Electrical Engineering, Bachelor of Science College of Engineering

The Electrical & Computer Engineering Undergraduate Programs

The department administers two undergraduate curricula in the College of Engineering: (1) the Electrical Engineering curriculum and (2) the Computer Engineering curriculum.

Integrated Degree Program (IDP)

The IDP leads to both the Bachelor of Science and the Master of Science degrees. The program provides a student the opportunity to obtain superior breadth and depth of technical material. The IDP program in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering is available only to UC Davis undergraduates with strong academic records enrolled in the Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electronic Materials Engineering or Applied Physics curricula. Applicants in their junior year must apply for the IDP by March 31. For more information on IDP, see Electrical & Computer Engineering.

Mission

Under its land grant status, the University of California has a mission to provide the state with the trained workforce it needs and to advance knowledge and research in directions that contribute to the general welfare of the state and the nation. The Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering contributes to the mission of the University in three ways. First, its undergraduate and graduate education programs seek to provide students with an understanding of the fundamental principles of electrical and computer engineering, the skills needed to solve the complex technological problems of modern society and the ability to continue to learn and develop throughout their careers. Second, through its research programs, the department contributes to the development and progress of electronics, communications, and computer technology. Finally, the department helps to transfer research results to industry through publication, public service and professional activities.

Objectives

Teaching—To provide undergraduate students with sufficient breadth to allow them to participate in teams, continue their own education after graduation and select a focus area intelligently; to provide undergraduate students with sufficient depth in a narrower discipline to allow them to develop the ability to solve complex engineering problems; to educate the students in the graduate program to be leaders in industry or to do meaningful research in industry, government or academia.
Research—To develop and maintain research programs that produce useful technological advances while simultaneously training the next generation of researchers and leaders; to update and/or shift the foci of these programs frequently in response to the needs of our constituency and the nation; to provide a stimulating environment that encourages our graduate students to develop their abilities as far as possible.

Electrical Engineering Undergraduate Program

The Electrical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Electrical engineering involves the design, analysis, and effective use of electrical systems including electronic computers. Electrical systems and computers play a central role in nearly all aspects of modern life, including communication, medicine, education, environmental protection, space exploration, defense, and home entertainment.

Students who complete the Electrical Engineering curriculum will obtain a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, one of the engineering degrees recognized in all fifty states as eligible for registration as a Professional Engineer.

Objectives

The Electrical & Computer Engineering program educational objectives have been developed to address the needs of our constituencies. The objectives of the Electrical & Computer Engineering programs are as follow:

  • Graduates create value for their employers, demonstrating knowledge and initiative and making beneficial contributions beyond the workplace. This can also result in patents, awards, publications and presentations.
  • Graduates grow their capabilities through advanced education and professional development.
  • Graduates provide leadership and be proactive in their profession and/or communities.

Exclusive of General Education units, the minimum number of units for the Electrical Engineering major is 146.

Students are encouraged to adhere carefully to all prerequisite requirements. The instructor is authorized to drop students from a course for which stated prerequisites have not been completed.

Electrical Engineering Curriculum

Areas of Specialization

For updated recommended courses, see Electrical & Computer Engineering.

Physical Electronics

Solid-state devices, circuits and fabrication and the theory courses supporting those subjects.

Recommended Elective Courses
Core Electives
EEC 130BIntroductory Electromagnetics II4
EEC 140BPrinciples of Device Physics II4
Design Laboratory Electives
EEC 118Digital Integrated Circuits4-5
or EEC 132A RF & Microwaves in Wireless Communication
EEC 132BRF & Microwaves in Wireless Communication4-5
or EEC 135 Optoelectronics for High-Speed Data Networking & Computing Systems
Select remaining upper division design electives from:
EEC 110BElectronic Circuits II4
EEC 146AIntegrated Circuits Fabrication4
EEC 146BAdvanced Integrated Circuits Fabrication3
Technical Electives
EEC 112Communication Electronics4
EEC 180Digital Systems II5

Electromagnetics

Microwave circuits and systems, and fiber optical systems.

Recommended Elective Courses
Core Electives
EEC 130BIntroductory Electromagnetics II4
EEC 140BPrinciples of Device Physics II4
Design Laboratory Electives
EEC 132ARF & Microwaves in Wireless Communication5
EEC 132BRF & Microwaves in Wireless Communication5
EEC 134A
EEC 134B
RF/Microwave Systems Design
and RF/Microwave Systems Design
6
Select remaining upper division design electives from:
EEC 110BElectronic Circuits II4
EEC 132CRF & Microwaves in Wireless Communications5
EEC 133Electromagnetic Radiation & Antenna Analysis4
Technical Electives
EEC 112Communication Electronics4

Analog Electronics

Transistor- and system-level analog circuit design.

Recommended Elective Courses
Core Electives
EEC 110BElectronic Circuits II4
EEC 157AControl Systems4
or EEC 157AV Control Systems
EEC 160Signal Analysis & Communications4
Design Laboratory Electives
At least two from:
EEC 112Communication Electronics4
EEC 113Power Electronic Circuits4
EEC 136A
EEC 136B
Electronic Design Project
and Electronic Design Project
6
EEC 165Statistical & Digital Communication4
EEC 195A
EEC 195B
Autonomous Vehicle Design Project
and Autonomous Vehicle Design Project
6
Select remaining upper division design electives from:
EEC 116VLSI Design4
EEC 118Digital Integrated Circuits4
EEC 132ARF & Microwaves in Wireless Communication5
EEC 132BRF & Microwaves in Wireless Communication5
EEC 132CRF & Microwaves in Wireless Communications5
EEC 140BPrinciples of Device Physics II4
EEC 157BControl Systems4
or EEC 157BY Control Systems
EEC 160Signal Analysis & Communications4
EEC 210MOS Analog Circuit Design4
Technical Electives
Select from:
EEC 130BIntroductory Electromagnetics II4
EEC 146AIntegrated Circuits Fabrication4

Digital Electronics

Transistor- and system-level digital circuit design.

Recommended Elective Courses
Core Electives
EEC 110BElectronic Circuits II4
EEC 140BPrinciples of Device Physics II4
Design Laboratory Electives
EEC 118
EEC 180
Digital Integrated Circuits
and Digital Systems II
9
or EEC 172 Embedded Systems
or EEC 183 Testing & Verification of Digital Systems
or EEC 181A
EEC 181B
Digital Systems Design Project
and Digital Systems Design Project
Select remaining upper division design electives from:
EEC 116VLSI Design4
EEC 170Introduction to Computer Architecture4
EEC 171Parallel Computer Architecture4
Technical Electives
Select from:
EEC 130B
EEC 112
Introductory Electromagnetics II
and Communication Electronics
8
or EEC 146A Integrated Circuits Fabrication
or EEC 157A Control Systems
or EEC 157AV Control Systems
or EEC 160 Signal Analysis & Communications
or EEC 210 MOS Analog Circuit Design

Communication Controls & Signal Processing

Digital communication, robotics, classical controls and communication, wireless & cellular digital communication systems, signal & image processing, and computer vision.

Recommended Elective Courses
Core Electives
EEC 180Digital Systems II5
Design Laboratory Electives
EEC 157AControl Systems8
or EEC 157AV Control Systems
&
Control Systems
Control Systems
Statistical & Digital Communication
Select remaining upper division design electives from:
EEC 160Signal Analysis & Communications4
Technical Electives
Select from:
EEC 112Communication Electronics4
EEC 195A
EEC 195B
Autonomous Vehicle Design Project
and Autonomous Vehicle Design Project
6

Requirements

Lower Division Required Courses
CMN 001Introduction to Public Speaking4
or ENG 003 Introduction to Engineering Design
or ENG 003Y Introduction to Engineering Design
Mathematics
MAT 021ACalculus4
MAT 021BCalculus4
MAT 021CCalculus4
MAT 021DVector Analysis4
MAT 022ALinear Algebra3
MAT 022BDifferential Equations3
Physics
PHY 009AClassical Physics5
PHY 009BClassical Physics5
PHY 009CClassical Physics5
PHY 009DModern Physics4
Chemistry
CHE 002AGeneral Chemistry5
Engineering
ENG 006Engineering Problem Solving4
ENG 017Circuits I4
or ENG 017V Circuits I
Electrical & Computer Engineering
EEC 001Introduction to Electrical & Computer Engineering1
EEC 007Introduction to Programming & Microcontrollers4
EEC 010Introduction to Digital & Analog Systems 14
Transfer and change of major students in their junior year will substitute four additional units of upper division electives.
EEC 018Digital Systems I5
Lower Division Composition/Writing; choose one; a grade of a C- or better is required:4
Major Works of the Ancient World
Major Works of the Medieval & Early Modern World
Major Works of the Modern World
Major Works of the Contemporary World
Introduction to Literature
Introduction to Literature
Introduction to Native American Literature
Introduction to Academic Literacies (Recommended)
Introduction to Academic Literacies: Online (Recommended)
Introduction to Academic Literacies (Recommended)
Lower Division Required Courses Subtotal76
Upper Division Required Courses
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Choose 26 units:26
Circuits II
Electronic Circuits I
Electromagnetics I
Principles of Device Physics I
Principles of Device Physics I
Introduction to Signals & Systems
Applied Probability for Electrical & Computer Engineers
Issues in Engineering Design
Choose one:3-4
Environmental Physics & Society
Professional Responsibilities of Engineers
Upper Division Electives
Choose at least eight courses for a minimum of 32 units:32
After completion of the upper division elective requirement (at least 8 courses, 2 core, 2 with labs, 1 project) any units in excess of 32 will count toward the Technical Elective requirement.
Technical Electives
Choose 9 units9
Upper Division Composition Requirement
Choose one; a grade of C- or better is required:0-4
Advanced Composition
Advanced Composition
Advanced Composition
Writing in the Disciplines: Special Topics
Writing in the Disciplines: Biology
Writing in the Disciplines: History
Writing in the Disciplines: International Relations
Writing in the Disciplines: Engineering
Writing in the Disciplines: Food Science & Technology
Writing in the Disciplines: Environmental Writing
Writing in the Disciplines: Human Development & Psychology
Writing in the Disciplines: Ethnic Studies
Writing in the Disciplines: Fine Arts
Writing in the Disciplines: Sociology
Writing in the Disciplines: Film Studies
Writing in the Professions: Business Writing
Writing in the Professions: Business Writing
Writing in the Professions: Business Writing
Writing in the Professions: Law
Writing in the Professions: Journalism
Writing in the Professions: Elementary & Secondary Education
Writing in the Professions: Science
Writing in the Professions: Health
Writing in the Professions: Health
Writing in the Professions: Health
Writing in the Professions: Internships
Writing in the Professions: Writing for Social Justice
Writing in the Professions: Technical Writing
Passing the Upper Division Composition Exam.
Upper Division Required Courses Subtotal70-75
Total Units146-151
1

Transfer and change of major students who do not take EEC 010 will substitute 4 additional units of upper-division electives.

Two Core Electives

A maximum of one course appearing on both the Core Elective list and the Design Laboratory Elective list may be counted in both categories.
EEC 110BElectronic Circuits II4
EEC 130BIntroductory Electromagnetics II4
EEC 140BPrinciples of Device Physics II4
EEC 170Introduction to Computer Architecture4
EEC 180Digital Systems II5
Only one of the following may be used:
Digital Signals & Systems
Control Systems
Control Systems
Signal Analysis & Communications

Design Laboratory Electives

A maximum of one course appearing on both the Core Elective list and the Design Laboratory Elective list may be counted in both categories.
Choose at least two Design electives with lab:
Electronic Circuits II
Communication Electronics
VLSI Design
Digital Integrated Circuits
RF & Microwaves in Wireless Communication
RF & Microwaves in Wireless Communication
RF & Microwaves in Wireless Communications
Optoelectronics for High-Speed Data Networking & Computing Systems
Integrated Circuits Fabrication
Advanced Integrated Circuits Fabrication
Digital Signal Processing
Control Systems
Control Systems
Statistical & Digital Communication
Embedded Systems
Digital Systems II
Testing & Verification of Digital Systems
Choose at least one Design Project course:
All Design Project courses are also considered Design Laboratory electives and may be counted in both categories simultaneously. Both A and B need to be taken to receive credit for the Design Project.
Integrated Circuit Design Project
Integrated Circuit Design Project
RF/Microwave Systems Design
RF/Microwave Systems Design
Electronic Design Project
Electronic Design Project
EEC 174AYApplied Machine Learning3
EEC 174BYApplied Machine Learning Senior Design Projects3
EEC 175AInternet of Things3
EEC 175BInternet of Things Senior Design Project3
Digital Systems Design Project
Digital Systems Design Project
Senior Design Project
Senior Design Project
Autonomous Vehicle Design Project
Autonomous Vehicle Design Project
The remaining electives may be any letter-graded upper division Electrical & Computer Engineering course not used to satisfy another major requirement or the following ECS courses:
Software Development & Object-Oriented Programming in C++
Operating Systems & System Programming
Computer Networks
Information Interfaces
Computer Graphics
Scientific Visualization
Geometric Modeling

Technical Electives

Technical Electives
After completion of the upper division elective requirement (at least 8 courses, 2 core, 2 with labs, 1 project) any units in excess of 32 will count toward the technical elective requirement. 5
CHE 002BGeneral Chemistry 15
ENG 035Statics 24
A maximum of 6 units for any combination of engineering courses numbered 190C, 192, 198, and 199 may be used.
Mathematics
Any upper division course 3
Physics
Any upper division PHY course, except:
Environmental Physics & Society (restricted to 1 unit of technical elective)
Senior Thesis
Tutoring in Physics & Astronomy
Statistics
Any upper division course 4
BIS 101Genes & Gene Expression4
BIS 101DGenes & Gene Expression Discussion1
BIS 102Structure & Function of Biomolecules3
BIS 103Bioenergetics & Metabolism3
BIS 104Cell Biology3
BIS 122Population Biology & Ecology3
BIS 122PPopulation Biology & Ecology/Advanced Laboratory Topics5
ECN 100AIntermediate Micro Theory: Consumer & Producer Theory4
ECN 100BIntermediate Micro Theory: Imperfect Competition & Market Failure4
ECN 101Intermediate Macro Theory4
ECN 102Analysis of Economic Data4
ECN 103Economics of Uncertainty & Information4
ECN 122Theory of Games & Strategic Behavior4
ECN 140Econometrics4
MGT 011AElementary Accounting4
MGT 011BElementary Accounting4
MGT 100Introduction to Financial Accounting3
MGT 120Managing & Using Information Technology4
MGT 140Marketing for the Technology-Based Enterprise4
MGT 150Technology Management4
MGT 160Financing New Business Ventures4
MGT 170Management Accounting & Control4
MGT 180Supply Chain Planning & Management4
1

CHE 002C and any upper division course; except CHE 195, CHE 197.

2

ENG 045, and any upper division engineering course not used in satisfaction of core degree requirements, excluding ENG 100, ENG 160 (restricted to 1 unit of technical elective; same as PHY 160.), PHY 190 (restricted to 1 unit of technical elective), PHY 198, ECS 132, ECS 154A, ECS 154B, & ECS 188 (ECS 154A ECS 154B courses may be used by EEEL majors who did not take EEC 170).

3

Except MAT 135A & MAT 197TC.

4

Except STA 100, STA 102 Discontinued, STA 103, STA 104, STA 106, STA 108, STA 120 Discontinued, STA 130A.

5

Transfers and change of majors take 1 additional Technical elective unit in place of EEC 001.