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    Dec 03, 2024  
2024/25 UM UMM Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024/25 UM UMM Undergraduate Catalog

Electrical Engineering


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OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 124

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: To repeat any ECE course for which a grade of F, L, or WF has been recorded, a grade of C- or better in the prerequisites for the course is required. Dismissal from the program will be recommended if any required course in the program is taken twice without achieving a passing grade. This includes courses where AU, L, or WF grades are received.

Other GPA requirements to graduate: Minimum of a cumulative 2.0 GPA for all courses taken. Minimum of a cumulative 2.0 GPA for all ECE courses taken.

Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience: ECE 403  

Contact Information:  Yifeng Zhu, Professor and Chair, Electrical and Computer Engineering, 101 Barrows Hall, (207) 581-2499, yifeng.zhu@maine.edu


The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering.  For more comprehensive and detailed information about the Department, its programs, career opportunities, scholarships, and other resources, please visit our website at www.ece.umaine.edu. The mission of the Electrical Engineering program is to provide students with a strong foundation in electrical engineering. enabling them to be nationally competitive and successful in their chosen careers and to be prepared for furture graduate studies. Within two to five years after graduation, graduates of the electrical engineering program are expected to:

  1. Demonstrate a solid understanding of electrical engineering principles by holding positions that utilize their engineering training, advancing in their job responsibilities, or pursuing postgraduate education.
  2. Exhibit the ability to work effectively in a professional setting through independent thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and effective communication.
  3. Work as engineering professionals,  with a commitment to ethical conduct, adhering to standards and ensuring the to the well-being of employees and the general population.
  4. Engage in lifelong learning activities to continuously enhance their professional development.

Program Description
The Electrical Engineering curriculum provides students with the technical skills as well as the mathematical and scientific background required to advance current technology and contribute to future developments in the electrical engineering profession. The curriculum strives to instill critical written and oral communication skills while also providing a diverse background in the humanities and social sciences.

Furthermore, the curriculum adopts a practical hands-on approach that combines classroom theory and laboratory experience.  This approach ensures that graduates are equipped to take a technical project from inception through to the successful implementation of a solution. The process begins in the first year of the program, where students learn to prototype digital circuits and program microcontrollers. It continues through the senior year when they complete their capstone design projects. In this latter case, students typically collaborate in two-person teams over three semesters. Together they propose, specify, create, present, and demonstrate a solution to a technical problem of their choosing.

To earn a BS degree in Electrical Engineering, students must: (1) fulfill all University academic requirements; (2) meet all Electrical Engineering curriculum requirements; and (3) maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher in all ECE courses. Retaking any ECE course for which a grade of F, L, or WF has been recorded requires a grade of C- or better in the course’s prerequisites. Dismissal from the program will be recommended if any required course in the program is taken twice without receiving a passing grade. This includes courses where a grade of AU, L, or WF is received. Students do have the option to petition the ECE faculty for exceptions to any program requirements. Lastley, it is important to note that the program in Electrical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, which can be found at http://www.abet.org.

Electrical Engineering Degree Requirements


University General Education Requirements


Mathematics, Science, and Writing Competency: covered by required Electrical Engineering courses

Capstone Experience: Fulfilled by completing ECE 401 , ECE 402 , and ECE 403  

Human Values and Social Context (HV&SC) (18 cr. covering the areas below):

  1. Western cultural tradition
  2. Social context and institutions
  3. Cultural diversity and international perspectives
  4. Population and the environment
  5. Artistic and creative expression

Ethics: A separate course, or a course in HV&SC category within the General Education requirements.

Required Courses


Technical Electives


The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering requires at least 21 credits of technical electives, of which 15 or more credits must meet the requirements of an “ECE Technical Elective”.  Of the ECE Technical Electives, 9 or more credits must satisfy the requirements of an “Electrical Engineering Focus Technical Elective”.

Technical Electives are courses that are not used to satisfy other degree requirements that fall into the following three categories:

1. “Electrical Engineering Focus Technical Electives” include


Specific ECE Courses that have been approved as “Electrical Engineering Focus” by ECE faculty.  A list of approved courses is available in the ECE department.  Examples of approved Electrical Engineering Focus Technical Electives are:

2. “ECE Technical Electives include:


a.  All Electrical Engineering Focus Technical Electives

b.  all other ECE courses at the 300, 400, or 500 level, excluding ECE 394.

3. “Generic Technical Electives” include:


a.  All “ECE Technical Electives” and “Electrical Engineering Focus” Technical Electives

b.  An 300, 400 or 500 level course with one of the following designations: ECE, COS, CHY, PHY, BIO, BMB, BEN, CHE, CIE, GEE, MAT, STS, or any Business course.

c.  A list of additional courses that have been approved by ECE faculty which do meet the above description is available in the ECE department.

Concentration in Power Engineering


The Power Concentration for Electrical Engineering majors is designed to enhance students’ understanding of  the generation and delivery of electric energy. Students complete a collection of core and elective courses with emphasis in the design, control, and application of power and energy systems. This concentration prepares students for various career paths, including the power utility industry, construction industry, submarine and aircraft manufacturing.  It also provides a foundation for students considering graduate school in areas such as smart grid, renewable energy, and other electric energy-related technologies.

To earn a Concentration in Power Engineering, students receiving the B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering must complete the required power concentration core courses, and at least six credits of approved power elective courses. Of the courses used to complete the concentration, at least seven credits must be beyond the base requirements for the Electrical Engineering degree.

Power Concentration Required Core Courses


Power Concentration Approved Elective Courses


6 credits required from the Approved Elective Course list.

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