For the first two semesters, freshmen are required to seek advisement by the College of Engineering and Computer Science Student Services Center/EOP and the department undergraduate advisor prior to enrolling in any class. Based on the results of their placement tests, students will be placed in the appropriate courses and supplied with all advisement materials.

The undergraduate advisor also advises new transfer students and places them into the proper classes for their first semester. All continuing undergraduate students in good standing are encouraged to seek advisement each semester.

The department’s practical approach to engineering offers hands-on design experience, as well as theoretical knowledge. This is an advantage on the job because graduates actually have experience in implementing projects and designing them. Students who enjoy using math and science creatively to solve real-world problems will find rewarding careers as electrical and computer engineers.

Careers in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Graduates design and build communication systems; information processing systems; entertainment devices; medical diagnosis equipment; and robotics control, navigation and traffic control systems. Graduates can find work in virtually every industry. Among the major employers are electronic manufacturing firms, communication companies, the entertainment industry, public utilities, oil companies, laboratories, transportation companies and chemical plants. Some graduates pursue professions as patent attorneys, technical writers, consultants, teachers or technical sales representatives. This program not only prepares students to enter the workforce, but also to enter graduate school to pursue an area of specialization.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2008-2018 the number of jobs for electrical engineers is predicted to increase by 2 percent. The 2010-2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the BLS, U.S. Department of Labor, states that computer hardware engineers held about 74,700 jobs in 2008; this is projected to grow by four percent (77,500) by 2018. According to the Employment Development Department (2010), the number of computer hardware engineers in California grew faster than the average growth rate for all occupations and is expected to further increase by 12.6 percent (2,200 jobs) by 2018.

The B.S. in Electrical Engineering and the B.S. in Computer Engineering programs are both accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Honors Cooperative Internship Program

The college offers an opportunity for highly qualified students to work in local industry throughout an entire calendar year. Students work full time during the summer and half time during the academic year. Students receive 6 units of academic credit in conjunction with this experience. The program is open to undergraduates who are nearing their senior year, have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and have passed the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam. Graduate students who want to participate must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA. Applicants are matched to employer-supplied job descriptions and scheduled for interviews with prospective employers. The competitive nature of the program usually generates more applicants than available positions. The application period begins in early March, and the period of employment is typically from July 1 through June 30.

A student chapter of the national professional society, the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers, meets on campus. Other active organizations include Tau Beta Pi, the student engineering honor society; Eta Kappa Nu, the electrical engineering honor society; the Society for Women Engineers; the National Society for Black Engineers; and the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers.