Undergraduate Course Catalog 2014-2015
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
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Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)
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Professor: Kent A. Chamberlin, John R. LaCourse, W. Thomas Miller III, Andrzej Rucinski
Affiliate Professor: Patrick Kane, William H. Lenharth, Wolfgang Rehak, Anatoly Sachenko
Associate Professor: Michael J. Carter, Allen D. Drake, Andrew L. Kun, Richard A. Messner
Affiliate Associate Professor: Brad Gillespie, Timothy Paek, Dragan Vidacic, Jerzy Zurek
Assistant Professor: Nicholas J. Kirsch, Christopher LeBlanc, Qiaoyan Yu
Affiliate Assistant Professor: Francis C. Hludik Jr., Jason Jeffords, Paula L. McWilliam
Senior 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 smart phones; 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, including everyday items ranging from watches to automobiles. 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 embedded 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:
Electrical Engineering Program Educational Objectives
Depth: To be effective in applying electrical engineering principles in engineering practice or for advanced study in electrical engineering.
Breadth: To have a productive career in the many diverse fields of electrical engineering such as analog engineering, bioengineering, communications, and electromagnetics and waves, or in the pursuit of graduate education in disciplines such as electrical engineering, medicine, law or business.
Professionalism: To function effectively in the complex modern work environment with the ability to assume professional leadership roles.
Computer Engineering Program Educational Objectives
Depth: To be effective in applying computer engineering principles in engineering practice or for advanced study in computer engineering.
Breadth: To have a productive career in the many diverse fields of computer engineering such as digital engineering, bioengineering, communications, and embedded systems, or in the pursuit of graduate education in disciplines such as computer engineering, medicine, law or business.
Professionalism: To function effectively in the complex modern work environment with the ability to assume professional leadership roles.
The electrical and computer engineering educational program objectives were approved by the ECE faculty and the ECE Student Advisory Board in September 2012 and then ratified by the ECE Industrial Advisory Board in October 2012.
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 be 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 course requirements.
1. 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.
2. 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.
First 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 | - |
| ECON or EREC | 402 or 411 | Principles of Economics (Micro) or Environmental and Resource Economics Perspectives | 4 | - |
| PHYS | 407 | Physics I | - | 4 |
| ENGL | 401 | First-Year Writing | - | 4 |
| MATH | 426 | Calculus II | - | 4 |
| Discovery Program Category* | - | 4 | ||
| Total | 16 | 16 |
*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 required to take either ECON 402 or EREC 411 to fulfill the Social Science Category of the Discovery Program.
Fulfilling the EE Program curriculum automatically meets Discovery Category, "Environment, Technology and Society."
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 | - |
| CHEM | 405 | Chemical Principles for Engineers | 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 | 694 | Engineering Professional Principles | 1 | |
| Total | 19 | 15 |
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.
**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.
Computer Engineering Program
In addition to Discovery Program requirements, the department has a number of grade-point average and course requirements:
1. Any computer engineering major whose cumulative grade-point average in ECE and Computer Science courses is less than 2.0 during any three semesters will not be allowed to continue as a computer engineering major.
2. 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.
First 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 | - |
| ECON or EREC | 402 or 411 | Principles of Economics (Micro) or Environmental and Resource Economics Perspectives | 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 |
Students are required to take either ECON 402 or EREC 411 to fulfill the Social Science Category of the Discovery Program.
Fulfilling the CE Program curriculum automatically meets Discovery Category, "Environment, Technology and Society."
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 | 520 | Assembly Language Programming | - | 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 | - |
| Professional Elective** | 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.
** Three professional electives must be selected from the following categories of courses:
At least two from: ECE 7XX not including ECE 795 and ECE 796
No more than one from: ADMIN 640, DS 773, DS 774
Any of these: ECE 634, ECE 651, ECE 795, ECE 796, 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.
