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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
| MATH19A | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH19B | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
Plus one of the following courses
| AM10 | Mathematical Methods for Engineers I | 5 |
| MATH21 | Linear Algebra | 5 |
Plus one of the following courses
| AM20 | Mathematical Methods for Engineers II | 5 |
| MATH24 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 5 |
Plus all the following courses
| PHYS5A | Introduction to Physics I | 5 |
| PHYS5L | Introduction to Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS5B | Introduction to Physics II | 5 |
| PHYS5M | Introduction to Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS5C | Introduction to Physics III | 5 |
| PHYS5N | Introduction to Physics Laboratory | 1 |
Additionally
Students must complete an "Introduction to Engineering" class, chosen from the following courses:
| ECE80T | Modern Electronic Technology and How It Works | 5 |
| CSE80C | Starting a New Technology Company | 5 |
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:
| MATH19A | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH19B | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
Linear algebra
One of:
| AM10 | Mathematical Methods for Engineers I | 5 |
| MATH21 | Linear Algebra | 5 |
Differential equations
One of:
| AM20 | Mathematical Methods for Engineers II | 5 |
| MATH24 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 5 |
Calculus-based physics
A year of calculus-based physics courses accepted as equivalent to:
| PHYS5A | Introduction to Physics I | 5 |
| PHYS5L | Introduction to Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS5B | Introduction to Physics II | 5 |
| PHYS5M | Introduction to Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS5C | Introduction to Physics III | 5 |
| PHYS5N | Introduction 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
| ECE80T | Modern Electronic Technology and How It Works | 5 |
This course is waived for transfer students
Computer Science and Engineering
All of the following courses:
| CSE12 | Computer Systems and Assembly Language | 5 |
| CSE12L | Computer Systems and Assembly Language Laboratory | 2 |
| CSE13E | Embedded Systems and C Programming | 7 |
Mathematics
All of the following:
| MATH19A | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH19B | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH23A | Vector Calculus | 5 |
| MATH23B | Vector Calculus | 5 |
Applied Mathematics
One of the following
| AM10 | Mathematical Methods for Engineers I | 5 |
| MATH21 | Linear Algebra | 5 |
Plus one of the following
| AM20 | Mathematical Methods for Engineers II | 5 |
| MATH24 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 5 |
Physics
All of the following:
| PHYS5A | Introduction to Physics I | 5 |
| PHYS5L | Introduction to Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS5B | Introduction to Physics II | 5 |
| PHYS5M | Introduction to Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS5C | Introduction to Physics III | 5 |
| PHYS5N | Introduction to Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS5D | Introduction 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
| ECE101 | Introduction to Electronic Circuits | 5 |
| ECE101L | Introduction to Electronic Circuits Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE102 | Properties of Materials | 5 |
| ECE102L | Properties of Materials Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE103 | Signals and Systems | 5 |
| ECE103L | Signals and Systems Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE135 | Electromagnetic Fields and Waves | 5 |
| ECE135L | Electromagnetic Fields and Waves Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE151 | Communications Systems | 5 |
| ECE171 | Analog Electronics | 5 |
| ECE171L | Analog Electronics Laboratory | 2 |
Computer Science and Engineering
Statistics
| STAT131 | Introduction 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
| ECE104 | Bioelectronics | 5 |
| ECE115 | Introduction to Solid Mechanics | 5 |
| ECE118 | Introduction to Mechatronics | 5 |
| ECE118L | Introduction to Mechatronics Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE130 | Introduction to Optoelectronics and Photonics | 5 |
| ECE130L | Introduction to Optoelectronics Laboratory | 1 |
| ECE230 | Optical Fiber Communication | 5 |
| ECE136 | Engineering Electromagnetics | 5 |
| ECE141 | Feedback Control Systems | 5 |
| ECE241 | Introduction to Feedback Control Systems | 5 |
| ECE157 | RF Hardware Design | 5 |
| ECE157L | RF Hardware Design Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE167 | Sensing and Sensor Technologies | 5 |
| ECE167L | Sensing and Sensor Technologies Lab | 2 |
| ECE172 | Advanced Analog Circuits | 5 |
| ECE221 | Advanced Analog Integrated Circuits | 5 |
| ECE173 | High-Speed Digital Design | 5 |
| ECE173L | High-Speed Digital Design Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE175 | Energy Generation and Control | 5 |
| ECE175L | Energy Generation and Control Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE176 | Energy Conservation and Control | 5 |
| ECE176L | Energy Conversion and Control Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE177 | Power Electronics | 5 |
| ECE177L | Power Electronics Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE178 | Device Electronics | 5 |
| ECE180J | Advanced Renewable Energy Sources, Storage, and Smart Grids | 5 |
| ECE201 | Introduction to Nanotechnology | 5 |
| ECE203 | Nanocharacterization of Materials | 5 |
| ECE231 | Optical Electronics | 5 |
Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.
Computer Science and Engineering
Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.
| CSE121 | Microprocessor System Design | 5 |
| CSE121L | Microprocessor 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.
| ECE118 | Introduction to Mechatronics | 5 |
| ECE118L | Introduction to Mechatronics Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE130 | Introduction to Optoelectronics and Photonics | 5 |
| ECE130L | Introduction to Optoelectronics Laboratory | 1 |
| ECE230 | Optical Fiber Communication | 5 |
| ECE136 | Engineering Electromagnetics | 5 |
| ECE141 | Feedback Control Systems | 5 |
| ECE241 | Introduction to Feedback Control Systems | 5 |
| ECE152 | Introduction to Wireless Communications | 5 |
| ECE252 | Wireless Communications | 5 |
| ECE153 | Digital Signal Processing | 5 |
| ECE250 | Digital Signal Processing | 5 |
| ECE237 | Image Processing and Reconstruction | 5 |
| ECE251 | Principles of Digital Communications | 5 |
| ECE253 | Introduction to Information Theory | 5 |
| ECE255 | Error Control Coding | 5 |
| ECE256 | Statistical Signal Processing | 5 |
Computer Science and Engineering
| CSE150 | Introduction to Computer Networks | 5 |
| CSE150L | Introduction 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:
Or these two courses:
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
Or complete the following courses:
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 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
| ECE80T | Modern Electronic Technology and How It Works | 5 |
This course is waived for transfer students
Computer Science and Engineering
Take the following courses:
| CSE12 | Computer Systems and Assembly Language | 5 |
| CSE12L | Computer Systems and Assembly Language Laboratory | 2 |
| CSE13E | Embedded Systems and C Programming | 7 |
Mathematics
All of the following:
| MATH19A | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH19B | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH23A | Vector Calculus | 5 |
| MATH23B | Vector Calculus | 5 |
Applied Mathematics
One of the following
| AM10 | Mathematical Methods for Engineers I | 5 |
| MATH21 | Linear Algebra | 5 |
Plus one of the following
| AM20 | Mathematical Methods for Engineers II | 5 |
| MATH24 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 5 |
Physics
All of the following:
| PHYS5A | Introduction to Physics I | 5 |
| PHYS5L | Introduction to Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS5B | Introduction to Physics II | 5 |
| PHYS5M | Introduction to Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS5C | Introduction to Physics III | 5 |
| PHYS5N | Introduction to Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS5D | Introduction 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
| ECE101 | Introduction to Electronic Circuits | 5 |
| ECE101L | Introduction to Electronic Circuits Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE102 | Properties of Materials | 5 |
| ECE102L | Properties of Materials Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE103 | Signals and Systems | 5 |
| ECE103L | Signals and Systems Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE135 | Electromagnetic Fields and Waves | 5 |
| ECE135L | Electromagnetic Fields and Waves Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE151 | Communications Systems | 5 |
| ECE171 | Analog Electronics | 5 |
| ECE171L | Analog Electronics Laboratory | 2 |
Computer Science and Engineering
Statistics
| STAT131 | Introduction 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
| ECE118 | Introduction to Mechatronics | 5 |
| ECE118L | Introduction to Mechatronics Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE130 | Introduction to Optoelectronics and Photonics | 5 |
| ECE130L | Introduction to Optoelectronics Laboratory | 1 |
| ECE230 | Optical Fiber Communication | 5 |
| ECE136 | Engineering Electromagnetics | 5 |
| ECE141 | Feedback Control Systems | 5 |
| ECE241 | Introduction to Feedback Control Systems | 5 |
| ECE152 | Introduction to Wireless Communications | 5 |
| ECE252 | Wireless Communications | 5 |
| ECE153 | Digital Signal Processing | 5 |
| ECE250 | Digital Signal Processing | 5 |
| ECE237 | Image Processing and Reconstruction | 5 |
| ECE251 | Principles of Digital Communications | 5 |
| ECE253 | Introduction to Information Theory | 5 |
| ECE255 | Error Control Coding | 5 |
| ECE256 | Statistical Signal Processing | 5 |
Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.
Computer Science and Engineering
Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.
| CSE150 | Introduction to Computer Networks | 5 |
| CSE150L | Introduction 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.
| ECE104 | Bioelectronics | 5 |
| ECE115 | Introduction to Solid Mechanics | 5 |
| ECE118 | Introduction to Mechatronics | 5 |
| ECE118L | Introduction to Mechatronics Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE130 | Introduction to Optoelectronics and Photonics | 5 |
| ECE130L | Introduction to Optoelectronics Laboratory | 1 |
| ECE230 | Optical Fiber Communication | 5 |
| ECE136 | Engineering Electromagnetics | 5 |
| ECE141 | Feedback Control Systems | 5 |
| ECE241 | Introduction to Feedback Control Systems | 5 |
| ECE157 | RF Hardware Design | 5 |
| ECE157L | RF Hardware Design Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE167 | Sensing and Sensor Technologies | 5 |
| ECE167L | Sensing and Sensor Technologies Lab | 2 |
| ECE172 | Advanced Analog Circuits | 5 |
| ECE221 | Advanced Analog Integrated Circuits | 5 |
| ECE173 | High-Speed Digital Design | 5 |
| ECE173L | High-Speed Digital Design Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE175 | Energy Generation and Control | 5 |
| ECE175L | Energy Generation and Control Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE176 | Energy Conservation and Control | 5 |
| ECE176L | Energy Conversion and Control Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE177 | Power Electronics | 5 |
| ECE177L | Power Electronics Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE178 | Device Electronics | 5 |
| ECE180J | Advanced Renewable Energy Sources, Storage, and Smart Grids | 5 |
| ECE201 | Introduction to Nanotechnology | 5 |
| ECE203 | Nanocharacterization of Materials | 5 |
| ECE231 | Optical Electronics | 5 |
Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.
Computer Science and Engineering
| CSE121 | Microprocessor System Design | 5 |
| CSE121L | Microprocessor 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:
Or these two courses:
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
Or complete the following courses:
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.