The Majors

The department offers two undergraduate degree programs leading to the Bachelor of Science, with majors in Computer Engineering (CompE) and Electrical Engineering (EE). Detailed descriptions of both degree programs are available on the departmental website, www.umass.edu/engineering/electrical-and-computer-engineering. 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. The CompE major focuses on the hardware and software components of computer systems including topics in cloud computing, computer security, artificial intelligence and machine learning systems, internet-of-things and integrated circuits and systems. The EE major focuses on electronic systems including topics in microwave engineering, electronics (bio, high-frequency, nano and opto), communication systems and signal processing.

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

First Year

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)

Second Year

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

Third Year

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)

Fourth Year

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

First Year

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)

Second Year

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

Third Year

Fall

ECE 303 Junior Seminar
ECE 322 Systems Programming
ECE 331 Hardware Organization and Digital Design
ECE 371 Introduction to Security Engineering
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)

Fourth Year

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

ENGIN 100, 110, 111, 112, 113, or 114 may be used to fulfill the graduation requirement. ENGIN 112 (Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering) is strongly recommended for students who intend to pursue the CompE or EE major.
Students who pass but earn below C– in ECE 122, MATH 132, and/or PHYSICS 152 are encouraged to retake the class over the summer. However, this is not required. For more information, contact the Chief Undergraduate Advisor.
Students who fail ECE 122, ECE 124, MATH 132, or PHYSICS 152 will need to retake the class, preferably over the summer, if possible, as they are needed for sophomore-level classes. For other options, contact the Chief Undergraduate Advisor.
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. ECE 122, ECE 124, MATH 132, PHYSICS 152, and many other courses are offered as online courses through University+ (formerly UWW, University Without Walls), so students do not need to be in Amherst. For more information, contact the Chief Undergraduate Advisor.
One must be an Electrical Engineering (BS-EE) or Computer Engineering (BS-CSENG) student and have the requisite course requirements before one enrolls in 300-level ECE courses.
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.
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. CompE students with credit for CHEM 111 may take any BS Gen Ed. (Note that certain courses are offered only in the fall, and others are only offered to first- and second-year students without special permission from the instructor. 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, go to www.umass.edu/honors/book/departmental-honors-requirements, then scroll down. Questions may be directed to Professor Neal Anderson, the ECE Departmental Honors Coordinator.

Five-Year (Accelerated) 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 3.5 or better, students can complete a Master of Science degree in ECE with one additional year of coursework. (Students with a GPA between 3.3 and 3.5 may also apply to this program, but admission is not guaranteed.) For more information, see www.umass.edu/engineering/academics/41-accelerated-ms-electricalcomputer-eng.