Undergraduate Course Catalog 2010-2011
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
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Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)
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Professor: Kent A. Chamberlin, L. Gordon Kraft, John R. LaCourse, W. Thomas Miller III, Andrzej Rucinski
Affiliate Professor: Charles H. Bianchi, William H. Lenharth, George Markowsky, Stuart M. Selikowitz
Associate Professor: Michael J. Carter, Allen D. Drake, Andrew L. Kun, Richard A. Messner
Research Associate Professor: Brian R. Calder
Affiliate Associate Professor: Brad Gillespie, Jipeng Li, Timothy Paek
Assistant Professor: Nicholas J. Kirsch, Kuan Zhou
Instructor: Francis C. Hludik Jr.
Lecturer: Wayne J. Smith
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers a B.S. in electrical engineering and a B.S. in computer engineering. Both degree programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, telephone (401) 347-7700.
Electrical engineers design, develop, and produce the electrical and electronic systems upon which modern society has come to depend: basic infrastructure, such as the electric power grid and fiber optic communication lines; public conveniences, such as mag lev transporters and LED signs; consumer products, such as iPods and MP3 players; personal communication devices, such as cell phones and BlackBerry© devices; military systems, such as rail guns and laser weapons; instruments that can image the ocean floor or analyze the Earth’s atmosphere from satellites; and medical diagnostic machines like CAT and MRI scanners. Almost every facet of modern life is touched by the work of electrical engineers.
At UNH, the cornerstone of the electrical engineering program is the involvement of students in the solution of real-world problems. Students electing this major gain knowledge of advanced electronic circuit and system design through the use of computer-aided design tools, hardware circuit prototyping, and hands-on laboratory testing.
Computers have become embedded in virtually every engineering system. Computer engineering, traditionally a subset of electrical engineering, is a rapidly growing field that emphasizes the design, interfacing, hardware/software tradeoffs, and real-time applications of computers. Students who elect this major will gain a knowledge of both hardware and software concepts, and will learn to design, build, and test systems containing digital computers.
ECE Department Mission
The mission of the department is to foster and advance knowledge in electrical and computer engineering.
The mission involves:
- teaching courses in electrical and computer engineering and related fields at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels;
- advancing knowledge through research and scholarship;
- serving the state and nation by making the department's intellectual resources available to industry and government agencies. The undergraduate EE and CE programs shall provide a firm foundation in electrical and computer engineering theory and practice, with a mix of laboratory and design experiences. The programs also shall foster teamwork and project management skills.
The graduate ECE program shall lead to the degrees of master of science in electrical engineering and the doctor of philosophy in electrical and computer engineering. Research and scholarship are core components of the department's mission and they directly impact undergraduate and graduate education. Success in obtaining funds to procure equipment and support research efforts is therefore an essential objective for the department.
The department recognizes the need to conduct periodic reviews and adjustments to meet the current and projected needs of the state and nation according to its mission objectives. The current mission was approved by the ECE faculty in March 2001 and again on October 27, 2009, approved by the ECE Student Advisory Board in October 2001, and ratified by the ECE Industrial Advisory Board in April 2002. The mission was reaffirmed by the ECE Industrial Advisory Board in November 22, 2004 and on October 26, 2009.
Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering Program Educational Objectives
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has adopted a set of program educational objectives that consists of statements describing the expected accomplishments of graduates during the first several years following graduation from either program:
• graduates will function at a technically outstanding level in formulating and solving problems in their respective program area;
• graduates will produce competent written and oral reports, and provide project management and leadership;
• through a thorough grounding in engineering fundamentals, graduates will be prepared for a successful engineering career amid future technological changes;
• through a well-rounded education, graduates will be able to respond to changing career paths, to maintain an interest in lifelong learning, and to advance professionally;
• graduates will be creative and ethical when dealing with contemporary issues facing society in local, global, historical, social, economic, and political contexts in relation to electrical and computer engineering;
• graduates will be able to design, prototype, and test electrical and computer engineering designs using state-of-the-art test equipment in a laboratory environment.
The electrical and computer engineering educational program objectives were approved by the ECE faculty in March 2001 and again on October 27, 2009, approved by the ECE Student Advisory Board in November 2001, and ratified by the ECE Industrial Advisory Board in March 2002. The program educational objectives were reaffirmed by the ECE Industrial Advisory Board on November 22, 2004 and on October 26, 2009.
Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering Program Educational Outcomes
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has adopted a set of program educational outcomes that consists of statements describing what students are expected to know and are able to do by the time of graduation, the achievement of which indicates that the student is equipped to achieve the program objectives. The current electrical engineering program educational outcomes and computer engineering program educational outcomes are:
• an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;
• an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;
• an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs;
• an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams;
• an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;
• an ability to communicate effectively;
• an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
• the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context;
• a recognition of the need for, and ability to engage in, lifelong learning;
• a knowledge of contemporary issues;
• an ability to use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
Electrical and computer program educational outcomes were approved by the ECE faculty in March 2001 and again on October 27, 2009, approved by the ECE Student Advisory Board in October 2001, and ratified by the ECE Industrial Advisory Board in March 2002. The program educational outcomes were reaffirmed by the ECE Industrial Advisory Board on November 22, 2004 and on October 26, 2009.
Students contemplating a decision between the electrical engineering and computer engineering degree programs should consider both the similarities and differences of the two programs. The two curricula require the same foundational courses in mathematics, physics, analog and digital electronic circuits, and a capstone senior design project. The computer engineering degree program requires additional fluency in software development and advanced computer system and hardware design. The electrical engineering degree program requires advanced study in analog and mixed-signal electronic circuit and system analysis and design. Discovery Program requirements are identical for both degree programs.
Electrical Engineering Program
In addition to Discovery Program requirements, the department has a number of grade-point average and credit requirements.
1. For an electrical engineering major to enter the junior year and take any of the first-term junior courses (ECE 602, 617, 633, or 651), he or she must have taken, and achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 2.1 in all of the following freshman and sophomore courses: MATH 425, 426, 527; PHYS 407, 408; and ECE 541, 543, 548, and 562.
2. Any electrical engineering major whose cumulative grade-point average in ECE courses is less than 2.0 during any three semesters will not be allowed to continue as an electrical engineering major.
3. Electrical engineering majors must achieve a 2.0 grade-point average in ECE courses as a requirement for graduation.
To make an exception to any of these departmental requirements based on extenuating circumstances, students must petition the department’s undergraduate committee. Mindful of these rules, students, with their advisers’ assistance, should plan their programs based on the distribution of courses in the following chart for a total of at least 133 credits.
Freshman Year
| Abbreviation | Course Number | Title | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECE | 401 | Perspectives in Electrical & Computer Engineering | 4 | - |
| MATH | 425 | Calculus I | 4 | - |
| CS | 410 | Introduction to Scientific Programming*** | 4 | - |
| CHEM | 405 | General Chemistry | 4 | - |
| PHYS | 407 | Physics I | - | 4 |
| ENGL | 401 | First-Year Writing | - | 4 |
| MATH | 426 | Calculus II | - | 4 |
| Discovery Program Category*** | - | 4 | ||
| Total | 16 | 16 |
Sophomore Year
| Abbreviation | Course Number | Title | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECE | 541 | Electrical Circuits | 4 | - |
| ECE | 543 | Introduction to Digital Systems | 4 | - |
| PHYS | 408 | Physics II | 4 | - |
| MATH | 527 | Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | 4 | - |
| ECE | 548 | Electronic Design I | - | 4 |
| ECE | 562 | Computer Organization | - | 4 |
| ME | 523 | Introduction to Statics and Dynamics | - | 3 |
| Discovery Program Category | - | 4 | ||
| Total | 16 | 15 |
Junior Year
| Abbreviation | Course Number | Title | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECE | 602 | Engineering Analysis | 4 | - |
| ECE | 617 | Junior Lab I | 4 | - |
| ECE | 633 | Signals and Systems I | 3 | - |
| ECE | 651 | Electronic Design II | 4 | - |
| Discovery Program Category | 4 | - | ||
| ECE | 603 | Electromagnetic Fields & Waves | - | 4 |
| ECE | 618 | Junior Laboratory II | - | 4 |
| ECE | 634 | Signals and Systems II | - | 3 |
| ECE | 647 | Random Processes and Signals in Engineering | - | 3 |
| ECE | 649 | Embedded Microcomputer Based Design | - | 4 |
| ECE | 694 | Engineering Professional Principles | 1 | |
| Total | 19 | 19 |
Senior Year
| Abbreviation | Course Number | Title | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Elective** | 4 | - | ||
| Professional Elective** | 4 | - | ||
| Discovery Program Category | 4 | - | ||
| Discovery Program Category | 4 | - | ||
| ECE | 791 | Senior Project I*,*' | 2 | - |
| Professional Elective** | - | 4 | ||
| Professional Elective** | - | 4 | ||
| Discovery Program Category | - | 4 | ||
| ECE | 792 | Senior Project II*,*' | - | 2 |
| Total | 18 | 14 |
*ECE 791 and 792 fulfills Discovery Program Capstone Experience.
*'TECH 797, Undergraduate Ocean Research Project, may be substituted for ECE 791 and 792.
**Professional electives normally consist of 700-level ECE courses. Each course must carry at least three credits, and no more than one can be an independent study, special topics, or a project course. An alternative is a student-designed plan approved by the ECE undergraduate committee.
***Students who wish to preserve the option of transferring to the computer engineering major without incurring a delay in graduation should consult with their academic adviser before electing these courses. It is recommended that such students take CS 415, Introduction to Computer Science I, in the fall semester and CS 416, Introduction to Computer Science II, in the spring semester in place of the listed courses.
Students are restricted from taking CS 401 and CS 403.
Students are required to take either ECON 402 or EREC 411 to fulfill the Social Science Category of the Dsicovery Program.
Fulfilling the EE Program curriculum automatically meets Discovery Category, "Environment, Technology and Society."
Computer Engineering Program
In addition to Discovery Program requirements, the department has a number of grade-point average and credit requirements.
1. For a computer engineering major to enter the junior year and take any of the first-term junior courses (ECE 541, 602, 633), he or she must have taken, and achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 2.1 in, all of the following freshman and sophomore courses: MATH 425, 426, 527; PHYS 407, 408; CS 415, 416, 515, 516; and ECE 543, 562, and 583.
2. Any computer engineering major whose cumulative grade-point average in ECE and CS courses is less than 2.0 during any three semesters will not be allowed to continue as a computer engineering major.
3. Computer engineering majors must achieve a 2.0 grade-point average in ECE and CS courses as a requirement for graduation.
To make an exception to any of these departmental requirements based on extenuating circumstances, students must petition the department’s undergraduate committee. Mindful of these rules, students, with their advisers’ assistance, should plan their programs based on the distribution of courses in the chart below for a total of at least 131 credits.
Freshman Year
| Abbreviation | Course Number | Title | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECE | 401 | Perspectives in Electrical & Computer Engineering | 4 | - |
| MATH | 425 | Calculus I | 4 | - |
| CS | 415 | Intro to Computer Science I | 4 | - |
| Discovery Program Category | 4 | - | ||
| ECE | 543 | Intro to Digital Systems | - | 4 |
| MATH | 426 | Calculus II | - | 4 |
| CS | 416 | Intro to Computer Science II | - | 4 |
| ENGL | 401 | First-Year Writing | - | 4 |
| Total | 16 | 16 |
Sophomore Year
| Abbreviation | Course Number | Title | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECE | 562 | Computer Organization | 4 | - |
| PHYS | 407 | Physics I | 4 | - |
| MATH | 527 | Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | 4 | - |
| CS | 515 | Data Structures | 4 | - |
| ECE | 583 | Design with Programmable Logic | - | 4 |
| PHYS | 408 | Physics II | - | 4 |
| CS | 516 | Software Design & Development | - | 4 |
| Discovery Program Category | - | 4 | ||
| Total | 16 | 16 |
Junior Year
| Abbreviation | Course Number | Title | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECE | 541 | Electrical Circuits | 4 | - |
| ECE | 602 | Engineering Analysis | 4 | - |
| ECE | 633 | Signals and Systems I | 3 | - |
| Discovery Program Category | 4 | - | ||
| ECE | 548 | Electronic Design I | - | 4 |
| ECE | 603 | Electromagnetic Fields and Waves | - | 4 |
| ECE | 647 | Random Processes & Signals in Engineering | - | 3 |
| ECE | 649 | Embedded Microcomputer Based Design | - | 4 |
| ECE | 694 | Engineering Professional Principles | 1 | |
| Total | 15 | 16 |
Senior Year
| Abbreviation | Course Number | Title | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECE | 714 | Intro to Digital Signal Processing | 4 | - |
| Professional Elective** | 4 | - | ||
| Professional Elective** | 4 | - | ||
| Discovery Program Category | 4 | - | ||
| ECE | 791 | Senior Project I*,*' | 2 | - |
| ECE | 734 | Network Data Communications | 4 | |
| Professional Elective** | - | 4 | ||
| Discovery Program Category | - | 4 | ||
| Discovery Program Category | - | 4 | ||
| ECE | 792 | Senior Project II*,*' | - | 2 |
| Total | 18 | 18 |
*ECE 791 and 792 fulfills Discovery Program Capstone Experience.
*'TECH 797, Undergraduate Ocean Research Project, may be substituted for ECE 791 and 792.
** Three professional electives must be selected from the following categories of courses:
At least one from: ECE 711, ECE 715, ECE 717
No more than one from: ADMIN 640, DS 773, DS 774
Any of these: ECE 634, ECE 651, ECE 7XX, CS 620, CS 645, CS 659, CS 671, CS 7XX
Professional electives beyond those mentioned above must carry at least three credits and no more than one can be an independent study, special topic, or a project course. An alternative is a student-designed plan approved by the ECE undergraduate committee.
Students are required to take either ECON 402 or EREC 411 to fulfill the Social Science Category of the Discovery Program.
Students are restricted from taking CS 401 and CS 403.
Fulfilling the CE Program curriculum automatically meets Discovery Category, "Environment, Technology and Society."
