Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department (ECE) offers degrees in several areas: a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering; a Master of Engineering with an EE 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 Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
The breadth and quality of each degree program are driven by the goals of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.
The mission of the Montana State University Electrical and Computer Engineering Department is to provide an excellent, diverse, and inclusive 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:
- 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.
- Provide ABET accredited undergraduate programs in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering.
- 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.
- 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.
- Provide excellent learning opportunities in lectures and modern laboratory facilities.
- 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.
- 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 statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years after graduation.
In their first few years on the job, graduates of the Programs:
- Pursue a professional career based on an education in the fundamentals of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
- Engage in post-graduate education programs.
- Provide a positive impact to the engineering community and to the community at large.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department offers an accredited program for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Engineering (BSCpE). The Montana State University Computer Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET http://www.abet.org.
In the fast-paced field of computers, the computer engineering graduate will be prepared for careers in exciting innovative technologies including embedded systems, programmable logic, hardware/software co-design, and digital signal processing. 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 programming and 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 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.
The computer engineering program educational outcomes are:
- An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics
- 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.
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- 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.
- 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.
- An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Student Performance and Retention Requirements
Students are required by Board of Regents policy to achieve a C- or better grade in each class used to satisfy the BSCpE degree requirements.
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department offers an accredited program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE). The Montana State University Electrical Engineering Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET http://www.abet.org .
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 available in numerous engineering careers, such as 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.
In the senior year each electrical 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 electrical engineering graduate.
Technical electives available outside the department allow students to broaden their knowledge and understanding of other engineering and scientific areas. These electives can also be used to take relevant coursework in business, finance, law, and management.
The electrical engineering program educational outcomes are:
- An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics.
- 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.
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- 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.
- 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.
- An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Student Performance and Retention Requirements
Students are required by Board of Regents policy to achieve a C- or better grade in each class used to satisfy the BSEE degree requirements.
Internship Opportunities
Internships are encouraged for students seeking engineering experience during summer employment. A wide variety of engineering companies recruit undergraduate interns from MSU. 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. The MSU Career, Internship & Student Employment Services office located in 177 Strand Union Building also helps students identify internship opportunities.
Research Opportunities
Students in the Electrical Engineering and the Computer Engineering degree programs are also encouraged to investigate opportunities to work under the supervision of an ECE faculty member in a research lab either during the summer or during the academic year. All members of the ECE faculty have active research programs which regularly involve undergraduate students. Hands-on research experience complements the student's formal academic education while providing familiarity with career opportunities in the research field. Students in the ECE department have opportunities for paid research positions in addition to receiving credit for conducting research by registering for EELE 290R or EELE 490R Undergraduate Research, or EELE 292 or EELE 492 Independent Study .