Undergraduate Students

  

Welcome University of Minnesota
Electrical and Computer Engineering Undergraduate Students

ECE offers two undergraduate degree plans:
     • Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering
     • Bachelor Degree in Computer Engineering

We hope you find your time in the program to be challenging and rewarding.
We've listed below some information and helpful links for you.

 

Advising

Robert E. Rice Student Services Center
Keller Hall, Room 3-166
 

	James Leger   Director of Undergraduate Studies   612-625-0838 or leger@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.
     Kyle can 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
          • help you traverse any bureaucratic hurdles you may encounter at the University.

     Suggestion: Plan to meet with Kyle at least once a year.

     Meetings are by appointment or walk-in.
          • Make appointments no later than 4 p.m. for the day before the requested meeting.
          • Make appointments by email, by calling 612-624-7777 or by stopping into 3-166 Keller Hall.

• ECE Undergraduate Intranet (The Matrix)"
       

Frequently Asked Questions
 

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.

Catalog - Course Descriptions

Course Syllabi

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 to successfully 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
     Video by Past President Alyssa Tan about 2010-2011 activities
Innovative Engineers
Society of Women Engineers
Society of Black Engineers
Kappa Eta Kappa

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
CSE Learning Abroad Web site for more information.

Careers

According to the NACE Spring 2012 Salary Survey, engineering still "dominates the
list of top-paid majors." They report that "engineering majors account for seven of
the top 10 spots on the list." Here are some key points they include:

     • Current median engineering starting salary is $56,383
     • Electrical Engineering median starting salary is $57,300
     • Computer Engineering median salary - $67,800

According to Zenna Berg, Program Manager, Kelly Services in Minneapolis:
"From 2000 to 2010, STEM jobs (science, tech, engineering, and math)
grew at three times the rate of other fields. From 2010-2020, demand for
STEM professionals is expected to increase 16.8%, adding more than
one million new Stem jobs to the workforce."

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

 

Mission, Objectives, and Outcomes of Programs

Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering
 

Bachelor Degree in Computer Engineering
 

 

Scholarships

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

For 2010-2011, the ECE department has awarded more than $125,000 in scholarships to more than 40 students.
This competitive process takes place in the spring of each academic year. Current students should watch their
email for information about applying.

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