Electrical Engineering, BS
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering without Co-op (440000BS)
Every aspect of modern life is influenced by electrical engineers. They design and develop systems ranging from massive power grids and global communications networks to tiny integrated circuits inside computers and personal electronics. Branches of electrical engineering include communications, controls, electromagnetics, electronics, and power systems. Important applications include power generation and distribution, sustainable energy systems, manufacturing automation, aerospace systems, robotics, sensors and instrumentation, imaging systems, and many others.
The Electrical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org. Our comprehensive curriculum prepares students to identify, formulate, and implement solutions to real-world problems. Students learn how to use modern engineering tools in well-equipped laboratories, with activities that reinforce the concepts learned in the classroom. The curriculum emphasizes design and teamwork, and culminates in a capstone senior design project that integrates the material learned in earlier courses.
The program educational objectives (PEOs) for the Electrical Engineering program are that, within a few years after graduation, our Electrical Engineering graduates:
- achieve competitively compensated electrical engineering positions or related professional positions, or entry into programs of advanced study
- prove to be highly competent and productive in electrical engineering or related practice
- continue to develop professionally through both practical experience and a lifelong commitment to learning
- exhibit high standards of ethical conduct, societal responsibility, and professionalism in engineering
The Electrical Engineering program has specified these student outcomes to be achieved by the time of graduation:
(1) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
(2) an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
(3) an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
(4) an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
(5) an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
(6) an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
(7) an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering can be combined with the "Cooperative Education, College of Engineering and Polymer Science" certificate, for a nominal five-year plan of study that includes four total years of coursework and one full year of relevant work experience. Alternatively, the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering can be earned without the certificate, with a nominal four-year plan of study.
Requirements for Admission
All students who meet the minimum requirements for admittance into The University of Akron and intend to major in engineering or engineering technology are accepted into the College of Engineering and Polymer Science and welcome to begin study towards their intended major. Students must show success in key classes early in the program curriculum before they gain approval to take classes in the third year of the curriculum and beyond.
The following information has official approval of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and The College of Engineering and Polymer Science, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (DPR) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.
Requirements
Summary
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General Education Requirements * | 24 | |
Natural Science | 12 | |
Mathematics and Statistics | 17 | |
General Engineering | 8 | |
Computer Engineering | 10 | |
Electrical Engineering | 37 | |
Capstone Design Project | 7 | |
Electrical Engineering Electives | 18 | |
Total Hours | 133 |
- *
Several courses required for the major also satisfy General Education requirements. The University minimum of 36 credits are required for General Education and credit for these courses will apply to multiple requirements.
General Education Courses
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete the following General Education coursework. Diversity courses may also fulfill major or Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Integrated and Applied Learning courses may also fulfill requirements in the major. | ||
Academic Foundations | 12 | |
Mathematics, Statistics and Logic: 3 credit hours | ||
Speaking: 3 credit hours | ||
Writing: 6 credit hours | ||
Breadth of Knowledge | 22 | |
Arts/Humanities: 9 credit hours | ||
Natural Sciences: 7 credit hours | ||
Social Sciences: 6 credit hours | ||
Diversity | ||
Domestic Diversity | ||
Global Diversity | ||
Integrated and Applied Learning | 2 | |
Select one class from one of the following subcategories: | ||
Complex Issues Facing Society | ||
Capstone | ||
Review the General Education Requirements page for detailed course listings. | ||
Total Hours | 36 |
General Education
Several courses required for the major also satisfy General Education requirements. The University minimum of 34 credits are required for General Education and credit for these courses will apply to both.
Natural Science
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
CHEM:151 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
CHEM:152 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
PHYS:291 | Elementary Classical Physics I | 4 |
PHYS:292 | Elementary Classical Physics II | 4 |
Total Hours | 12 |
Mathematics and Statistics
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
MATH:221 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus I | 4 |
MATH:222 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus II | 4 |
MATH:223 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus III | 4 |
MATH:335 | Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
STAT:401 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 2-4 |
or STAT:461 | Applied Statistics | |
Total Hours | 17-19 |
General Engineering
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
CIVE:201 | Statics | 3 |
CIVE:202 | Introduction to Mechanics of Solids | 3 |
or MECE:203 | Dynamics | |
CHEE:305 | Materials Science | 2 |
or MECE:305 | Thermal Science | |
Total Hours | 8 |
Computer Engineering
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
CPEN:208 | Programming for Engineers | 3 |
CPEN:210 | Computational Problem Solving | 3 |
CPEN:221 | Digital Logic Design | 3 |
CPEN:222 | Digital Logic Design Laboratory | 1 |
Total Hours | 10 |
Electrical Engineering
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ELEN:101 | Tools for Electrical Engineering | 3 |
ELEN:230 | Circuits I Laboratory | 1 |
ELEN:231 | Circuits I | 3 |
ELEN:330 | Circuits II Laboratory | 1 |
ELEN:332 | Circuits II | 3 |
ELEN:340 | Signals & Systems | 4 |
ELEN:341 | Introduction to Communication Systems | 3 |
ELEN:350 | Engineering Electromagnetics | 4 |
ELEN:360 | Physical Electronics | 3 |
ELEN:361 | Electronic Design | 4 |
ELEN:371 | Control Systems I | 4 |
ELEN:381 | Energy Conversion | 4 |
Total Hours | 37 |
Capstone Design Project
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ELEN:309 | Design Project Seminar - Electrical Engineering | 1 |
ELEN:401 | Senior Design Project I - Electrical Engineering | 3 |
ELEN:402 | Senior Design Project II - Electrical Engineering | 3 |
Total Hours | 7 |
Electrical Engineering Electives
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Select 18 credits from the following list, according to departmental Breadth and Depth requirements: | 18 | |
Undergraduate Research I: Electrical Engineering | ||
Undergraduate Research II: Electrical Engineering | ||
Undergraduate Research III: Electrical Engineering | ||
Active Circuits | ||
Digital Communication | ||
Wireless Communications | ||
Random Signals | ||
Optical Communication Networks | ||
Electromagnetic Compatibility | ||
Antenna Theory | ||
Microwaves | ||
Optical Electronics & Photonic Devices | ||
Introduction to Sensors and Actuators | ||
Control Systems II | ||
Modern Power Systems | ||
Power Electronics I | ||
Electric Motor Drives | ||
Dynamics of Electric Machines | ||
Electromagnetic Design of Electric Machines | ||
Control of Machines | ||
Electric and Hybrid Vehicles | ||
Special Topics: Electrical Engineering | ||
Computer Systems | ||
Operating Systems Concepts | ||
VLSI Design | ||
Embedded Scientific Computing | ||
System Simulation | ||
Computer Systems Design | ||
Embedded Systems Interfacing | ||
Computer Networks | ||
Digital Signal Processing | ||
Analog Integrated Circuit Design | ||
Programmable Logic | ||
VLSI Circuits & Systems | ||
Total Hours | 18 |
Recommended Sequence with Cooperative Education
This plan of study shows the recommended schedule for students who are also earning the "Cooperative Education, College of Engineering and Polymer Science" certificate. Together, the Bachelor of Science and certificate require a five-year plan of study. The program recommends that students earn this certificate.
1st Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Hours | |
CHEM:151 | Principles of Chemistry I 1 | 3 |
CHEM:152 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
ENGL:111 | English Composition I 1 | 3 |
MATH:221 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus I 1 | 4 |
ELEN:101 | Tools for Electrical Engineering | 3 |
Hours | 14 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ENGL:112 | English Composition II 1,2 | 3 |
MATH:222 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus II 1 | 4 |
PHYS:291 | Elementary Classical Physics I 1 | 4 |
CPEN:221 | Digital Logic Design | 3 |
CPEN:222 | Digital Logic Design Laboratory | 1 |
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
Hours | 18 | |
2nd Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
MATH:223 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus III 1 | 4 |
PHYS:292 | Elementary Classical Physics II 1 | 4 |
ELEN:230 | Circuits I Laboratory | 1 |
ELEN:231 | Circuits I | 3 |
CPEN:208 | Programming for Engineers | 3 |
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
Hours | 18 | |
Spring Semester | ||
MATH:335 | Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
CIVE:201 | Statics 1 | 3 |
ELEN:330 | Circuits II Laboratory | 1 |
ELEN:332 | Circuits II | 3 |
CPEN:210 | Computational Problem Solving | 3 |
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
Hours | 16 | |
Summer Semester | ||
GNEN:300 | Cooperative Education Work Period (possible) | 0 |
Hours | 0 | |
3rd Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
CIVE:202 or MECE:203 | Introduction to Mechanics of Solids or Dynamics | 3 |
ELEN:340 | Signals & Systems | 4 |
ELEN:350 | Engineering Electromagnetics | 4 |
ELEN:360 | Physical Electronics | 3 |
ELEN:381 | Energy Conversion | 4 |
Undergraduate Research I: Electrical Engineering (optional) 5 | ||
Hours | 18 | |
Spring Semester | ||
GNEN:301 | Cooperative Education Work Period (for Cooperative Education certificate) | 0 |
Hours | 0 | |
Summer Semester | ||
STAT:401 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 2 |
MECE:305 | Thermal Science | 2 |
Undergraduate Research II: Electrical Engineering (optional) 5 | ||
Hours | 4 | |
4th Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
GNEN:302 | Cooperative Education Work Period (for Cooperative Education certificate) | 0 |
Hours | 0 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ELEN:309 | Design Project Seminar - Electrical Engineering | 1 |
ELEN:341 | Introduction to Communication Systems | 3 |
ELEN:361 | Electronic Design | 4 |
ELEN:371 | Control Systems I | 4 |
Undergraduate Research III: Electrical Engineering (optional) 5 | ||
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Summer Semester | ||
GNEN:403 | Cooperative Education Work Period (for Cooperative Education certificate) | 0 |
Hours | 0 | |
5th Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
ELEN:401 | Senior Design Project I - Electrical Engineering | 3 |
Electrical Engineering Elective 4 | 3 | |
Electrical Engineering Elective 4 | 3 | |
Electrical Engineering Elective 4 | 3 | |
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ELEN:402 | Senior Design Project II - Electrical Engineering | 3 |
Electrical Engineering Elective 4 | 3 | |
Electrical Engineering Elective 4 | 3 | |
Electrical Engineering Elective 4 | 3 | |
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Total Hours | 133 |
- 1
Honors sections may be available; honors students should check the schedule of classes.
- 2
Check General Education Program or Honors Distribution to find courses that satisfy the Writing Second Course requirement. While ENGL:112 is preferred, ENGL:222 Technical Report Writing is accepted to fulfill the Writing Second Course requirement.
- 3
Credit hours shown for General Education or Honors Distribution are general guidelines only. These courses should be chosen in accordance with the appropriate General Education curriculum guide (for non-honors students) or Honors Distribution (for honors students). Honors students must also ensure that their course selections meet additional requirements not shown on this curriculum guide.
- 4
Electrical Engineering Electives must be chosen to meet Breadth and Depth requirements. See Electrical and Computer Engineering Departmental Office for Approved Electrical Engineering Electives (including Breadth and Depth requirements).
- 5
Up to three credits of undergraduate research in Electrical Engineering may be applied to program requirements as Electrical Engineering Electives. Students may take at most one credit of undergraduate research in a semester.
Recommended Sequence without Cooperative Education
If a student chooses not to earn the Cooperative Education certificate, the following four-year plan of study is used.
1st Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Hours | |
CHEM:151 | Principles of Chemistry I 1 | 3 |
CHEM:152 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
ENGL:111 | English Composition I 1 | 3 |
MATH:221 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus I 1 | 4 |
ELEN:101 | Tools for Electrical Engineering | 3 |
Hours | 14 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ENGL:112 | English Composition II 1,2 | 3 |
MATH:222 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus II 1 | 4 |
PHYS:291 | Elementary Classical Physics I 1 | 4 |
CPEN:221 | Digital Logic Design | 3 |
CPEN:222 | Digital Logic Design Laboratory | 1 |
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
Hours | 18 | |
2nd Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
MATH:223 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus III 1 | 4 |
PHYS:292 | Elementary Classical Physics II 1 | 4 |
ELEN:230 | Circuits I Laboratory | 1 |
ELEN:231 | Circuits I | 3 |
CPEN:208 | Programming for Engineers | 3 |
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
Hours | 18 | |
Spring Semester | ||
MATH:335 | Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
CIVE:201 | Statics 1 | 3 |
ELEN:330 | Circuits II Laboratory | 1 |
ELEN:332 | Circuits II | 3 |
CPEN:210 | Computational Problem Solving | 3 |
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
Hours | 16 | |
3rd Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
CIVE:202 or MECE:203 | Introduction to Mechanics of Solids or Dynamics | 3 |
ELEN:340 | Signals & Systems | 4 |
ELEN:350 | Engineering Electromagnetics | 4 |
ELEN:360 | Physical Electronics | 3 |
ELEN:381 | Energy Conversion | 4 |
Undergraduate Research I: Electrical Engineering (optional) 5 | ||
Hours | 18 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ELEN:309 | Design Project Seminar - Electrical Engineering | 1 |
ELEN:341 | Introduction to Communication Systems | 3 |
ELEN:361 | Electronic Design | 4 |
ELEN:371 | Control Systems I | 4 |
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
Undergraduate Research II: Electrical Engineering (optional) 5 | ||
Hours | 15 | |
Summer Semester | ||
STAT:401 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 2 |
MECE:305 | Thermal Science | 2 |
Undergraduate Research III: Electrical Engineering (optional) 5 | ||
Hours | 4 | |
4th Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
ELEN:401 | Senior Design Project I - Electrical Engineering | 3 |
Electrical Engineering Elective 4 | 3 | |
Electrical Engineering Elective 4 | 3 | |
Electrical Engineering Elective 4 | 3 | |
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ELEN:402 | Senior Design Project II - Electrical Engineering | 3 |
Electrical Engineering Elective 4 | 3 | |
Electrical Engineering Elective 4 | 3 | |
Electrical Engineering Elective 4 | 3 | |
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Total Hours | 133 |
- 1
Honors sections may be available; honors students should check the schedule of classes.
- 2
Check General Education Program or Honors Distribution to find courses that satisfy the Writing Second Course requirement. While ENGL:112 is preferred, ENGL:222 Technical Report Writing is accepted to fulfill the Writing Second Course requirement.
- 3
Credit hours shown for General Education or Honors Distribution are general guidelines only. These courses should be chosen in accordance with the appropriate General Education curriculum guide (for non-honors students) or Honors Distribution (for honors students). Honors students must also ensure that their course selections meet additional requirements not shown on this curriculum guide.
- 4
Electrical Engineering Electives must be chosen to meet Breadth and Depth requirements. See Electrical and Computer Engineering Departmental Office for Approved Electrical Engineering Electives (including Breadth and Depth requirements).
- 5
Up to three credits of undergraduate research in Electrical Engineering may be applied to program requirements as Electrical Engineering Electives. Students may take at most one credit of undergraduate research in a semester.