Electrical and Computer Engineering

Electrical and Computer Engineering
Office:  Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science
Mail Code: 2155 E. Wesley Ave, Room 283. Denver, CO 80208
Phone: 303.871.6618
Email: eceinfo@du.edu
Web Site: http://ritchieschool.du.edu/departments/ECE

The mission of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the undergraduate level is to offer programs that support and complement the University mission; to provide a general undergraduate education in computer, electrical, and mechanical engineering that prepares students for employment or graduate study; to include interdisciplinary engineering work in all engineering programs; to encourage the professional status of the faculty; and to foster the professional awareness of the students. This statement concisely sums up the goals and objectives of our programs.  All Engineering degrees are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET.1

1

111 Market Place, Suite 1050
Baltimore, MD 21202-4102
Telephone: 410-347-7700

You will find information about the following topics below:

  • Program Educational Objective
  • Program Components
  • Engineering Design
  • Course of Study
  • PINs and Undergraduate Research Assistantships
  • Study Abroad
  • Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam & Enrollment as an Engineer-Intern (EI)

Program Educational Objectives

The undergraduate program objectives of the Electrical and Computer and Mechanical and Materials Engineering Departments are to produce graduates who, within a few years of graduation:

  1. Apply their engineering and problem-solving skills towards engineering practice, engineering graduate school, or other fields such as medicine, science, business, or law.

  2. Value and demonstrate character by acting responsibly, ethically, and professionally. 

  3. Work synergistically in diverse and global environments to positively impact society.

  4. Embrace life-long learning to support professional development and personal wellness.   

Student Outcomes

Student outcomes describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. These relate to the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that students acquire as they progress through the program.

The students outcomes for the BS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering program are:

  1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics  
  2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors 
  3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences  
  4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts  
  5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives  
  6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze, and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions  
  7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies 

Program Components

The Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and Mechanical and Materials Engineering (MME) work closely together to deliver an exceptional educational experience for our students and to advance the state of the art through research and industry collaborations. 

All of our engineering programs have several components:

  1. The University of Denver’s Common Curriculum, which includes first-year seminar, writing courses, analytical inquiry and scientific inquiry courses, and advanced seminar

  2. Basic sciences and mathematics, including chemistry, physics, and mathematics

  3. An engineering common curriculum, with fundamental material from computer, electrical, and mechanical engineering

  4. An engineering discipline (computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering)

  5. Multiple integrated design experiences, which are interdisciplinary and involve teams working on impactful real-world problems

  6. Depth and/or breadth in the discipline through engineering, math, and science electives personalized to the student’s individual interests.

Engineering Design

The feature of engineering programs that most differentiates them from programs in basic or applied science and mathematics is engineering design, which is both an art and a science. Our programs feature a four-year stem of course work required of all students, regardless of curriculum, which emphasizes design, project work, team-work, and the application of scientific and technical knowledge and design skills already acquired to the solution of interdisciplinary engineering problems.  As the student progresses in the curriculum, more and more reliance is placed on previous work, and more realistic constraints and considerations are required for success.  The sequence culminates in a three-quarter capstone design project carried out in the final year.  Additional design work is contained in specialized courses.

Course of Study

Engineering curricula are highly structured; acquisition of certain knowledge and skills must precede acquisition of more advanced ones.   There is, thus, very little flexibility in the order in which courses must be completed, and there are few electives.  Most engineering courses are offered only once a year, so an omission or deletion can add a year to the time required to complete the degree program.  Although a high percentage of our students graduate in four years, it should be noted that, nationwide, nearly half of all engineering graduates take more than four years to complete their degrees, so students should not become discouraged if this is needed.  The additional year may also be used to acquire additional expertise.

Engineering Common Curriculum:  The curricula in all programs are the same for the first 5 quarters; a student can delay choosing an engineering major until the beginning of the spring quarter of their second year.

Advanced Curriculum (Four Year Program): 

The curricula for the last two years have several components:

  1. Advanced work in the engineering discipline chosen;

  2. Integrated engineering project work and design;

  3. Development of a specialized area (details of the areas of specialization for each degree program are given later in this booklet);

  4. Completion of the University of Denver Common Curriculum

Advanced Curriculum (Five-Year Dual-Degree (BS/MS) Program):

The curricula for the last three years have several components:

  1. Advanced work in the engineering discipline chosen;
  2. Integrated engineering project work and design;
  3. Completion of the University of Denver Common Curriculum;
  4. Completion of the requirements for the MS in the engineering discipline.

For more information on any of these programs, please contact an advisor from either Electrical and Computer Engineering or Mechanical and Materials Engineering. Students interested in these options should discuss them with an advisor as early as possible in their undergraduate careers. For further information regarding these programs, visit the ECE (http://ritchieschool.du.edu/departments/ECE) and MME (http://ritchieschool.du.edu/departments/MME) web sites.

PinS and Undergraduate Research Assistantships 

Students wishing to participate in faculty research projects may be eligible for participation in PinS (Partners in Scholarship) or Undergraduate Research Assistantships (URA’s).   PINS is a University-wide program in which a student performs research in conjunction with a faculty member.  More information on PINS is available at http://www.du.edu/urc/.  URA’s work directly with faculty, often for compensation, on current research efforts.  Students can read about faculty research interests on the ECE (http://ritchieschool.du.edu/departments/ECE) and MME (http://ritchieschool.du.edu/departments/MME) web sites.  Such work enhances the student’s ability to compete for scholarships, internships, entrance to graduate study and permanent employment.  A limited number of these are available and are typically restricted to upper-division students with good academic backgrounds.  An agreement with a specific faculty member is required and the URA is requested by, and granted to, the faculty member.

Study Abroad

The University of Denver strongly encourages students to participate in study abroad programs, particularly the Cherrington Global Scholars Program; more information about which can be found at: http://www.du.edu/intl/abroad/

The engineering curricula have been structured so that students may take advantage of this opportunity in the autumn quarter of the senior year, rather than in the autumn quarter of the junior year, as is more usual in other DU programs. 

Engineering students must be especially careful in planning this experience because of the highly restrictive and sequential nature of engineering curricula.  It should also be noted that the abroad sites at which the required courses can be found are limited, vary depending on degree, and may change from one year to the next.  Drs. Matt Gordon and David Gao are the department contacts for students interested in the Cherrington Global Scholar Program.

Cooperative Education Program

Recognizing the value of experiential learning, we have created a paid co-op program which is optional and competitive for all Ritchie School students, though ideally suited for current sophomores and juniors.  Through this collaborative program between academia and industry, students work full time at participating companies earning valuable work experience.  Typically, students will not take classes for one full academic year, resuming their studies upon their return exactly in sequence but one year removed.  In some cases, DU courses can be taken while on co-op.  Dr. Matt Gordon is the department contact for students interested in the co-op program.

Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination and Enrollment as an Engineer-Intern (EI)

The FE Exam is optional for all electrical and computer engineering students, but highly recommended.  The FE Exam is the first of a two-step process in order to become registered as a Professional Engineer (PE).

The FE exam is a national 6-hour examination administered by NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying) in conjunction with the Colorado State Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.  Students must have completed at least 135 credits to apply to take the FE exam, for which a fee is charged.  For more information please contact the ECE department chair.

After passing the FE exam, the student must send a final transcript recording the receipt of an engineering degree to the Colorado State Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.   Typically, after passing the FE exam, the requirements for registration as a PE are 4 years of engineering experience under the supervision of a PE with increasing engineering responsibility and passing the PE examination.