Frequently Asked Questions

•  Why is there a new major in Electrical and Computer Engineering?
•  How is the ECEN major different from the ELEN major?
•  How is the ECEN major different from the CSEN major?
•  What other majors are related to computing and information sciences?

Why is there a new major in Electrical and Computer Engineering?

The areas of embedded systems, digital systems architecture, and hardware security, that have been part of the electrical engineering curriculum for many years, are rapidly growing and evolving to meet new needs in society leveraging newly available technology. To support education in this area at the undergraduate level, a new major in electrical and computer engineering has been approved which is centered between a traditional electrical engineering curriculum and a computer science and engineering curriculum. Electrical and computer engineering focus more on special-purpose architectures, embedded systems, and efficient configurable implementations with FPGAs. Computer science and engineering have more focus on software systems and programming languages, and electrical engineering focuses more on electronic devices, energy systems, and electromagnetics. All three are important components of emerging areas such as the internet of things, 5G communications, machine learning, cybersecurity, autonomous vehicles, and energy generation and distribution.

 

How is the ECEN major different from the ELEN major?

Electrical and computer engineering focus more on special-purpose architectures, embedded systems, and efficient configurable implementations with FPGAs, while electrical engineering focuses more on electronic devices, energy systems, and electromagnetics. Both are important components of emerging areas such as the internet of things, 5G communications, machine learning, cybersecurity, autonomous vehicles, and energy generation and distribution.

The required coursework for these two majors builds on common foundational courses to support basic discipline-specific courses.   The common foundational courses include mathematics and science, programming and data structures, logic design, circuits, and electronics. In addition, ECEN majors are required to take courses in computer architecture, connected computing, digital signal processing, networks and communication,  and operating systems. ELEN majors are required to take courses in linear systems and electromagnetics. A wide choice of electives is available for both majors.

 

How is the ECEN major different from the CSEN major?

Electrical and computer engineering focus more on special-purpose architectures, embedded systems, and efficient configurable implementations with FPGAs, while computer science and engineering has more focus on software systems and programming languages. Both are important components of emerging areas such as the internet of things, 5G communications, machine learning, cybersecurity, autonomous vehicles, and energy generation and distribution.

The required coursework for these two majors builds on common foundational courses to support basic discipline-specific courses.   The common foundational courses include mathematics and science, programming and data structures, logic design, circuits, and operating systems. In addition, ECEN majors are required to take courses in digital signal processing, networks and communication, connected computing, and advanced embedded systems. CSEN majors are required to take courses in advanced data structures, programming languages, formal language theory, compiler construction, and software engineering. A wide choice of electives is available for both majors.

 

What other majors are related to computing and information sciences?

In the College of Arts and Sciences, an undergraduate Computer Science Major is offered by the Department of Mathematics. This major focuses on the theoretical foundations of computer science.

The Leavey School of Business Department of Information Systems and Analytics offers undergraduate majors in Management Information Systems and Accounting and Information Systems.