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.

Requirements for Electrical Engineering 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  Fundamentals of Semiconductor Devices

(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 Computer Engineering 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
  • 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 Programming
  • ECE 371  Introduction to Security Engineering
  • ECE 331  Hardware Organization and Digital Design
  • 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. Students who earn below C in ECE 122 and/or fail ECE 124 (first year) should retake the class over the summer. For more information, contact the Chief Undergraduate Advisor.
  3. Students who fail to reach a grade of 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. NOTE: When courses are taken outside of UMass Amherst, only the credits transfer. Thus, it might be better to take the class at UMass Amherst in order to earn a grade replacement in their GPA calculation. MATH 132 is offered as an online course through UWW (University Without Walls). For more information, contact the Chief Undergraduate Advisor.
  4. Likewise, students who fail to earn a grade of C or better in PHYSICS 152 by the end the spring semester (first year) should take PHYSICS 152 (or its equivalent) during the following summer. NOTE: When courses are taken outside of UMass Amherst, only the credits transfer. Thus, it might be better to take the class at UMass Amherst in order to earn a grade replacement in their GPA calculation. PHYSICS 152 is NOT offered as an online course. For more information, contact the Chief Undergraduate Advisor.
  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/CompE 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 Chief Undergraduate Advisor.)

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 Engineering, as well as eligibility and application procedures, see www.umass.edu/honors/curriculum/departmental/requirements. Questions can be directed to Professor Neal Anderson, the ECE Departmental Honors Coordinator.

Five-Year B.S./M.S. Program

The ECE department also offers a streamlined application process into our Masters program. For instance, by maintaining a GPA of 3.7 or better, and taking two extra graduate level classes before finishing their Bachelor of Science degree, students can complete a Master of Science degree in ECE with one additional year of coursework. (Students with a GPA between 3.3 and 3.7 may also apply to this program, but admission is not guaranteed.) For more information, see https://ece.umass.edu/five-year-bsms-electrical-and-computer-engineering.
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