Electrical and Computer Engineering
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Administration
Chair: Randal Beard
Department Information:
460/450 EB
801-422-4012
ecen_secretary@byu.edu
Advisement Center:
246 EB
801-422-4325
engineering_advisement@byu.edu
Admission to Degree Program
The degree programs in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering are open enrollment.
The Discipline
Electrical and Computer Engineering is one of the most exciting, diverse, and forward-looking disciplines offered at the university. Contemporary society is in the midst of an information revolution, created in large part from the fruits of electrical and computer engineering. Electrical and computer engineers have been primary contributors to the astonishing developments in communication, computer, and network technology. They have designed devices and systems that have a significant impact on manufacturing, medicine, transportation, and environmental monitoring. Smart phones, tablets, digital cameras, high definition television, solar power, microprocessors, lasers, unmanned aerial vehicles, medical imaging systems, and autonomous robotic systems are all examples of devices and systems designed by electrical and computer engineers. Innovations that flow out of electrical and computer engineering sustain the national economy and improve the quality of life for people throughout the world. In the future, society will look to electrical and computer engineers to address grand challenges ranging from sustainable and efficient energy to health care technologies and global communications networks.
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Brigham Young University offers accredited degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. Electrical Engineering focuses on microelectronics, electromagnetics, electronic circuits, wireless communications, signal processing, biomedical applications, photonics, and controls. Computer Engineering focuses on the design of digital computing devices and systems and involves hardware and software, operating systems, digital logic, real-time systems, and computer vision. Both programs combine fundamental principles with hands-on learning, including an innovative Junior Core experience that integrates classroom knowledge with project-based learning.
Career Opportunities
Electrical and computer engineers are among the most actively recruited students graduating from a four-year program. Baccalaureate engineers typically start their careers as members of project teams with one or more of the following responsibilities: designing digital, analog, or opto-electronic circuits; creating or testing software; testing components or systems; or providing technical support for sales. Later on, many engineers find themselves pursuing managerial careers, starting their own companies, or even managing entrepreneurial funds. Top graduates are also well received by medical schools, law schools, and professional and management programs.
The Electrical Engineering Baccalaureate program and the Computer Engineering Baccalaureate program are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc., http://www.abet.org.
General Information
Students are strongly encouraged to seek advisement early in their studies to ensure effective course scheduling. Contact the college advisement center (264 CB) or the department (459 CB). Students should enroll in EC En 191 in their first year of study at BYU.
In both undergraduate degree programs offered in the department, students are required to pass prerequisite courses in the major with a grade of C– or better before taking follow-on courses.
Professional Registration. The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department provides the option for graduates to become registered professional engineers. General qualifications for becoming registered are explained in the Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering section of this catalog. This status is vital to engineering practice in the public sector and to much consulting work. The basic electrical and computer engineering program outlined in this department prepares graduates to successfully complete the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination. Students who wish to become registered as professional engineers are advised to discuss this matter with an advisor from the department soon after admission to the professional program.
Graduation Requirements
To receive a BYU bachelor's degree a student must complete, in addition to all requirements for a specific major, the following university requirements:
The University Core, consisting of requirements in general and religious education.
At least 30 credit hours must be earned in residence on the BYU campus in Provo as an admitted day student
A minimum of 120 credit hours
A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
Be in good standing with the Honor Code Office
Students should see their college advisement center for help or information concerning the undergraduate programs.
Graduate Programs Available
This department also offers graduate degree programs. For more information, see Graduate Studies.
