Electrical Engineering B.S.

• Information and Policies
• Electronics/Optics Concentration Courses
• Communications, Signals, Systems Concentration

Information and Policies

Introduction Expand and Collapse

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

Academic Advising for the Program Expand and Collapse

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
[e-mail]
[phone]

Getting Started in the Major Expand and Collapse

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 Expand and Collapse

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 Expand and Collapse

Major Qualification Expand and Collapse

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

ECE 80T is recommended.

Appeal Process Expand and Collapse

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 [phone] or email [e-mail].

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

How to Declare a Major Expand and Collapse

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 Expand and Collapse

Transfer Admission Screening Policy Expand and Collapse

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 Expand and Collapse

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 Expand and Collapse

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

Course Substitution Policy Expand and Collapse

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

Honors Expand and Collapse

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 Expand and Collapse

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

Electronics/Optics Concentration Courses

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Course Requirements Expand and Collapse

Lower-Division Courses Expand and Collapse

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 Expand and Collapse

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

CSE100	Logic Design	5
CSE100L	Logic Design Laboratory	2

Statistics

STAT131

Introduction to Probability Theory

5

Electives Expand and Collapse

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 Expand and Collapse

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:

ECE129A	Capstone Project I	5
ECE129B	Capstone Project II	5
ECE129C	Capstone Project III	5

Or these two courses:

ECE129A	Capstone Project I	5
ECE195	Senior Thesis Research	5

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

Comprehensive Requirement Expand and Collapse

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

ECE129A	Capstone Project I	5
ECE129B	Capstone Project II	5
ECE129C	Capstone Project III	5

Or complete the following courses:

ECE129A	Capstone Project I	5
ECE195	Senior 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 Expand and Collapse

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

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Course Requirements Expand and Collapse

Lower-Division Courses Expand and Collapse

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 Expand and Collapse

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

CSE100	Logic Design	5
CSE100L	Logic Design Laboratory	2

Statistics

STAT131

Introduction to Probability Theory

5

Electives Expand and Collapse

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 Expand and Collapse

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:

ECE129A	Capstone Project I	5
ECE129B	Capstone Project II	5
ECE129C	Capstone Project III	5

Or these two courses:

ECE129A	Capstone Project I	5
ECE195	Senior Thesis Research	5

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

Comprehensive Requirement Expand and Collapse

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

ECE129A	Capstone Project I	5
ECE129B	Capstone Project II	5
ECE129C	Capstone Project III	5

Or complete the following courses:

ECE129A	Capstone Project I	5
ECE195	Senior 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 Expand and Collapse

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.