The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers programs leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, and Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering. 

Both of the engineering degree programs are fully accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

The UIC College of Engineering admits students during the Fall, Spring and Summer terms. They admit students who are beginning Freshmen (directly out of High School) and transfer students (Junior standing). Students seeking admission to the College of Engineering who are recent high school graduates or who have earned less than 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) of credit at another collegiate institution are classified as new freshman and must meet the entrance requirements to the College that are specified for new freshmen. The College of Engineering recommends that each new freshman complete a strong high school mathmatics curriculum that includes algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.

 
For more details about admission criteria please select the admission type below.

View and/or download this file containing CE curriculum and requirements program information.
Computer Engineering is concerned with the application of electrical principles to the design of computer systems and digital networks. Through creative utilization of tools and knowledge, a computer engineer designs digital systems that are being employed in virtually all fields of human endeavor. This requires a background in physical sciences, information sciences, electrical engineering and computer science. Computer engineering requires skills in both the design and development of computer hardware, and computer software. Depending on the need, the computer engineer may work with electrical engineers, computer scientists, information systems experts, biomedical researchers, and people in almost any other field. 

Computer Engineering Program Educational Objectives

1. To prepare the student for professional practice and to pursue graduate and/or professional education.
2. To achieve skills in communication and teamwork,
• to acquire an understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities in engineering,
• to acquire the skills for the necessity of life-long learning, and
• to strive for an understanding of contemporary issues and the impact of engineering products on society.
3. To learn how to use hardware and software tools,
• to develop independent problem solving skills and
• to achieve an understanding of the design process.
4. To acquire a knowledge of the fundamental and essential principles in Computer Engineering.
5. To learn and creatively apply the fundamentals of mathematics, physical sciences and data analysis.

The diversity of products that involve the design talents of a computer engineer is unlimited. These range from large to small computers to special purpose computing hardware and software embedded within devices and systems. The applications are in, for example, business to organize, process, and communicate data, communications over mobile and satellite networks, digital sound and picture processing for entertainment, household appliances, automotive systems, manufacturing process control, biomedical instrumentation, machine control, and innumerable other fields. The emphasis in computer engineering is on the design of hardware as well as software tools and systems for acquisition, processing, storage, and transmission of data and signals by digital means.

All students are required to obtain a strong mathematical foundation, including discrete mathematics, probability and statistics. Each student acquires a common background in the fundamentals of electrical engineering and computer science. This includes course work in computer languages, data structures and algorithms, software design and development, circuit analysis, signal processing, computer architecture, digital networks, microprocessor based design, digital electronic circuits design, and computer operating systems design.

Furthermore, in consultation with an adviser, each student can follow an individualized program by taking courses selected from a departmentally approved list of technical elective courses for Computer Engineering. In course work, students do design projects, while learning to apply computer based tools. As a senior, each student gains further design experience working on a two-semester design project involving practical application of engineering principles. Most of these projects solve realistic problems and the results are presented in an exposition. The curriculum also requires the student to acquire oral and writing skills in expressing their professional ideas and ethical norms. Opportunities are available to participate in the activities of the student chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, IEEE. Students interested to apply their knowledge of hardware and software to robotics can join the activities of the Engineering Design Team (EDT).

View and/or download this file containing EE curriculum and requirements program information.
E lectrical E ngineering is concerned with analysis and design of modern electronic systems, devices and signals for a broad range of applications such as wireless or network communication, electrical power and control and multimedia information technology. The electrical engineering curriculum provides a wide background in the fundamental theory of electrical engineering and in the mathematical and scientific tools necessary for an electrical engineer to meet the current and future challenges of a professional career. The field of electrical engineering is currently evolving at a rapid pace since it has a major role in the accelerated growth of the technological world. This requires the modern electrical engineer not only to have a sound basis in the fundamental principles but also to have the capacity to learn and assimilate novel advances as soon as they materialize. These qualities are anticipated in the curriculum, which includes not only a sound theoretical background but also offers a variety of courses that develop the student's ability to gain knowledge autonomously and to combine it with contemporary design techniques. Courses are in diverse areas such as signal processing, power electronics, communications, optical and electromagnetic technologies, control systems, integrated circuits, multimedia networks, and image analysis.  

Electrical Engineering Program Educational Objectives

1. To prepare the student for professional practice and to pursue graduate and/or professional education.
2. To achieve skills in communication and teamwork,
• to acquire an understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities in engineering,
• to acquire the skills for the necessity of life-long learning, and
• to strive for an understanding of contemporary issues and the impact of engineering products on society.
3. To learn how to use hardware and software tools,
• to develop independent problem solving skills and
• to achieve an understanding of the design process.
4. To acquire a knowledge of the fundamental and essential principles in Electrical Engineering.
5. To learn and creatively apply the fundamentals of mathematics, physical sciences and data analysis.

The curriculum includes both required and elective courses. The required courses are in engineering, mathematics and physics, and they provide a wide backdrop in science and engineering. The elective courses are more specialized and offer a broad range of electrical engineering applications. Each student is assigned a faculty adviser that assists in the selection of the courses.

In addition to classroom experience, the electrical engineering curriculum is planned also to provide laboratory practice in electrical and electronic circuits, electromagnetics, communication and signal processing, controls, computers and digital systems. The curriculum incorporates design projects in the student's experience starting from the freshman year and culminating in a capstone design project in the senior year. The project requires the students to undertake a significant group design that enriches their knowledge in practical aspects of engineering principles and methodologies. Most of these projects solve realistic problems and the results are presented in an exposition. The curriculum also requires the student to acquire oral and writing skills in expressing their professional ideas and ethical norms. Opportunities are available to participate in the activities of the student chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, IEEE, and Eta Kappa Nu, the Honor Society of Electrical Engineering. Students interested in robotics can join the activities of the Engineering Design Team (EDT).

Outcomes of ECE Programs

The student that completes the electrical engineering program or the computer engineering program will have:

• an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering
• an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as analyze and interpret data
• an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health, and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
• an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
• en ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems
• an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
• an ability to communicate effectively
• the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
• a recognition of the need for, and ability to engage in life-long learning
• a knowledge of contemporary issues
• an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.