Electrical Engineering, BSEE

Total number of hours for the program: 126.

The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) program provides a foundation in mathematics, sciences, and engineering. Additional coursework provides a broad Electrical Engineering foundation and depth in various areas of Electrical Engineering including communications, analog/digital electronics, control theory, computers, and digital design. Students work with outstanding faculty members who bring industry and business expertise to the classroom. The program emphasizes the hands-on application of theoretical and technical concepts through project-based learning (PBL), and students work on real-world assignments with companies across Western North Carolina, and beyond, through The Rapid Center. BSEE graduates contribute to technological advancements in society and pursue wide ranges of technical and/or managerial careers in both private and public sectors.

Program Requirements

The minimum cumulative GPA of 2.20 in all major courses is required to earn the Electrical Engineering degree.

Continuing Student Requirements

To continue in the Electrical Engineering major, students must maintain a minimum cumulative overall GPA of 2.20 for courses taken to date at Western Carolina University. Students may be removed from the Electrical Engineering major and placed in Engineering Intended if they earn more than two of the following grades in the major in an academic year: U, W, and C- or lower. For more details, contact the School of Engineering + Technology.

Admission Requirements

The requirement for admission into the Electrical Engineering major for all students is placement into Calculus I (MATH 153) or above. Students accepted to the university but not eligible for MATH 153 may be placed in Engineering Intended. Placement in the Engineering Intended major does not guarantee admission into the Electrical Engineering program.

Liberal Studies Hours (42 hours)

Liberal Studies Program Requirements

NOTE:

Three hours for each of the following courses required in the major also meet Liberal Studies requirements: ENGR 199, MATH 153, CHEM 139 and PHYS 230. If these courses are not taken to meet Liberal Studies requirements, they will still need to be completed for the BS Electrical Engineering degree.

Major Requirements

The Electrical Engineering major requires 96 hours, 12 of which (ENGR 199, MATH 153, CHEM 139, and PHYS 230) also meet the Liberal Studies requirements, 36 hours from the Electrical Engineering Core, 30 or 32 hours from the Mathematics and Science Core, depending on the concentration, and 6 hours from Technical Electives. Students must also select a concentration (22-24 hours): Comprehensive, Electric Power and Clean Energy, Computer.

Electrical Engineering Core (36 hours)

EE 201 - Network Theory I Credits: 3
EE 202 - Network Theory II Credits: 3
EE 211 - Logic and Networks Laboratory Credits: 1
EE 212 - Instrumentation and Networks Laboratory Credits: 1
EE 221 - Logic Systems Design I Credits: 3
EE 311 - Electronic Devices Laboratory Credits: 1
EE 331 - Fundamentals of Electronics and Semiconductors Credits: 3
EE 351 - Systems Analysis I Credits: 3
ENGR 123 - Engineering Programming Credits: 3
ENGR 199 - Introduction to Engineering Practices and Principles I Credits: 3
ENGR 200 - Engineering Practices and Principles II Credits: 3
ENGR 350 - Engineering Practices and Principles III Credits: 3
ENGR 400 - Engineering Capstone I Credits: 3
ENGR 450 - Engineering Capstone II Credits: 3

Mathematics and Science Core (30-32 hours)

Computer Engineering concentration requirement:
ENGR 311 - Logic Structures for Engineering Credits: 1
Comprehensive and Electrical Power and Clean Energy Concentrations Requirement:
ENGR 411 - Engineering Numerical Analysis Credits: 3
Required for all concentrations:
CHEM 139 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4
MATH 153 - Calculus I Credits: 4
MATH 255 - Calculus II Credits: 4
MATH 256 - Calculus III Credits: 4
MATH 320 - Ordinary Differential Equations Credits: 3
MATH 370 - Probability and Statistics I Credits: 3
PHYS 230 - General Physics I Credits: 4
PHYS 231 - General Physics II Credits: 4
(Note: The PHYS 231 Lab is not required for Electrical Engineering majors and therefore reduces course hours from 4 to 3. Overrides may be requested from the Chemistry and Physics Department.)

Concentrations

Comprehensive Concentration (22 hours)

Building on core topics, electrical engineering focuses on the design and applications of electronic devices, analog and digital circuits and systems, and microprocessors. Topics may include semiconductor components, electromagnetics, electric power, clean energy systems, controls, signal processing and analysis, embedded systems, and communications.

EE 312 - Systems and Electronics Laboratory Credits: 1
EE 321 - Electromagnetic Fields Credits: 3
EE 322 - Electromagnetic Waves Credits: 3
EE 411 - Analog Communication Systems Credits: 3
EE 413 - Digital Communication Systems Credits: 3
EE 421 - Digital Systems Design Credits: 3
EE 424 - Digital Signal Processing Credits: 3
ENGR 402 - System Dynamics and Control Credits: 3

Electric Power and Clean Energy Concentration (22 hours)

This concentration focuses on electrical power and clean energy systems. Topics may include power systems, transmission and distribution systems, electromechanical energy conversion, power electronics, and power converters, with an emphasis on clean and sustainable energy resources and systems and their integration into electric power systems.

EE 312 - Systems and Electronics Laboratory Credits: 1
EE 321 - Electromagnetic Fields Credits: 3
ENGR 402 - System Dynamics and Control Credits: 3
EE 451 - Electric Power Systems Credits: 3
EE 452 - Electric Machines and Drives Credits: 3
EE 471 - Power Electronics: Design and Analysis Credits: 3
EE 472 - Advanced Power Electronics and Drives: Design and Analysis Credits: 3
ENGR 353 - Thermodynamics Credits: 3

Computer Engineering Concentration (24 hours)

This concentration builds on core electrical engineering topics to focus on the design of digital components and devices, computer-based systems, networks, and services. Topics may include digital design, microprocessors and microcontrollers, embedded systems, higher-level programming, real-time operating systems, software and firmware, and controls and IoT.

EE 421 - Digital Systems Design Credits: 3
CPE 223 - Engineering Programming II Credits: 3
CPE 233 - Engineering Programming III Credits: 3
CPE 360 - Computer Hardware Credits: 3
CPE 362 - Embedded Linux Credits: 3
CPE 370 - Distributed and Interconnected Systems Credits: 3
CPE 470 - Embedded Robotic Systems Credits: 3
CPE 474 - Intelligent Machines Credits: 3

Technical Electives (6 hours)

Any 3 credit hour 300-level or 400-level EE, CPE, RAE course that is not required in the Electrical Engineering Core, or not already included in concentration, can count as a Technical Elective. PHYS 322, or any 3 credit hour 400-level PHYS course can also count as a Technical Elective. Other technical courses may be available with School permission. Note: The Comprehensive concentration, the Electric Power and Clean Energy concentration, and Computer Engineering concentration all require 6 hours of Technical Electives.

Additional Information

Visit the school’s website to view the 8-semester curriculum guide at set.wcu.edu.

Accreditation

The B.S. Electrical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Electrical and Electronics Engineering.