The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Electrical Engineering Program Criterion.
Program Educational Objectives
Within a few years of graduation, BSEE degree program recipients are expected to do the following:
- Our graduates will be engaged as practicing professionals in a broad range of careers in industry or government or be pursuing advanced degrees in academic graduate education in engineering or a related field.
- Our graduates will function effectively as members of teams demonstrating sensitivity to professional and societal contexts, integrity and versatility.
Student Outcomes
Graduates of the BSEE program are expected to know or have the following by the time of graduation:
- An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts
- An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
- An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
BSEE Degree Requirements
To obtain the BSEE degree, students must complete a minimum of 120 units consistent with the residency and other applicable requirements of Washington University and the McKelvey School of Engineering and subject to the program requirements below. All courses below must be taken for a letter grade unless otherwise specified.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering Core Courses ¹ | ||
| ESE 1050 | Introduction to Electrical and Systems Engineering | 4 |
| ESE 2050 | Introduction to Engineering Design | 3 |
| ESE 2170 | Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems Modeling in Engineering | 3 |
| ESE 2180 | Linear Algebra and Component Analysis | 3 |
| ESE 2190 | Vector Calculus and Dynamics of Physical Systems | 3 |
| ESE 2300 | Introduction to Electrical and Electronic Circuits | 4 |
| ESE 2320 | Introduction to Electronic Circuits | 3 |
| CSE 2600 | Introduction to Digital Logic and Computer Design | 3 |
| ESE 3260 | Probability and Statistics for Engineering | 3 |
| ESE 3300 | Engineering Electromagnetics Principles | 3 |
| ESE 3510 | Signals and Systems | 3 |
| ESE 4970 | Electrical Engineering Capstone Design Projects | 3 |
| Other Electrical Engineering Courses | ||
| Electrical Engineering Electives ² | 15 | |
| Electrical Engineering Laboratories ³ | 6 | |
| Other Engineering Courses | ||
| CSE 1301 | Introduction to Computer Science 4 | 3 |
| Engineering & Science Breadth ⁵ | 9 | |
| Mathematics and Physical Sciences | ||
| CHEM 1701 | General Chemistry I 6 | 3 |
| CHEM 1751 | General Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| MATH 1510 | Calculus I | 3 |
| MATH 1520 | Calculus II | 3 |
| MATH 2130 | Calculus III | 3 |
| PHYSICS 1740 | Physics I | 3 |
| PHYSICS 1741 | Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYSICS 1742 | Physics II | 3 |
| PHYSICS 1743 | Physics II Laboratory | 1 |
| Humanities and Social Sciences ⁷ | 18 | |
| College Writing ⁷ | ||
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The BSEE degree requires a minimum of 45 units of Engineering Topics courses (typically satisfied by fulfilling Electrical Engineering core and elective requirements). Courses carrying Engineering Topics units will be noted in Workday. Courses taken on a Pass/No Pass basis may be used for Engineering Topics units.
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Requirements for the EE electives:
a. 15 units in electrical engineering subjects from the following list: ESE 2992 Introduction to Research in ESE, ESE 3301–3990, ESE 4100-4269, ESE 4290–4999, and ESE 5030–5890. (Electives cannot be used to satisfy other requirements in the degree program.)
b. Students must take at least two courses from ESE 4290 Basic Principles of Quantum Optics and Quantum Information, ESE 4301 Quantum Mechanics for Engineers, ESE 4310 Introduction to Quantum Electronics, ESE 4330 Radio Frequency and Microwave Technology for Wireless Systems, ESE 4360 Semiconductor Devices, ESE 4380 Applied Optics, ESE 4410 Control Systems, ESE 4610 Design Automation for Integrated Circuit Systems, ESE 4710 Communications Theory and Systems, and ESE 4820 Digital Signal Processing.
c. No more than 6 units of the combined units of ESE 2992 Introduction to Research in ESE, ESE 4991 Undergraduate Research, ESE 4992 Honors Thesis Research, and ESE 4999 Independent Study may be applied.
d. No more than 3 credits of 5000-level courses may be applied.
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Requirements for the EE Labs:
a. Two upper-level laboratory courses (6 units) from the following list: ESE 3301 Electromagnetics Laboratory: Spectrum From Radio to Photonics, ESE 3310 Electronics Laboratory, ESE 4361 Semiconductor Fabrication Lab, ESE 4480 Control Systems Design Laboratory, ESE 4481 Autonomous Aerial Vehicle Control Laboratory, ESE 4650 Digital Systems Laboratory, and ESE 4880 Signals and Imaging Laboratory.
b. The selection must contain at least one course from ESE 3301 Electromagnetics Laboratory: Spectrum From Radio to Photonics, ESE 3310 Electronics Laboratory, ESE 4361 Semiconductor Fabrication Lab, ESE 4650 Digital Systems Laboratory, and ESE 4880 Signals and Imaging Laboratory.
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Students are also encouraged to take CSE 2407 Data Structures and Algorithms (3 units).
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Engineering and Science Breadth Requirements: 9 units in engineering or science outside of electrical engineering. These units must be taken in the following areas: Biomedical Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Computer Science and Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Systems Science and Engineering; Economics; Mathematics; Physics; Biology; Chemistry; Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences; and pre-medicine. These units must be at the 2000 level or higher and cannot be used to satisfy the Common Studies requirements or the Computer Science requirement. Courses in other fields can be arranged with special departmental approval. Engineering and Science Breadth courses may be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis. Consult the McKelvey Degree Requirements for more information.
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CHEM 1701 General Chemistry I is preferred, but CHEM 1601 Principles of General Chemistry I will be allowed.
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A total of 18 units of Humanities and social sciences courses are required, including 3 units of College Writing (CWP 150X). All these courses may be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis except College Writing, which must be taken on a Grading basis.
For more information about the BS in Electrical Engineering curriculum, please visit the ESE website.