Program Curriculum
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Degree Core Requirements | ||
ECE1004 | Introduction to ECE Concepts (C) | 3 |
ECE2024 | Circuits and Devices (C) | 3 |
ECE2544 | Fundamentals of Digital Systems (C) | 3 |
ECE2214 | Physical Electronics (C) | 3 |
ECE2714 | Signals and Systems (C) | 3 |
ECE2804 | Integrated Design Project (C) | 2 |
ECE3004 | AC Circuit Analysis (C-) | 3 |
ECE3074 | AC Circuit Analysis Laboratory (C-) | 1 |
ECE3105 | Electromagnetic Fields (C-) | 3 |
Subtotal | 24 | |
Major Requirements | ||
ECE2514 | Computational Engineering (C) | 3 |
ECE2564 | Embedded Systems (C) | 3 |
ECE3704 | Continuous and Discrete System Theory | 3 |
ECE3106 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3 |
ECE3204 | Analog Electronics | 3 |
ECE3274 | Electronic Circuits Laboratory II | 1 |
ECE3304 | Introduction to Power Systems | 3 |
ECE3354 | Electric Power Engineering Laboratory | 1 |
ECE3614 | Introduction to Communication Systems | 3 |
Subtotal | 23 | |
Additional Course Requirements | ||
MATH2114 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 3 |
MATH2204 | Introduction to Multivariable Calculus | 3 |
STAT4714 | Probability and Statistics for Electrical Engineers | 3 |
Subtotal | 9 | |
Secondary Focus Area Requirements | ||
See secondary focus area requirements below. | 9 | |
Subtotal | 9 | |
Free Electives | ||
Select remaining credits required for the degree: | 11 | |
Math Elective | 3 | |
Subtotal | 14 | |
Pathways to General Education | ||
Pathways Concept 1 - Discourse | ||
ENGL1105 | First-Year Writing (1F) | 3 |
ENGL1106 | First-Year Writing (1F) | 3 |
ECE4805 &ECE4806 | Senior Design Project and Senior Design Project (1A) | 6 |
Pathways Concept 2 - Critical Thinking in the Humanities | ||
Select six hours in Pathway 2 | 6 | |
Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences | ||
Select six hours in Pathway 3 | 6 | |
Pathways Concept 4 - Reasoning in the Natural Sciences | ||
PHYS2305 | Foundations of Physics | 4 |
PHYS2306 | Foundations of Physics | 4 |
Pathways Concept 5 - Quantitative and Computational Thinking | ||
MATH1225 | Calculus of a Single Variable (5F ; C-) | 4 |
MATH1226 | Calculus of a Single Variable (5F) | 4 |
MATH2214 | Introduction to Differential Equations (5A ; C-) | 3 |
Pathways Concept 6 - Critique and Practice in Design and the Arts | ||
Select three hours in Pathway 6a | 3 | |
ENGE1215 &ENGE1216 | Foundations of Engineering and Foundations of Engineering (6D ; C-) | 4 |
Pathways Concept 7 - Critical Analysis of Identity and Equity in the United States | ||
Pathways 7 should be double counted with either Pathways 2, 3, or 6a to avoid taking any additional credit hours. | ||
Subtotal | 50 | |
Total Credits | 129 |
Secondary Focus Requirement
The ECE secondary focus requirement can be completed in one of two ways:
Focus Areas within ECE
The ECE secondary focus requirement consists of 3 ECE courses (9 credits) at the 3xxx level, 4xxx level, or 5xxx level where at least one course (3 credits) is at the 4xxx or 5xxx level. None of the 3 courses can duplicate a course from the student’s major. All courses used for secondary focus must be taken on an A-F basis. For purposes of satisfying the secondary focus requirements, the sum of the number of hours taken from ECE4974 Independent Study and ECE4994 Undergraduate Research cannot exceed 6 credits.
The following courses are also included in the secondary focus:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
AOE4654 | Space Weather: The Solar Wind and Magnetosphere | 3 |
AOE4674 | Upper Atmosphere/Ionosphere Space Weather | 3 |
CS3214 | Computer Systems | 3 |
CS4224 | Linux Kernel Programming | 3 |
CS4264 | Principles of Computer Security | 3 |
CS4504 | Computer Organization | 3 |
CS4824 | Machine Learning | 3 |
The following courses cannot be used toward secondary focus:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
ECE3054 | Electrical Theory | 3 |
ECE3074 | AC Circuit Analysis Laboratory | 1 |
ECE3254 | Industrial Electronics | 3 |
ECE3274 | Electronic Circuits Laboratory II | 1 |
ECE3354 | Electric Power Engineering Laboratory | 1 |
ECE3524 | Introduction to Unix for ECE | 2 |
ECE4944 | Cybersecurity Seminar | 1 |
Individualized Secondary Focus
(Must be preapproved by ECE Department)
Electrical and computer engineering has applications across a wide variety of fields, such as medicine, human-computer interaction, finance, and entertainment. People with ECE degrees can be entrepreneurs, patent lawyers, policy makers, and business executives. The individualized secondary focus helps students pursue these interests. This option can be used in place of a pre-defined, in-department secondary focus.
The individualized secondary focus typically is pursued via an already defined university-approved program such as a degree, major, minor, or certificate that the student has declared. Students are encouraged to select courses from these programs, subject to the guidelines below.
- To begin this process, students must first meet with their academic advisor.
- The student must complete a brief proposal form describing the expected added value to their major. This includes a narrative about how these courses support the student’s career goals and ability to achieve their professional aspirations. This proposal must be approved by the Director of Undergrad Program or designee.
- Individualized secondary focus plans must include 3 courses within the following parameters:
- None of the courses may duplicate the student’s ECE major requirements.
- None of the courses can be at the 1xxx level (1xxx courses required for university-approved programs, e.g. minors, can be used for a student’s free electives).
- A maximum of one course can be at the 2xxx level, and only if it is a requirement of a university approved program, or if the course is a prerequisite to one or more of the other two courses in the individualized secondary focus.
- A minimum of one course must be at the 4xxx level.
- If the set of courses is part of an already defined university program, the student should attach documentation to the proposal form.
- If the set of three courses are not part of an already defined university-approved program, the student must also obtain written approval from the department that houses the courses.
- It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the set of courses is available to be taken in a timely manner. The ECE department is not responsible for changes of programs elsewhere in the university.
MATH Elective Requirement
Electrical Engineering majors are required to take one math elective course from the following list. Some courses may include prerequisite courses not required for the BSEE curriculum. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of prerequisites and to ensure that all prerequisites are completed prior to enrolling in the chosen course. Note that courses may be restricted to specific majors during certain semesters.
Enrollment into courses will be based on sufficient resources, including faculty availability and student demand.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
MATH2534 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
MATH3034 | Introduction to Proofs | 3 |
MATH3214 | Calculus of Several Variables | 3 |
MATH3414 | Numerical Methods | 3 |
MATH4445 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis | 3 |
MATH4446 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis | 3 |
MATH4564 | Operational Methods for Engineers | 3 |
MATH4574 | Vector and Complex Analysis for Engineers | 3 |
Graduation Requirements
Each student must complete at least 129 semester credit hours with a minimum overall GPA of 2.00 and a minimum in-major GPA of 2.00. In determining the Electrical Engineering in-major GPA, all ECE courses, including repeats, are used.
Pathways to General Education (Pathways)
Consult the pathways courses table:https://www.pathways.prov.vt.edu/about/table.html. Pathways courses need to be completed prior to graduation.
Electives
The Electrical Engineering major requires 3 hours of math electives from list and 7 hours of free electives. Only free electives may be taken under the P/F grading option. Students are encouraged to use free electives to provide depth in their major or secondary focus.
Secondary Focus
The Electrical Engineering Major requires 9 credits for a secondary focus area. Students have the flexibility to choose any 3 ECE courses (9 credits) at the 3xxx level or 4xxx level to meet the secondary focus requirements as long as at least one course (3 credits) is at the 4xxx level and the courses do not duplicate major courses. Alternatively, students may seek an approved individualized secondary focus. See the requirements below for more information.
Change of Major Requirements
Please see: https://eng.vt.edu/em
Foreign Language Requirements
Students must have had 2 years of a foreign language in high school or one year at the college level (6 credit hours) of the same language. College-level credits used to meet this requirement do not count towards the degree.
Satisfactory Progress Towards Degree
University Policy 91 outlines university-wide minimum criteria to determine if students are making satisfactory progress towards the completion of their degrees. The ECE Department fully supports this policy. Specific expectations for satisfactory progress for BSCPE and BSEE majors are as follows:
- Each student must meet the minimum University-wide criteria as described in Policy 91 and summarized in the Undergraduate Catalog (under Academic Policies)
- Upon completing 2 semesters in ECE, students must have satisfactorily completedECE2024 Circuits and Devices,ECE2514 Computational Engineering,ECE2544 Fundamentals of Digital Systems,MATH2214 Introduction to Differential Equations, andPHYS2306 Foundations of Physics
- Upon completing 3 semesters in ECE, students must have satisfactorily completedECE2804 Integrated Design Project.
- Upon attempting 90 credits, BSCPE and BSEE students must have successfully completed 33 credits of in-major courses and have 2.0 overall and in-major GPAs. (The BSCPE and BSEE in-major GPA includes all ECE courses, including repeats).
Grade Requirement
Students must earn a C or higher in the following ECE courses:ECE1004 Introduction to ECE Concepts,ECE2024 Circuits and Devices,ECE2214 Physical Electronics,ECE2514 Computational Engineering,ECE2544 Fundamentals of Digital Systems,ECE2564 Embedded Systems,ECE2714 Signals and Systems,ECE2804 Integrated Design Project.
Statement of Prerequisites
Pre-requisites for each course are listed. In general, all ECE courses require a C- or better in prerequisite courses. Students must earn a C or higher in the ECE courses listed above. There are no hidden prerequisites in this program of study. Prerequisites may change from what is indicated. Be sure to consult the Timetable of Classes or check with your advisor for the most current requirements.
Roadmap
First Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Credits | |
ECE1004 | Introduction to ECE Concepts (C) | 3 |
ENGL1105 | First-Year Writing | 3 |
MATH1225 | Calculus of a Single Variable (C-) | 4 |
ENGE1215 | Foundations of Engineering (C-) | 2 |
Pathways 2 or 3 or 6a | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ENGL1106 | First-Year Writing | 3 |
MATH1226 | Calculus of a Single Variable | 4 |
PHYS2305 | Foundations of Physics | 4 |
ENGE1216 | Foundations of Engineering (C-) | 2 |
MATH2114 | Introduction to Linear Algebra (C-) | 3 |
Credits | 16 | |
Second Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
MATH2214 | Introduction to Differential Equations (C-) | 3 |
PHYS2306 | Foundations of Physics (C-) | 4 |
ECE2024 | Circuits and Devices (C) | 3 |
ECE2514 | Computational Engineering (C) | 3 |
ECE2544 | Fundamentals of Digital Systems (C) | 3 |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring Semester | ||
MATH2204 | Introduction to Multivariable Calculus (C-) | 3 |
ECE2214 | Physical Electronics (C) | 3 |
ECE2564 | Embedded Systems (C) | 3 |
ECE2714 | Signals and Systems (C) | 3 |
ECE2804 | Integrated Design Project (C) | 2 |
Pathways 2 or 3 or 6a | 3 | |
Credits | 17 | |
Third Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
ECE3004 | AC Circuit Analysis (C-) | 3 |
ECE3074 | AC Circuit Analysis Laboratory (C-) | 1 |
ECE3105 | Electromagnetic Fields (C-) | 3 |
ECE3704 | Continuous and Discrete System Theory | 3 |
STAT4714 | Probability and Statistics for Electrical Engineers (C-) | 3 |
Pathways 2 or 3 or 6a | 3 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ECE3106 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3 |
ECE3204 | Analog Electronics | 3 |
ECE3274 | Electronic Circuits Laboratory II | 1 |
ECE3304 | Introduction to Power Systems | 3 |
ECE3354 | Electric Power Engineering Laboratory | 1 |
ECE3614 | Introduction to Communication Systems | 3 |
Pathways 2 or 3 or 6a | 3 | |
Credits | 17 | |
Fourth Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
ECE4805 | Senior Design Project (C-) | 3 |
Secondary Focus Area course (see list) | 3 | |
Secondary Focus Area course (see list) | 3 | |
MATH Elective from list | 3 | |
Free Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ECE4806 | Senior Design Project | 3 |
Secondary Focus Area course (see list) | 3 | |
Pathways 2 or 3 or 6a | 3 | |
Pathways 7 or Free Elective (if Pathways 7 double counted) | 3 | |
Free Elective | 3 | |
Free Elective | 2 | |
Credits | 17 | |
Total Credits | 129 |