Major Requirements

Students majoring in electrical and computer engineering (ECE) will complete a total of 128 credits in the following areas:

52Core Course Credits

12Advanced Electives and Design Credits

16Math Credits

12Science Credits

12Cluster Credits

8Humanities/Social Science Credits

6Primary and Upper Level Writing Credits

10Elective Credits

*The upper-level writing requirement is met through writing assignments in WRTG 273.

2023-2024

ECE Curriculum Guide 23-24

Overlap Policy

Required Core Courses

ECE 101: Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering
ECE 112: Digital Logic
ECE 113: Introduction to Signals and Circuits
ECE 114: Introduction to C/C++ Programming
ECE 200: Computer Organization
ECE 216: Mechatronics and Embedded Systems
ECE 221: Electronic Devices and Circuits
ECE 222: Integrated Circuit Design and Analysis
ECE 230: Electromagnetic Waves
ECE 241: Signals Processing and Communication (as of F 22)
ECE 270: Probability for Electrical Engineers
ECE 348: ECE Design Seminar
ECE 349: ECE Design Capstone
PHIL 120: Ethics of Technology
Three 200-level ECE Advanced Electives

Advanced Electives and Design

The three 200-level ECE courses that comprise the advanced electives in the Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering program may be taken in a single area of concentration to provide additional depth or can be spread across multiple areas to provide additional breadth. Example courses in each of the areas of concentration in the Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering program are listed below in table 6.

Table 6
Area of ConcentrationFoundation CourseAdvanced Elective Courses
Computer EngineeringECE 200ECE 204, ECE 208, ECE 213
Semiconductor DevicesECE 221ECE 223
Integrated CircuitsECE 222ECE 261, ECE 269
Waves and FieldsECE 230ECE 233, ECE 235
Signals, Communication and Image ProcessingECE 241ECE 244, ECE 245, ECE 246, ECE 247, ECE 248, ECE 271, ECE 272, ECE 277
RoboticsECE 216ECE 217, ECE 218

*Other upper-level courses as approved by the undergraduate chair

Required Science and Mathematics Courses

The basic science and mathematics requirement for the Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering program requires a mathematics sequence in calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and probability. The mathematics requirements can be satisfied by one of the following sequences:

  • MATH 161, MATH 162, MATH 164, and MATH 165
  • MATH 141, MATH 142, MATH 143, MATH 164, and MATH 165
  • MATH 171, MATH 172, MATH 173, and MATH 174

The MATH 160 sequence is the standard calculus sequence for students planning to major in mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, or engineering. The MATH 140 sequence covers the same material as the MATH 160 sequence but moves through the content of MATH 161 and MATH 162 over three semesters in MATH 141, MATH 142, and MATH 143. MATH 143 is taught at the University of Rochester over the summer, so students interested in pursuing the MATH 140 sequence will not fall behind in the Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering if MATH 143 is taken during the summer following the spring semester of their first year at the University of Rochester. Also note that an equivalent course at another university can be used in place of MATH 143 with prior approval. If interested in completing the MATH 140 sequence and taking MATH 143 at another university during the summer, contact your faculty advisor to discuss this option with them. The MATH 170 sequence is designed for students who have a strong background in mathematics and have an interest in the theoretical underpinnings of the field. More information about the mathematics sequences can be found at http://www.sas.rochester.edu/mth/undergraduate/calculus-sequences.html. A summary of mathematics requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering can be seen below in Table 1.

Table 1: A breakdown of the Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering program mathematics course requirements.
Math Course Sequence RequirementNumber of CoursesCredit Hours
MATH 161-162, MATH 164-165416
MATH 141-143, MATH 164-165520
MATH 171-174420

The science requirements of the Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering include PHYS 121, PHYS 122, and PHYS 123. PHYS 121 serves the introductory course on mechanics and imparts an understanding of motion, energy, and thermodynamics. PHYS 122 introduces concepts central to electrical and computer engineering such as electrostatics, electric fields, current and basic circuits, magnetism, and electromagnetic waves. PHYS 123 covers topics related to relativity, quantum mechanics, and waves. PHYS 113 is a suitable replacement for PHYS 121 for students who take the MATH 141-143 calculus sequence only. A summary of science requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering can be seen below in Table 2.

Table 2: A breakdown of the Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering program science course requirements.
Science Course RequirementCredit Hours
PHYS 1214
PHYS 1224
PHYS 1234
Humanities and Social Science Courses and Clusters

The humanities and social sciences requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering program require a minimum of five humanities and/or social science courses equaling 20 credits. This includes the three courses taken to satisfy the University cluster requirement. These five courses can be chosen from any recognized Humanities and/or Social Science field listed below. Students also are expected to take some of these courses beyond the introductory level. Ordinarily, H or SS Clusters will count for three of the five required courses, but if questions arise, students should consult their advisors. Language courses at the 101 level are only accepted when followed by another, more advanced course in the same language. While it is preferred to have at least one course in each of H&SS, a minor of five or more courses in one area will satisfy the H&SS requirement. Acceptable Humanities courses include any English course except for ENGL 101 or the course taken to satisfy the university primary writing requirement (usually WRTG 105); any four-credit course in American sign language, art or art history, dance, digital media studies, dance, English, modern languages and culture (a foreign language above 101 level), music, philosophy, religion and classics, film studies courses cross-listed in a humanities department, studio art. Acceptable Social Sciences courses include any course in anthropology, health behavior and society, economics, entrepreneurship, health policy, history, international relations, linguistics, political science, psychology, sociology, Gender, sexuality and women’s studies. A summary of humanities and social sciences requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering can be seen below in Table 4.

Table 4: A breakdown of the Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering program humanities and social sciences course requirements.
CourseCredit Hours
Three-course cluster in humanities or social sciences12
Two additional courses in humanities and/or social sciences8

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