The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree requirements contain a number of credits for “EE Electives“. You will see “boxes” for these credits listed on the 8-semester flowcharts, and an area of the degree audit report for EE elective coursework. This is a way to choose classes you most prefer from different focus areas or areas of specialization.
The number of credits required in EE (Technical) Electives varies depending on without or with a concentration, and the catalog year you are following. Your degree audit report shows the minimum number of “EE Electives” credits you need and how your registered and completed courses are applied toward degree requirements.
What are “EE Electives”? also called “EE Technical Electives“.
The ECE Department groups EE courses by “Focus Area” (area of specialization): Signal Processing, Power, Control, Computer, Electronics, Photonics, etc… See here for the latest list. If you plan ahead, you should be able to get all or most of the courses you prefer. Each course is typically offered once per year, either in fall or spring, so plan ahead for your next two or three semesters. Look up course prerequisites in the undergraduate course descriptions link. View the Schedule of Classes to see what courses are offered in a particular semester, when that schedule is available.
You do not have to choose one focus area, and you can mix and match the courses as you like. A concentration may use some of these courses as required courses for the concentration.
What can count? EE courses that are mainly lecture and/or lab-based courses with the subject code of “EE”. These types of credits will not count: project, research, and independent study credits. Specifically required courses such as EE2112 or EE3131 will not count in “EE Electives” (see “major requirements” on the degree audit report).
When should you choose EE Elective courses and how? This advising tutorial will help.
Begin to get familiar with the EE Electives list as early as the sophomore year, and ideally, no later than the end of the third year, to plan for the courses you’d prefer by the time you graduate.
Meet with Judy if you’d like help with planning future semesters with your EE Elective choices.
Take the time to consider these explorations:
– join IEEE and/or SPIE for access to world-wide information in the field and the various focus areas; talk with mentors (ieee@mtu.edu for more info)
– become involved with undergraduate research in one of the areas you’d like to explore
– talk with faculty who teach or do research in areas you’re curious about. They are the experts.
– take a co-op semester or summer internship. This can expose you to one or more areas of specialization, and help you decide which electives you might take after you return.
– ask an acquaintance, senior student, or someone you know working in industry; inquire about job-shadowing at a company near your hometown
Summary:
“EE (Technical) Electives” are courses in topics from the various areas of specialization (focus areas) in ECE. You can mix and match them as you like. You do not have to take all the classes listed under a focus area. Choose the courses you most prefer. Plan ahead (2nd and 3rd year).
Each concentration has a different number of “EE Elective” credits required.
Where to find:
Focus Areas: EE electives listed by focus area and by semester in which they are offered.
Concentration flowcharts — Expand “8-Semester Flowcharts”.
All on the ECE Electrical Engineering advising page
Selecting EE Elective courses for the BSEE (EE Technical Electives)
CpE Technical Elective courses for the BSCpE.