2022-2023 Course Catalog
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Degree Core Requirements | ||
| ECE 1004 | Introduction to ECE Concepts (C) | 3 |
| ECE 2024 | Circuits and Devices (C) | 3 |
| ECE 2514 | Computational Engineering (C) | 3 |
| ECE 2544 | Fundamentals of Digital Systems (C) | 3 |
| ECE 2564 | Embedded Systems (C) | 3 |
| ECE 2804 | Integrated Design Project (C) | 2 |
| ECE 3514 | Data Structures & Algorithms (C-) | 3 |
| ECE 3574 | Applied Software Design (C-) | 3 |
| Subtotal | 23 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| ECE 2214 | Physical Electronics (C) | 3 |
| ECE 2714 | Signals and Systems (C) | 3 |
| ECE 3504 | Principles of Computer Architecture (C-) | 3 |
| ECE 3544 | Digital Design I | 4 |
| Subtotal | 13 | |
| Computer Engineering Electives | ||
| Select three CPE Technical Electives from Technical Electives list | 9 | |
| Subtotal | 9 | |
| Additional Course Requirements | ||
| MATH 2114 | Introduction to Linear Algebra (C-) | 3 |
| MATH 2204 | Introduction to Multivariable Calculus | 3 |
| MATH 2534 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| STAT 4714 | Probability and Statistics for Electrical Engineers | 3 |
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Secondary Focus Area Requirements | ||
| See secondary focus area requirements below. | 9 | |
| Subtotal | 9 | |
| Free Elective Credits | ||
| Select remaining credits required for the degree: | 12 | |
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Pathways to General Education | ||
| Pathways Concept 1 - Discourse | ||
| ENGL 1105 | First-Year Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 1106 | First-Year Writing | 3 |
| ECE 4805 & ECE 4806 | Senior Design Project and Senior Design Project (C-) | 6 |
| Pathways Concept 2 - Critical Thinking in the Humanities | ||
| Select six hours in Pathway 2 | 6 | |
| Pathways Concept 3 - Reasoning in the Social Sciences | ||
| Select six hours in Pathway 3 | 6 | |
| Pathways Concept 4 - Reasoning in the Natural Sciences | ||
| CHEM 1035 & CHEM 1045 | General Chemistry and General Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 2305 | Foundations of Physics | 4 |
| PHYS 2306 | Foundations of Physics | 4 |
| Pathways Concept 5 - Quantitative and Computational Thinking | ||
| MATH 1225 | Calculus of a Single Variable | 4 |
| MATH 1226 | Calculus of a Single Variable | 4 |
| MATH 2214 | Introduction to Differential Equations (C-) | 3 |
| Pathways Concept 6 - Critique and Practice in Design and the Arts | ||
| Select one 6A | 3 | |
| ENGE 1215 & ENGE 1216 | Foundations of Engineering and Foundations of Engineering (C-) | 4 |
| Pathways Concept 7 - Critical Analysis of Identity and Equity in the United States | ||
| Pathways 7 should be double counted with either Pathways 2, 3, or 6a to avoid taking any additional credit hours. | ||
| Subtotal | 54 | |
| Total Credits | 132 | |
Consult the pathways courses table: https://www.pathways.prov.vt.edu/about/table.html. Pathways courses need to be completed prior to graduation
The Computer Engineering major requires 9 hours of technical electives from TE list and 8 hours of free electives. Free electives only may be taken under the P/F grading option. Students are encouraged to use free electives to provide depth in their major or secondary focus.
The Computer Engineering Major requires 9 credits from a single focus area. All 9 credits must be from one ECE focus area from the attached list. At least 3 credits must be at the 4xxx level.
For Change of Major requirement, please see:
http://www.enge.vt.edu/undergraduate-changing-majors.html
Students must have had 2 years of a foreign language in high school or one year at the college level (6 credit hours) of the same language. College-level credits used to meet this requirement do not count towards the degree.
University Policy 91 outlines university-wide minimum criteria to determine if students are making satisfactory progress towards the completion of their degrees. The ECE Department fully supports this policy. Specific expectations for satisfactory progress for BSCPE and BSEE majors are as follows:
Students must earn a C or higher in the following ECE courses: ECE 1004 Introduction to ECE Concepts, ECE 2024 Circuits and Devices, ECE 2214 Physical Electronics, ECE 2514 Computational Engineering, ECE 2544 Fundamentals of Digital Systems, ECE 2564 Embedded Systems, ECE 2714 Signals and Systems, ECE 2804 Integrated Design Project.
Pre-requisites for each course are listed after the course title. In general, all ECE courses require a C- or better in prerequisite courses. Students must earn a C or higher in the ECE courses listed above. There are no hidden prerequisites in this program of study. Prerequisites may change form what is indicated. Be sure to consult the Timetable of Classes or check with your advisor for the most current requirements.
The courses listed below are approved for CpE design technical elective credit. Students must choose 2 courses to complete the Computer Engineering Major requirements. Actual course offerings will be based on sufficient resources, including faculty availability and student demand. Refer to the University's on-line timetable of classes for specific course availability information. Note: All ECE courses require a C- or better in prerequisite courses. Courses used toward the 9c technical elective requirement cannot be used as part of the secondary focus.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 3564 | Introduction to Computer Networking | 3 |
| ECE 4144 | Optical Systems | 3 |
| ECE 4444 | Technological Singularity | 3 |
| ECE 4424/CS 4824 | Machine Learning | 3 |
| ECE 4514 | Digital Design II | 4 |
| ECE 4524 | Artificial Intelligence and Engineering Applications | 4 |
| ECE 4525 | Video Game Design and Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 4526 | Video Game Design and Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 4530 | Hardware-Software Codesign | 3 |
| ECE 4534 | Embedded System Design | 4 |
| ECE 4540 | VLSI Circuit Design | 3 |
| ECE 4550 | Real-Time Systems | 3 |
| ECE 4554 | Introduction to Computer Vision | 3 |
| ECE 4560 | Computer and Network Security Fundamentals | 3 |
| ECE 4564 | Network Application Design | 3 |
| ECE 4574 | Large-Scale Software Development for Engineering Systems | 3 |
| ECE 4580 | Digital Image Processing | 3 |
| ECE 4704 | Principles of Robotics Systems | 3 |
| ECE 4974 | Independent Study (requires departmental and college approval) 1 | 3 |
| or ECE 4994 | Undergraduate Research | |
| ECE 4984 | Special Study | 3 |
No more than 3 hours total of either ECE 4974 Independent Study or ECE 4994 Undergraduate Research can be counted toward the Computer Engineering Major
The courses listed below have been approved for the ECE focus areas. Students must choose 3 courses from a single focus area which Do Not Duplicate major requirements. At least one course must be at the 4xxx level. Actual course offerings will be based on sufficient resources, including faculty availability and student demand. Refer to the University's on-line timetable of classes for specific course availability information and prerequisite. Note: All ECE courses require a C- or better in prerequisite courses unless a C or better is noted on the checksheet.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 3004 | AC Circuit Analysis | 3 |
| ECE 3074 | AC Circuit Analysis Laboratory | 1 |
| ECE 4514 | Digital Design II | 4 |
| ECE 4540 | VLSI Circuit Design | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 3004 | AC Circuit Analysis | 3 |
| ECE 3074 | AC Circuit Analysis Laboratory | 1 |
| ECE 3105 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3 |
| ECE 3704 | Continuous and Discrete System Theory | 3 |
| ECE 3714 | Introduction to Control Systems | 3 |
| ECE 4205 | Electronic Circuit Design | 3 |
| ECE 4524 | Artificial Intelligence and Engineering Applications | 4 |
| ECE 4580 | Digital Image Processing | 3 |
| ECE 4704 | Principles of Robotics Systems | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 4424 | Machine Learning | 3 |
| ECE 4524 | Artificial Intelligence and Engineering Applications | 4 |
| ECE 4525 | Video Game Design and Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 4554 | Introduction to Computer Vision | 3 |
| ECE 4580 | Digital Image Processing | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 3564 | Introduction to Computer Networking | 3 |
| ECE 4560 | Computer and Network Security Fundamentals | 3 |
| ECE 4564 | Network Application Design | 3 |
| CS 4264 | Principles of Computer Security | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 4524 | Artificial Intelligence and Engineering Applications | 4 |
| ECE 4525 | Video Game Design and Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 4550 | Real-Time Systems | 3 |
| ECE 4574 | Large-Scale Software Development for Engineering Systems | 3 |
| CS 3214 | Computer Systems | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 3004 | AC Circuit Analysis | 3 |
| ECE 3074 | AC Circuit Analysis Laboratory | 1 |
| ECE 3105 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3 |
| ECE 3564 | Introduction to Computer Networking | 3 |
| ECE 3614 | Introduction to Communication Systems | 3 |
| ECE 3704 | Continuous and Discrete System Theory | 3 |
| ECE 4624 | Digital Signal Processing And Filter Design | 3 |
| ECE 4634 | Digital Communications | 3 |
| ECE 4664 | Analog and Digital Communications Laboratory | 1 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 3004 | AC Circuit Analysis | 3 |
| ECE 3074 | AC Circuit Analysis Laboratory | 1 |
| ECE 3105 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3 |
| ECE 3204 | Analog Electronics | 3 |
| ECE 3304 | Introduction to Power Systems | 3 |
| ECE 3354 | Electric Power Engineering Laboratory | 1 |
| ECE 3704 | Continuous and Discrete System Theory | 3 |
| ECE 4224 | Power Electronics | 3 |
| ECE 4334 | Power System Analysis and Control | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 3004 | AC Circuit Analysis | 3 |
| ECE 3074 | AC Circuit Analysis Laboratory | 1 |
| ECE 3105 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3 |
| ECE 3204 | Analog Electronics | 3 |
| ECE 3274 | Electronic Circuits Laboratory II | 1 |
| ECE 3214 | Semiconductor Device Fundamentals | 3 |
| ECE 3614 | Introduction to Communication Systems | 3 |
| ECE 4205 | Electronic Circuit Design | 3 |
| ECE 4220 | Analog Integrated Circuit Design | 3 |
| ECE 4234 | Semiconductor Processing | 3 |
| ECE 4254 | Principles of Electronics Packaging | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 3004 | AC Circuit Analysis | 3 |
| ECE 3074 | AC Circuit Analysis Laboratory | 1 |
| ECE 3105 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3 |
| ECE 3106 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3 |
| ECE 3134 | Introduction to Optoelectronics | 3 |
| ECE 3614 | Introduction to Communication Systems | 3 |
| ECE 4134 | Photonics | 3 |
| ECE 4144 | Optical Systems | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 3004 | AC Circuit Analysis | 3 |
| ECE 3074 | AC Circuit Analysis Laboratory | 1 |
| ECE 3105 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3 |
| ECE 3106 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3 |
| ECE 3204 | Analog Electronics | 3 |
| ECE 3274 | Electronic Circuits Laboratory II | 1 |
| ECE 3604 | Introduction to RF and Microwave Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 4104 | Microwave and RF Engineering | 4 |
| ECE 4114 | Antennas | 3 |
| ECE 4124 | Radio Wave Propagation | 3 |
| ECE 4220 | Analog Integrated Circuit Design | 3 |
| ECE 4605 | Radio Engineering | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 3004 | AC Circuit Analysis | 3 |
| ECE 3074 | AC Circuit Analysis Laboratory | 1 |
| ECE 3104 | Introduction to Space Systems and Technologies | 3 |
| ECE 3105 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3 |
| ECE 3106 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3 |
| ECE 3154 | Space Systems - Design and Validation | 2 |
| ECE 3614 | Introduction to Communication Systems | 3 |
| ECE 4154 | Space Weather: The Solar Wind and Magnetosphere | 3 |
| ECE 4164 | Introduction to Global Positioning System (GPS) Theory and Design | 4 |
| ECE 4194 | Engineering Principles of Remote Sensing | 3 |
| ECE 4205 | Electronic Circuit Design | 3 |
| ECE 4664 | Analog and Digital Communications Laboratory | 1 |
ECE 4974 Independent Study and ECE 4994 Undergraduate Research listed below can generally be used as part of the Secondary Focus Area if the topic of the course fits with student’s stated career goals and the student has a faculty for supervising the course. Please discuss Secondary Focus Area options for ECE 4974 Independent Study/ECE 4994 Undergraduate Research with your advisor prior to completing the required paperwork to add these courses. For purposes of satisfying the Secondary Focus requirements, the sum of the number of hours taken from ECE 4974 Independent Study and ECE 4994 Undergraduate Research cannot exceed 6 credits.
ECE 4974 Independent Study (ARR) Independent Study
ECE 4994 Undergraduate Research (ARR) Undergraduate Research
Students must complete the College of Engineering Undergraduate Research/Independent Study Form, the ECE Undergraduate Research/Independent Study Secondary Focus Proposal Form, and the ABET Breakdown prior to registration. To be considered for inclusion in the Secondary Focus, all forms are due to the ECE Student Services office no later than 2 weeks before classes begin for the requested semester – no exceptions. Forms are available online at www.ece.vt.edu/undergrad/policies.
(Must be preapproved by ECE Department)
Electrical and computer engineering has applications across a wide variety of fields, such as medicine, human-computer interaction, finance, and entertainment. People with ECE degrees can be entrepreneurs, patent lawyers, policy makers, and business executives. The individualized secondary focus helps students pursue these interests. This option can be used in place of a pre-defined, in-department secondary focus.
The individualized secondary focus is pursued via an already defined university-approved program such as a degree, major, minor, or certificate that the student has declared. Students are encouraged to select courses form these programs, subject to the guidelines below.
Each student must complete at least 131 semester credit hours with a minimum overall GPA of 2.00 and a minimum in-major GPA of 2.00. In determining the Computer Engineering in-major GPA, all ECE courses, including repeats, are used.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| CHEM 1035 | General Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 1045 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| ENGL 1105 | First-Year Writing | 3 |
| MATH 1225 | Calculus of a Single Variable (C-) | 4 |
| ENGE 1215 | Foundations of Engineering (C-) | 2 |
| Pathways 2 or 3 or 6a | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ENGL 1106 | First-Year Writing | 3 |
| MATH 1226 | Calculus of a Single Variable | 4 |
| PHYS 2305 | Foundations of Physics | 4 |
| ENGE 1216 | Foundations of Engineering (C-) | 2 |
| ECE 1004 | Introduction to ECE Concepts (C) | 3 |
| MATH 2114 | Introduction to Linear Algebra (C-) | 3 |
| Credits | 19 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| MATH 2214 | Introduction to Differential Equations (C-) | 3 |
| PHYS 2306 | Foundations of Physics | 4 |
| ECE 2024 | Circuits and Devices (C) | 3 |
| ECE 2514 | Computational Engineering (C) | 3 |
| ECE 2544 | Fundamentals of Digital Systems (C) | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MATH 2204 | Introduction to Multivariable Calculus | 3 |
| ECE 2214 | Physical Electronics (C) | 3 |
| ECE 2564 | Embedded Systems (C) | 3 |
| ECE 2714 | Signals and Systems (C) | 3 |
| ECE 2804 | Integrated Design Project (C) | 2 |
| Pathways 2 or 3 or 6a | 3 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ECE 3504 | Principles of Computer Architecture | 3 |
| ECE 3514 | Data Structures & Algorithms (C-) | 3 |
| ECE 3544 | Digital Design I | 4 |
| MATH 2534 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| Secondary Focus Area course (see list) | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CPE Technical Elective from TE list | 3 | |
| ECE 3574 | Applied Software Design (C-) | 3 |
| Secondary Focus Area course (see list) | 3 | |
| Secondary Focus Area course (see list) | 3 | |
| Pathways 2 or 3 or 6a | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 2 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ECE 4805 | Senior Design Project (C-) | 3 |
| CPE Technical Elective from TE list | 3 | |
| STAT 4714 | Probability and Statistics for Electrical Engineers | 3 |
| Pathways 2 or 3 or 6a | 3 | |
| Pathways 2 or 3 or 6a | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ECE 4806 | Senior Design Project | 3 |
| CPE Technical Elective from TE list | 3 | |
| Pathways 7 or Free Elective (if Pathways 7 double counted) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 131 | |
Course offerings are subject to change and the availability of sufficient resources. Students should confirm course offerings in advance with their department.
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