Current Prerequisites & Course Offering
For current prerequisites for a particular course, and to view course offerings for a particular semester, see the Virginia Tech Course Timetables.
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Complete Listing of Undergraduate ECE Courses by Number. Effective January 26, 2007
- 4300 Level Courses
- 4400 & 4700 Level Courses
- 4500 Level Courses
- 4600 Level Courses
- 4900 Level Courses
ECE 1574 Engineering Problem Solving with C++
Problem solving techniques for engineering problems, primarily from the fields of electrical and computer engineering; procedural and object-oriented program development, editing, compiling, linking, and debugging using the C++ programming language.
Required for all EE and CPE majors. Typically Offered: Fall/Spring. Program Area: Computers. (3C)
Prerequisites: ENGE 1024 Engineering Exploration (C- or better) or EF 1015 Introduction to Engineering (C- or better); MATH 1205 Calculus (C- or better)
(For more information on this course, see the news article from the Winter 2003 ECE Connection.)
ECE 2014 Engineering Professionalism in ECE
This required course provides an overview of the nature and scope of the electrical and computer engineering professions and the undergraduate program of study, including technical elective specializations and career options. It will contribute to the university's Visual, Expressive, Written, and Spoken (ViEWS) communication requirement and provide a foundation for integration of ViEWS within upper division departmental requirements. Finally, the course will also address and integrate educational objectives including teamwork; professional and ethical responsibility; impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context; contemporary issues; diversity; and life-long learning
Required for all EE and CPE majors. Typically Offered Fall Credit. (2C)
ECE 2004 Electric Circuit Analysis
Introduction to the basic laws and techniques for the analysis of electric circuits. Calculation of the response of circuits with resistors, independent sources, controlled sources, and operational amplifiers. The transient analysis of basic circuits with R, L, and C components. An introduction to AC analysis and phasors.
Required for all EE and CPE majors. Typically Offered Fall/Spring Credit. Program Area: Circuits/Electronics. (3C)
Prerequisites: MATH 1206 Calculus (C- or better); MATH 1224 Vector Geometry (C- or better); ENGE 1104 Exploration of the Digital Future. Corequisites: MATH 2214 Differential Equations
ECE 2204 Electronics I
Introduction to basic electronic devices including diodes and transistors and their operating principles. Analysis of electroic circuits operating under dc bias and switching conditions. Applications of devices in digital electronic circuits.
Required for all EE and CPE majors. Typically offered Fall/Spring/Summer II. Program Area: Circuits/Electronics. (3C )
Prerequisites: ECE 2004 Electric Circuit Analysis. Co-requisites: ECE 2274 Electronic Networks Lab.
ECE 2274 Electronic Networks Lab I
Principles of operation of electrical and electronic test equipment and applications to measurement of circuit parameters. Transient and steady state response of RLC networks. Applications of laws and theories of circuits. Design, prototyping, and testing of electronic devices and circuits.
Required for all EE and CPE majors. Typically offered Fall/Spring/Summer II. Program Area: Circuits/Electronics. (1C)
Corequisites: ECE 2204 Electronics I
ECE 2500: Computer Organization and Architecture
Computer organization and architecture: instruction formats and constrcution; addressing modes; memory hierarchy (cache, main memory and secondary memory) operation and performance; simple pipelines; basic performance analysis; simple OS functions, particularly as they relate to hardware; virtual memory; computer I/O concepts, including interrupt and DMA mechanisms; intercomputer communication concepts.
Required for all CPE majors. (3C)
Prerequisite: ECE 2504
ECE 2504 Introduction to Computer Engineering
An introduction to the design and operation of digital computers, including information representation, logic design, integrated circuits, register transfer description, basic computer organization and machine-level programming. The relationship between software and hardware is stressed. This course duplicates material in CS 2504 and may not be taken for credit towards graduation if CS 2504 is also taken.
Required for all EE and CPE majors. Typically offered Fall/Spring/Summer I. Program Area: Computers. (3C)
ECE 2524: Introduction to Unix for Engineers
Fundamental concepts of operating systems, emphasizing a hands-on introduction to UNIX. User interfaces, UNIX shell commands, the UNIX file system, task management, common system utilities, the UNIX programming environment. Students gain experience with system installation and administration.
Duplicates CS 2204. Required for all CPE majors. (2C)
Prerequisite: ECE 2574
ECE 2574 Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms
Introduces fundamental data structures, algorithms, and abstract data types. Main topics include data structures such as arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, graphs, and trees, and algorithms such as those that are used for list manipulation, graph searches, sorting, searching, and tree traversals. Implementation of data structures and algorithms in C++.
Required for all CPE majors. Typically offered Fall/Spring/Summer II. Program Area: Computers. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 1574 Engineering Problem Solving with C++
ECE 2704 Signals and Systems
Analysis techniques for signals and systems. Signal representation, including Fourier and Laplace transforms. System definitions and properties, such as linearity, causality, time invariance, and stablility. Use of convolution, transfer functions and frequency response to determine system response. Applications to circuit analysis.
Required for all EE and CPE majors. Typically offered Fall/Spring/Summer I. Program Area: Systems/Controls. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 2004 Electric Circuit Analysis; MATH 2214 Differential Equations
ECE 3004 AC Circuit Analysis
Application of the basic laws and techniques of circuit analysis to ac circuits. Complex numbers and algebra with an emphasis on phasor representation of circuits. Calculation of the frequency response of circuits with R, L, and C components, independent sources, controlled sources, and operational amplifiers. Analysis of AC steady-state circuits and determination of average power. Magnetically coupled circuits. Laplace and Fourier transforms. Representation of circuits by two-port models.
Prerequisites: 2004, 2274, 2704 (3H, 3C)
Typically offered: Fall/ Spring (3C)
ECE 3054 Electrical Theory
For students in curricula other than ECE. Fundamentals of electric circuits: circuit laws and network theorems, operational amplifiers, energy storage elements, response of first and second order systems, AC steady state analysis.
Taught for non-majors. Typically offered Fall/ Spring/ Summer I. (3C)
Prerequisites: PHYS 2306 Foundations of Physics. Corequisites: MATH 2214 Differential Equations
ECE 3105 Electromagnetic Fields
Maxwell's equations and their application to engineering problems. Electrostatics, steady electric currents, magnetostatics (through materials).
Required for all EE majors; Technical elective for CPE majors. Typically offered Fall/Spring/Summer I. Program Area: Electromagnetics. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 2004 Electric Circuit Analysis; PHYS 2306 Foundations of Physics; MATH 2224 Multivariable Calculus
ECE 3106 Electromagnetic Fields
Maxwell's equations and their application to engineering problems. Magnetostatics (inductances, forces, energy), time-varying fields, waves and propagation, transmission lines, waveguides.
Required for all EE majors; Technical elective for CPE majors. Typically Offered: Fall/Spring/Summer II. Program Area: Electromagnetics. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3105 Electromagnetic Fields
ECE 3204 Electronics II
Design method to achieve gain and bandwidth specificaitons in amplifiers are presented. Use of feedback techniques are presented. Properties and design specifications of operational amplifiers are studied.
Required for all EE majors. Typically Offered: Fall/Spring. Program Area: Circuits/Electronics. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 2204 Electronics I
ECE 3254 Industrial Electronics
For students in curricula other than EE and CpE. Fundamentals of electronics, including basic device principles. Circuit applications include digital, op-amp, and analog analysis for industrial applications and magnetic circuits.
Taught for non-majors. Typically offered Fall/Spring/Summer II. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3054 Electrical Theory
ECE 3274 Electronic Networks Lab II
Design of amplifiers and other electronic systems to satisfy specifications. Bipolar and field effect transistors, diodes, integrated circuits and passive components are part of the hardware needed. Gain, bandwidth, feedback, stability are some of the design concepts.
Required for all EE and CPE majors. Typically offered Fall/Spring. Program Area: Circuits/Electronics. (1C)
Corequisites: ECE 3204 Electronics II
ECE 3304 Introduction to Power Systems
Basic concepts of AC systems, single-phase and three-phase networks, electric power generation, transformers, transmission lines, electric machinery and the use of power.
Required for all EE majors; Technical elective for CPE majors. Typically offered Fall/Spring/Summer I. Program Area: Power Systems. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3004 AC Circuit Analysis
ECE 3354 Electric Power Engineering Laboratory
Laboratory experiments based on principles of electric power engineering.
Required for all EE majors; Technical elective for CPE majors. Typically Offered: Fall/Spring/Summer II. Program Area: Power Systems. (1C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3004 AC Circuit Analysis
ECE 3504 Digital Design I
Design techniques for combinational and sequential logic. Design of digital circuits using standard integrated circuit chips and programmable logic devices. Computer simulation will be used to validate designs. Prototypes will be constructed to demonstrate design functionality.
Required for all CPE majors; Technical elective for EE majors. Typically Offered: Fall/Spring/Summer I. Program Area: Computers. (4C)
Prerequisites: ECE 2504 Introduction to Computer Engineering
ECE 3534 Microprocessor System Design
Operation and applications of microprocessors and microcontrollers, including system level organization, analysis of specific processors, and software and hardware interface design.
Required for all EE and CPE majors. Typically Offered: Fall/Spring. Program Area: Computers. (4C)
Prerequisites: ECE 2504 Introduction to Computer Engineering; ENGL 3764 Technical Writing
For more information, see, "Microprocessor Design Helps Hone Writing Skills."
ECE 3574 Applied Software Engineering
Software engineering models, tools and techniques are applied to the development of large scale engineering software projects.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Fall. Program Area: Computers. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 2574 Introduction to Data Structures and Software Engineering
ECE 3614 Introduction to Communication Systems
Analysis and design of communication systems based on spectral representation of signals. Topics include random processes and noise, pulse shaping, sampled signals, analog-to-digital conversion, time and frequency division multiplexing, and the design and characterization of amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), and pulse code modulation (PCM) systems.
Required for all EE majors; Technical elective for CPE majors. Typically Offered: Fall/Spring/Summer I. Program Area: Communications. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 2704 Signals and Systems.
ECE 3704 Continuous and Discrete Systems
Continuous- and discrete-time system theory. Block diagrams, feedback, and stability theory. System analysis with Bode diagrams. Discrete-time stability, difference equations, Z-transforms, transfer functions, Fourier transforms, and frequency response. Sampling of continuous systems and an introduction to digital filtering.
Required for all EE majors; Technical elective for CPE majors. Typically Offered: Fall/Spring/Summer II. Program Area: Systems/Controls. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 2704 Signals and Systems
ECE 4104 Microwave and RF Engineering
Passive and active RF and microwave components and circuits for wireless communications: transmission-line theory; planar transmission-lines and waveguides; S-parameters; resonators; power dividers and couplers; microwave filters; sources, detectors, and active devices; modern RF & microwave CAD; measurement techniques.
Capstone Technical Elective for EE; Technical Elective for CPE. Typically Offered: Fall. Program Area: Electromagnetics. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3106 Electromagnetic Fields II; ECE 3204 Electronics II
ECE 4114 Antennas
Antenna fundamentals, analysis and design principles, and a survey of antenna types including: arrays, wire antennas, broadband antennas, and aperture antennas.
Capstone Technical Elective for EE; Technical Elective for CPE. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Electromagnetics. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3106 Electromagnetic Fields II
ECE 4124 Radio Wave Propagation
Behavior of radiated electromagnetic waves in atmosphere, space, urban and indoor environments; path, frequency and antenna selection for practical communication systems; propagation prediction.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Electromagnetics. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3106 Electromagnetic Fields II
ECE 4134 Fiber Optics and Applications
Theory of optical fiber waveguide propagation and design applications in communication and sensing systems.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Fall; Summer I. Program area: Electromagnetics (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3106 Electromagnetic Fields II
ECE 4144 Introduction to Optical Information Processing
Modern wave optics. The application of Fourier transforms to image analysis, optical spatial filtering, and image processing.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Electromagnetics. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3106 Electromagnetics Fields II
ECE 4164 Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Theory and Design
Fundamental theory and applications of radio navigation with the Global Positioning System GPS. Satellite orbit theory, GPS signal structure and theory, point positioning with pseudoranges and carrier phases, selective availability, dilution of precision, differential GPS, atmospheric effect on GPS signals.
Capstone Technical Elective for EE; Technical Elective for CPE. Typically Offered: Fall. Program Area: Electromagnetics. (4C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3106 Electromagnetic Fields II or AOE 4134 Astromechanics
For more information, see, "New GPS Course 2nd of Kind in USA."
ECE 4184 Fiber Optics Laboratory
Experimental analysis of optical fiber communication and sensing devices and systems including fiber construction and its properties. Optical sources and detectors, and system design.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Electromagnetics. (1C)
Prerequisites: ECE 4134 Fiber Optics and Applications
ECE 4205 Electronic Circuit Design
Stability and response of feedback amplifier, wideband amplifier, operational amplifier characteristics, waveform generators and wave shaping, nonlinear circuit applications, signal generators, and photolithography. Design of analog electronic circuits, circuit simulation, response characterization, and printed circuit construction.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Fall. Program Area: Circuits/Electronics. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3204 Electronics II
ECE 4206 Electronic Circuit Design
Stability and response of feedback amplifier, wideband amplifier, operational amplifier characteristics, waveform generators and wave shaping, nonlinear circuit applications, signal generators, and photolithography. Design of analog electronic circuits, circuit simulation, response characterization, and printed circuit construction.
Capstone Technical Elective for EE; Technical Elective for CPE. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Circuits/Electronics. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 4205 Electronic Circuit Design
ECE 4214 Semiconductor Device Fundamentals
Semiconductor devices and materials, Heterojunctions, light-emitting diodes, photodetectors, solar cells, Gunn devices, coupled charge-devices, and thyristors.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Circuits/Electronics. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3106 Electromagnetic Fields
ECE 4220 Analog Integrated Circuit Design
Integrated circuit design in silicon bipolar, MOS, and BiCMOS technologies for communications, sensor, instrumentation, data conversion, and power managment applications. Models for integrated circuit active devices in bipolar and MOS technologies; noise; current mirrors, active loads and references; amplifiers and output stages; operational amplifiers; and an introduction to data conversion circuits. Circuit design at the IC level; modern VLSI CAD software.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Fall. Program Area: Circuits/Electronics. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3204 Electronics II
ECE 4224 Power Electronics
Power devices and switching circuits including inverters and converters; electronic power processing and control as applied to industrial drives, transportation systems, computers, and spacecraft systems.
Capstone Technical Elective for EE; Technical Elective for CPE. Typically Offered: Fall. Program Area: Circuits/Electronics. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3204 Electronics II
ECE 4234 Semiconductor Processing
Manufacturing practices used in silicon integrated circuit fabrication and the underlying scientific basis for these process technologies. Physical models are developed to explain basic fabrication steps, such as substrate growth, thermal oxidation, dopant diffusion, ion implantation, thin film deposition, etching, and lithography. The overall CMOS integrated circuit process flow is described within the context of these physical models.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Circuits/Electronics. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 2204 Electronics I; or ECE 3054 Electrical Theory
ECE 4235 & 4236 Principles of Electronic Packaging
This two-course sequence covers principles and analyses for design and manufacture of electronic packages. 4235: design issues such as electrical, electromagnetic, thermal, mechanical, and thermomechanical, are covered at the lower levels of packaging hierarchy. Materials and process selection guidelines are discussed for the manufacturing and reliability of chip carriers, multichip and hybrid modules. 4236: system-level package design issues for meeting application requirements and modeling tools for analyzing electronic packages are introduced. Materials and process selection guidelines are discussed for the manufacturing and reliability of packaged electronic products..
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Fall, Spring. Program Area: Circuits/Electronics. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 2204 Electronics I. Corequisites (4235): ECE 3054 Electrical Theory (for non-ECE majors only)
ECE 4274 Electronic Packaging Lab
A laboratory course on electronic package design, fabrciation and processing, and testing. Technologies addressed in the course are thick-film hybrid, thin-film processing, surface mount, wire bonding, and multichip module technologies.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Circuits/Electronics. (1C)
Prerequisites: ECE/MSE 4235 Electronic Packaging
ECE 4284 Power Electronics Lab
Design and testing of electronic power processing systems for commercial and aerospace applications.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Circuits/Electronics. (1C)
Prerequisites: ECE 4224 Power Electronics
ECE 4304 Design in Power Engineering
Study principles in electric power engineering and apply them in design problems including: machine control and design, IT and Internet applications in power, expert systems and AI applications, power system protection and digital relaying, communication, and data transmission, solar and wind energy, computer-aided design and GUI, data over power lines.
Capstone Technical Elective for EE; Technical Elective for CPE. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Power Systems. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3304 Introduction to Power Systems
ECE 4314 Control and Applications of Electric Machines
Dynamics and control of different applications of electric machines, DC machines, synchronous machines, polyphase induction machines and fractional horsepower machines.
Technical Elective. Program Area: Power Systems. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3304 Introduction to Power Systems
ECE 4324 Electronic Control of Machines
Dynamics and control of electric machines driven by electronic power converters.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Fall. Program Area: Power Systems. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 4405 Controls; ECE 3304 Introduction to Power Systems
ECE 4334 Power System Analysis and Control
Development of methods for power analysis and control. An analysis and design of systems for steady state, transient, and dynamic conditions. Digital solutions emphasized.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Fall. Program Area: Power Systems. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3304 Introduction to Power Systems
ECE 4344 Electric Power Quality for the Digital Economy
Causes, consequences and solutions of power quality problems that affect the operation of computerized processes and electronic systems. Industry standards, monitoring techniques and economic consideration of power quality issues.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Fall. Program Area: Power Systems. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3304 Introduction to Power Systems
ECE 4354 Power System Protection
Protection of power apparatus and systems. Fuses. Voltage and current transducers. Relays, Coordination of Relays. Pilot channels. Grounding practices. Surge phenomena. Insulation coordination.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Power Systems. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 4334 Power System Analysis and Control
ECE 4364 Alternate Energy Systems
Electric energy from alternative energy sources including solar, wind, hydro, biomass, geothermal and ocean. Characteristics of direct conversion, electromechanical conversion, and storage devices used in alternative energy systems. Power system issues associated with integration of small scale energy sources into the electricity grid.
Online Course. Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Power Systems. (3C)
Prerequisites: STAT 4714 Probability and Statistics for EE
ECE 4374 Power System Protection Lab
Experimental verification of principles and practice of protective relaying. Experiments and design projects to demonstrate the principles and techniques of industrial power system design. Fuses, time overcurrent and instantaneous relays. Differential relaying for transformers. Distance relaying. Current and Voltage transformers.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Power Systems. (1C)
Prerequisites: ECE 4334 Power System Analysis and Control. Corequisites: ECE 4354 Power System Protection
ECE 4405 Control Systems
Introduction to control systems, modeling techniques, root locus analysis and design, Nyquist criteria, frequency domain compensation.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Fall. Program Area: Systems/Controls. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3704 Continuous and Discrete Systems (C- or better)
ECE 4406 Control Systems
Introduction to sample data techniques for control system design.
Capstone Technical Elective for EE; Technical Elective for CPE. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Systems/Controls. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 4405 Control Systems (C- or better)
For More Information, see the news article, "A Quieter Headset, Nearly Perfect Results."
ECE 4415 Control Systems Lab
Design and implementation of controllers for physical systems. System identification techniques. Supplements material in ECE 4405. Continuous-time modeling and control.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Fall. Program Area: Systems/Controls. (1C)
Corequisites: ECE 4405 Control Systems
ECE 4416 Control Systems Lab
Design and implementation of controllers for physical systems. System identification techniques. Supplements material in ECE 4406. Discrete-time modeling and control.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Systems/Controls. (1C)
Prerequisites: ECE 4415 Control Systems Lab. Corequisites: ECE 4406 Control Systems
ECE 4704 Principles of Robotics Systems
Introduction to the design, analysis, control, and operation of robotic mechanisms. Introduction to the use of homogeneous coordinates for kinematics, dynamics, and camera orientation; sensors and actuators, control, task planning, vision, and intelligence.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Systems/Controls. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 2704 Signals and Systems; ECE 3534 Microprocessor System Design
ECE 4734 Mechatronics
Electromechanical system modeling, control, and applications. Design of electronic interfaces and controllers for mechanical devices. Sensor technology, signal acquisition, filtering, and conditioning. Microcontroller-based-loop control and device communications. Sensor and actuator selection, installation, and application strategies.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Fall. Program Area: Systems/Controls. (3C)
ECE 2504 Introduction to Computer Engineering; ECE 2704 Signals and Systems or ME 3514
For more information, see, "From Automatic Dog Feeders to Paintball Sentries: Designing Intelligent Machines."
(not currently offered -- effective fall 2006)
ECE 4500 Fundamentals of Computer Systems
Master of Information Technology students only. Fundamental principles and concepts of computer systems. Computer hardware; Boolean logic; number systems and representation; design and operation of digital logic; instruction set architectures and computer organization; and basics of data communication and networking. Partially duplicates ECE 3504 and 4504.
Online course taught for Master of Information Technology students only. Typically Offered: Fall/Spring. Program Area: Computers. (3C)
Prerequisites: Ability to program in a modern high-level programming language. programming language.
ECE 4510 Genetic Algorithms and Evolutionary Design
Introduction to evolutionary computation and design, including genetic algorithms, genetic programming, evolutionary programming and evolution strategies. Applications in engineering optimization, digital systems design, automatic programming and knowledge discovery.
Design Technical Elective for CPE; Technical Elective for EE. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Computers. (3C).
Prerequisites: ECE 2504 Introduction to Computer Engineering; CS 2704 Object-Oriented Programming. Corequisites: STAT 4714 Probability and Statistics for EE
ECE 4514 Digital Design II
In this course, students will learn to use a hardware description language (VHDL) in the digital design process. Emphasis will be on system-level concepts and high-level design representations. Methods will be learned that are appropriate for use in automated synthesis systems. Students will have the opportunity to use commercial schematic capture and simulation tools to design a series of increasingly complex devices. Students will also use a logic synthesis tool and synthesize assignments into Field Programmable Gate Arrays.
Design Technical Elective for CPE; Capstone Technical Elective for EE. Typically Offered: Fall/Spring/Summer II. Program Area: Computers. (4C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3504 Digital Design I
For more information and description of recent project, see "EE/CPE Teams Denoise EKG Signals."
ECE 4520 Digital Design and Mixed-Signal System Testing and Testable Design
Program Area: Computers. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 2574 Introduction to Data Structures and Software Engineering; ECE 3504 Digital Design I.
ECE 4524 Artificial Intelligence and Engineering Applications
Problem solving methods; problem spaces; search techniques; knowledge representation; programming languages for AI; games; predicate logic; knowledge-based systems; machine learning; planning techniques; reactive systems; artifical neural networks; natural language understanding; computer vision; robotics.
Design Technical Elective for CPE; Technical Elective for EE. Typical Semester Offered: Fall. Program Area: Computers. (4C)
Prerequisites: ECE 2574 Introduction to Data Structures and Software Engineering; STAT 4714 Probability and Statistics for EE
ECE 4530 Hardware/ Software Codesign
An introduction to the design of mixed hardware-software systems,focusing on common underlying modeling concepts, the design of hardware-software interfaces, and the trade-offs between hardware and software components. Students will use simulation tools to conduct experiments with mixed hardware-software systems in the area of embedded systems.
Program Area: Computers. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3504 Digital Design I; ECE 3534 Microprocessor System Design
ECE 4534 Embedded System Design
Microprocessor development systems, programming using assembly and higher-level languages. Implementation of embedded application algorithms. Details of a contemporary microprocessor architecture. Comparative analysis of advanced architecture and speciality architectures. Laboratory work is required. Software development including multiple memory models, device drivers, basic network principles including internet applications.
Required course for CPE; Technical Elective for EE. Typically Offered: Fall/Spring. Program Area: Computers. (4C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3534 Microprocessor System Design
ECE 4540 VLSI Circuit Design
Introduction to the design and layout of Very Large Scale Integrated Circuits (VLSI). Emphasis is placed on digital CMOS circuits. Static and dynamic properties of MOSFET devices, along with integrated circuit fabrication are examined. Computer-aided design tools are used to produce working integrated circuit designs.
Design Technical Elective for CPE; Technical Elective for EE. Typically Offered: Fall. Program Area: Computers. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 2204 Electronics I; ECE 3504 Digital Design I
ECE 4550 Real-Time Systems
Introduction to real-time systems, real-time scheduling including multiprocessor scheduling, real-time operating systems (kernels), real-time communication, real-time programming languages, reliability and fault-tolerance, and real-time system requirements and design methods. Design, analysis, and implementation of real-time kernel mechanisms and real-time applications using kernels such as Linux and programming languages such as C (with POSIX primitives) and Ada 95.
Design Technical Elective for CPE; Technical Elective for EE. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Computers. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 2504 Introduction to Computer Engineering; CS 3204 Operating Systems
ECE 4560 Computer and Network Security Fundamentals
Introduction to fundamental security principles and real-world applications of Internet and computer security. Topics covered in the course include legal and privacy issues, risk analysis, attack and intrusion detection concepts, system log analysis, intrusion detection and packet filtering techniques, computer security models, computer forensics, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
Technical Elective for EE. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Computers. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 4564
ECE 4564 Network Application Design
Application program interface and network transport services including User Datagram Protocol and Transmission Control Protocol from the Internet protocol suite. Client-server organization and design of synchronous, asynchronous, and multithreaded client and server applications. Design, implementation, and testing techniques to improve robustness and performance. Design and implementation of servers and clients for standard Internet application protocols. Partially duplicates CS 4254 and credit will not be allowed for both.
Design Technical Elective for CPE; Technical Elective for EE. Typically Offered: Fall. Program Area: Computers. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 2504 Introduction to Computer Engineering; ECE 2574 Introduction to Data Structures and Software Engineering
For more information, see "Designing the fastest internet client."
ECE 4570 Wireless Networks and Mobile Systems
Multidisciplinary, project-oriented design course that considers aspects of wireless and mobile systems. Including wireless networks and link protocols, mobile networking including support for the Internet Protocol suite, mobile middleware, and mobile applications. Students complete multiple experiments and design projects.
Design Technical Elective for CPE; Technical Elective for EE. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Computers. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 4564 Network Application Design or CS 4254
ECE 4574 Large-Scale Software Development for Engineering Systems
Large-scale software implementations of the hierarchy of engineering analysis, design, and decision evaluation. Computer-aided engineering programs with state-of-the-art computer tools and methods. Operator overloading, dynamic polymorphism, graphical user interfaces, generic programming, dynamic link libraries, and multiple threads.
Design Technical Elective for CPE; Technical Elective for EE. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Computers. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3574 Applied Software Engineering
ECE 4984 Computer Organization
Technical Elective. Program Area: Computers (3C)
Prerequisite: ECE 2500, ECE 3534
ECE 4605 Radio Engineering
Wireless application circuit design for gain and filter control at radio frequencies to interface the baseband processing systems and the antennas of communication systems. Design of radio transmitter and receiver circuits using scattering-parameter methods. Circuits include oscillators, radio frequency amplifiers and matching networks, mixers and detectors.
Capstone Technical Elective for EE; Technical Elective for CPE. Typically Offered: Fall. Program Area: Communications. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3106 Electromagnetic Fields; ECE 3204 Electronics II; ECE 3614 Introduction to Communication Systems. Corequisites: ECE 4675 Radio Engineering Lab.
ECE 4606 Radio Engineering
Wireless application circuit design for gain and filter control at radio frequencies to interface the baseband processing systems and the antennas of communication systems. Design of amplitude, frequency, and pulse-modulated communication systems, including modulators, detectors, and the effects of noise. Design basics and guidelines for phaselocked loops and several power amplifier configurations.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Communications. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 4605 Radio Engineering
ECE 4614 Telecommunication Networks
Architecture, technology, operation, and application of telecommunication networks including digital telephony, data networks, and integrated services networks. Design and analysis of networks for voice, data, and video applications.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Communications. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3614 Introduction to Communication Systems; STAT 4714 Probability and Statistics for EE
ECE 4624 Digital Signal Processing and Filter Design
Analysis, design, and realization of digital filters. Discrete Fourier Transform algorithms, digital filter design procedures, coefficient quantization, finite wordlength arithmetic, fixed point implementation, limit cycles, noise shaping, decimation and interpolation.
Capstone Technical Elective for EE; Technical Elective for CPE. Typically Offered: Fall/Spring. Program Area: Communications. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3704 Continuous and Discrete Systems (C or better)
For more information and description of recent project, see "EE/CPE Teams Denoise EKG Signals."
ECE 4634 Analog and Digital Communications
System level analysis and design for digital and analog and communications systems: analog-to-digital conversion, digital and analog modulation types, matched filters, receiver design, link budgets, signal to noise ratios and bit error rates in noisy channels. Has optional associated laboratory course 4664.
Technical Elective/ Typically Offered: Fall/Summer II/ Program Area: Communications. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3614 Introduction to Communication Systems; STAT 4714 Probability and Statistics for EE
ECE 4644 Satellite Communications
Theory and practice of satellite communications. Orbits and launchers, spacecraft, link budgets, modulation, coding, multiple access techniques, propagation effects, and earth terminals.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Communications. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3614 Introduction to Communication Systems
ECE 4654 DSP Implementation of Communication Systems
An introduction to designing communication subsystems and involves designing and implementing in software demodulators, signal synthesizers, and synchronizers. A significant part of this class will be DSP programming.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Communications. (3C)
Prerequisites: ECE 4624 DSP and Filter Design; ECE 4634 Analog and Digital Communications
ECE 4664 Analog & Digital Communications Laboratory
Laboratory experiments which deal with the design and measurement of analog and digital communication systems. Concepts include SNR, Modulation Index, PCM, and spread spectrum.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Fall. Program Area: Communications. (1C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3614 Telecommunication Networks; Corequisite: 4634 Analog and Digital Communications
ECE 4674 Scattering Parameters Lab
Laboratory techniques for ultra-high frequency measurements. Emphasizes the design of a microstrip amplifier using scattering parameter measurement and analysis.
Technical Elective. Typically Offered: Spring. Program Area: Communications. (1C)
Prerequisites: ECE 4605 Radio Engineering; ECE 4675 Radio Engineering Lab
ECE 4675 Radio Engineering Lab
Wireless circuit design. Laboratory techniques for radio frequencies. 4675: Design of amplifers and oscillators.
Capstone Technical Elective for EE; Technical Elective for CPE. Typically Offered: Fall. Program Area: Communications. (1C)
Prerequisites: ECE 3106 Electromagnetic Fields; ECE 3204 Electronics II. Corequisites: ECE 4605 Radio Engineering.
For more information, see, "Radio Design: On Time, Under Budget."
ECE 4676 Radio Engineering Lab
Wireless circuit design. Laboratory techniques for radio frequencies. 4676: Design single-side-band receiver. Associated measurements will be reviewed and used in both courses.
Technical Elective. Typical Semester Offered: Spring. Program Area: Communications. (1C)
Prerequisites: ECE 4675 Radio Engineering Lab. Corequisites: ECE 4606 Radio Engineering.
ECE 4684 Digital Signal Processing Laboratory I
Experiments for design and hardware implementation of digital filters, signal generators, and Fast Fourier Transform signal analysis algorithms. Demonstration of aliasing, roundoff and finite wordlength effects, and their control. FIR and IIR digital filters, FFT, anti-aliasing filters, quantization and finite wordlength effects. filter scaling.
Technical Elective. Typical Semester Offered: Fall. Program Area: Communications. (1C)
Prerequisites: ECE 4624 Digital Signal Processing and Filter Design
4904: PROJECT & REPORT
Investigation and report on a special project under the direction of a faculty advisor. Course may be extended over several semesters with a letter grade assigned at the end of the semester in which the project and report are completed. Involves design, construction, and testing of a circuit or system. A minimum in-major GPA of 2.5 is required for enrollment. Variable credit course.

