Electrical and Computer Engineering

For the first two semesters, freshmen are required to seek advisement at The Matador Advising Hub (a centralized university advising office) and register for courses. The ECE undergraduate coordinator and the chair will also advise the freshman and sophomore students as needed. Based on the results of their placement tests, students will be placed in the appropriate courses and supplied with all advisement materials. The College of Engineering and Computer Science Student Services Center/EOP advises students during the sophomore year. After students have passed the gateway course (ECE 240), they receive advisement from the ECE undergraduate coordinator.

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 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, among others. 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.

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.