The Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a major in electrical engineering requires a minimum of 128 semester hours (s.h.) of coursework. The major provides technical depth and breadth along with the flexibility for students to customize their programs according to their own goals and interests. Students choose one of several focus areas (FAs) according to the type of job or research they plan to pursue. More than 20 focus areas are available, such as bioinformatics, business, communication systems, medical imaging, nanotechnology, power systems, and software engineering; for a complete list, see focus areas. Students may also work with their academic advisor to create a customized FA plan tailored to their goals and objectives.

EE students complete BSE core requirements, including:

• RHET:1030 Rhetoric
• ENGR:1100 Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving
• ENGR:1300 Introduction to Engineering Computing
• And courses in chemistry, engineering mathematics and fundamentals, and physics

Students must earn a grade of C-minus or higher in the core requirements MATH:1550 Engineering Mathematics I: Single Variable Calculus and MATH:1560 Engineering Mathematics II: Multivariable Calculus.

Students also complete the curriculum designed for their major program, which covers four major stems: mathematics and basic sciences, engineering topics, an elective focus area, and the general education component. For information about the curriculum stems, see Bachelor of Science in Engineering in the general catalog.

The curriculum is built on a common core of electrical and computer engineering courses taken by all students. Beginning in the sophomore year students select an interest in electrical or computer and begin taking more specialized courses. The electrical interest is intended to provide a broad background in electrical engineering concepts and practice that prepares students for graduate study or electrical engineering careers in a wide range of industries and organizations. The computer interest provides focus and depth for students preparing for graduate study, or a career in computer hardware or software engineering.

Electrical engineering students complete the curriculum listed under Academic Plans. During their second year, they select a focus area (FA) in consultation with their academic advisor. Students typically begin FA courses in their third year.

Coursework

Important CS Minor Information

The CS department has recently changed their rules for earning the CS minor and for signing up for required computer track courses.

• EE computer track students are recommended to sign up for a CS minor. Seat reservations for the required courses CS:2210 Discrete Structures, CS:2230 Computer Science II: Data Structures, CS:3330 Algorithms expire at the end of early registration allowing anyone to join. The CS minor will give students a higher spot on the waitlist, but it is not absolutely required to get a seat.
• It is easy and recommended that all EE computer track students earn the CS minor. EE computer track students only need to take one elective course to earn the CS minor. No additional coursework is required.
• Comments about the elective course for the CS minor:
  • Any CS:3980 Topics in Computer Science I course.
  • Do not take CS:3210 Programming Languages and Tools even though it is listed as an acceptable course because you will not earn credit for this course towards graduation. The reason for this is that the material covered in this course is covered in your other required coursework.
  • Courses that can be substituted for CS:3980 Topics in Computer Science I:
    • ECE/CS:5820 Software Engineering, Languages, & Tools
    • ECE:5320/CS:5610 High Performance Computer Architecture
    • Any 4000-level or above CS course. The problem with this option is that you will not be able to register for one of these courses until the Saturday before the semester starts and only if there is room in the course.
• Please email allison-rockwell@uiowa.edu to request the exception to substitute a course for CS:3980. You need to have already taken or enrolled in the course before sending the request. Include your University ID and the course number and semester of enrollment of the course you wish to substitute in your message.
• See CS minor requirements.

New Curriculum Starting Fall 2021 for all EE students.

• ENGR:2110 Statics is no longer required for the EE major. This course has been replaced with a minimum 2 s.h. focus area free elective.
  • If a student has already taken Statics, then they should list it as this elective.
• ENGR:2130 Thermodynamics is no longer required for the EE major.
  • This course has been replaced by a 3 s.h. ECE course for students with computer interest. Students enrolled before Fall 2021 may substitute Thermodynamics for this course. This substitution will happen automatically.
  • This course has been replaced by PHYS:2704 Physics IV for students with electrical interest. Students enrolled before Fall 2021 may substitute Thermodynamics for PHYS:2704 Physics IV. This substitution will happen automatically.

EE students must complete 5 core courses; 10 math, science, and communication courses; 6 required electrical engineering program courses; 5–6 interest courses; one depth elective; one breadth elective; 6–7 approved focus area (FA) courses; 5 general education courses (GEC); and a two-semester capstone design sequence.

The electrical engineering major requires the following coursework.

Core Engineering Courses

Math, Science, and Communication Courses

Required Program Courses

Students select one of two curricular interests—computer or electrical—to help prepare them for their FA course work. 

^aStudents enrolled before Fall 2018 may substitute a 3 s.h. technical elective course for ECE:3360 Embedded Systems.

Electrical Interest Courses

Students with electrical interest complete the following courses. See Curriculum Guide

Computer Interest Courses

Students with computer interest complete the following courses. Students may take a CS:3980 Computer Science Topics I course to earn a CS minor. See Curriculum Guide

Breadth Elective

Students must complete one breadth elective. Students with computer interest choose their breadth elective from the list of required electrical interest courses and ECE:3540 Communication Networks. Students with electrical interest choose their breadth elective from the list of required computer interest courses and ECE:3540 Communication Networks.

Depth Elective

Students must complete one depth elective. The depth elective must be an advanced course in a subject area within a student's designated interest (electrical or computer)—normally numbered 4000 or above.

Focus Area

Students select a focus area (FA) to personalize their curriculum and to help them prepare for the type of job or research they plan to pursue. More than 20 FAs are available, such as bioinformatics, business, communication systems, medical imaging, nanotechnology, power systems, and software engineering; for a complete list, see Focus Areas. Students may also work with their academic advisor to create a customized FA plan tailored to their goals and interests.

Students must select their seven focus area courses (6*3 + 2 = 20 s.h.), breadth elective and depth elective according to guidelines established by the department.

Students who choose their FA and general education component (GEC) courses carefully may be able to earn the Certificate in Sustainability, the Technical Entrepreneurship Certificate (TEC), or one of several undergraduate minors offered by the university without taking courses beyond those required for the electrical engineering major. Students that take one additional advanced math course meet the requirements for a minor in mathematics.

General Education Courses

Student are required to take at least 15 semester hours of general education component (GEC) course credit, see the General Education Component on the College of Engineering website. 

Capstone Design Courses

In their senior year, students complete a two-semester capstone design sequence culminating in the development and implementation of a significant, original project. The capstone design experience emphasizes team work, professionalism, open-ended problem solving, and the ability to work within real-world constraints and engineering standards.