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Electrical Engineering

Electrical Engineering is one of the major contributors to the modernization of our society. Many of the most basic and pervasive products and services are either based on or related to the scientific and engineering principles taught at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Students specialize in Electronic Circuit Design; Semiconductors and Optoelectronics; RF, Antennas and Microwaves; Digital Signal Processing; or Communications.

Electrical Engineering

Degree Requirements
EE-4-year-plan-POS-7.0Download
Sample Program PDF

The sample template below is to help you create your own 4-year plan. Please note some courses may get full and when that happens you will have to adjust your schedule accordingly. You are welcome to speak to an advisor if this happens or if you have questions about moving classes around.
4-Year Templates

Senior Design Information

All majors listed above MUST take Senior Design (EECS 159A-B):

  • Electrical Engineering ( EE)
  • Computer Engineering (CpE)
  • Computer Science & Engineering (CSE)

Spring of Junior Year, students should register for EECS 198 w/ Professor Dang (Senior “Pre-Design)

  • To help you self-identify whether or not you should sign up for EECS 198 next quarter:
    • TLDR version: Graduating next year, Class of 2026? Sign up for EECS 198 w/ Professor Dang in Spring’25
    • Longer version:
      1. If you are signing up for senior design project (EECS 159A) F’25 (i.e. you should be graduating class of ’26), YES you should sign up (see #5).
      2. If you are already part of a larger project (Hyperxite, UAV Forge, Race Car, etc), YES you should still sign up (see #5).
      3. If you are not signing up for senior design project (EECS 159A) F’25 (i.e. you are not graduating class of ’26), NO you should not sign up.
      4. If you have a course conflict that is not avoidable, email qpdang@uci.edu to discuss it.
      5. EECS 198 is not mandatory this year. However, if you choose not to sign up, you are accepting that you may be putting yourself at a disadvantage on EECS-specific preparations, requirements, announcements, and workshops for senior design.
        • If you have any further questions/concerns, email qpdang@uci.edu to discuss.

EECS 198 Expectations

  • Project options, team forming, and preparation will be reviewed in EECS 198
    • Create your own project
    • Get a project from your faculty advisor
    • Get a project from a corporate sponsor
    • Participate in a larger inter-departmental project TBD (Race Car, UAV Forge, Hyperxite, etc) – you should still sign up for EECS 198 as there will be relevant information shared. *approved on case-by-case basis*
    • Must be of adequate difficulty (2 quarters worth of work)
    • Should combine both software and hardware

EECS 159A, EECS 159B Expectations

  • Two quarters for design, prototyping, and verification/testing – Fall & Winter of Senior Year
    • The Fall quarter (EECS 159A) is design, documentation, & early prototype focused.
    • The Winter quarter (EECS 159B) consists of multiple build, test, refine, and document cycles.
  • Budgeting for projects are typically determined by course fees and industry sponsorship when available.
  • Team
    • A team of up to 2-4 students is typical; 5 students on a team are approved on a case-by-case basis depending on the project scope and advisor
    • It is recommended that teams consist of multiple majors (i.e. a mix of EE, CpE, CSE)
  • You will sign up for EECS 159 Lecture, Discussion, 1 main Lab session, and 1 Lab session with your primary advisor
    • A faculty advisor is required for every project team. DO NOT contact faculty advisors until instructed to do so by your Senior Capstone Coordinators. This process will be reviewed and discussed in EECS 198.
Additional Resources
Core courses: graduating within 4 years or 2 years (Transfer Students)

Fall quarter of Senior year all students must be registered for the following core courses. Failure to do so will lead to requiring an additional year due to both courses only being offered once per year during the fall quarter.

  • EECS 159A – requires EECS 170+170LC as a prerequisite.
  • EECS 160A+160LA – requires EECS 150 as a prerequisite.

Winter quarter of Senior year:

  • EECS 159B – requires EECS 159A as a prerequisite.

This is in addition to Technical Elective, Specialization requirements, ENGR 190W and any other pending requirements. Please review your Degreeworks to ensure you are satisfying your requirements.

Technical Elective (TE) Courses & Specialization Details

(Updated 4/2023) Per the Catalogue ,In addition to completing one specialization (at bottom of page) and with the approval of a faculty advisor, students must complete a minimum of 3 other Technical Elective (TE) courses, comprising of ten units minimum:

All EECS courses NOT required for the major and NOT used for the specialization are approved to count as TE.
EECS 20**EECS 113EECS 125EECS 166A**EECS 182**
EECS 22**EECS 114EECS 141A**EECS 170D**EECS 188**
EECS 22LEECS 116EECS 141B**EECS 170E**EECS 195
EECS 40EECS 117EECS 144**EECS 174**EECS 199****
EECS 101**EECS 118EECS 148**EECS 176**
EECS 111EECS 119EECS 152A**EECS 179**
EECS 112**EECS 120EECS 152B**EECS 180B**
EECS 112LEECS 121EECS 163EECS 180C**

Please check the prerequisites for all courses before registering.
** course cannot count as a TE if it is used to complete a specialization.
Courses in bold are restricted to Computer engineering major students as it is a core course for them. Check the announcements tabs on our Teaching Plan close to the fee deadline for updates
**** Four (4) units of 199 coursework count as one technical elective

Pre-Approved Non-EECS courses

Students may also elect to choose a course from the following list. Note that courses are restricted to the department majors listed. For example, ENGRMAE 52, is restricted to Mechanical engineering majors until close to the fee deadline. Check the announcements tabs on our Teaching Plan close to the fee deadline for updates.

BME 130ENGRMAE 107
BME 135ENGRMAE 115
BME 136ENGRMAE 120
BME 140ENGRMAE 130A
ENGRCEE 121ENGRMAE 151
ENGRCEE 122ENGRMAE 152
ENGRCEE 123ENGRMAE 172
ENGR 7A & 7B*ENGRMAE 175
ENGR 54ENGRMAE 183
ENGRMAE 30ENGRMAE 185
ENGRMAE 52
ENGRMAE 91

*ENGR 7A & 7B must both be taken to count as a TE. ENGR 7A & 7B are available only to first-year students in Fall & Winter quarters.
Please check the prerequisites for all courses before registering.

Additional Rules to Consider
  • At least one of these courses must be from outside the student’s specialization.
  • No other courses can be approved from what is listed on this site.
    • EECS 197 is not approved.
  • EECS graduate courses are also approved (confirmed 1/29/2024).
  • A course must be 3 units for it to count as one TE.
  • If Electrical Engineering students complete EECS 10 and EECS 12; EECS 12 will not account as a TE.
  • Four (4) units of engineering 199 coursework count as one technical elective, this includes Design Type courses such as MAE 189 or EECS 199 count as one TE.

Specialization Information

  • All students are required to complete at least one specialization.
  • Multiple specializations can be completed.
  • Specialization courses cannot overlap with EE TE or core EE major requirements!
  • Visit the EE catalogue for full specialization course descriptions.
  • All students are required to complete at least one specialization.
  • Multiple specializations can be completed.
  • Specialization courses cannot overlap with EE TE or core EE major requirements!
  • Visit the EE catalogue for full specialization course descriptions.
Electronic Circuit Design

Learn about integrated circuits. Topics include designing ICs, how ICs are made, and the physics behind semiconductors.

  • If you enjoyed: EECS 170A, EECS 170B
    • Overlaps with:
      • Semiconductors and Optoelectronics
      • RF, Antennas, and Microwave
Semiconductors and Optoelectronics

Learn about semiconductor devices. Focuses on the physical properties of semiconductors and their applications to various electronics including ICs, lasers, and photodiodes.

  • If you enjoyed: EECS 170A
    • Overlaps with:
      • Electronic Circuit Design
      • RF, Antennas, and Microwaves
RF, Antennas, and Microwaves

Learn about communications hardware including RF ICs, MMICs, and antennas. Electromagnetics is also covered in depth.

  • If you enjoyed: EECS 180A, Physics 7E
    • Overlaps with:
      • Electronic Circuit Design
      • Semiconductors and Optoelectronics
Digital Signal Processing

Learn about digital signal processing for computer and communications applications. DSP has a software focus with a course in C programming and MATLAB usage.

  • If you enjoyed: EECS 10, EECS 50, EECS 150
    • Overlaps with: Communications.
Communications

Learn about digital and analog communication methods. Optional classes cover many topics, including antenna design, DSP, fiber optics, RF ICs, and computer networks.

  • If you enjoyed: EECS 10, EECS 50, EECS 55, EECS 150
    • Overlaps with: Digital Signal Processing
Interested in Double Majoring with Computer Engineering (CPE)?

An additional 16 CPE specific courses are required. Along with a 3.0 UCI GPA.

  • EECS 20
  • EECS 22
  • EECS 22L
  • EECS 40
  • EECS 111 – count as TE for EE
  • EECS 112
  • EECS 112L
  • EECS 113 – count as TE for EE
  • EECS 114 – count as TE for EE
  • EECS 118
  • EECS 119
  • EECS 148
  • ICS 6D
  • MATH 2E counts as Basic Science requirement for CPE.
  • EECS 150 counts as 1 of 3 additional CPE specific Technical Electives.

Please view our sample plan of study. It does not include General Education courses.
Visit Computer Engineering for more information.

CpE-EE-Double-4-year-plan-POS-7.0Download
Distinctions Among Computing Degree Programs

Distinctions Among Computing Degree Programs

Winter 2024 Faculty Advising Session for Juniors
  • Zoom Recording Winter 2024
  • EECS-ICS Junior Advising Session 2024 Slides
  • Professor Ray Klefstad’s slides – Prep for a career in industry after graduation. (2022)
  • UCI Grad Programs 2024 slides from Nikki Spratt, Associate Director of Recruitment & Admissions, has presented at the faculty advising session.
  • We were fortunate to have Nikki Spratt, Associate Director of Recruitment & Admissions, present graduate programs information including M.Eng and MECPS information besides UCI Graduate Programs. Nikki has provided the following graduate program links and also information about the M.Eng Fall Capstone Showcase and Kickoff.
  • Students are encouraged to go to the Division of Career Pathways at https://career.uci.edu/ and make use of their free resources to current students. When you click on Undergraduates, scroll down to Jobs and Internships. There you will find a treasure-trove of information including Handshake and practice interviews. On Handshake at the bottom right you will find excellent internship tips and information
Winter 2024 Notes/links for EECS Junior Advising Session

Review past projects, review faculty listing, come up w/ a project & find advisor.
Some past senior design projects for ideas:

  • Why are classes run the way they are?
    • Program Educational Objectives (PEO’s)
      • tldr: Our goal is to prepare you for industry, academia, and life-long learning
  • CpE
    • (1) be engaged in professional practice at or beyond the entry level or enrolled in high quality graduate programs building on a solid foundation in engineering, mathematics, the sciences, humanities and social sciences, and experimental practice as well as modern engineering methods;
    • (2) be innovative in the design, research and implementation of systems and products with strong problem solving, communication, teamwork, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills;
    • (3) proactively function with creativity, integrity and relevance in the ever changing global environment by applying their fundamental knowledge and experience to solve real-world problems with an understanding of societal, economic, environmental, and ethical issues.
  • CSE
    • (1) establish a productive Computer Science and Engineering career in industry, government, or academia;
    • (2) engage in professional practice of computer systems engineering and software systems engineering;
    • (3) promote the development of innovative systems and solutions using hardware and software integration;
    • (4) promote design, research, and implementation of products and services in the field of Computer Science and Engineering through strong communication, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills.
  • EE
    • (1) be engaged in professional practice in academia, industry or government;
    • (2) promote innovation in the design, research and implementation of products and services in the field of Electrical Engineering through strong communication, leadership and entrepreneurial skills;
    • (3) be engaged in life-long learning in the field of Electrical Engineering.
  • American Board of Engineering and Technology (now just ABET) Accreditation in relation to PEO’s
    • Federation of 30 professional and technical societies
    • Practicing professionals from industry and academia form the body of ABET
      • Program Evaluators
      • Board of Directors
      • Accreditation commissions (4 total)
        • Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission
        • Computing Accreditation Commission
        • Engineering Accreditation Commission
        • Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission
  • More info: http://abet.org/accreditation/ Who sets the curriculum? Who has a say?
    • Faculty/Staff
      • Industry
      • Alumni
      • Current Students
Spring 2023 Faculty Advising for EE/CpE/CSE Freshmen and Sophomores

Recording link for session

Here are the available presentation materials from this session:

Program Faculty Advisor
Prof. Syed Jafar
syed@uci.edu

Academic Counselor
Cesar Barrios
c.barrios@uci.edu

Electrical Engineering is a major within the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) Department