;

Electrical Engineering B.S.

Information and Policies

Introduction

The electrical engineering B.S. program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

Academic Advising for the Program

The Baskin School of Engineering undergraduate advising office offers general advising for prospective and declared undergraduates majoring in School of Engineering programs. The office handles major declarations, transfer credits, course substitutions, articulations, and degree certifications.

Transfer students should also refer to the Transfer Information and Policy section.

Baskin Engineering Building, Room 225
advising@soe.ucsc.edu
(831) 459-5840

Getting Started in the Major

For the first two years, all electrical engineering students are expected to take a basic set of lower-division mathematics, physical science, and engineering courses. After the first two years, electrical engineering students focus on topics within the discipline and specialize in one of two options: electronics/optics, including digital and analog circuits and devices, VLSI design, optoelectronics, electromagnetics, power engineering, and biomedical device engineering; or communications, signals, systems, and control, including optical, wireless communication, signal and image processing, networks signal processing, instrumentation, and control.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Fundamentals: Acquire instruction in the prerequisites for a career based on electrical engineering, including theory, design and the basic science upon which future technology will be based.
  2. Theory and practical knowledge: Learn the theory and practical knowledge in hardware and information oriented electrical engineering, including a variety of opportunities for specialized further study.
  3. Professional development: Learn the basis for a high-quality, professional approach to engineering, including skills in clear communication, teamwork, responsibility, high ethical standards, a desire for lifelong learning, and participation in the professional engineering community.
  4. Preparation for an engineering career: Develop both individual creative skills for personal achievement as well as interpersonal skills for a team project environment, including an ability to apply research to engineering and learn how knowledge is applied in an industry setting.

Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process

Major Qualification

Admission to the electrical engineering major is selective. In order to be admitted into the electrical engineering major students must be listed as a proposed major within the School of Engineering, and complete all the foundation courses listed below with a GPA of 2.8 or better.

Please refer to the School of Engineering's "Proposed Engineering Major Status" and its "Declaring a School of Engineering Major" sections in the catalog or the School of Engineering's information on declaring a major for more information.

Transfer students should also refer to the Transfer Information and Policy section.

Both of the following
MATH19ACalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5

MATH19BCalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5

Plus one of the following courses
AM10Mathematical Methods for Engineers I

5

MATH21Linear Algebra

5

Plus one of the following courses
AM20Mathematical Methods for Engineers II

5

MATH24Ordinary Differential Equations

5

Plus all the following courses
PHYS5AIntroduction to Physics I

5

PHYS5LIntroduction to Physics Laboratory

1

PHYS5BIntroduction to Physics II

5

PHYS5MIntroduction to Physics Laboratory

1

PHYS5CIntroduction to Physics III

5

PHYS5NIntroduction to Physics Laboratory

1

Additionally

Students must complete an "Introduction to Engineering" class, chosen from the following courses:

ECE80TModern Electronic Technology and How It Works

5

CSE80CStarting a New Technology Company

5

ECE 80T is recommended.

Appeal Process

Students who are informed that they are not eligible to declare may appeal this decision by submitting a letter to the undergraduate director within 15 days from the date the notification was mailed. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the department will notify the student, the college, and the Office of the Registrar of the decision.

If you have further questions concerning the appeal process, please contact the Undergraduate Advising Office at (831) 459-5840 or email advising@soe.ucsc.edu.

More information regarding the appeal process can be found on the BSOE Major Declaration Appeal Process page.

How to Declare a Major

Instructions for declaring a major in the Baskin School of Engineering are on the BSOE Undergraduate Affairs Declare your Major page.

Transfer Information and Policy

Transfer Admission Screening Policy

Acceptance into the major is based on the student’s academic college record and preparation for the major. Transfer students should seek advisement as their plans will vary depending on their lower-division courses. Applicants are encouraged to take and excel in as many courses that are equivalent to the department’s foundation courses as possible.

For electrical engineering majors, the following courses, or their equivalents, must be completed with a GPA of 2.8 or better prior to transfer:

First-year calculus

Both:

MATH19ACalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5

MATH19BCalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5

Linear algebra

One of:

AM10Mathematical Methods for Engineers I

5

MATH21Linear Algebra

5

Differential equations

One of:

AM20Mathematical Methods for Engineers II

5

MATH24Ordinary Differential Equations

5

Calculus-based physics

A year of calculus-based physics courses accepted as equivalent to:

PHYS5AIntroduction to Physics I

5

PHYS5LIntroduction to Physics Laboratory

1

PHYS5BIntroduction to Physics II

5

PHYS5MIntroduction to Physics Laboratory

1

PHYS5CIntroduction to Physics III

5

PHYS5NIntroduction to Physics Laboratory

1

To ensure timely graduation, it is recommended (but not required) that courses accepted as equivalent to CSE 12 and CSE 12L and MATH 23A be taken prior to transfer. 

Students should consult assist.org to determine which courses at other institutions in California are transferable to UC Santa Cruz.

Also, CSE 13E and MATH 23B and many general education requirements may be offered by UCSC Summer Session and taken prior to starting the first fall quarter at UCSC.

Getting Started at UCSC as a Transfer Student

Transfer students should declare their major in their first quarter at UCSC. Instructions for declaring a major in the Baskin School of Engineering are on the Declare Your Major page.

Letter Grade Policy

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department requires letter grading for all courses applied toward the bachelor of science (B.S.) degree.

Course Substitution Policy

Please refer to the School of Engineering section of the catalog for the policy regarding course substitution.

Honors

Electrical engineering majors are considered for “Honors in the Major” and “Highest Honors in the Major” based on the GPA and on results of undergraduate research and other significant contributions to the School of Engineering. Students with a GPA of 3.7 or higher receive highest honors. Students with a GPA of 3.3 or higher but less than 3.7, receive honors. A student meeting the GPA requirement for highest honors or honors may not receive honors if a student has been found guilty of academic misconduct. Students with particularly significant accomplishments in undergraduate research or contributions to the School of Engineering may be considered with a lower GPA. Electrical engineering juniors and seniors may also be eligible for election to the UCSC chapter of Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society founded in 1885.

Materials Fee and Miscellaneous Fees

Please see the section on fees under the School of Engineering.

Electronics/Optics Concentration Courses

Course Requirements

Lower-Division Courses

Students gain a solid foundation in calculus, engineering mathematics, physics, computer science, and computer engineering during their first two years. Majors must complete the following 13 lower-division courses (including corresponding laboratories). These courses form part of the prerequisite sequence and should be completed during the first two years at UC Santa Cruz. The requirements are rigorous; students must be prepared to begin these courses early in their studies.


Electrical and Computer Engineering
ECE80TModern Electronic Technology and How It Works

5

This course is waived for transfer students

Computer Science and Engineering

All of the following courses:

CSE12Computer Systems and Assembly Language

5

CSE12LComputer Systems and Assembly Language Laboratory

2

CSE13EEmbedded Systems and C Programming

7

Mathematics

All of the following:

MATH19ACalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5

MATH19BCalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5

MATH23AVector Calculus

5

MATH23BVector Calculus

5

Applied Mathematics
One of the following
AM10Mathematical Methods for Engineers I

5

MATH21Linear Algebra

5

Plus one of the following
AM20Mathematical Methods for Engineers II

5

MATH24Ordinary Differential Equations

5

Physics

All of the following:

PHYS5AIntroduction to Physics I

5

PHYS5LIntroduction to Physics Laboratory

1

PHYS5BIntroduction to Physics II

5

PHYS5MIntroduction to Physics Laboratory

1

PHYS5CIntroduction to Physics III

5

PHYS5NIntroduction to Physics Laboratory

1

PHYS5DIntroduction to Physics IV

5

Upper-Division Courses

Fifteen upper-division courses along with associated 1- or 2-credit laboratories are required for the major. The course requirements include both depth and breadth, technical writing, and a comprehensive capstone design project.

All students are required to take the following eight upper-division courses, with associated laboratories.

Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.

Electrical and Computer Engineering
ECE101Introduction to Electronic Circuits

5

ECE101LIntroduction to Electronic Circuits Laboratory

2

ECE102Properties of Materials

5

ECE102LProperties of Materials Laboratory

2

ECE103Signals and Systems

5

ECE103LSignals and Systems Laboratory

2

ECE135Electromagnetic Fields and Waves

5

ECE135LElectromagnetic Fields and Waves Laboratory

2

ECE151Communications Systems

5

ECE171Analog Electronics

5

ECE171LAnalog Electronics Laboratory

2

Computer Science and Engineering
CSE100Logic Design

5

CSE100LLogic Design Laboratory

2

Statistics
STAT131Introduction to Probability Theory

5

Electives

Required Electives: In addition to completing the above required courses, electrical engineering majors must complete four elective courses chosen from the lists below. At least three must be from the Communications, Signals, Systems Concentration courses listed below. Certain graduate-level courses as well as those courses taught in conjunction with graduate courses may also be used to fulfill an elective requirement as listed below. No course may be counted twice. See the electrical engineering website for course descriptions.

Design Elective: The electives chosen must include at least one of ECE 118 & ECE 118L, ECE 157 & ECE 157L, and CSE 121 & CSE 121L. This course must be taken before or at the same time as the first capstone course ECE 129A; taking it before ECE 129A is strongly recommended.

Electronics/Optics Concentration Courses
Electrical and Computer Engineering
ECE104Bioelectronics

5

ECE115Introduction to Solid Mechanics

5

ECE118Introduction to Mechatronics

5

ECE118LIntroduction to Mechatronics Laboratory

2

ECE130Introduction to Optoelectronics and Photonics

5

ECE130LIntroduction to Optoelectronics Laboratory

1

ECE230Optical Fiber Communication

5

ECE136Engineering Electromagnetics

5

ECE141Feedback Control Systems

5

ECE241Introduction to Feedback Control Systems

5

ECE157RF Hardware Design

5

ECE157LRF Hardware Design Laboratory

2

ECE167Sensing and Sensor Technologies

5

ECE167LSensing and Sensor Technologies Lab

2

ECE172Advanced Analog Circuits

5

ECE221Advanced Analog Integrated Circuits

5

ECE173High-Speed Digital Design

5

ECE173LHigh-Speed Digital Design Laboratory

2

ECE175Energy Generation and Control

5

ECE175LEnergy Generation and Control Laboratory

2

ECE176Energy Conservation and Control

5

ECE176LEnergy Conversion and Control Laboratory

2

ECE177Power Electronics

5

ECE177LPower Electronics Laboratory

2

ECE178Device Electronics

5

ECE180JAdvanced Renewable Energy Sources, Storage, and Smart Grids

5

ECE201Introduction to Nanotechnology

5

ECE203Nanocharacterization of Materials

5

ECE231Optical Electronics

5

Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.

Computer Science and Engineering

Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.

CSE121Microprocessor System Design

5

CSE121LMicroprocessor System Design Laboratory

2

(ECE 130 and ECE 230, ECE 141 and ECE 241, and ECE 172 and ECE 221 are undergraduate and graduate courses taught in conjunction, and only one can be taken for this program.)

Communications, Signals, Systems Concentration Courses
Electrical and Computer Engineering

Lecture lab combinations count as one course.

ECE118Introduction to Mechatronics

5

ECE118LIntroduction to Mechatronics Laboratory

2

ECE130Introduction to Optoelectronics and Photonics

5

ECE130LIntroduction to Optoelectronics Laboratory

1

ECE230Optical Fiber Communication

5

ECE136Engineering Electromagnetics

5

ECE141Feedback Control Systems

5

ECE241Introduction to Feedback Control Systems

5

ECE152Introduction to Wireless Communications

5

ECE252Wireless Communications

5

ECE153Digital Signal Processing

5

ECE250Digital Signal Processing

5

ECE237Image Processing and Reconstruction

5

ECE251Principles of Digital Communications

5

ECE253Introduction to Information Theory

5

ECE255Error Control Coding

5

ECE256Statistical Signal Processing

5

Computer Science and Engineering
CSE150Introduction to Computer Networks

5

CSE150LIntroduction to Computer Networks Laboratory

2

Lecture lab combinations count as one course.

(ECE 130 and ECE 230, ECE 152 and 252, ECE 141 and ECE 241, and ECE 153 and ECE 250 are undergraduate and graduate courses taught in conjunction, and only one can be taken for this program.)

The senior-year curriculum enables students to pursue independent study with a faculty member. Electrical engineering students are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to work within a faculty member’s research group as part of their educational experience. Internship programs with local industry are also available.

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students in all majors must satisfy that major's upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. The DC requirement in robotics is satisfied by completing the senior capstone course sequence:

Either these three courses:
ECE129ACapstone Project I

5

ECE129BCapstone Project II

5

ECE129CCapstone Project III

5

Or these two courses:
ECE129ACapstone Project I

5

ECE195Senior Thesis Research

5

10 credits for the senior thesis course, ECE 195, must be completed for this option.

Comprehensive Requirement

The senior comprehensive requirement for electrical engineering majors is in two parts: a project course and assessment options.

Project Course

These senior-level courses encompass an in-depth project, including analysis, design, testing, and documentation, requiring students to call upon knowledge acquired throughout their undergraduate studies. Current course choices include the following:

Students must complete one capstone design course that spans three quarters
ECE129ACapstone Project I

5

ECE129BCapstone Project II

5

ECE129CCapstone Project III

5

Or complete the following courses:
ECE129ACapstone Project I

5

ECE195Senior Thesis Research

5

10 credits for the senior thesis course, ECE 195, must be completed for this option.

Outcomes Assessment Options

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department requires an outcomes assessment. All students are required to complete an exit survey and meet with a faculty member for an exit interview. The specifics of the outcomes assessment may change from year to year; for this catalog year, students must complete one of the following options:

  1. maintenance of a 2.5 grade point average in all required and elective courses for the major; or
  2. senior thesis submission; or
  3. portfolio review.

Portfolios must include the following:

  • project report(s)
  • a one- or two-page overview of the student’s contribution to the project(s);
  • a two-page essay concerning the relationship of engineering to society (specific topics will be provided by the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department).

The portfolios must be submitted electronically at least seven days before the end of the instruction in the quarter of graduation. Portfolios will not be returned.

Planners

The following are two sample academic plans for students to complete during their first two years as preparation for the electrical engineering major. These sample plans are intended for incoming first-year students. Transfer students should seek advisement as their plans will vary depending on their lower-division courses.

Plan One

Starting ECE 101 and ECE 101L Winter Sophomore Year

  Fall  Winter  Spring 
 1st (frosh)  MATH 19A  MATH 19B  MATH 23A 
  CSE 20*
PHYS 5A & PHYS 5L  PHYS 5B & PHYS 5N 
 
ECE 80T  AM 10 
 2nd (soph)  MATH 23B  ECE 101 & ECE 101L  ECE 103 & ECE 103L 
  CSE 12 & CSE 12L  AM 20  STAT 131 
  PHYS 5C & PHYS 5N     
 3rd (junior)  ECE 102 & ECE 102L  ECE 135 & ECE 135L  ECE 171 & ECE 171L 
  PHYS 5D  ECE 151  CSE 13E 
  Upper-division elective  CSE 100 & CSE 100L   
 4th (senior)  ECE 129A  ECE 129B  ECE 129C 
  Upper-division elective
(design) 
Upper-division elective  Upper-division elective 
       

*Recommended before taking CSE 12 & CSE 12L for students who have no or little programming experience.

Three of the upper-division electives must be taken in the student’s concentration.

Plan Two

Starting ECE 101 and ECE 101L Fall Junior Year

 

  Fall  Winter  Spring 
 1st (frosh)  MATH 3
MATH 19A  MATH 19B 
CSE 20
ECE 80T CSE 13E

CSE 12 & CSE 12L 
 2nd (soph)  PHYS 5A & PHYS 5L PHYS 5C & PHYS 5N
PHYS 5B & PHYS 5M 
AM 10 AM 20  MATH 23A

STAT 131 ECE 101 & ECE 101L 
 3rd (junior)  CSE 100 & CSE 100L
ECE 135 & ECE 135L  ECE 103 & ECE 103L
PHYS 5D  Upper-division elective ECE 171 & ECE 171L
MATH 23B    
 4th (senior)  ECE 129A  ECE 129B  ECE 129C 
ECE 102 & ECE 102L
ECE 151  Upper-division elective 
Upper-division elective
(design) 
Upper-division elective

In addition to the specific courses shown in these four-year planners, a student must complete courses satisfying the CC, ER, IM, TA and PE general education requirements

Three of the upper-division electives must be taken in the student’s concentration.

Plan* for Transfer Students

  Fall  Winter  Spring 
 1st (junior)  ECE 101 & ECE 101L  ECE 135 & ECE 135L  ECE 103 & ECE 103L 
PHYS 5D  CSE 100 & CSE 100L  ECE 171 & ECE 171L 
MATH 23B
Upper-division elective  STAT 131
2nd (senior)  ECE 129A  ECE 129B  ECE 129C 
ECE 102 & ECE 102L  ECE 151  Upper-division elective 

Upper-division
elective (design)

Upper-division elective 

*This plan assumes that transfer students have completed all of their lower-division courses for the electrical engineering major except PHYS 5D prior to attending UC Santa Cruz.

Three of the upper-division electives must be taken in the student’s concentration.

Curriculum charts for all BSOE majors are available at the department's Major Curriculum Charts page.

Additional information about this program can be found on the department’s website.


 

Communications, Signals, Systems Concentration

Course Requirements

Lower-Division Courses

Students gain a solid foundation in calculus, engineering mathematics, physics, computer science, and computer engineering during their first two years. Majors must complete the following 13 lower-division courses (including corresponding laboratories). These courses form part of the prerequisite sequence and should be completed during the first two years at UC Santa Cruz. The requirements are rigorous; students must be prepared to begin these courses early in their studies.


Electrical and Computer Engineering
ECE80TModern Electronic Technology and How It Works

5

This course is waived for transfer students

Computer Science and Engineering

Take the following courses:

CSE12Computer Systems and Assembly Language

5

CSE12LComputer Systems and Assembly Language Laboratory

2

CSE13EEmbedded Systems and C Programming

7

Mathematics

All of the following:

MATH19ACalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5

MATH19BCalculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

5

MATH23AVector Calculus

5

MATH23BVector Calculus

5

Applied Mathematics
One of the following
AM10Mathematical Methods for Engineers I

5

MATH21Linear Algebra

5

Plus one of the following
AM20Mathematical Methods for Engineers II

5

MATH24Ordinary Differential Equations

5

Physics

All of the following:

PHYS5AIntroduction to Physics I

5

PHYS5LIntroduction to Physics Laboratory

1

PHYS5BIntroduction to Physics II

5

PHYS5MIntroduction to Physics Laboratory

1

PHYS5CIntroduction to Physics III

5

PHYS5NIntroduction to Physics Laboratory

1

PHYS5DIntroduction to Physics IV

5

Upper-Division Courses

Fifteen upper-division courses along with associated 1- or 2-credit laboratories are required for the major. The course requirements include both depth and breadth, technical writing, and a comprehensive capstone design project.

All students are required to take the following eight upper-division courses, with associated laboratories.

Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.

Electrical and Computer Engineering
ECE101Introduction to Electronic Circuits

5

ECE101LIntroduction to Electronic Circuits Laboratory

2

ECE102Properties of Materials

5

ECE102LProperties of Materials Laboratory

2

ECE103Signals and Systems

5

ECE103LSignals and Systems Laboratory

2

ECE135Electromagnetic Fields and Waves

5

ECE135LElectromagnetic Fields and Waves Laboratory

2

ECE151Communications Systems

5

ECE171Analog Electronics

5

ECE171LAnalog Electronics Laboratory

2

Computer Science and Engineering
CSE100Logic Design

5

CSE100LLogic Design Laboratory

2

Statistics
STAT131Introduction to Probability Theory

5

Electives

Required Electives: In addition to completing the above required courses, electrical engineering majors must complete four elective courses chosen from the lists below. At least three must be from the Communications, Signals, Systems Concentration courses listed below. Certain graduate-level courses as well as those courses taught in conjunction with graduate courses may also be used to fulfill an elective requirement as listed below. No course may be counted twice. See the electrical engineering website for course descriptions.

Design Elective: The electives chosen must include at least one of ECE 118 & ECE 118L, ECE 157 & ECE 157L, and CSE 121 & CSE 121L. This course must be taken before or at the same time as the first capstone course ECE 129A; taking it before ECE 129A is strongly recommended.

Communications, Signals, Systems, and Controls Concentration Courses
Electrical and Computer Engineering
ECE118Introduction to Mechatronics

5

ECE118LIntroduction to Mechatronics Laboratory

2

ECE130Introduction to Optoelectronics and Photonics

5

ECE130LIntroduction to Optoelectronics Laboratory

1

ECE230Optical Fiber Communication

5

ECE136Engineering Electromagnetics

5

ECE141Feedback Control Systems

5

ECE241Introduction to Feedback Control Systems

5

ECE152Introduction to Wireless Communications

5

ECE252Wireless Communications

5

ECE153Digital Signal Processing

5

ECE250Digital Signal Processing

5

ECE237Image Processing and Reconstruction

5

ECE251Principles of Digital Communications

5

ECE253Introduction to Information Theory

5

ECE255Error Control Coding

5

ECE256Statistical Signal Processing

5

Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.

Computer Science and Engineering

Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.

CSE150Introduction to Computer Networks

5

CSE150LIntroduction to Computer Networks Laboratory

2

(ECE 130 and ECE 230, ECE 152 and 252, ECE 141 and ECE 241, are undergraduate and graduate courses taught in conjunction, and only one can be taken for this program.)

Electronics/Optics Concentration Courses
Electrical and Computer Engineering

Lecture lab combinations count as a single course.

ECE104Bioelectronics

5

ECE115Introduction to Solid Mechanics

5

ECE118Introduction to Mechatronics

5

ECE118LIntroduction to Mechatronics Laboratory

2

ECE130Introduction to Optoelectronics and Photonics

5

ECE130LIntroduction to Optoelectronics Laboratory

1

ECE230Optical Fiber Communication

5

ECE136Engineering Electromagnetics

5

ECE141Feedback Control Systems

5

ECE241Introduction to Feedback Control Systems

5

ECE157RF Hardware Design

5

ECE157LRF Hardware Design Laboratory

2

ECE167Sensing and Sensor Technologies

5

ECE167LSensing and Sensor Technologies Lab

2

ECE172Advanced Analog Circuits

5

ECE221Advanced Analog Integrated Circuits

5

ECE173High-Speed Digital Design

5

ECE173LHigh-Speed Digital Design Laboratory

2

ECE175Energy Generation and Control

5

ECE175LEnergy Generation and Control Laboratory

2

ECE176Energy Conservation and Control

5

ECE176LEnergy Conversion and Control Laboratory

2

ECE177Power Electronics

5

ECE177LPower Electronics Laboratory

2

ECE178Device Electronics

5

ECE180JAdvanced Renewable Energy Sources, Storage, and Smart Grids

5

ECE201Introduction to Nanotechnology

5

ECE203Nanocharacterization of Materials

5

ECE231Optical Electronics

5

Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.

Computer Science and Engineering
CSE121Microprocessor System Design

5

CSE121LMicroprocessor System Design Laboratory

2

Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.

(ECE 130 and ECE 230, ECE 141 and ECE 241, and ECE 172 and ECE 221 are undergraduate and graduate courses taught in conjunction, and only one can be taken for this program.)

The senior-year curriculum enables students to pursue independent study with a faculty member. Electrical engineering students are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to work within a faculty member’s research group as part of their educational experience. Internship programs with local industry are also available.

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students in all majors must satisfy that major's upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. The DC requirement in robotics is satisfied by completing the senior capstone course sequence:

Either these three courses:
ECE129ACapstone Project I

5

ECE129BCapstone Project II

5

ECE129CCapstone Project III

5

Or these two courses:
ECE129ACapstone Project I

5

ECE195Senior Thesis Research

5

10 credits for the senior thesis course, ECE 195, must be completed for this option.

Comprehensive Requirement

The senior comprehensive requirement for electrical engineering majors is in two parts: a project course and assessment options.

Project Course

These senior-level courses encompass an in-depth project, including analysis, design, testing, and documentation, requiring students to call upon knowledge acquired throughout their undergraduate studies.

Students must complete one capstone design course that spans three quarters
ECE129ACapstone Project I

5

ECE129BCapstone Project II

5

ECE129CCapstone Project III

5

Or complete the following courses:
ECE129ACapstone Project I

5

ECE195Senior Thesis Research

5

10 credits for the senior thesis course, ECE 195, must be completed for this option.

Outcomes Assessment Options

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department requires an outcomes assessment. All students are required to complete an exit survey and meet with a faculty member for an exit interview. The specifics of the outcomes assessment may change from year to year; for this catalog year, students must complete one of the following options:

  • maintenance of a 2.5 grade point average in all required and elective courses for the major; or
  • senior thesis submission; or
  • portfolio review.

Portfolios must include the following:

  • project report(s)
  • a one- or two-page overview of the student’s contribution to the project(s);
  • a two-page essay concerning the relationship of engineering to society (specific topics will be provided by the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department).

The portfolios must be submitted electronically at least seven days before the end of the instruction in the quarter of graduation. Portfolios will not be returned.

Planners

The following are two sample academic plans for students to complete during their first two years as preparation for the electrical engineering major. These sample plans are intended for incoming first-year students. Transfer students should seek advisement as their plans will vary depending on their lower-division courses.

Plan One

Starting ECE 101 & ECE 101L Winter Sophomore Year

  Fall  Winter  Spring 
1st (frosh)  MATH 19A  MATH 19B  MATH 23A 
  CSE 20*
PHYS 5A & PHYS 5L
PHYS 5B & PHYS 5M
 
ECE 80T  AM 10 
2nd (soph)  MATH 23B  ECE 101 & ECE 101L  ECE 103 & ECE 103L 
  CSE 12 & CSE 12L  AM 20  STAT 131 
  PHYS 5C & PHYS 5N
   
3rd (junior)  ECE 102 & ECE 102L  ECE 135 & ECE 135L  ECE 171 & ECE 171L 
  PHYS 5D  ECE 151  CSE 13E 
  Upper-division elective  CSE 100 & CSE 100L   
4th (senior)  ECE 129A  ECE 129B  ECE 129C 
  Upper-division elective
(design) 
Upper-division elective  Upper-division elective 
       

*Recommended before taking CSE 12 and CSE 12L for students who have no or little programming experience.

Three of the upper-division electives must be taken in the student’s concentration.

Plan Two

Starting ECE 101 & ECE 101L Fall Junior Year

  Fall  Winter  Spring 
1st (frosh)   MATH 3 MATH 19A  MATH 19B 
CSE 20*
ECE 80T CSE 12 & CSE 12L

 
2nd (soph)  PHYS 5A & PHYS 5L PHYS 5C & PHYS 5N
PHYS 5B & PHYS 5M
AM 10 AM 20  MATH 23A
CSE 13E  STAT 131 ECE 101 & ECE 101L 
3rd (junior)  CSE 100 & CSE 100L
ECE 135 & ECE 135L  ECE 103 & ECE 103L
PHYS 5D  Upper-division elective ECE 171 & ECE 171L
MATH 23B    
4th (senior)  ECE 129A  ECE 129B  ECE 129C 
ECE 102 & ECE 102L
ECE 151  Upper-division elective 
Upper-division elective
(design) 
  Upper-division elective

*Recommended before taking CSE 12 and CSE 12L for students who have no or little programming experience.

Three of the upper-division electives must be taken in the student’s concentration.

Curriculum charts for all BSOE majors are available at the department's Major Curriculum Charts page.

Plan* for Transfer Students

  Fall  Winter  Spring 
1st (junior)  ECE 101 & ECE 101L  ECE 135 & ECE 135L  ECE 103 & ECE 103L 
PHYS 5D  CSE 100 & CSE 100L  ECE 171 & ECE 171L 
MATH 23B Upper-division elective  STAT 131 
2nd (senior)  ECE 129A  ECE 129B  ECE 129C 
ECE 102 & ECE 102L  ECE 151  Upper-division elective
Upper-division elective
(design)
  Upper-division elective

*This plan assumes that transfer students have completed all of their lower-division courses for the Electrical Engineering major except PHYS 5D prior to attending UCSC.

Three of the upper-division electives must be taken in the student’s concentration.

Additional information about this program can be found on the department’s website.

Curriculum charts can be found on the BSOE Undergraduate Affairs Major Curriculum Charts page.