Electrical Engineering Undergraduate Curriculum
The overall objective of the electrical engineering (EE) program is to prepare individuals to be successful and lead lives of impact in whatever path they choose to pursue in the 21st century global economy. This includes those who move into practice within the electrical engineering discipline either through employment in industry or government, entrepreneurship, those who move on to advanced computer study and research in graduate school, or those that move into other professions such as law, business, or management.
The EE program is designed to build on foundational engineering strength developed during the freshman year, extend with broad ECE fundamentals in the sophomore year, further extend and deepen with EE fundamentals in the junior year, and then diversify for career exploration and specialization in the senior year. Our graduates will be among the best prepared electrical engineers in the nation for impactful careers and post-graduate studies in one of the most exciting and thriving professions of STEM.
Building upon the Swanson School of Engineering first-year program, a common and comprehensive year of study is delivered to sophomore computer engineering (CoE) and electrical engineering (EE) students. The sophomore year features four tracks, including two-course sequences in analog hardware, digital hardware, software, and applied math. These eight courses prepare students to continue as juniors in their specific program (CoE or EE) with foundational strength. Students can start taking professional skills and continue to take humanities and social science courses.
During the EE junior year, students complete six core courses unique to EE (electric power, electromagnetics, linear control systems, digital signal processing, semiconductor devices and advanced analog design) and a core course common to both programs (junior design fundamentals). Broad flexibility is provided in the senior year, including four advanced ECE electives, three technical electives, and one open elective, providing many dozens of options.
The Electrical Engineering Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria. For more information about the program, contact eeugrad@pitt.edu.
Advanced ECE Electives
Students must complete at least four Advanced ECE Elective courses from the following list:
Humanities/Social Science Electives
Students must complete at least three Humanities/Social Science Elective courses from a list of Approved Electives as part of the Electrical Engineering curriculum. (Note: students will complete a total of six Humanities/Social Science Elective courses, but three are completed as part of the First-Year Program curriculum, and three are completed as part of the Electrical Engineering curriculum.)
Science Math Elective
Students must complete at least one Science or Math Elective selected from a list of approved courses offered by the Departments of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. This elective must be a foundational course in mathematics or science intended for majors in those disciplines. Courses that are primarily applied, interdisciplinary, or engineering-focused (e.g., engineering courses with an emphasis on mathematics) may not be used to satisfy this requirement. The selected course must not have been used to fulfill another requirement within the Electrical Engineering program.
Science Laboratory Elective
Students must complete one Science Laboratory Elective selected from approved laboratory courses offered by the Department of Natural Sciences. This elective must be a standalone, 1-credit laboratory course intended for majors in those disciplines. Students may select any qualifying laboratory for which they have satisfied the prerequisites. The selected course must not have been used to fulfill another requirement within the Electrical Engineering program.
Technical Electives
Students must complete at least two Technical Elective courses from the ECE Department’s list of approved Technical Electives. Technical Electives may include any Advanced ECE Elective or other School of Engineering course that has not been used to fulfill another requirement and does not substantially duplicate required course content. Courses from other departments may also be used, provided they appear on the approved Technical Electives list and are broadly technical in nature, requiring significant application of mathematics, science, or engineering principles. Students may use Co-op rotations to satisfy up to three credits of the Technical Skills requirement.
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