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Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineering is the profession that applies mathematics, the basic sciences, technology, and problem-solving skills to the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of electrical and electronic products, equipment, services, and information systems. Electrical engineers find innovative ways to use electricity, information, computers, and electronics to make people's lives better. Traditionally, electrical engineering involves the areas of communication systems, computer systems, control systems, electric power systems, electronics, very large scale integration (VLSI)/microchips, and signal processing.

Communication systems process and transfer information from one point to another. This information includes audio and video data, as well as digital data used in computers. Computer systems includes computer design, as well as the areas of hardware and software used to control processes and equipment. Control systems use electronic circuits to regulate processes to meet specific objectives and requirements. Electric power systems generate, transmit, and distribute electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial establishments. Electronics engineers design and develop devices, components, and circuits that are used in computers, appliances, automobiles, and countless other areas. VLSI/microchips refer to the process of integrating millions of transistors onto a single chip to create complex electronic circuits or systems. Signal processing systems transform electrical and electromagnetic signals to more usable form in such applications as computerized tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, in conjunction with its various constituencies, has clearly defined program objectives. These engineering program objectives are listed in the School of Engineering and Applied Science section of this catalog.

The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org, under the General Program Criteria and the Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria.

B.S. in Electrical Engineering: 130 credits

First Year

Fall
CHEM 101 General Chemistry I 3 credits
CHEM 101L General Chemistry I Lab 1 credit

DEPT 193 First-Year Seminar

 3 credits
MATH 157 Calculus and Analytical Geometry I 4 credits
PHIL 101 Reasoning 3 credits
COMM 100 Communication and Speech 3 credits

Spring
ENGL 101 Writing  
CPSC 121 Computer Science I 3 credits
MATH 258 Calculus and Analytical Geometry II 4 credits
CPEN 230 Introduction to Digital Logic

3 credits
CPEN 230L Introduction to Digital Logic Lab
  1 credit
PHIL 201 Human Nature 3 credits

Second Year

Fall
CPEN 231 Embedded Computer Systems
 3 credits
CPEN 231L Embedded Computer Systems Lab
 1 credit
PHYS 121 Physics I
  4 credits
PHYS 121L Physics I Lab
  1 credit
EENG 201 Circuit Analysis I 3 credits
EENG 201L Circuit Analysis I Lab 1 credit
Core Broadening Requirement 3 credits

Spring
EENG 202 Circuit Analysis II 3 credits
MATH 259 Calculus and Analytical Geometry  4 credits
PHYS 122 Physics II 4 credits
PHYS 122L Physics II Lab 1 credit
Religion Requirement: Christianity and Catholic Traditions 3 credits

Third Year

Fall
EENG 301 Electromagnetic Fields and Materials 3 credits
EENG 303 Electronics Design I 3 credits
EENG 303L Electronics Design I Lab 1 credit
EENG 311 Signals and Systems I 4 credits
MATH 260 Ordinary Differential Equations 3 credits 
Ethics core requirement 3 credits

Spring
EENG 304 Electronics Design II 3 credits
EENG 304L Electronics Design II Lab 1 credit
EENG 322 Signals and Systems II 3 credits
EENG 340 Introduction to Electric Power Engineering 3 credits
EENG 340L Introduction to Electric Power Engineering Lab 1 credit
Religion Requirement: World or Comparative Religion 3 credits
Core Integration Seminar (432) 3 credits

Fourth Year

Fall
EENG 411 Introduction to Control Systems 3 credits
EENG 411L Introduction to Control Systems Lab 1 credit 
EENG 421 Introduction to Communication Systems 3 credits
EENG 421L Intro Communications Systems Lab 1 credit
ENSC 491 Senior Design Project I 2 credits
Technical elective1 3 credits
Technical elective1 3 credits

Spring
ENSC 492 Senior Design Project II 3 credits
ENSC 400 Fundamentals of Engineering Examination 0 credits
Technical elective1
 3 credits 
Technical elective1 3 credits
Technical elective1 3 credits
Core Broadening Requirement: (History, Literature, Social and Behavioral Science) 3 credits
Note1: Approved EENG or CPEN elective courses

 Technical Electives in Electrical Engineering

Only 300 and 400 level courses that are not required in the degree plan can be used to satisfy the technical elective requirements. The student’s advisor must approve the selection and must contain courses from at least two of the following specializations: 1. Electromagnetics, Circuits, Electronics and Filters, 2. Control Systems and Automation, 3. Communication Systems and Signal Processing, 4. Electric Power and Power Systems Engineering, and 5. Computer Engineering. Please see your advisor for current course offerings.

Electrical Engineering

  • EENG 401 Low Power Bioelectronics
  • EENG 402 Electromagnetic Waves and Materials
  • EENG 403 Passive and Active Filter Design
  • EENG 406 VLSI Circuits and Systems
  • EENG 412 Digital Control Systems
  • EENG 424 Digital Signal Processing
  • EENG 427 Wireless Systems
  • EENG 428 Wireless Systems II
  • EENG 441 Analysis of Power Systems
  • EENG 442 Electric Power Distribution System Engineering
  • EENG 443 Analysis of Electrical Machines

Computer Engineering

  • CPEN 431 Computer Hardware Design and Architecture
  • CPEN 435 Parallel and Cloud Computing
  • CPEN 436 Machine Learning in Biomedicine 
  • CPEN 342/CPEN 342L Embedded Computer Systems/Lab
  • CPEN 430/CPEN 430L Digital System Design/Lab
  • CPEN 442 Introduction to Robotics 
  • CPEN 443 Autonomous Mobile Robots

Engineering Science 

     ENSC 355 Thermal Science

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers a Concentration in Robotics:

This concentration is for students majoring in either the BSEE or the BSCpE degrees. A student majoring in one of these programs may pursue the concentration as they are not eligible for a minor in this area. The concentration course requirements are identical regardless of the degree a student is seeking.

 

ECE: Concentration in Robotics

 

 
 
 
CPEN 442 Introduction to Robotics 3 credits
CPEN 443 Autonomous Mobile Robotics 3 credits
Two of the following four courses 6 credits
CPEN 436 Machine Learning in Biomedicine
EENG 411 Control Systems
EENG 412 Digital Control
EENG 424 Digital Signal Processing

 

Lower Division
EENG 193 FYS:
3.00 credits
The First-Year Seminar (FYS) introduces new Gonzaga students to the University, the Core Curriculum, and Gonzaga’s Jesuit mission and heritage. While the seminars will be taught by faculty with expertise in particular disciplines, topics will be addressed in a way that illustrates approaches and methods of different academic disciplines. The seminar format of the course highlights the participatory character of university life, emphasizing that learning is an active, collegial process.
EENG 201 Circuit Analysis I
3.00 credits
Fundamental electrical laws; network theorems. Basic circuit elements: resistance, inductance, capacitance, independent and controlled sources, and op-amps. Techniques of circuit analysis; steady-state and transient responses; first-order and second-order circuits; complex numbers; sinusoidal analysis. Three lectures hours per week. Prerequisite: MATH 258.
Prerequisite:
MATH 258
Concurrent:
EENG 201L
EENG 201L Circuit Analysis I Lab
1.00 credit
Three laboratory hours per week. Taken concurrently with EENG 201.
Concurrent:
EENG 201
EENG 202 Circuit Analysis II
3.00 credits
Continuation of EENG 201. Sinusoidal steady-state analysis; RMS value; real , reactive, and complex powers; balanced three-phase circuits; second-order circuits; frequency response; Bode plots; resonance; complex frequency; transfer functions; two-port circuits; magnetically coupled circuits; transformers.
Prerequisite:
EENG 201 Minimum Grade: D
Upper Division
EENG 301 Electro Fields and Materials
3.00 credits
Application of vector calculus to static and time-varying electric and magnetic fields; electromagnetic properties of conductors, insulators, dielectrics, and ferromagnetic materials; Maxwell's equations; electromagnetic waves; transmission lines. Four lecture hours per week. EENG 202 is a co-requisite or pre-requisite for this course.
Prerequisite:
EENG 201 Minimum Grade: D and (PHYS 204 Minimum Grade: D or PHYS 122 Minimum Grade: D) and MATH 259 Minimum Grade: D
EENG 303 Electronics Design I
3.00 credits
Introduction to electronics design concepts; semiconductor devices and their associated electrical behavior; amplifier modeling, design, and trade-offs; practical designing, building, testing, and analyzing of electronic circuits. Three lecture hours per week. EENG 202 is a co-requisite or pre-requisite for this course.
Prerequisite:
EENG 201 Minimum Grade: D
EENG 303L Electronics Design I Lab
1.00 credit
Three laboratory hours per week. Taken concurrently with EENG 303.
Concurrent:
EENG 303
EENG 304 Electronics Design II
3.00 credits
Continuation of EENG 303. Frequency response and distortion; tuned circuits; operational amplifiers; power amplifiers; feedback concepts and oscillators; digital circuits; astable circuits; data conversion; practical design and application of electronic circuits. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisite:
EENG 303 Minimum Grade: D and EENG 303L Minimum Grade: D EENG 303 Minimum Grade: D
Concurrent:
EENG 304L
EENG 304L Electronics Design II Lab
1.00 credit
Three laboratory hours per week. Taken concurrently with EENG 304.
Concurrent:
EENG 304
EENG 311 Signals and Systems I
4.00 credits
Signals and systems; types of signals; properties of systems; convolution integral; Fourier series; Fourier transform and applications; Laplace transform and applications; Sampling Theorem. Four lecture hours per week. EENG 202 and MATH 260 are co-requisites or prerequisites for this course.
Prerequisite:
EENG 201 Minimum Grade: D and MATH 260 Minimum Grade: D
EENG 322 Signals and Systems II
3.00 credits
Introduction to probability; random variables; multiple random variables; elements of statistics; applications in electrical and computer engineering. Three lecture hours per week.
EENG 340 Intro Electric Power Engin
3.00 credits
Magnetic circuits; principles of electromechanical energy conversion; transformers; synchronous machines; three-phase induction machines; D.C. machines; transmission lines; power system modeling; power flow analysis. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisite:
EENG 201 Minimum Grade: D and EENG 202 Minimum Grade: D
Concurrent:
EENG 340L
EENG 340L Intro Electric Power Engin Lab
1.00 credit
Three hours of laboratory per week. Taken concurrently with EENG 340.
Concurrent:
EENG 340
EENG 401 Lower Power Bioelectronics
3.00 credits
Physics and technology of semiconductor devices; Carrier transport phenomena; p-n junctions; Metal semiconductor junctions; Device operation based on junction physics; Process technologies; Some simulations using modern software. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisite:
CPEN 230 Minimum Grade: D and EENG 303 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
CPEN 401 - OK if taken since Spring 2021
EENG 402 Electromag Waves and Materials
3.00 credits
Continuation of EENG 301. Time varying fields; electromagnetic waves and transmission lines; metallic waveguides and resonators; principles of photonics; antennas. Three lectures hours per week.
Prerequisite:
EENG 301 Minimum Grade: D
EENG 403 Passive and Active Filter Dsgn
3.00 credits
Properties of network functions; properties and realizations of LC and RC driving point functions; passive realizations of transfer functions; Butterworth, Chebyshev, and Bessel filter approximations; design techniques for low-pass, high-pass, band-bass, and band-elimination filters. Basic building blocks for active filters; direct and cascade realization approaches. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisite:
EENG 311 Minimum Grade: D
EENG 406 VLSI Circuits and Systems
3.00 credits
Structural design of digital integrated circuits in MOS technology; layout, design rules, fabrication techniques; use of computer automated design and simulation tools, and high-level description language. Three lecture hours per week. EENG 304 is a co-requisite or pre-requisite for this course.
Prerequisite:
CPEN 230 Minimum Grade: D and EENG 303 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
CPEN 406 - OK if taken since Spring 2021
EENG 410 Information Theory and Coding
3.00 credits
Discussion of the concepts of information transmission theory including entropy, redundancy, the noisy channel model and channel capacity. Basics of source coding including compression limits and Huffman codes. Linear block code discussion involving Hamming distance, error detection/correction capabilities, generator/parity-check matrices, syndromes and error correction. Well-known block codes such as Hamming codes and the Golay code. Basics of finite field algebra and BCH codes including Reed-Solomon codes. Convolutional codes and the Viterbi decoding algorithm. Concatenated codes and the NASA Deep Space Network telemetry system. Fall.
EENG 411 Intro to Control Systems
3.00 credits
Analysis and design of linear closed-loop systems; stability; design based on root locus and root contours. A package of computer programs is used for homework and design problems. Three lectures hours per week.
Prerequisite:
EENG 201 Minimum Grade: D
EENG 411L Intro to Control Systems Lab
1.00 credit
Experimental investigation of concepts and subsystems used in controls. Three laboratory hours per week. Co-requisites: EENG 411
Concurrent:
EENG 411
Equivalent:
EENG 425 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
EENG 412 Digital Control Systems
3.00 credits
Classical and modern control system analysis and design techniques. Sampling; stability; frequency response; root locus; state variables in discrete time; controllability; observability; state variable feedback; pole placement and observers. A package of computer programs is used for homework and a design project. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisite:
EENG 411 Minimum Grade: D or MENG 411 Minimum Grade: D
EENG 421 Intro Communication Systems
3.00 credits
Basic concepts in communication systems: correlation and power spectral density; pulse modulation; amplitude modulation; angle modulation; effects of noise. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisite:
EENG 311 Minimum Grade: D
EENG 421L Intro to Comm Systems Lab
1.00 credit
Experimental investigation of concepts and subsystems used in electronic communications. Taken concurrently with EENG 421.
Concurrent:
EENG 421
EENG 424 Digital Signal Processing
3.00 credits
Discrete Fourier Transform and circular convolution; Fast Fourier Transform; use of windows in spectral estimation; filter approximations; design and realization of IIR and FIR digital filters; effects of finite word size; sampling rate conversion. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisite:
EENG 311 Minimum Grade: D
EENG 427 Wireless Systems
3.00 credits
Fundamentals of RF stages of modern wireless systems including antennas, propagation, fading, noise, receiver design, modulation methods and bit error rates. Components of wireless systems, including filters, amplifiers, mixers, oscillators, and phase-locked loops. Initial coverage includes transmission lines, S-parameters, impedance matching, and random processes. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisite:
EENG 202 Minimum Grade: D
EENG 428 Wireless Systems II
3.00 credits
Advanced topics in modern RF/microwave wireless component design including microstrip transmission lines, filters and amplifiers. Mixer, oscillator and phase-locked loop basics. Digital modulation methods and bit error rates. Introduction to information capacity. Receiver design. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisite:
EENG 427 Minimum Grade: D
EENG 441 Analysis of Power Systems
3.00 credits
Per unit system; transmission line parameters; power system models; generators, transformers, lines, loads; power flow problem and solution methods; symmetrical components; symmetrical and unsymmetrical fault analysis; use of computer software package to solve power-flow and short- circuit problems. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisite:
EENG 340 Minimum Grade: D
EENG 442 Electr Pwr Distbn System Eng
3.00 credits
Distribution system planning; load characteristics; distribution transformer applications; design of sub-transmission lines, substations, primary and secondary distribution systems; voltage regulation; capacitor applications; protection. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisite:
EENG 340 Minimum Grade: D
EENG 443 Analysis of Electrl Machines
3.00 credits
D.C. machine dynamics; D.C. motor starters and controllers; synchronous machine steady-state and transient performance; polyphase induction machine dynamics; A.C. motor starters and controllers; transformer applications; fractional horsepower A.C. motors; power electronics. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisite:
EENG 340 Minimum Grade: D
EENG 481 Special Topics Electrical Eng
1.00- 3.00 credits
Courses of special interest may be offered from time to time. Prerequisites will depend on the nature of the material offered and will be announced.
 

In addition to their major and minor areas of study, all undergraduate students follow a common program designed to complete their education in those areas that the University considers essential for a Catholic, Jesuit, liberal, and humanistic education. The University Core Curriculum consists of forty-five credits of course work, with additional designation requirements that can be met through core, major, or elective courses.

The University Core Curriculum is a four-year program, organized around one overarching question, which is progressively addressed through yearly themes and questions. Hence, core courses are best taken within the year for which they are designated. First year core courses encourage intellectual engagement and provide a broad foundation of fundamental skills. Second and third year courses examine central issues and questions in philosophy and religious studies. The fourth year course, the Core Integration Seminar, offers a culminating core experience. Taken at any time throughout the four years, broadening courses intersect with the core themes and extend students’ appreciation for the humanities, arts, and social and behavioral sciences. Finally, the designation requirements (writing enriched, global studies, and social justice) reflect important values and reinforce students’ knowledge and competencies.

Overarching Core Question: As students of a Catholic, Jesuit, and Humanistic University, how do we educate ourselves to become women and men for a more just and humane global community?
Year 1 Theme and Question: Understanding and Creating: How do we pursue knowledge and cultivate understanding?

  • The First-Year Seminar (DEPT 193, 3 credits): The First-Year Seminar (FYS), taken in the fall or spring of the first year, is designed to promote an intellectual shift in students as they transition to college academic life. Each small seminar is organized around an engaging topic, which students explore from multiple perspectives. The FYS is offered by many departments across the University (click here [PDF] for list of FYS courses).  
  • Writing (ENGL 101, 3 credits) and Reasoning (PHIL 101, 3 credits): The Writing and Reasoning courses are designed to help students develop the foundational skills of critical reading, thinking, analysis, and writing. They may be taken as linked sections. Writing (ENGL 101) carries one of the three required writing-enriched designations (see below).
  • Communication & Speech (COMM 100, 3 credits): This course introduces students to interpersonal and small group communication and requires the application of critical thinking, reasoning, and research skills necessary to organize, write, and present several speeches.
  • Scientific Inquiry (BIOL 104/104L, CHEM 104/104L, or PHYS 104/104L, 3 credits): This course explores the scientific process in the natural world through evidence-based logic and includes significant laboratory experience. Students pursuing majors that require science courses will satisfy this requirement through their major.
  • Mathematics (above Math 100, 3 credits): Mathematics courses promote thinking according to the modes of the discipline—abstractly, symbolically, logically, and computationally. One course in mathematics, above Math 100, including any math course required for a major or minor, will fulfill this requirement. MATH 100 (College Algebra) and courses without the MATH prefix do not fulfill this requirement.

Year 2 Theme and Question: Being and Becoming: Who are we and what does it mean to be human?

  • Philosophy of Human Nature (PHIL 201, 3 credits): This course provides students with a philosophical study of key figures, theories, and intellectual traditions that contribute to understanding the human condition; the meaning and dignity of human life; and the human relationship to ultimate reality.
  • Christianity and Catholic Traditions (RELI, 3 credits). Religious Studies core courses approved for this requirement explore diverse topics including Christian scriptures, history, theology, and practices as well as major contributions from the Catholic intellectual and theological traditions (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses) .

Year 3 Theme and Question: Caring and Doing: What principles characterize a well lived life?

  • Ethics (PHIL 301 or RELI, 3 credits): The Ethics courses are designed to help students develop their moral imagination by exploring and explaining the reasons humans should care about the needs and interests of others. This requirement is satisfied by an approved ethics course in either Philosophy (PHIL 301) or Religious Studies (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • World/Comparative Religion (RELI, 3 credits): Religious Studies courses approved for this core requirement draw attention to the diversity that exists within and among traditions and encourage students to bring critical, analytical thinking to bear on the traditions and questions considered. These courses carries one of the required two global-studies designations (see below) (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).

Year 4 Theme and Question: Imagining the Possible: What is our role in the world?” 

  • Core Integration Seminar (DEPT 432, 3 credits). The Core Integration Seminar (CIS) offers students a culminating core experience in which they integrate the principles of Jesuit education, prior components of the core, and their disciplinary expertise. Some CIS courses may also count toward a student’s major or minor. The CIS is offered by several departments across the University (click here [PDF] for list of CIS courses).

The Broadening Courses

  • Fine Arts & Design (VART, MUSC, THEA, 3 credits): Arts courses explore multiple ways the human experience can be expressed through creativity, including across different cultures and societies. One approved course in fine arts, music, theatre, or dance will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • History (HIST, 3 credits): History courses are intended to develop students’ awareness of the historical context of both the individual and the collective human experience. One course in History (HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 112, HIST 201, HIST 202) will fulfill this requirement.
  • Literature (3 credits): Literature courses foster reflection on how literature engages with a range of human experience. One approved course in Literature (offered by English, Classics, or Modern Languages) will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • Social & Behavioral Sciences (3 credits): Courses in the social and behavioral sciences engage students in studying human behavior, social systems, and social issues. One approved course offered by Criminal Justice, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, or Women and Gender Studies will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).

The Designations
Designations are embedded within already existing core, major, minor, and elective courses. Students are encouraged to meet designation requirements within elective courses as their schedule allows; however, with careful planning students should be able to complete most of the designation requirements within other core, major, or minor courses.

  • Writing Enriched (WE; 3 courses meeting this designation): Courses carrying the WE designation are designed to promote the humanistic and Jesuit pedagogical ideal of clear, effective communication. In addition to the required core course, Writing (ENGL 101), which carries one of the WE designations, students must take two other WE-designated courses (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • Global-Studies (GS; 2 courses meeting this designation): Courses carrying the GS designation are designed to challenge students to perceive and understand human diversity by exploring diversity within a context of constantly changing global systems. In addition to the required core course, World/Comparative Religion (RELI 300-level), which carries one of the GS designations, students must take one other GS-designated course (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
  • Social-Justice (SJ; 1 course meeting this designation): Courses carrying the SJ designation are designed to introduce students to one or more social justice concerns. Students must take one course that meets the SJ designation (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).

Major-specific adaptations to the University Core Curriculum

All Gonzaga students, regardless of their major, will complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. However some Gonzaga students will satisfy certain core requirements through major-specific programs or courses. Any major-specific adaptations to the core are described with the requirements for the majors to which they apply.