical image processing, computer systems, or design of micro- and nano-scale optical and electronic devices.
The major provides technical depth and breadth as well as flexibility and the opportunity for students to customize their programs according to their own goals. Students choose one of several focus areas according to the type of job or research they plan to pursue. More than 20 focus areas are available; see Focus Areas on the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering website. Students also have the opportunity to work with their academic advisor to build a focus area plan that adheres to their goals and objectives. Focus areas allow students to personalize their curriculum and to prepare them for the jobs or research they intend to pursue.
In their senior year, students complete a two-semester capstone design sequence culminating in a significant, original project.
Educational Objectives
Graduates of the electrical engineering program will:
- exhibit leadership and vision in contributing to the technical and policy decisions of industry, government, and research enterprises;
- demonstrate problem-solving abilities that permit them to contribute in a variety of technical, business, and academic careers;
- thrive in diverse, global, and multidisciplinary environments;
- possess the ability to communicate effectively and participate collaboratively in interactions with engineers and other professionals; and
- understand the importance of participating in lifelong learning activities that enhance their professional and personal development.
The Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a major in electrical engineering requires a minimum of 128 s.h. of credit. Students must have a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 on all college work used to satisfy degree requirements as well as on all coursework attempted at the University of Iowa.
The curriculum is built on a common core of electrical and computer engineering courses taken by all students. Beginning in their sophomore year, students select either the electrical or computer curricular track and begin taking more specialized courses. The electrical track is intended to provide a broad background in electrical engineering concepts and practice that prepares students for graduate study or electrical engineering careers in a wide range of industries and organizations. The computer track provides focus and depth for students preparing for graduate study, or a career in computer hardware or software engineering. Students begin taking track and focus area elective courses in their third year.
All B.S.E. students are required to take the same collegiate curriculum. For information about these collegiate requirements, see the Bachelor of Science in Engineering, B.S.E. in the Catalog. Students completing the major in electrical engineering fulfill the collegiate statistics requirement by completing STAT:2020 Probability and Statistics for the Engineering and Physical Sciences.
The major in electrical engineering requires the following coursework. Students pursuing the computer track complete 52 s.h. in major requirements and 26-27 s.h. in a focus area. Students pursuing the electrical track complete 55 s.h. in major requirements and 23-24 s.h. in a focus area.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Collegiate Curriculum | 50 | |
| Major Requirements, including chosen track | 52-55 | |
| Focus Area | 23-27 | |
| Total Hours | 128-29 | |
Major Requirements
Major requirements include a set of common courses (29 s.h.), required courses within one of two tracks (16 s.h. in the computer track, 19 s.h. in the electrical track), one departmental seminar (1 s.h.), and two capstone design courses (6 s.h.).
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| ECE:2400 | Linear Systems I | 3 |
| ECE:2410 | Principles of Electronic Instrumentation | 4 |
| ECE:3320 | Introduction to Digital Design | 3 |
| ECE:3360 | Embedded Systems | 3 |
| ECE:3700 | Electromagnetic Theory | 3 |
| ENGR:2120 | Electrical Circuits | 3 |
| ENGR:2730 | Computers in Engineering | 3 |
| MATH:3550 | Engineering Mathematics V: Vector Calculus | 3 |
| PHYS:1612 | Introductory Physics II (with lab) | 4 |
Tracks
Beginning in their sophomore year, students select either the electrical or computer curricular track and begin taking more specialized courses. The options for breadth and depth courses in the focus area are in part informed by the track a student is completing; see "Focus Area" below.
Computer
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| ECE:3330 | Introduction to Software Design | 3 |
| ECE:3350 | Computer Architecture and Organization | 3 |
| CS:2210 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| CS:2230 | Computer Science II: Data Structures | 4 |
| CS:3330 | Algorithms | 3 |
Electrical
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| ECE:3400 | Linear Systems II | 3 |
| ECE:3410 | Electronic Circuits | 4 |
| ECE:3500 | Communication Systems | 3 |
| ECE:3600 | Control Systems | 3 |
| ECE:3720 | Semiconductor Devices | 3 |
| PHYS:2704 | Physics IV | 3 |
Departmental Seminar
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| ECE:3000 | Electrical and Computer Engineering Professional Seminar | 1 |
Capstone Design Courses
In their senior year, students complete a two-semester capstone design sequence culminating in the development and implementation of a significant, original project. The capstone design experience emphasizes teamwork, professionalism, open-ended problem solving, and the ability to work within real-world constraints and engineering standards.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Both of these: | ||
| ECE:4880 | Principles of Electrical and Computer Engineering Design | 3 |
| ECE:4890 | Senior Electrical and Computer Engineering Design | 3 |
Focus Area
Students must select focus area courses according to guidelines established by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. A number of established focus areas are available, and students also may work with their academic advisor to create a customized plan tailored to their goals and objectives. Focus areas allow students to personalize their curriculum and to prepare them for the jobs or research they intend to pursue.
Focus areas in the electrical engineering major consist of one breadth elective (3-4 s.h.), one depth elective (3 s.h.), two Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering courses (prefix ECE) numbered above 5000 (6 s.h.), two technical electives that align with the focus area (6-7 s.h.), and additional elective courses (5 s.h.). Students completing the computer track take an additional elective course (3-4 s.h.) in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (prefix ECE); see "Additional Electives" below.
The options for breadth and depth courses in the focus area are in part informed by the track a student is completing—computer or electrical. Carefully selected elective and general education courses may contribute to earning a minor and/or certificate, including the Certificate in Sustainability (University College) or the Certificate in Technological Entrepreneurship (College of Engineering). Students selecting the computer track satisfy the requirements for a minor in computer science (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) without having to take additional courses. Students who take an additional advanced math course meet the requirements for a minor in mathematics (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences).
For a complete list of focus areas and course selection guidelines, see Focus Areas on the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering website. Although general guidelines and requirements for elective courses are listed below, course recommendations for specific focus areas differ. While some courses may apply to more than one focus area requirement, a single course may only count once towards completing a focus area.
Breadth Elective
Students in the computer track must choose their breadth elective from the list of required electrical track courses. Students in the electrical track must choose their breadth elective from the list of required computer track courses. See "Major Requirements" above. Students in either track may instead use ECE:3540 Communication Networks as their breadth elective.
Depth Elective
The depth elective must be an advanced course, normally numbered 4000 or above, in a subject area within a student's track.
Computer
Options for the computer track include the following.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| ECE:5300 | Switching Theory | 3 |
| ECE:5320/CS:5610 | High Performance Computer Architecture | 3 |
| ECE:5380 | Testing Digital Logic Circuits | 3 |
| ECE:5450/IGPI:5450 | Machine Learning | 3 |
| ECE:5460/IGPI:5460 | Digital Signal Processing | 3 |
| ECE:5480/IGPI:5480 | Digital Image Processing | 3 |
| ECE:5530 | Wireless Sensor Networks | 3 |
| ECE:5550 | Internet of Things | 3 |
| ECE:5820/CS:5820 | Software Engineering Languages and Tools | 3 |
Electrical
Options for the electrical track include the following.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| ECE:5300 | Switching Theory | 3 |
| ECE:5320/CS:5610 | High Performance Computer Architecture | 3 |
| ECE:5410 | Advanced Circuit Techniques | 3 |
| ECE:5480/IGPI:5480 | Digital Image Processing | 3 |
| ECE:5500 | Digital Communications | 3 |
| ECE:5600 | Control Theory | 3 |
| ECE:5640/IGPI:5641 | Computer-Based Control Systems | 3 |
| ECE:5700 | Advanced Electromagnetic Theory | 3 |
Advanced Electrical and Computer Engineering Electives
Students complete at least two Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering courses (prefix ECE) numbered above 5000. Specific recommendations vary based on focus area.
Additional Electives
Students select additional courses from the focus area categories above or from a list of suggested electives for their specific focus area. Additional electives for students pursuing the computer track total at least 14 s.h. (typically five courses) while electrical track electives total at least 11 s.h. (typically four courses).
Students may select courses in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (prefix ECE) not already taken for the major. Courses not listed here may be able to count toward the focus area requirements; students should consult an academic advisor.
While course recommendations for specific focus areas differ, the following is a list of potential elective courses for either track.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT:2100 | Introduction to Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT:2200 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| BUS:2013/GEOG:2013/SUST:2013/URP:2013 | Introduction to Sustainability | 3 |
| CEE:4107/CBE:4410 | Sustainable Systems | 3 |
| CHEM:1120 | Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM:2220 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM:2410 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 3 |
| ENGR:2130 | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| ENTR:2000 | Entrepreneurship and Innovation | 3 |
| ENTR:3100 | Entrepreneurial Finance | 3 |
| ISE:2500 | Engineering Economy | 3 |
| ISE:4172 | Big Data Analytics | 3 |
| MATH:3800 | Introduction to Numerical Methods | 3 |
| MATH:4040 | Matrix Theory | 3 |
| MATH:4200 | Complex Variables | 3 |
| STAT:4143/PSQF:4143 | Introduction to Statistical Methods | 3 |
| STAT:4520/IGPI:4522/PSQF:4520 | Bayesian Statistics | 3 |
| STAT:4580/IGPI:4580 | Data Visualization and Data Technologies | 3 |
Double Major in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science and Engineering
Students may earn a double major in electrical engineering (EE) and computer science and engineering (CSE). They must satisfy all requirements of the electrical track of the EE major and all requirements of the CSE major.
B.S.E./M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering
The College of Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Engineering/Master of Science for electrical engineering undergraduate students who intend to earn a M.S. in electrical and computer engineering. B.S.E./M.S. students may take up to 12 s.h. of graduate-level coursework and do thesis-level research while they are still undergraduates. They may count 9 s.h. of graduate coursework toward both degrees. Once students complete the requirements for the bachelor's degree, they are granted the B.S.E., and they normally complete the M.S. one year later.
To be admitted to the degree program, students must have completed at least 80 s.h., must have a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.25, and must submit a letter of application to the chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. For more information, see Joint B.S./M.S. Degree Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) on the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering website.
The engineering profession is a foundation for a variety of careers in industry, medicine, law, government, and consulting. Engineering majors hold eight of the top ten spots on the list of top-paid majors for bachelor's degree graduates, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Electrical engineers find employment everywhere smart technology is employed. They consistently rank among the most sought after and highest-paid technology professionals. On average, 93-98 percent of graduates are employed in their field of study or pursuing advanced education within seven months of graduation.
Electrical engineers work in research, design, development, manufacturing, sales, market analysis, consulting, field service, and management. They are employed in computer, semiconductor, software, aerospace, telecommunication, medical, radio, television, and power industries.
Engineering Career Services develops and promotes experiential education and professional opportunities for students. Professional staff coordinate the college's co-op and internship program, engage in employer outreach, and provide opportunities for students to network with employers, including an engineering career fair and other career-development programming each semester.
Engineering Career Services also offers individual advising and class presentations on résumé and cover letter preparation, job and internship search strategies, interviewing skills, and job offer evaluation.