The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers undergraduate
and graduate degrees in both Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering.
Additional information about the Department and programs are available on the
Web at www.eece.maine.edu.
The mission of the Computer Engineering program is to provide quality education,
research and public service in the discipline of computer engineering. Toward
accomplishing this mission the Department has set the following objectives for
its Computer Engineering curriculum:
- To assist and encourage students in developing a solid foundation in
computer engineering and some of its sub-disciplines.
- To guide students in their preparation for a broad range of career
opportunities.
- To help students develop the ability to function in the workplace through
teamwork and effective communication.
- To help students become aware of their moral, ethical, legal, and
professional obligations to hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of
the public.
- To help students develop an appreciation for the necessity of lifelong
learning.
Program Description
The Computer Engineering curriculum provides students with the technical skills
as well as the basic mathematical and scientific background required to advance
current technology and to contribute to future developments in the computer
engineering profession. The curriculum strives to instill critical written and
oral communication skills in addition to providing a diverse background in the
humanities and social sciences. Our graduates acquire a sense of professionalism
as they become aware of an engineer’s responsibility to help solve societal
problems. They also develop the ability to contribute to team solutions and an
appreciation for the importance of life-long learning.
The curriculum adopts a practical hands-on approach that combines classroom
theory and laboratory experience to produce an engineer who can carry a
technical project from inception through to the implementation of a successful
solution. The process begins in the first year of the program when students
learn to prototype digital circuits and program micro-controller boards. It
continues through the senior year when they complete their capstone design
projects. In this latter case, students, usually working in two-person teams
over three semesters, propose, specify, create, present, and demonstrate a
solution to a technical problem of their choosing.
A double major leading to a BS in both Electrical and Computer Engineering is a
popular option for many students. By a judicious choice of electives and early
planning, this option can be achieved in an extra semester or by taking summer
courses. Note that the first year curriculum is the same for electrical and
computer engineers and that the sophomore year is very similar for the two
majors. Students interested in the possibility of a double major should consult
with their advisors early in their programs.
To obtain a BS in Computer Engineering, a student must: (1) meet all University
academic requirements, (2) meet all Computer Engineering curriculum
requirements, and (3) have a GPA of 2.0 or better in all ECE courses as well as
a GPA of 2.0 or better in all COS courses. Deviation from the above policies
requires approval of the Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty. The
undergraduate degree is accredited by the Engineering Association Commission of
the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Our undergraduate program prepares students for graduate work as well as
industry. Many of our students choose to pursue further study at graduate
schools across the US as well as at Maine. Maine offers programs leading to
advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. These
programs are described in the University of Maine Graduate School Catalog.
Cooperative “Work Experience” Program Option
Students are strongly encouraged to pursue a co-op work experience. These co-op
experiences must be pre-approved by the student’s advisor and the co-op
coordinator. They may be taken during the summer as well as the fall or spring
semesters. Summer-fall and spring-summer placements are particularly worthwhile.
To gain additional practical experience many undergraduate students take
advantage of opportunities to work with ECE faculty on research and development
projects. Because many of these projects are related to real-world problems and
may actually be sponsored by industry, students gain invaluable insight into how
to apply their classroom learning to solve industrial problems. The Department
strongly encourages both of these approaches through advising and by giving
technical elective credit for substantial experiences.
Employment Opportunities
The Computer Engineering Program provides its graduates with the knowledge
necessary to design systems based on computers and complex digital logic
devices. They know how to select and interconnect the electronic and mechanical
devices that make up a computer-based system. A computer engineer, through
knowledge of both software and hardware can develop a complete solution to a
given problem by assigning some tasks to hardware and others to software.
Systems designed by computer engineers find use in such diverse tasks as
computation, communication, instrumentation, networking, entertainment,
information processing, artificial intelligence, and control. Although trained
in both hardware and software, some graduates choose to emphasize one area after
graduation, pursuing for example a career involving just software development.
Graduates find employment with local, national, and international companies as
well as government agencies. Specific examples include IBM, Lockheed Martin,
National Semiconductor, Compaq, Tundra Semiconductor, Motorola, Champion Paper, and
Hewlett Packard. For more examples please visit our Department web page at
www.eece.maine.edu/ and click on the Alumni/ae link.
Scholarships
The department has several scholarships available on a competitive basis for
students majoring in electrical and computer engineering. Outstanding incoming students should
apply for college and departmental scholarships through the College of
Engineering. Scholarship information is also available by following the “Perspective Students” link at the Department web page
www.eece.maine.edu/
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