Jun 16, 2024  
Undergraduate Record 2024-2025 
    
Undergraduate Record 2024-2025

Electrical Engineering, B.S.


Return to: School of Engineering and Applied Science: Degree Programs  


Electrical engineering is a rapidly expanding field, and includes such areas as communications, microelectronics, control systems, and applied electrophysics. New and exciting areas are continually being developed, and more traditional areas are finding new applications. Because of the rapidly-changing nature of the field, this program is designed to provide a strong preparation in traditional electrical engineering, while providing maximum flexibility to accommodate student interests and current technological developments.

The Electrical Engineering Curriculum included in the Undergraduate Record lists courses in the semester in which they are planned to be taught.  Odd numbered semesters are the Fall semester, and even numbered semesters are the Spring semester. Students should not plan their program of study assuming that courses will be offered in other semesters.

Students can use the flexibility available in the elective program to focus their study on an area of particular interest within electrical engineering, including communication systems, digital system design, control systems, applied electrophysics, and microelectronics. In addition, with careful planning, students can use technical electives for interdisciplinary studies; for example, biomedical engineering, or materials science, perhaps even earning a minor in a related field. Specific suggestions for study in several areas are available from the electrical engineering undergraduate office.  Electrical Engineering is a very broad discipline with applications to many areas within and without the engineering profession. As you decide how to use your EE, technical and unrestricted electives, we recommend that you meet with your faculty advisor to discuss how the suggested application areas and sample courses listed in the Electrical Engineering Undergraduate Handbook can be combined to meet your personal and professional goals.

Program Educational Objectives: Graduates of the electrical engineering program at the University of Virginia will be 1) analyzing, designing, and implementing creative solutions to world challenges typically using electrical and electronic devices and systems and 2) contributing effectively as team members and communicating clearly and interacting responsibly with colleagues, clients, employers, and society.

Student Outcomes: At the time of graduation, students will have 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, and 7) an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Electrical Engineering Curriculum (128 credits)


Electrical Engineering Course Information


Please use the following link to view all Electrical Engineering course offerings: School of Engineering and Applied Science: Courses  

Course Requirements


Requirements for the B.S. in Electrical Engineering Major (128 total credits)

 

The requirements for the Electrical Engineering (EE) major are listed below.  Example schedules and other aids are available on the EE advising aids page.

School of Engineering and Applied Science General Requirements (38 credits)

 

Electrical Engineering students must complete the unified set of general requirements for all engineering majors.  More information can be found on the SEAS Curricular Requirements page.  These courses are often completed during the first two years in SEAS, with the exception of STS 4500 and 4600, which are taken during the fall and spring of the fourth year, respectively.

  • APMA 1110 - Single Variable Calculus II - Credits: 4
  • APMA 2120 - Multivariable Calculus  - Credits: 4
  • CHEM 1410 - Introductory College Chemistry I - Credits: 3
  • CHEM 1411 - Introductory College Chemistry I Laboratory - Credits: 1

 

One of the following CS 111X courses

  • CS 1110 - Introduction to Programming - Credits: 3
  • CS 1111 - Introduction to Programming - Credits: 3
  • CS 1112 - Introduction to Programming - Credits: 3
  • CS 1113 - Introduction to Programming - Credits: 3

 

  • ENGR 1010 – Engineering Foundations - Credits: 4
  • ENGR 1020 -Engineering Foundations 2 - Credits: 3
  • PHYS 1425 - Introductory Physics 1 for Engineers - Credits: 3
  • PHYS 1429 - Introductory Physics 1 Workshop - Credits: 1
  • STS 2600 – Engineering Ethics - Credits: 3
  • STS 4500 - STS and Engineering Practice - Credits: 3
  • STS 4600 - The Engineer, Ethics, and Professional Responsibility - Credits: 3
  • Math and Science Elective - Credits: 3

 

Core Electrical and Computer Engineering Courses (23 credits)

These courses are the set of courses students take within the electrical engineering major and comprise many of the prerequisites for upper-level courses.  Example schedules can be found on the Electrical and Computer Engineering website.

  • ECE 2200 Applied Physics: Electricity and Magnetism - Credits: 4
  • ECE 2300 Applied Circuits - Credits: 3
  • ECE 2330 - Digital Logic Design - Credits: 3
  • ECE2410 Introduction to Machine Learning for Engineers - Credits: 3
  • ECE 2600 Electronics - Credits: 3
  • ECE 2700 Signals and Systems - Credits: 3
  • ECE 3430 - Introduction to Embedded Computer Systems - Credits: 4

 

Electrical and Computer Engineering Electives and Lab (19.5 credits)

EE majors must take eighteen (18) credits of ECE courses at the 3000 level or higher as well as a 1.5 unit ECE lab elective.  It is highly encouraged that students choose an elective grouping that group 15 credits of ECE electives and the 1.5 credit lab into a cohesive depth of study.  Information about the elective groupings is available on the EE advising aids page

Guidelines for ECE Electives:

  • Must have a ECE mnemonic.
  • Must be at the 3000 level or higher.
  • Must not be a required core course.

 

Major Design Experience (4.5 credits)

EE majors must take a major design experience (capstone course).  Either ECE 4440 or 4991 fulfill this requirement.

  • ECE 4991 MDE Capstone Design - Credits: 4.5

                  OR

  • ECE 4440 Embedded Systems Design  - Credits: 4.5

 

Additional Computer Science and Mathematics Courses (14 credits)

EE majors must take three (3) additional required math and CS courses and one additional math elective:

  • CS 2130 - Computer Systems and Organization 1 - Credits: 4
  • APMA 2130 - Ordinary Differential Equations - Credits: 4
  • APMA 3100 - Probability - Credits: 3
  • Students must take an additional math elective either from applied math or mathematics at a level of 2000 or higher. -  Credits: 3

 

Technical Electives (6 credits)

EE Majors must take six (6) credits of technical electives at the 3000 level or higher. A technical elective is defined as a course in engineering (may be ECE), mathematics, or science (intended for science majors) at the 3000 level or above. Any course appearing on the approved list of HSS electives may not be used as a technical elective.

 

Humanities and Social Science (HSS) Electives (9 credits)

EE majors must complete a total of nine (9) credits of HSS electives.  HSS electives are selected from an approved list (available in A122 Thornton Hall or in the UVA Engineering Undergraduate Handbook) of humanities and social science offerings. Communication courses in the student’s native or first language, regardless of their level, may not be used to satisfy this requirement.  See the SEAS page regarding electives for more information.

 

Unrestricted Electives (14 credits)

EE majors must complete fourteen (14) credits of unrestricted electives.  Unrestricted electives may be chosen from any graded course in the University except mathematics courses below MATH 1310; courses that substantially duplicate any others offered for the degree, including PHYS 2010, PHYS 2020, CS 1010, CS 1020; any introductory programming course; or SCPS courses. APMA 1090 counts as a three-credit unrestricted elective. See the SEAS page regarding electives for more information.

Public Professional Licensure Disclosure


As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)).

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at the UVA School of Engineering, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.

Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))

Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).