Undergraduate Students

 

Welcome to the University of Minnesota Electrical and Computer Engineering Undergraduate Program. We offer two undergraduate degree plans: Bachelor in Electrical Engineering and Bachelor in Computer Engineering. We hope you find
your time in the program to be challenging and rewarding.

 

Advising

Robert E. Rice Student Services Center
EE/CSci Building, 3-166
 

	Larry Kinney   Director of Undergraduate Studies   612-625-4359 or kinney@umn.edu
	Kyle Dukart   Academic Advisor   612-624-2285 or kdukart@umn.edu

 

  Kyle Dukart, ECE undergraduate academic advisor, is available to meet with any undergraduate Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering student or those who may be thinking of transferring to ECE. He will help you choose classes for future semesters and make sure that you are on track for graduation and fulfilling all of the ECE program requirements. He also can help you traverse any bureaucratic hurdles you may encounter at the University. You should meet with Kyle at least once a year.

Meetings are by appointment or walk-in. Appointments must be made no later than 4 p.m. for the day before the requested meeting. Appointments can be made by e-mail, calling 612-624-7777 or by stopping into EE/CSci 3-166.
• EE Curriculum Guide
• CompE Curriculum Guide
              
• EE Degree Focus Area Guide
• CompE Degree Focus Area Guide
              
• One-year plan - EE majors
• One -year plan - B-CompE majors

• Prerequisite and Semester Course Chart             
             
• Graduation Planner 

• Declaring EE or Comp EE               
 

Frequently Asked Questions
 

Scholarships

ECE awards scholarships to its currently declared-major students in Electrical and Computer Engineering who are entering their Junior and Senior years.

For 2009-2010, the ECE department has awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships to more than 45 students. This competitive process takes place in the spring of each academic year. Current students should watch their e-mail for information about applying.

Students also can visit the IT Scholarship Web site or the Scholarship Search Web site for more opportunities.

Courses

ECE uses wait lists on the registration system. If you are trying to get into a course that currently has no spots available, be sure to put your name on the wait list. We will make every effort to get you into a section of the course you need. Contact ecessoa@umn.edu with any questions or if you are unable to register for a particular class.

Courses page

Course information section containing assignments, handouts, etc.

Catalog Descriptions

Class Schedule

Academic Calendar

Co-ops

The Co-op Program  provides industrial experience during the last two years of students' academic careers. Students complete two or three full-time industrial assignments alternating with regular academic semesters.
 
The Co-op Program provides students with an understanding of an engineer's role in the technical world and helps students select a direction in the broad field of engineering. The experience motivates students to plan and successfully to complete their academic program. The program also helps improve students’ writing through technical journal assignments. Co-op grades are based on the student's writing.

Internships

An internship is a short-term position that provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with professionals in the science and technology field. It’s an opportunity to develop technical skills. For information about summer internships, go to the Career Center for Science and Engineering.

Internships are arranged by students with corporations or institutions. This activity does not qualify as an opportunity for academic credit.

Student organizations

Professional Societies
IEEE Student Chapter
Society of Women Engineers
Society of Black Engineers

Honor Societies
Eta Kappa Nu (HKN)
Tau Beta Pi (TBP)

Leadership and Service Organizations
Engineers without Borders
Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)

Student Competitions
University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project

More student organizations
 

Learning Abroad

"Local" companies and issues do not exist anymore. An international experience provides the skills to work more effectively in the global marketplace. Whether interested in industry, academia, or the public sector, ECE students should consider gaining international experience through learning abroad.

Regular financial aid and scholarships may be applied to study abroad and the department often provides May-term learning abroad scholarships.

Most students study abroad during their sophomore or junior years. Many programs allow you to obtain required courses for your major and offer opportunities to fulfill Liberal Education requirements, as well. Consult the IT Learning Abroad Web site for more information.

Careers

The career potential in electrical and computer engineering is excellent. In a recent Forbes.com article
"The 10 Hardest Jobs to Fill in America," it reports "Engineer" is the most difficult job for employers to
fill for the second year in a row.
     • Demand for engineers is growing at a faster rate than engineers are graduating.
     • Federal stimulus programs are hastening the rebuilding of America's highways,
       bridges and tunnels and refitting of buildings to be more sustainable.
     • Increasing demand exists for new sustainable energy sources such as wind farms.
     • Engineering's most experienced workers are retiring in large numbers.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers' 2009 Salary Survey reports that
 the average starting salary for BS engineering graduates overall is $58,438 (up 2.3 percent from 2008).

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, in their Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition reports the
mean salary for electrical engineers as $85,350 and for computer engineers as $100,180.

The Career Center for Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota.