2015-2016

Electrical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

This degree is the first step towards immediate employment or further study in electrical engineering. It opens the door to technical exploration in design, production, renewable energy, and future problem-solving.

This program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). (ABET / EAC).

  • Available Emphasis Areas:
  • Computer Engineering - Emphasis (ending Summer 2018)
  • Electrical Engineering - Emphasis (ending Summer 2018)
This plan will not be available to new students after Summer 2018

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • At least 42 units of preprofessional requirements
  • At least 66-67 units of professional requirements

  • Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 128 units

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 128
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 239
Emphasis, Minor, or Certificate Required Required
Additional Fees/Program Fees Required
University Honors Program Optional
Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan Optional
Progression Plan Link Not Available
Student Learning Outcomes

Electrical Engineering B.S.E.
 
Electrical, computer and electronics engineering is a diverse discipline that applies the principles of mathematics, physics, and science for the analysis, design, test, manufacture, and maintenance of electrical and electronic systems.  Electrical engineers work with other engineers and scientists to develop innovative consumer electronics, sensors and instrumentation, integrated circuits, communication systems, radar systems, computers, control systems, power generation and storage systems, navigation and guidance systems, and much more.   In addition to the underlying principles of electricity and electromagnetics, our curriculum provides you with a solid foundation in problem-solving, analysis, design, project management and preparation for professional licensure.
 
Whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student, or are simply interested in a minor, our rigorous curriculum will help you pursue a career designing and developing the latest smart phone, renewable energy system, and all the electronic chips, equipment and products in between that benefit people by connecting, healing, informing, entertaining, defending, and providing the essentials for life. 
 
Students in the computer engineering emphasis will have gained greater software skills to work with embedded microcontrollers and the software side of many “smart” products and systems. 
 
Students in the electrical engineering emphasis have more opportunities to specialize by taking more elective classes in one or more specialty areas such as control systems, communication systems, digital signal processing, power systems, digital design, and VLSI circuits, to name a few. 
 
By the time you graduate in our undergraduate program, accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org, you will have achieved the following student learning outcomes:

  1. Apply knowledge of physics and mathematics, including calculus, linear algebra, complex variables and differential equations
  2. Apply knowledge of probability, statistics and transform methods
  3. Construct and test hypotheses about system behavior by designing and conducting engineering experiments and analyzing and interpreting data and information
  4. Employ professional skills and knowledge of the engineering design process within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
  5. Function effectively in diverse disciplinary and multi-disciplinary teams
  6. Identify engineering problems, formulate descriptive models, and create, evaluate and synthesize solution
  7. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical theories and codes and their application to professional engineering responsibility
  8. Demonstrate effective oral communication skills
  9. Demonstrate effective written communication skills
  10. Relate a broad education and contemporary issues to engineering solutions and express the interactions of global and societal events and engineering 
  11. Demonstrate global cultural competency
  12. Demonstrate the motivation and skills needed for life-long learning
  13. Demonstrate the ability to apply techniques, skills and engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

Major Requirements
  • Take the following 108 - 109 units:

    Preprofessional Requirements (42 units)

    • Emphasis Requirements (Select One):
      • Computer Engineering Emphasis  (23 units)Electrical Engineering Emphasis (24 units)
        • EE 222 (3 units)
        • PHY 263 (3 units)
        • Additional units from any other course with a prefix of AST, BIO, CENE, CENS, CHM, CM, CS, EGR, ENV, FOR, GLG, MAT, ME, PHY, PHS, or STA - with the following exceptions (3 units):
        • Additional units from any 400-level EE courses (9 units)
        • Additional units from any 400- or 500-level EE courses (6 units)
  • Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program 

    This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan. Accelerated Programs provide the opportunity for outstanding undergraduates working on their bachelor’s degree to simultaneously begin work on a master’s degree, which may allow them to complete both degrees in an accelerated manner by applying 6 units toward both degrees. Students must apply to the accelerated program and the master’s program by the application deadline, and meet all requirements as listed on the Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs to be considered for admission. Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year. Be sure to speak with your advisor regarding your interest in Accelerated Programs.
     

General Electives
  • Additional coursework is required, if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 128 units of credit.

    You may take these remaining courses from any academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)

Additional Information
  • Also note:

    • You must earn a "C" or better in all required courses.
    • No more than two grades of "D" in your major elective courses.
    • Three units of letter-graded individualized study (EE 485 or EE 497) may be used to meet degree requirements.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

  • PROGRAM FEE INFORMATION
  • Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee of $500 per year in students' Junior and Senior years has been approved for this program.