Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department (ECE) offers degrees in three areas: a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, a Ph.D. in Engineering with an ECE option; and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering. The programs leading to the B.S. in Electrical Engineering and B.S. in Computer Engineering are both accredited by the nationally-recognized Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

The breadth and quality of each degree program are driven by the goals of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.

The mission of the department is to provide an excellent environment for the scholarly pursuits of education, discovery, and dissemination in electrical and computer engineering in support of Montana State University and the state of Montana. We strive to excel in teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. We seek to attract and retain well-qualified undergraduate students and provide them with educational, research, and scholarship opportunities. We strive to train the next generation of academics and researchers by providing opportunities in world class research and experience in teaching. And, we seek to develop a competitive research program of regional, national, and international importance.

The goals of the Department are to:

1. Serve the State of Montana and the nation through education, research, and service to meet the mission of Montana State University and the College of Engineering.
   
2. Provide ABET accredited undergraduate programs in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering.
   
3. Be recognized by academic and industrial colleagues as delivering excellent undergraduate programs which provide students with a strong foundation in the contemporary and traditional areas of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
   
4. Encourage faculty members to maintain professional expertise through continued professional development so they can sustain excellence in teaching and advising and be competitive in research.
   
5. Provide excellent learning opportunities in lectures and modern laboratory facilities.
   
6. Provide graduate research opportunities which, coupled with undergraduate excellence, prepare students through advanced studies in current and emerging fields of state, national, and international importance.
   
7. Develop a competitive research program and disseminate new knowledge while mentoring graduate students completing requirements for advanced degrees.

Educational objectives for the BSEE and BSCpE degree programs are broad statments that describe the career and professional accomplishments that the program is preparing graduates to achieve. These are to:

1. Produce Computer Engineering graduates who pursue professional careers based on an education in the fundamentals of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
   
2. Produce Electrical Engineering graduates who pursue professional careers based on an education in the fundamentals of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
   
3. Produce graduates who are prepared to engage in advanced or additional education in their chosen field of endeavor or interest.
   
4. Produce graduates who are recruited by a broad range of engineering employers.

Cooperative Education

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at MSU-Bozeman has a cooperative education program where students may elect to spend three semesters during their undergraduate career working as cooperative engineers for an industrial firm. The students are then often hired by this company after graduation. Application to the cooperative program should be made after the student's third semester. Three credits of cooperative experience can be applied towards graduation as professional electives if the student has completed all three on-site semesters. Students in the Electrical Engineering and the Computer Engineering degree programs should investigate the possibilities of a co-op experience because of the opportunity to have an industrial experience coupled with their education.

Internship Opportunities

Internships are encouraged for advanced students seeking engineering experience during summer employment, and are attractive for those students not wishing to commit to a formal three-semester cooperative educational program. Several companies normally have internships available for summer employment of advanced undergraduates. A total of three credits of internship can be applied towards graduation as a professional elective at the rate of one credit per full-time summer engineering employment. An intern experience allows students to gain engineering industrial experience that complements their formal academic education. Students in the Electrical Engineering and the Computer Engineering degree programs are encouraged to investigate the possibilities of an internship experience according to opportunities announced each year.

Graduate Program

Graduate school can provide an opportunity to gain education and experience in specialty areas that go beyond the scope or depth of the undergraduate curriculum, and offers advanced work in such areas as design, development work, research, and university-level teaching. The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department offers graduate programs leading to the M.S. in Electrical Engineering and Ph.D. in Engineering with an ECE option. Exciting leading edge research provides excellent learning opportunities, including participation in interdisciplinary teams. A number of research and teaching assistantships are available for qualified graduate students. Information regarding graduate school at MSU can be found at Division of Graduate Education. and information regarding the ECE graduate program can be found at http://www.coe.montana.edu/ee/research/eegrad1.htm.

For more information about the department and its programs, see the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department home page at http://www.coe.montana.edu/ee/.

Curricula in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering

Computer Engineering

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department offers an accredited program for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Engineering (BSCpE). This program is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

In the fast-paced field of computers, the computer engineering graduate will be prepared for careers in exciting innovative technologies including automated systems, communication networks, and embedded digital systems. With increased processor capacity and processing speeds, re-programmable logic devices offer far-reaching opportunities for the computer engineer to create new applications unheard of today. The computer engineer uses knowledge of both electronics hardware and software to achieve state-of-the-art solutions, often involving programmable logic devices and microprocessors. The computer engineering curriculum is designed to prepare students for engineering careers where both programming or software skills are blended with the understanding of hardware design.

The computer engineering program at MSU is interdisciplinary and incorporates substantial coursework from both the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and the Computer Science Department. All engineering students in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department develop common skills in basic science, Mathematics, basic electronics and circuits; however, the computer engineering student diverges from the electrical engineering student by taking more computer science and computer architecture courses, as well as a full complement of courses in microprocessors and programmable devices.

In the senior year each computer engineering student takes part in a capstone design project. This project allows the student to function as part of a team on a real world problem, and the student, in addition to accomplishing the design, must also communicate his or her work in both a written paper and an oral presentation. All projects are intended to bring the student's academic training to a logical conclusion and further develop the problem-solving skills and the communication skills of the computer engineering graduate.

Computer Engineering Minor (Non-Teaching)

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers a non-teaching minor in Computer Engineering that provides a focus in computer programming, digital logic design, and microprocessor hardware/software. The minor requires a minimum of 30 credits: 23 credits in seven specified CS and EE courses and at least 7 credits (2 or 3 courses) of electives selected from among a specified list of upper-division EE courses. This minor is a useful complement to majors in science or engineering for those seeking a cross-disciplinary academic program.

An EE major can complete a minor in Computer Engineering by taking CS 201, 221, and 223 (a total of 11 credits) plus two courses (7 cr min) from the specified elective list for the CpE minor. Completing the Computer Engineering minor requires 3 credits of professional electives beyond the minimum of 16 professional elective credits required for EE majors. Thus, an EE degree with a CpE minor can be completed in 131 credits.

Student Performance and Retention Requirements: Students commencing their academic program in the fall 2005 or later are required by Board of Regents policy to achieve a C- or better grade in each class used to satisfy the BSCpE degree requirements. This minimum grade must be achieved in each prerequisite course prior to taking the follow-on course.

Curriculum in Computer Engineering

* Elective requirements include 12 credits of humanities, social science, diversity, and arts classes as part of university and COE core requirements (these two requirements may be combined), 17 credits of approved professional or Mathematics and basic sciences electives from the lists below, including a minimum of  6 credits in Electrical Engineering and a minimum of  6 credits in Computer Science. In the selection of Electrical Engineering electives, either EE 321 or EE 477 or both must be among the courses selected. There must be a minimum of  7 credits at the 300 level or above in the student's approved elective package. 3 additional elective credits must be selected from either the approved Mathematics and Basic Science Electives or Professional Electives listed below, or from the list of courses approved by the MSU Core 2.0 committee.

Mathematics and Basic Sciences Electives

BIOL 101-- Biology of Organisms
BIOL 102--Molecular & Cellular Biology
BIOL 207--Anatomy & Physiology I
BIOL 208--Anatomy & Physiology II
BIOL 213--Intro Bio: Cells to Organisms
BIOL 214--Intro Bio: Molecules to Cells
BIOL 215--Intro Bio: Organisms to Populations
CHMY 141--College Chemistry I
CHMY 143--College Chemistry II
CHMY 153--Honors College Chemistry II
CHMY 211--Elements of Organic Chemistry
GEO 101IN--Intro to Physical Geology
GPHY 111CS--Intro to Physical Geography
MB 101IN--Microbiology in Today's World
M 221--Introduction to Linear Algebra
M 300 and 400 level courses, excluding M 330, 394R, 400 and 428.
ME 300 or 400 level courses, excluding ME 451
PHYS 213 --General & Modern Physics III

Professional Electives

Take 7 credits minimum from the following:

Students must receive a grade of "C-" or better in all required courses for the CpE minor.

Electrical Engineering

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department offers an accredited program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE). This program is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Electrical Engineering offers the graduate extensive opportunities in such fields as telecommunications, control systems, microprocessors, instrumentation, electromagnetic systems, optical and electro-optical systems, power electronics, fuel cells, electrical power, and computer-controlled devices. In addition, electrical engineers play key roles in interdisciplinary efforts such as communications networks, remote sensing, aerospace systems, medical instrumentation, transportation systems, manufacturing, and numerous other applications of great social impact. Electrical engineers are leaders in the development of such technological innovations as the Internet, high definition television, fiber optic communications, and personal communication systems. As an electrical engineer, employment opportunities are wide open in a broad spectrum of opportunities which includes advanced research and development, design and applications engineering, manufacturing engineering, sales, and management.

The undergraduate program is designed to provide the student with the fundamental background in Mathematics, basic science, engineering, and personal communication to allow the graduate to be a contributing member in the engineering community. The electrical engineering curriculum provides the integrated educational experience whereby the student develops the skills to identify and to solve technical problems by applying pertinent electrical engineering knowledge to the solution of practical problems. This breadth of engineering knowledge and the ability to communicate that knowledge requires a broad-based education in various fields as well as professional elective courses. These professional electives enable the student to study in depth one or more of the following areas: logic design, digital signal processing, computer and microprocessor applications, electromagnetic theory, optics and photonics, control systems, electrical power systems, electronic circuits, and telecommunications.

Technical electives available outside the department allow the student to broaden in other engineering and scientific areas. These electives can also be used to allow the student to expand his or her knowledge in business, finance, law, and management.

Electrical Engineering Minor (Non-Teaching)

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers a non-teaching minor in Electrical Engineering that provides interested students with an introductory understanding of electrical circuits, electronics, and properties of signals. Students then choose electives from among a variety of electrical engineering topics, such as telecommunications, optics, electronics, electrical power, and control systems. This minor requires a minimum of 29 credits in electrical engineering subjects, with 9 of those credits selected from a list of upper division elective courses. This minor complements majors in science or engineering for those seeking a cross-disciplinary academic program.

A CpE major can complete a minor in Electrical Engineering by taking three EE classes (9 cr min) from the specified elective list for the EE minor. This can be done within the 128 credits required for the CpE degree alone, which requires a total of 19 professional elective credits.

Student Performance and Retention Requirements: Students commencing their academic program in the fall 2005 or later are required by Board of Regents policy to achieve a C- or better grade in each class used to satisfy the BSEE degree requirements. This minimum grade must be achieved in each prerequisite course prior to taking the follow-on course.

Curriculum in Electrical Engineering

* Elective requirements include 12 credits of humanities, social science, diversity, and arts classes as part of university and COE core requirements (these two requirements may be combined), 17 credits of professional electives with a minimum of  8 credits in Electrical Engineering and a minimum of  5 credits outside of Electrical Engineering all from the professional electives list below. There must be a minimum of 5 credits at the 300 level or above in the student's approved electives package. 3 additional elective credits must be selected from either the approved Professional Electives listed below, or from the list of courses approved by the MSU Core 2.0 committee.

Professional Electives

EE 300 or 400 level courses, excluding EE 354

BIOL 453R--Biomimetic Intelligent Systems
ACTG 201--Principles of Fin Acct
ACTG 202--Principles of Mang Acct
BUS 341--Marketing
CS 201--Program Design with C
CS 204--Multimedia Development Methods
CS 221--Data Structures
CS 222--Discrete Mathematics
CS 223--Adv Data Structures & Algorithms
CS 309--Systems Administration
CS 324--Programming Techniques
CS 330--Comp Org & Architecture
CS 350--Theory of Computation
CS 351--Software Engineering
CS 355--Concepts of Programming Languages
CS 392--Numerical Computation
CS 418--Operating Systems
CS 422--Intro to Simulation
CS 425--Computer Graphics
CS 430--Image Processing
CS 432--Computational Biology
CS 435--Database Systems
CS 436--Artificial Intelligence
CS 440--Computer Networks
CS 450--Compilers
CS 451--Software Engineering
ECNS 309--Managerial Economics
EM 252--Rigid Body Mechanics
EM 253--Mechanics of Materials
EM 335--Mechanics of Fluids I
WRIT 221--Intermediate Tech Writing
I&ME 325--Engineering Economy
I&ME 344--Concurrent Engineering
I&ME 364--Prin of Oper Resrch I
I&ME 434--Proj & Engr Mgmt
I&ME 454--Engr Prob & Statistics II
M 221--Introduction to Linear Algebra
M 300 and 400 level courses, excluding M 330, 394, 400 and 428
ME 300 or 400 level courses, excluding ME 451
PHYS 301--Classical Mechanics
PHYS 311--Solar System Astronomy
PHYS 312--Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe
PHYS 400--Seminar (limited to 1 cr)
PHYS 411 or above

Take 9 credits minimum from the following:

Students must receive a grade of "C-" or better in all required courses for the EE minor.

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