Electrical and Computer Engineering

Today's electronic devices are reaching nanometer dimensions where fundamental quantum and atomistic processes dominate. Instead of the traditional 'top-down' classical viewpoint in "Solid State Device" courses, quantum transport principles are needed to understand `bottom-up' how current flows through individual atoms, molecules, nanotubes or spintronic devices. This course provides a convenient starting point.Prerequisite: APMA 2130

Design and analysis of wireless communication circuits. Topics covered include transmission lines, antennas, filters, amplifiers, mixers, noise, and modulation techniques. The course is built around a semester long design project. Prerequisite ECE 2700 or ECE 3750

Quantum electronics, the study of light and matter interaction, has become the cornerstone in many areas of optical science and technology. This course reviews the principles of lasers then introduces the generalized nonlinear wave equations. This course will cover typical nonlinear effects and their applications in telecommunication, ultrafast laser, quantum computing/information and chemical/bio spectroscopy.  Prerequisite: ECE 3209.

Analyzes the measurement and behavior of high-frequency circuits and components; equivalent circuit models for lumped elements; measurement of standing waves, power, and frequency; use of vector network analyzers and spectrum analyzers; and computer-aided design, fabrication, and characterization of microstrip circuits. Corequisite: ECE 5260 or instructor permission.

Digital CMOS circuit design and analysis: combinational circuits, sequential circuits, and memory. Second order circuit issues. Global design issues: clocking and interconnect. Use of Cadence CAD tools. Team design of a significant VLSI chip including layout and implementation. Prerequisites: ECE 2330 and (ECE 2660 or ECE 2600)

This course explores the intricacies of AI hardware, including the current landscape and anticipating the necessary developments in response to AI's rapid growth and widespread integration across all computing tiers. Through this exploration, you will gain an understanding of both the existing technologies and the future challenges in AI hardware design and implementation. Prerequisites: ECE 2330 or CS 2130. 

This course explores advanced embedded systems topics such as design and validation of embedded computing systems, embedded C programming, real-time operating systems for microcontrollers, safety and security, cyber-physical systems, Internet of Things, and robotics. The course includes hands-on experience, paper presentations, and discussions.  Prerequisite: ECE 3430

Focuses on the techniques for designing and analyzing dependable computer-based systems. Topics include fault models and effects, fault avoidance techniques, hardware redundancy, error detecting and correcting codes, time redundancy, software redundancy, combinatorial reliability modeling, Markov reliability modeling, availability modeling, maintainability, safety modeling, trade-off analysis, design for testability, and the testing of redundant digital systems. Cross-listed as CS 4434. Prerequisite: ECE 3430 or CS 3330 and APMA 3100 or APMA 3110.

Introduces computer architecture and provides a foundation for the design of complex synchronous digital devices, focusing on: 1) Established approaches of computer architecture, 2) Techniques for managing complexity at the register transfer level, and 3) Tools for digital hardware description, simulation, and synthesis. Includes laboratory exercises. Prerequisites: ECE 2330 and CS 2130

Design, analysis and testing of an embedded computer system to meet specific needs, considering public health, safety and welfare as well as societal impacts. Tradeoff analysis and constraint satisfaction facilitated by the use of appropriate engineering analysis techniques. Semester-long team project develops physical prototype. Counts as major design experience for ECE students. Prerequisites (ECE 3430 or ECE 3502 ECR II) AND (ECE 3750 or ECE 2700) AND 4th year standing

A first course in communication networks for upper-level undergraduate students. Topics include the design of modern communication networks; point-to-point and broadcast network solutions; advanced issues such as Gigabit networks; ATM networks; and real-time communications. Cross-listed as CS 4457. Prerequisite:  CS 3330 or ECE 3430

A fourth-level undergraduate course covering a topic not normally covered in the course offerings. The topic usually reflects new developments in the electrical and computer engineering field. Offering is based on student and faculty interests.

A fourth-level undergraduate course covering a topic not normally covered in the course offerings. The topic usually reflects new developments in the electrical and computer engineering field. Offering is based on student and faculty interests.

A lab-based course that provides a hands-on way to learn about new developments in electrical and computer engineering fields. Topics include technologies or application areas that relate to ongoing design and research activities of faculty and students.

Topics include the design and analysis of analog integrated circuits; feedback amplifier analysis and design, including stability, compensation, and offset-correction; layout and floor-planning issues associated with mixed-signal IC design; selected applications of analog circuits such as A/D and D/A converters, references, and comparators; extensive use of CAD tools for design entry, simulation, and layout; and the creation of an analog integrated circuit design project. Prerequisites: ECE 3660 or instructor permission.

Explores the statistical methods of analyzing communications systems: random signals and noise, statistical communication theory, and digital communications. Analysis of baseband and carrier transmission techniques; and design examples in satellite communications. Prerequisite: (APMA 3100 or MATH 3100) AND (ECE 3750 or ECE 2700)

Provides first-hand exposure to communications practice, including response of systems, signal theory, modulation and detection, sampling and quantization, digital signal processing, and receiver design. Prerequisite: ECE 3760; corequisite: ECE 4710.

An introduction to digital signal processing. Topics include discrete-time signals and systems, application of z-transforms, the discrete-time Fourier transform, sampling, digital filter design, the discrete Fourier transform, the fast Fourier transform, quantization effects and nonlinear filters. Prerequisite: CS 2130.

This is a survey course in the theory and technology of modern wireless communication systems, exemplified in cellular telephony, paging, microwave distribution systems, wireless networks, and even garage door openers. Wireless technology is inherently interdisciplinary, and the course seeks to serve the interests of a variety of students.

Explores the modeling of linear dynamic systems via differential equations and transfer functions utilizing state space representations and classical input-output representations; the analysis of systems in the time and frequency domains; study of closed-loop systems; state-space methods and the classical stability tests, such as the Routh-Hurwitz criterion, Nyquist criterion, root-locus plots and Bode plots. Studies compensation design through lead and lag networks, rate feedback, and linear state-variable feedback. Prerequisite: ECE 3750 or instructor permission.

Under faculty supervision, students plan a project of at least one semester's duration, conduct the analysis or design and test, and report on the results. If this work is to be the basis for an undergraduate thesis, the course should be taken no later than the seventh semester. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

Under faculty supervision, students plan a project of at least one semester's duration, conduct the analysis or design and test, and report on the results. If this work is to be the basis for an undergraduate thesis, the course should be taken no later than the seventh semester. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

Design, analysis and testing of an electrical system to meet specific needs, considering applicable standards, health, safety, welfare, and societal impacts as well as tradeoff and constraint considerations. Semester-long team project develops physical prototype (not simulation). Counts major design experience for students in ECE. Prerequisites (ECE 3430 or ECE 3502 ECR II) AND (ECE 3750 or ECE 2700) AND 4th year standing

Explores fabrication technologies for the manufacture of integrated circuits and microsystems. Emphasizes processes used for monolithic silicon-based systems and basic technologies for compound material devices. Topics include crystal properties and growth, Miller indices, Czochralski growth, impurity diffusion, concentration profiles, silicon oxidation, oxide growth kinetics, local oxidation, ion implantation, crystal annealing, photolithography and pattern transfer, wet and dry etching processes, anisotropic etches, plasma etching, reactive ion etching, plasma ashing, chemical vapor deposition and epitaxy; evaporation, sputtering, thin film evaluation, chemical-mechanical polishing, multilevel metal, device contacts, rapid thermal annealing, trench isolation, process integration, and wafer yield. Prerequisite: ECE 3103 or equivalent.

Reviews the electromagnetic principles of optics; Maxwell's equations; reflection and transmission of electromagnetic fields at dielectric interfaces; Gaussian beams; interference and diffraction; laser theory with illustrations chosen from atomic, gas and semiconductor laser systems; detectors including photomultipliers and semiconductor-based detectors; and noise theory and noise sources in optical detection. Prerequisite: ECE 3103, 3209, 3750.