Electrical & Computer Engineering
Course Descriptions
ECE 101: Introduction to Engineering I (4 credits; fall)
Introduction to the engineering profession. Emphasizes engineering
problem-solving techniques and the ethical and societal responsibility
of engineers, including introduction to the use of computers, freehand
sketching, and an introduction to engineering design. Focuses on
engineering methods, computer-aided design, and mathematical modeling
using software applications (e.g., MATLAB, Mathematica). Team work
skills, research methods, professional report writing, and public
presentation techniques are taught. Engineering analysis, design, and
reporting are required during a semester project.
ECE 251: Digital Logic Design (4 credits; fall)
Fundamental and advanced concepts of digital logic. Boolean algebra and
functions. Design and implementation of combinatorial and sequential
logic, minimization techniques, number representation, and basic binary
arithmetic. Logic families and digital integrated circuits and use of
CAD tools for logic design. Laboratory exercises.
ECE 252: Computer Organization and Microprocessors (4 credits; spring)
Organization of computer systems: processor, memory, I/O organization,
instruction encoding and addressing modes. Introduction to
microprocessors, control unit, and interrupt system design. Design of
hardware and software for microprocessor applications. Assembly language
programming. Microprocessor system case studies. Laboratory exercises.
Prerequisites: ECE 251
ECE 260: Electric Circuits (4 credits; spring)
Units and definitions. Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff’s Laws. Analysis of
resistive circuits. Circuit analysis using: Nodal and mesh methods,
Norton and Thevenin theorems, and voltage divider. Transient and
sinusoidal steady-state response of circuits containing resistors,
capacitors, and inductors. Laboratory exercises.
Prerequisites: MAT 230 and PHY 201
ECE 281: Electrical and Computer Engineering Seminar I (1 credit; fall)
Overview of the fields of electrical engineering and computer
engineering. Various sub-fields within ECE are explored, with emphasis
on how they are interrelated. Issues relevant to careers in ECE (e.g.,
typical tasks done by electrical and computer engineers) are explored.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing in ECE program
ECE 301: Signals and Systems (4 credits; fall)
Provides an introduction to continuous-time and discrete-time signals
and linear systems. Topics covered include time-domain descriptions
(differential and difference equations, convolution) and
frequency-domain descriptions (Fourier series and transforms, transfer
function, frequency response, Z transforms, and Laplace transforms).
Prerequisites: ECE 260 and MAT 230
ECE 315: Electronics I (4 credits; fall)
Introduction on electronics concentrating on the fundamental devices
(diode, transistor, operational amplifier, logic gate) and their basic
applications; modeling techniques; elementary circuit design based on
devices. Laboratory exercises.
Prerequisites: ECE 260, Co-requisite: ECE 315
ECE 323: Electromagnetics (3 credits; spring)
Fundamentals of electromagnetic fields, Maxwell’s Equations, plane
waves, reflections. Application to transmission lines, antennas,
propagation, electromagnetic interference, electronics packaging,
wireless communication.
Prerequisites: ECE 301 and MAT 253
ECE 332: Semiconductor Devices (3 credits; fall)
Basic theory of semiconductors, p-n junctions, bipolar junction
transistors, junction and MOS field effect devices; device design and
modeling, fabrication.
Prerequisites: PHY 202. Co-requisite: ECE 315
ECE 351: Digital Systems Design (4 credits; fall)
Synchronous sequential circuit design. Algorithmic state machine
method; state reduction; control-datapath circuit partitioning. Design
of sequential arithmetic circuits. Memory interfacing; bus-based design.
Specification and synthesis of digital systems using hardware
description language and implementation using programmable logic
devices. Simulation, analysis, testing, and verification of digital
systems.
Prerequisites: ECE 251
ECE 352: Computer Architecture (3 credits; spring)
RISC machines and Instruction set architectures, Computer arithmetic,
Performance evaluation, Single cycle and multi-cycle datapaths,
Pipelined architecture, Static and dynamic scheduling, Instruction-level
parallelism, advanced pipelining, superscalar and super-pipelined
processors, memory hierarchy and organization, I/O, Compiler issues.
Prerequisites: ECE 351
ECE 359: Computer Networks (3 credits; spring)
Introduce principles and practices in computer and communication
networks. Emphasis is on the design, implementation, and management of
IP backbone networks (the Internet), wired/wireless LAN's, and mobile
communication networks. Topics include: major network implementations,
Internet protocols, LAN standards, network elements (switches, routers,
bridges, and gateway), EMS/NMS, network security, and other current
research topics.
Prerequisites: MAT 370
ECE 361: Control Systems (4 credits; spring)
Introduction to analysis, design, and modeling of control systems.
Laplace transforms, transfer functions, and transient analysis. Concepts
of stability; polar and log-frequency plots. Numerical simulation and
design of simple control systems.
Prerequisites: ECE 301
ECE 377: Communication Systems (3 credits; spring)
Fundamentals of communications systems. Modulation and demodulation
methods. Characteristics of modern analog and digital communications
methods.
Prerequisites: ECE 301
ECE 382: Electrical and Computer Engineering Seminar II (1 credit; spring)
Provides an overview of the professional aspects of the fields of
electrical and computer engineering. Topics to be covered include:
typical career paths in ECE, engineering ethics, resume writing and job
search techniques, preparing for graduate school, professional engineer
license, etc.
Prerequisites: Junior Standing in ECE program
ECE 387: Junior Design Laboratory (3 credits; spring)
Students will complete a series of assigned design projects that rely
on background in the areas of microprocessors, electronics, and signals
and systems. Lecture will focus on various aspects of the design
process, as well as discussion of component characteristics.
Prerequisites: ECE 315
ECE 402: Signal Processing (3 credits; spring)
Discrete time and frequency analysis of linear systems. Random
signals, correlation functions, power spectrum, and design of elementary
digital filters.
Prerequisite: ECE 301
ECE 416: Analog Circuit Design (3 credits; spring]
Active and passive circuits, bias point and small signal analysis.
Frequency response and transient characteristics of electronic circuits.
Feedback and stability. Electronic circuit design and system
applications (multistage amplifiers, active filters, etc.), numerical
simulations.
Prerequisite: ECE 315
ECE 487: Senior Design Laboratory I (4 credits; fall)
Design projects in cooperation with local industry and other external
clients. Specifications, proposal, time schedule, and paper design.
Periodic design reviews with client, written and oral progress reports,
final presentation.
Prerequisites: ECE 387 and Senior Standing
ECE 488: Senior Design Laboratory II (4 credits; spring)
Continuation of ECE 487. Prototype fabrication and test. Demonstration
and documentation of functioning system delivered to client.
Prerequisites: ECE 487 or consent of Instructor.
ECE 491: Independent Study (var. cr.; every semester)
Individual study under direct supervision of a faculty member.
Approval of proposed subject by the faculty member and department
chairman must be obtained prior to registration.
Prerequisite: Permission of department chair
