Mar 29, 2024  
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Electrical Engineering, B.S.E.


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Requirements for the major in electrical engineering, B.S.E. program


Electrical engineering is a broad field encompassing a number of disciplines. Oakland University’s undergraduate program in electrical engineering is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills for challenging careers in electrical engineering in the coming decades. The curriculum offers strong fundamentals in analog and digital circuits, communications, computers, controls, electromagnetics, electronics including VLSI systems, electronic devices, and power systems. In addition, a strong laboratory component of the program offers numerous design opportunities and allows students to relate theoretical ideas to practical problems using modern equipment and hardware/software tools. The program also provides numerous engineering design experiences. Electrical and computer engineering faculty members are engaged in research related to new developments in the field. Their activities contribute to a well-developed, up-to-date curriculum. The BSE in Electrical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Program educational objectives

The undergraduate program in Electrical Engineering will provide educational experiences aimed toward producing graduates who will:

  • Become successful practitioners in an engineering or related career.
  • Pursue graduate study and/or continuing education opportunities in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or other related disciplines.
  • Demonstrate leadership and excel in multidisciplinary and multicultural environments.
  • Function as responsible members of society with an awareness of the ethical and social ramifications of their work.

Course requirements (minimum of 129 total credits)

To earn the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a major in electrical engineering, students must complete a minimum of 129 credits, demonstrate writing proficiency (see Undergraduate degree requirements) and meet the following requirements:

General education (excluding math and science) – 28 credits


Professional electives – 16


Electrical engineering students must select two (2) professional depth areas. In one depth area, students are required to take the key course and one of the two listed professional electives. In the other depth area, students are only required to take the key course. In addition, students must select one (1) free elective from any 4000 level ECE course.  Students with an overall GPA of 3.0 or greater may select, as their free elective, from ECE 5000 or SYS 5000 level courses. Prior approval of the chairperson of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is required for ECE 4996  and ECE 4998 . The professional depth areas are:

Major standing


To enroll in 3000- or higher level courses and to become candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in Electrical Engineering, students must gain major standing.  An application for major standing should be submitted prior to intended enrollment in 3000- or higher level courses.  Forms may be obtained from the SECS Undergraduate Advising Office or from the SECS website.

To gain major standing in Electrical Engineering, students must:

A) have an average GPA of 2.0 in the following mathematics and science courses: MTH 1554 , MTH 1555 , APM 2555 , CHM 1430  (or CHM 1440  and CHM 1470 ), PHY 1610  (or PHY 1510  and PHY 1100 ), and PHY 1620  (or PHY 1520  and PHY 1110 )

B) have an average GPA of 2.0 in the following engineering core courses: EGR 1200 , EGR 1400 , EGR 2400 ,EGR 2500 , EGR 2600 , EGR 2800 .

C) have no more than two grades below C in the required courses listed in A and B above;

D) have not attempted any course listed in A and B above more than three times. Students may petition to repeat a course a fourth time; and

E) have not repeated more than three different courses listed in A and B. Courses in which a W (withdrawal) grade is recorded will not be counted.

Conditional major standing may be granted in the semester in which the student will complete the courses listed in A and B above.

Performance requirements


Satisfactory completion of the program requires an average grade of C within each course group: namely, mathematics and sciences, engineering core, and professional subjects (required and elective). Within professional subjects, at most two grades below C are permitted; at most two different courses may be repeated, and a total of three repeat attempts are permitted.

Sample electrical engineering program schedule


Students entering the School of Engineering and Computer Science with the required background may follow a schedule such as the one indicated below. However, students will need additional time to complete the program if they do not have the required background upon entrance to the program.

Freshman year


Sophomore year


Junior year


Senior year


Fall semester – 16 credits

  • Mathematics and sciences elective (4)
  • Key course-area 1 (4)
  • Key course-area 2 (4)
  • General education (4)
Winter semester – 16 credits

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