UM-SJTU JI > Academics > Undergraduate Program > Degrees & Programs > Electrical and Computer Engineering Program

Academics

Electrical and Computer Engineering Program

The rapidly converging world needs more professionals with profound knowledge of electrical engineering, computer engineering, and computer science. The Electrical and Computer Engineering program at UM-SJTU Joint Institute is an interdisciplinary program. It is supported by the EECS Department of UM and EIEE School of SJTU. This program places emphasis on both hardware and software technology, and the students’ capability to creatively use the knowledge learned in the class to solve real world problems. It is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

This program is built on a common science and engineering core. In the first 2 semesters, all students will receive rigorous instruction in math, physics, chemistry, engineering basics and computer programming. These courses have been verified by the UM College of Engineering as equivalent to corresponding UM courses. After the second semester, students choose to enter the ECE program. The ECE program at JI covers all the core requirements of both EE and CE programs at UM (including all the program subjects, technical cores and upper level technical electives).

The ECE program provides students with a fundamental background in the basic theoretical concepts and technological principles of modern electrical and computer engineering. A flexible curriculum allows students to emphasize a wide variety of subject areas within the field including: analog and digital circuits, communication systems, control systems, integrated circuit (microprocessor) design, micro electromechanical devices, signal processing, computer architecture, computer network, and embedded systems. A degree in electrical and computer engineering can lead to a wide range of work opportunities. Automotive applications include engine control processors and sensors to trigger airbags or activate antilock brake systems. Electrical and computer engineers work in the wireless communications field, including mobile phone systems and global positioning systems. They also work in remote sensing to infer characteristics of a region of the earth from the air or from space. They design, manufacture, test and market the microprocessor, analog and RF integrated circuits from which computers, digital movie and still cameras, the internet, communication systems and many other modern conveniences are made. Electrical and computer engineers develop signal processing algorithms and hardware for multimedia devices and develop control algorithms and electronics for mechanical systems such as automobiles, planes and spacecraft. They embed microprocessors in everything from entertainment gadgets to industrial plants.

Throughout the program students work with modern laboratory equipment and computer systems and are exposed to the most recent analytical techniques and technological developments in their field. Students have many opportunities to associate with outstanding faculty, most of whom are actively engaged in research and/or professional consulting. Such interaction serves to acquaint students with the opportunities and rewards available to practicing electrical or computer engineers and scientists. Our students are encouraged to seek an advanced degree if further specialization and a higher degree of competence in a particular area are desired.

Program Educational Objectives
Within 3 to 5 years after graduation from the ECE program, the graduates are expected to:

  • Further their intellectual growth through graduate education or professional development.
  • Apply their creativity and global perspective in their engineering or non-engineering professions.
  • Assume leadership roles in a variety of contexts.
Student Outcomes

Graduates from the ECE program should be able to demonstrate:

1) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics

2) an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors

3) an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences

4) an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts

5) an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives

6) an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions

7) an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

 

Course Requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in ECE must satisfactorily complete 136 credit hours required by the JI ECE program, including:

  • Engineering Foundation: 39 credits
  • Program Subjects: 43 credits
  • Academic Writing 8 credits
  • Intellectual Breadth: 16 credits
  • Electives:
    • Core Electives: 4 credits
    • Upper Level Technical Electives: 7 credits
    • Flexible Technical Electives: 12 credits
    • General Electives: 7 credits

Domestic Chinese students are also required to take all Chinese politics courses required by the Ministry of Education of China. International students are required to take 12 credits of Chinese language and culture courses.

Course requirements for each of the credit categories are listed below:

Engineering Foundation (39 credits)

  • or

Program Subject (43 credits)

    Major Design Experience (MDE) – ,

    Note: can be taken independently of any ECE course, but it is a prerequisite for . must be taken prior to or concurrently with , , or an MDE course.

    Academic Writing (8 credits)

      Intellectual Breadth (16 credits)

      This category requires:

      • 2 credits of , and
      • 14 credits of courses in humanities, social sciences, professional development, and natural sciences.
      • At least 3 credits in humanities and at least 3 credits in social sciences must be completed.

      The 14 credits may include courses with code Vr, Vx, Vw, Vf, and Vb. Vz courses are acceptable only for international students. Vy courses are acceptable except and . UM courses that can be used to satisfy the CoE Intellectual Breadth requirements are acceptable. SJTU courses taught in English are acceptable with approval of the JI Undergraduate Committee.

      Humanities category includes, but not limited to, Philosophy, English Language and Literature, Asian Languages and Culture, American Culture, Comparative Literature, Film Studies, etc.

      Social Sciences category includes, but not limited to, International and Comparative Studies, Political Science, Asian Studies, Economics, Environmental Studies, History, etc.

      Professional Development category includes, but not limited to, Engineering Ethics, Business Studies, Entrepreneurship Studies, etc.

      Natural Sciences category includes Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy, and Earth Sciences.

      A complete list of courses is maintained at the JI Undergraduate Education Office.

      Core Electives (4 credits):

      A minimum of 4 credits from one of the following categories:

      • Circuits and Devices:
      • Computer Science and Engineering: ,
      • Electromagnetics, Optics, and Photonics: ,
      • Communications, Signal Processing, and Control: , ,

      Additional courses may be acceptable but must be approved by the JI Undergraduate Committee.

      The JI undergraduate education office keeps a current list of courses counted towards this category.

      Any qualified credits in excess of 4 may flow into Upper Level Technical Elective, Flexible Technical Elective, or General Elective categories.

      Students in the UM-JI Dual-Degree program may satisfy this requirement by taking a course in the Flexible Technical Elective category.

      Upper Level ECE Technical Electives (7 credits):

      The upper level technical elective courses give students options to either explore further in the area same as the core elective or discover interests in other ECE disciplines. This category of requirement may be satisfied by taking:

      • Approved ECE courses at the 300-level or higher, excluding , , and
      • At least one course must be at 400-level or higher

      The JI undergraduate education office keeps a current list of courses counted towards this category.

      Additional courses may be acceptable but must be approved by the ECE Program Advisor. Any qualified credits in excess of 7 may flow into Flexible Technical Elective or General Elective categories.

      Flexible Technical Electives (12 credits):

      The flexible technical elective requirement may be fulfilled by taking 300-level or higher courses in ECE or in other engineering, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics fields.

      Up to 6 credits of courses taken from other engineering or science departments of SJTU may be counted in this category but must be 300-level or higher. These courses must be approved by the ECE Program Advisor. The JI Undergraduate Education Office keeps a list of pre-approved courses.

      Any credits in excess of 12 may be applied to the General Elective category

      The technical courses in the ECE curriculum are categorized into four disciplinary areas including Circuits and Devices; Electromagnetics, Optics, and Photonics; Communications, Signal Processing, and Control; and Computer Science and Engineering. The courses JI offers in each area are listed as follows. The Undergraduate Education Office maintains a complete list of the courses.

      Discipline Areas

      Required Courses

      Elective Options

      Circuits and Devices

      Electromagnetics,

      Optics,

      and Photonics

      Communications,

      Signal Processing,

      and Control

      • VE353 - Introduction to Communication Systems

      Computer Science

      and Engineering

      General Electives (7 credits):

      General electives are intended to allow students to explore any dimension of intellectual endeavor that they elect, in both technical (including engineering) and non-technical fields. This requirement can be met by any course subject to the following restrictions:

      • A maximum of 4 credit hours of research work (including PRP, IAP, and independent study) can be counted towards graduation.

      Students are encouraged to select their general elective classes either to explore an area of cultural interest or to explore an area of professional interest such as:

      • Management, business, or finance classes in preparation for working in industry.
      • Classes to prepare for further study outside engineering such as medicine, dentistry, law or education.
      • Additional language, literature or culture classes to prepare for a career in the global economy.
      • Additional Electrical and Computer Engineering classes to go into more depth than the limited program of technical electives allows.
      • Engineering classes in other departments in preparation for graduate school outside Electrical and Computer Engineering.