ECE Undergraduate Advising Blog

Linear Algebra and Differential Equations

Published June 1, 2022

By Judy Burl

Linear Algebra and Differential Equations: what EE and CpE majors need to know

MA2321 and MA3521 are Accelerated and taken in same semester.
Lin Alg (MA2321 or MA2320) is the pre-req for Diff Eq(MA3521 or MA3520)
Students must pass MA2321 to continue on in MA3521
MA2320 is same course as MA2321, but uses full semester to complete
MA3520 is same course as MA3521, but uses full semester to complete after MA2320.
MA2321/MA3521 is the accelerated-pace option (take at least 14 credits)
MA2320 and MA3520 is the two-semester option
Diff Eq (MA3521 or MA3520) is a pre-req to Circuits II (EE2112)
Linear Algebra and Diff Eq are prereqs to Signals & Systems (EE3160).

Environmental Applications concentration – BSEE

Published June 1, 2022

By Judy Burl

Uncategorized

The concentration in Environmental Applications with the bachelor of science in electrical engineering helps prepare students to contribute as EE’s in fields related to environmental quality. Opportunities exist in environmental remote sensing, air quality, water quality, and related fields.

The concentration may be pursued using the 2015-2016 catalog year or later.

Concentration coursework, 18 credits: (2015-2016)
(may be completed in years 3 and 4)

CEE 3501 Environmental Engineering Fundamentals (or CEE 3503 if unable to take CEE 3501 in fall)
CEE 3502 Environmental Monitoring & Measurement
Remote sensing sequence: 1. EE 4252 and GE 4250 or 2. EE 2190 and EE3190
Two Environmental Quality Engineering courses from this list:
CEE 4502 Wastewater Treatment Principles and Design
CEE 4503 Drinking Water Treatment Principles and Design
CEE 4504 Air Quality Engineering and Science
CEE 4505 Surface Water Quality Engineering
CEE 4507 Application of Sustainability Principles
CEE 4511 Solid and Hazardous Waste Engineering

See Judy Burl, EERC 131, for help with planning. Walk in to EERC 131, or schedule an advising appointment here.

The concentration credits take the place of EE 4250, Approved electives, and 9cr. EE electives on the BSEE.

Engineering Fundamentals courses: ENG1101, ENG1102

Published June 1, 2022

By Judy Burl

The First-year engineering courses are offered by the Engineering Fundamentals Department, and are required for most engineering majors.

As a prerequisite, the Spatial Visualization test must be passed prior to enrolling in ENG 1101 or ENG 1102. Take ENG1002 along with your first ENG course if you do not achieve a score of at least 19 on the Spat Vis test. Transfer students with credit for ENG1101 must pass the Spatial Visualization test before enrolling in ENG1102. (or take ENG1002 prior to taking ENG1102)

Email efadvise@mtu.edu or go to the Engineering Fundamentals Department to take the spatial visualization test: Dillman 112, 906-487-3057

ENG Courses

Objectives of Engineering Fundamentals courses:

To develop an appreciation for the engineering profession
To develop proficiency in the use of computers to solve engineering problems
To introduce fundamental engineering and design concepts
To improved technical communication skills
To understand ethics and it’s importance in the engineering profession

Photonics Electives – for Concentration

Published June 1, 2022

By Judy Burl

EE
Photonics

BSEE – Photonics Concentration Electives (see flowcharts)

A minimum of 6 credits of the following are required with the Photonics Concentration:

Be sure to look up latest pre-reqs and semester offerings in the online course descriptions and Schedule of Classes.

BE 4250 (3) Biomedical Optics, Even Springs (Lin Alg, Diff Equ, and MA3160)

BE 4410 (3) Medical Imaging, Odd Springs (BE 3700 and BE 3710)

EE 4252 (4) Digital Signal Processing and it’s Applications, Fall (EE3160)

EE 4253 (3) Real Time Signal Processing, Spring (EE4252)

EE 5522(3) Digital Image Processing, Spring (EE3190 and EE3160) Not Spring 2014.

MSE/PH 4292 (3) Light and Photonic Materials, Fall (PH2200(C))

PH 4510 (2) Introduction to Solid State Physics, Fall ((PH2300 or 1360) and PH2400 and (CH11150/51) and Diff Equ)

More about the BSEE – Photonics Concentration.

Engineering GPA – ENGPA

Published June 1, 2022

By Judy Burl

Advice for Success

The ENGPA, engineering GPA, is calculated with a set of first-year engineering classes. The ENGPA is used as a milestone for determining success in the foundations of engineering. These classes make up the ENGPA:

CH1150 and CH1151
MA1160 or MA1161
MA2160
ENG1101 or (ENG1001 + ENG1100)
ENG1102
PH2100 and PH1100
UN1015 or UN1001

The Electrical & Computer Engineering Department requires a 2.75 ENGPA as one of the requirements to transfer into the EE, RE or CpE major.

ENGPA calculator instructions and more details.

Change your major or Add a minor

Published March 13, 2022

By Judy Donahue

FAQ

Change major:

To find out the latest requirements for your chosen major, see the Degree Audits or go to the department website for flowcharts. Find out requirements for joining the department from the major advisor.
Meet with the advisor of your new major to discuss switching, review program details, and submit a request to change your major when you are ready.

Add a minor:

Find out the latest requirements for your chosen minor on the Degree Services website: Minor Audit Forms
Meet with the advisor of the minor and submit a request to add the minor.
Some credits may double count toward your major and minor. Look for courses the HASS list & the minor.
CpE majors may not pursue a minor in EE or CS beginning Fall 2016.

Undecided on your Major?

Michigan Tech has an advisor for students who are undecided about their major. Ms. Slyvia Matthew’s office is in Walker 102.

Engineering Undecided? see Ms. Amy Monte or Ms. AJ Hamlin in Dillman 112.

Career Cruising will give ideas of majors that could involve your interests and skills.

ECE graduate degree – grad school

Published February 11, 2022

By Judy Burl

Consider pursuing a graduate degree after completion of your bachelor’s. Students have taken advantage of one or both of these opportunities:

1) The ECE Department offers an Accelerated Master’s program. (cumulative GPA of 3.25+ required) With this program, students can double-count up to six credits of coursework towards an accelerated master’s degree in EE or CpE. A master’s degree requires 30 credits, so students in the Accelerated Master’s Program take 24 credits after completion of their bachelor’s degree. What a deal!

Students who do not meet the 3.25 minimum GPA requirements for the Accelerated Master’s program, may apply for graduate school, and will take 30 credits after completion of the bachelor of science degree to earn a master of science in EE or CpE.

2) Students may take graduate courses while they are still an undergraduate student, under the Senior Rule, if they have room in the last semester(s). This is DIFFERENT than the accelerated master’s program six credits. With the senior rule, specific courses are designated for a graduate transcript only, and may not be used toward your bachelor’s degree. See this link to get the Senior Rule Form. The credits are available for possible use toward a graduate degree and may be transferred elsewhere. It is up to the program you pursue to approve the courses for a graduate degree. Pay undergraduate tuition.

4000 and 5000 level courses may be used with either option. A maximum of 9 credits of 4000 level coursework may be used toward a master’s. All EE courses must have a grade of BC or better to be used toward a master’s degree in the ECE Department. All credits must be approved by your graduate program advisor.

Why grad school? see:

Spring 2015 ECE grad school information session with Dr. Lukowski and Dr. Mork. 49 minutes.

If you are uncertain about your options, please meet with your advisor and see what might work for you! It’s worth considering!

MORE INFORMATION and How To Apply:

Computer Engineering, MS, PhD

Electrical Enginering, MS, PhD

ECE Accelerated Master’s program

Online Master’s in Power Systems

Senior Rule

Published January 21, 2022

By Judy Burl

While you are a senior, and if you have room in your schedule, you may take credits and reserve them for a “graduate transcript” making the credits available for possible use toward a future graduate degree. Credits taken under “Senior Rule” may not apply to your undergraduate degree. It is up to your future graduate program whether the credits will be accepted or not.

See here for Registrar’s details and the Senior Rule Form.

ECE Learning and Help Center: EERC 123

Published January 18, 2022

By Judy Burl

The ITC Learning and Help Center is hosting limited Virtual Hours for Fall 2020 via this Zoom Link during the following times:

Afternoons:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 1 pm – 4 pm
Tuesday: 1 pm – 3 pm

Evenings:
6 pm – 8 pm Sunday through Thursday

Can in-person coaching sessions be scheduled? If you need face-to-face help, feel free to contact one of the coaches and see if they can meet you in EERC room 123 at a mutually convenient time.

Requirements to change major to ECE major (CpE, EE, or RE)

Published January 14, 2022

By Judy Burl

Advice for Success

If you are already an EE, RE or CpE student, changing/adding a major within the ECE Department is easy. Simply submit your request through the curriculum change portal in MyMichiganTech.

If you are interested in changing your major to Electrical Engineering (EE), Robotics Engineering (RE) or Computer Engineering (CpE) from another major, you should be aware of the requirements.

To transfer into the EE or RE major:

Must have MA2160 (Calculus II) complete
ENGPA 2.75 or higher (see below for class list)
- Or a GPA in CS/EE/MA course of 2.75+ (based on 25 credits of those subjects)
Cumulative GPA 2.5 or higher
Cannot be on probation status currently
Two most recent full semesters must be good academic standing (off probation)

To transfer into the CpE major:

Must have MA2160 (Calculus II) complete
ENGPA 2.75 or higher (see below for class list)
- Or a GPA in CS/EE/MA course of 2.75+ (based on 25 credits of those subjects)
Cumulative GPA 2.5 or higher
Cannot be on probation status currently
Two most recent full semesters must be Good Academic Standing (off probation)

What to shoot for early on: Achieve an A or B in programming (CS1121, CS1122 or CS1131), Math (MA1160, MA2160, MA2321, MA3521) and Physics (PH2100 and PH2200) courses to be successful in subsequent ECE classes and career.

Update: Oct 2021 – First-year students enrolled in a College of Engineer major, who are not on academic probation in the first semester and first year, will be approved to change to an ECE major. All other situations: Meet above requirements.

ENGPA is calculated with the most recent grades in these courses: ENG1101, ENG1102, MA1160 or MA1161, MA2160, PH1100, PH2100, CH1150, CH1151 and UN1015.