Bachelor's Degree Program in Electrical Engineering

Curriculum

The electrical engineering program, including the computer option, consists of several curricular components that give the student the opportunity to build a solid foundation of basic physical principles and obtain experience in design as well as insight into the profession and practice of electrical engineering. The lecture sequence consists mostly of required core courses through which the student learns about and acquires problem solving and/or design skills in circuit analysis, programming in C++, analog and digital electronics, microprocessors, signals and systems, and electromagnetic fields. Furthermore, through elective courses in the last two semesters, the student can specialize in areas such as applied electromagnetics, communications, controls, digital signal processing, digital and computer systems, electromechanical systems, embedded systems, medical imaging, and wireless components and systems. For a student in the computer option, the electives must be in the digital area (see computer option in Programs of Study section.)

Though many design techniques are taught in the lecture courses, the student learns the practice of electrical engineering design primarily through the 15-hour laboratory and project sequence.

The lab courses integrate material from the lecture courses and are taught by experienced faculty members. In addition, small numbers of students allow for close interaction with the instructor. Furthermore, the laboratory facilities and equipment are modern and readily accessible. Many of the lecture courses and all of the lab courses require the use of computers as well as the oral and/or written presentation of technical material.

Several aspects of design are taught in the sophomore and junior labs (EE 206, EE 331, and EE 332). The student’s design experience in these courses includes synthesis to meet specifications, analysis, construction, testing, and evaluation with respect to specifications. Furthermore, the sophomore and junior design projects associated with these courses are particularly valuable and establish the foundation of the design project sequence. In addition to the implementation steps described above, the projects also require the formulation of design problem statements and criteria, the consideration of alternative solutions, and system descriptions.

The design project sequence culminates in the fourth year with the electronic product design project and the senior capstone project. The electronic product design is completed in the first half of the fall semester in EE 450 (Electronic Product Design.) The student works with a partner to design and implement a microprocessor-based system meeting particular specifications and requiring hardware design, software development, and laboratory work. The student then builds on this experience in EE 402 (Senior Design Seminar) during the spring semester. In this course, the student works on a multidisciplinary team to prepare a business plan delineating the development of a venture based on an electronic product. The student also explores other aspects of engineering in EE 402 and, through the process, gains a broader view of the engineering profession.

Work on the senior capstone project begins at the start of the fall semester and the primary deliverables for the semester are to:

• choose a senior project and ECE faculty advisor
• develop a detailed functional description of the project
• develop a detailed system block diagram of the project and description of its operation
• initiate experimental work
• present a proposal covering a design and an implementation plan for the project
• establish a web page for the project

In addition to the effort on the capstone project, the seniors work on teams to review and analyze the deliverables for other senior projects. Lab work associated with the capstone senior project starts in the last half of the fall semester in EE 451 and is completed in EE 452 the following semester.

The senior capstone project is a major educational component of the program. It involves the student in design at or near the professional level and requires the formulation of design specifications, consideration of alternative solutions, feasibility considerations, time management, allocation of design responsibilities, and detailed system documentation. Project advising is done on a distributed basis with the student choosing his/her project advisor from among the members of the ECE faculty.

The electrical engineering program, including the computer option, also requires the student to complete a 12-hour professional elective stem. This stem allows the student to take a coherent set of courses so as to enhance the student’s competitiveness in the job market or better prepare for graduate or professional school. For example, the student can use the professional electives to obtain business skills by taking courses offered by the Foster College of Business Administration. Also, no more than 6 hours of EE courses can be applied toward the 12 hours of the professional elective stem. Additional information is available in an advising handout. The student must work with an academic advisor to identify the courses he/she will use to satisfy the professional elective stem and fill out the Professional Elective Approval Form. This form must be signed by the ECE Chairman and the courses approved to fill the professional elective stem constitute a requirement for the BSEE degree for the student.

In addition to the technical part of the program described above, the student must also meet the University General Education requirements (see “Academic Regulations” in this catalog.) As part of the General Education requirement, the student gains effective communication skills via introductory and advanced English composition and a speech course. The General Education requirements also provide the foundation for a liberal education, which helps the student understand and participate in society as a responsible human being. Courses include Western Civilization (CIV 100, CIV 101, or CIV 102), Introduction to Economics (ECO 100), as well as selections from non-western civilization, social forces, human values, and fine arts. For these last four categories, the student chooses from a list of approved courses.

A wide range of career opportunities is available to the electrical engineering graduate in many different technical areas and industries. For those who wish to continue their professional studies, details of the M.S.E.E. program are given in the Bradley University Graduate Catalog.

Professional and Personal Growth

The electrical engineering lecture courses and lab/project sequence prepare students very well for success as design engineers in the electrical and computer engineering profession. The ECE faculty also urges students to participate in activities and take courses that promote professional growth. It is strongly recommended that students join the Bradley Student Branch of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). The IEEE is the world's leading professional association for the advancement of technology and promotes professional development through various activities. In addition, students are advised to consider experiential education such as the co-op program. Finally, students can choose their general education courses and professional electives to put a distinctive stamp on their programs of study. For example, they can seek a minor appropriate to career goals or participate in a study abroad program. (Note that certain minors and study abroad program will add hours and/or time to the normal eight-semester, 130-hour program of study.)

In addition to professional development, students are urged to participate in a variety of activities and organizations to enhance personal growth. Employers like individuals who are well rounded and can effectively interact with different people. Bradley offers a wide range of experiences and, in the past, electrical engineering students have participated in many activities and organization such as intramurals, service groups, sport clubs, study abroad, theatre, tutoring, various Bradley musical groups, and volunteer activities. A complete list of registered student organizations is listed in this catalog in the Student Activities section.

Programs of Study: Electrical Engineering

Credit in the following courses must be obtained to meet degree requirements in electrical engineering, leading to the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Elective Descriptions

General Education courses must be selected from an approved list for each category. They may be taken in any sequence, not ecessarily in the semester indicated. Other university general education requirements are satisfied by specific courses required above. Read more at Registrar's Office...

EE Electives are available in the areas of applied electromagnetics, communications, controls, digital signal processing, digital and computer systems, embedded systems, wireless components and systems and VLSI design. Approved EE electives include all 400- and 500-level EE courses except for EE 450, EE 451, and EE 452. Special topic courses are often available. See your advisor for the most current list of approved electives. A list of approved courses includes:

EE Digital Electives are required and one must include coverage of computer architecture (EE 562, EE 565, EE 566, or EE 568). A list of approved courses is available from your academic advisor.EE digital electives include:

EE 533 Digital Image Processing
EE 534 Digital Signal Processing
EE 535 Engineering Applications of Neural Networks
EE 561 Digital Systems: Logic Design
EE 562 Digital Systems: Computer Structures
EE 563 Advanced Electronics VLSI System Design
EE 565 Digital Systems: Microprocessor & PC Architecture
EE 566 Digital Systems: Memory and Interfacing
EE 567 Digital Systems: Advance VLSI
EE 568 VHDL Design
Special Topics: Autonomous Mobile Agents
Special Topics: C and RTOS for Embedded Systems
Special Topics: Design using FPGAs
Special Topics: Introduction to Computer Architecture
Special Topics: Object Oriented Programming for Embedded Systems
Special Topics: Object Oriented Desing and Algorithms for Embedded Systems
Special Topics: Network Programming for Embedded Systems
Special Topics: Web Based Control

Professional Electives allow the student to take a coherent set of courses so as to enhance the student’s competitiveness in the job market or better prepare for graduate or professional school. They can also be applied toward a minor or second major. (Note that certain minors and majors will add hours and/or time to the normal 8-semester, 130-hour program of study.) However, no more than 6 hours of EE courses can be applied toward the 12 hours of the professional elective stem. Additional information is available in an advising handout. The student must work with an academic advisor to identify the courses he/she will use to satisfy the professional elective stem and fill out the Professional Elective Approval Form. This form must be signed by the ECE Chairman and the courses approved to fill the professional elective stem constitute a requirement for the BSEE degree for the student.

See the most current Undergraduate Catalog.
Older undergraduate catalogs are also available: 2006/07, 2005/06, 2004/05, 2003/04, 2002/03, 2002/03, 2001/02, 2000/01, 1999-2000.