Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Electrical Engineering, B.S.E.


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


The General Education Requirements are comprised of three parts: Foundations, Explorations, and Integration. In addition, U.S. Diversity requirements must also be met. For details, refer to the General Education section of the catalog. In order to satisfy both general education and other program requirements, in some of the general education areas students should select from the courses listed below:

Foundations:

  • Writing Foundations - WRT 1060 
  • Formal Reasoning (Satisfied by MTH 1554 for engineering majors; see Mathematics and sciences)

Explorations: One course from each of the seven Explorations areas:

  • Arts
  • Language and Culture
  • Global Perspective
  • Literature
  • Natural Science and Technology (satisfied by EGR 2400 or EGR 2500; see engineering core)
  • Social Science (satisfied by ECN 1500, ECN 2010, or ECN 2020; see Additional Major Requirements)
  • Western Civilization (satisfied by PHL 1310; see Additional Major Requirements)

Integration:

  • Knowledge Applications (satisfied by MTH 1555 for engineering majors; see Mathematics and sciences)
  • Capstone (satisfied by ECE 4999; see Required Professional Subjects)

U.S. Diversity:

  • May be met by an approved course in the Explorations area

Writing Intensive:

  • Writing Intensive in the Major (satisfied by ECE 4999; see Required Professional Subjects)
  • Writing Intensive in General Education (may be met by an approved course in the Explorations area)

Additional Major Requirements:

All students must meet the following requirements. Courses from these selections can meet general education exploration areas above,

  • Professional Ethics: PHL 1310 - Introduction to Ethics in Science and Engineering
  • Economics: Choose one from ECN 1500, ECN 2010, or ECN 2020

In order to graduate on-schedule without taking additional courses, it is highly recommended that students meet with an SECS Undergraduate Academic Adviser concerning the selection of all of their general education courses.

Approved Math/Science Elective Options:


Students majoring in Electrical Engineering are advised to take MTH 2775  to broaden their knowledge of Linear Algebra. However, students who have an explicit interest in broadening their knowledge in another area of math or science should select an elective from the following approved course list:

Professional electives


From the depth areas below students must complete two Key courses, one elective under one of the key courses, and one additional elective chosen from any 4000 level ECE course. Students with an overall GPA of 3.0 or greater may select one 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. At the time that major standing is approved, students with majors of Pre-Electrical Engineering will have their major changed to Electrical Engineering. Approval of both a major standing application and change of major to Electrical Engineering is required prior to enrolling in any 3000- or higher-level courses.

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 , PHY 1610  and PHY 1620 ;

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; 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 a GPA of at least 2.0 within each course group: mathematics and sciences, engineering core, and professional courses (including required professional subjects and professional electives) and a grade of C or better in the senior design capstone course (ECE 4999). Within professional courses, at most two grades below C are permitted, at most two different courses may be repeated, and a total of three attempts per course 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

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