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 online 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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