Electrical and Computer Engineering Course Descriptions

On this page:

Core ECE Classes
Engineering Clinics
ECE Electives
Popular General Engineering Classes Available as ECE Electives

The ECE Curriculum consists of basic math and science classes, core ECE classes, Engineering Clinic sequence classes and ECE electives. The descriptions of all core ECE courses as well as Engineering Clinic courses are described below. For course descriptions of classes offered by other departments, such as Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physics, please see the Rowan Undergraduate Catalog.

CORE ECE CLASSES

ECE 09101 - Electrical and Computer Engineering: Solving Tomorrow's Problems (2.s.h.)

Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) is the field of engineering that has a broad reach, many real-world applications and a great impact on our lives, yet few know the impact of ECE in solving humanity’s problems. This course will introduce students to the field of ECE and provide a broad overview of its subfields and its applications through a series of hands-on project experiences based on current design trends. This course will also stimulate students’ interests in this field by demonstrating the extensive reach of ECE in solving a very wide range of current and emerging problems that most people do not even realize that are solved by advancements in ECE. Finally, this course will also provide a preview of the ECE program of study, introducing some of the most critical concepts taught throughout the curriculum, including instrumentation, microprocessor programming, embedded systems, circuit analysis, signal processing, and machine learning. This course will be taught from a hands-on and project based approach, focused on integrating many of the topics covered in the course.

ECE 09241: Introduction to Digital Systems (2 s.h.)

Digital Systems dominate the globe, from a simple stopwatch to a cell phone to the international space station, each of these is dependent on Digital Systems. Digital systems, at the most elementary level, are composed of 0's and 1's and rudimentary logic functions. This core course takes a hands-on approach, starting with how to physically build basic logic functions (AND, OR, NOT) from transistors all the way to how to combine these functions to make complex digital systems. During this class, students will learn how numbers and information are stored and manipulated in a digital system, and how these basic principals can be expanded to create a computer processor. The focus of the course will be on alternative number systems (Binary, Octal, Hexadecimal), Boolean algebra, minimization, combinational circuit design, and sequential circuit design. Both synchronous and asynchronous network design and state machines will be covered. Students will get hands-on experience using modern development tools to design, test, and implement digital systems. Taken during the Fall semester of the first year, this is the first class in the ECE major curriculum and provides an opportunity to jump right into the modern world of electrical and computer engineering on day 1. 

ECE 09203: Principles of Electric Circuit Analysis (4 s.h.)

The fundamental principles of circuit and network theory constitute the very foundation on which the field of electrical engineering stands. From a simple household item such as a toaster or flashlight to the most advanced devices, large-scale electric power distribution and transmission systems, including such emerging topics as smart grid, photovoltaic energy generation to electric vehicle technology, all operate based on the basic concepts of circuit and network theory. This core course, which constitutes the primary prerequisite of most other ECE courses, is designed to provide the students not only with a comprehensive foundation of circuit and network theory, but also the basic skills of circuit analysis, design, and testing. Starting with Ohm's Law, this course first discusses resistive and DC circuits and introduces Kirchhoff's Laws, Thevenin and Norton equivalents of networks, mesh and nodal analysis, followed by independent and dependent sources, and operational amplifiers. The second half of the course focuses on AC circuits and memristors. Laplace transforms will be introduced for transient and steady state response of networks, followed by various applications of AC circuits, such as filters. Computer-aided analysis and simulation tools are also presented as contemporary methods of network analysis and design.

ECE 09243: Computer Architecture (3 s.h.)

As computer and embedded systems proliferate into every area of life it is critical to understand the underlying technology empowering the digital age. In this course, students will build a fully functional 16-bit microcontroller from the gate level up. All subjects required to complete this task will be covered: instruction set architectures, data path components and design, control unit design, memory hierarchies, IO and peripheral design, and assembly language; additionally advanced modern computer architectures such as Intel’s Core i7. The course will emphasize learning in the context of project development and specifically focus on the Scrum agile methodology applied to remote teams.

ECE 09303: Engineering Electromagnetics (3 s.h.)

Engineering electromagnetics covers applications of electrostatics, magnetostatics, quasistatics, and electromagnetic wave propagation in contemporary electrical engineering practice. The course also covers numerical modeling/analysis of electromagnetic systems using appropriate software and laboratory-based measurements.

ECE 09311: Electronics I (3 s.h.)

As a follow-up course to Principles of Electric Circuit Analysis, Electronics I is the first course in electronics and delves into the properties of nonlinear devices and the techniques to design and analyze circuits using these devices. All modern-day electronic devices consist largely of these nonlinear devices including diodes, bipolar junction transistors, and metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors. The electronics may consist of discrete and/or integrated devices. This course begins with the design and analysis of electronic circuits using “real” (non-ideal) op amps. It then provides a comprehensive discussion of the fundamentals of circuits involving diodes, bipolar-junction transistors and metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors. The emphasis of this class is on designing practical circuits and includes multistage amplifiers, differential amplifiers, circuits combining op amps with discrete elements, audio amplifiers, integrated circuits, and analog and digital techniques. Analysis and design are accomplished first through analytical design, followed by computer simulation (SPICE) and finally real-world implementation through hands-on laboratory experiments.

ECE 09321: Systems And Control I (3 s.h.)

The first course in control systems introduces the fundamental concepts of linearity, time-invariance, stability and the transfer function. Mathematical and circuit equivalence of different systems (electrical, mechanical, fluidic, and thermal) are established. A thorough treatment of stability through the Routh-Hurwitz, root locus and Nyquist criterion is given. Frequency response analysis by means of the Bode plot is also covered. Software simulation primarily with MATLAB and laboratory experiments will complement and supplement the theory.

ECE 09341: Signals And Systems (2 s.h.)

Continuous and discrete systems are used in every branch of engineering. Communication systems (for the transmission of voice, video and data), robotic systems, energy systems, biometric systems (identification of a person based on physiological traits), systems that aid the handicapped and system-on-chip circuits are just a few examples that use the fundamental principles taught in this course. This course provides students with a foundation in linear dynamical systems and provides the appropriate background to engage in more advanced subjects like controls, signal processing, and communications. This course will discuss the fundamental tools associated with the analysis of continuous (Laplace transform, Fourier transform and Fourier series) and discrete (z-transform) signals and systems. The concepts of impulse response, frequency response, convolution are taught with the appropriate background in complex numbers and variables. Simple analog and digital filters and their practical uses form a major component of the laboratory component.

ECE 09342: Introduction to Embedded Systems (3 s.h.)

With more embedded systems being sold each year, the demand for engineers who understand these systems is ever increasing. This course introduces students to microprocessors and microcontrollers from instruction sets and architecture to peripherals and software. Several processor architectures and instruction sets are briefly covered as well as assembly language; however, the majority of the course focuses on embedded software. At the end of this course, students will be able to develop embedded systems to solve real design problems. The focus of this course will be on using embedded peripherals (analog to digital converters, communications, timers, interrupts, PWM, etc.). Students will work hands-on with their own embedded systems from the beginning of the course and will learn how to design basic embedded systems using modern integrated development environments. There will be a strong emphasis on project-based learning and each student will be required to make a significant contribution to a final project.

ECE 09351: Digital Signal Processing (3 s.h.)

This class is concerned with processing of digital and/or discrete time signals using linear time invariant systems, hence digital signal processing - DSP. It is DSP that makes communication systems, medical diagnosis and monitoring systems, engine diagnostics, seismic/tectonic/oceanographic analysis systems, all of audio-visual entertainment systems and many other countless systems possible. This course has been designed to deepen the real-world perspective at the forefront in each topic discussed, without sacrificing any of the elegant mathematics that underlies all DSP techniques. The primary goals of this course are to (1) introduce time and frequency domain concepts and the associated mathematical tools that are fundamental to all DSP techniques; and (2) provide a thorough understanding and working knowledge of design, implementation, analysis and comparison of digital filters for processing of discrete-time signals. The class will discuss the following topics: representation of signals and systems in time and frequency domains, the z-transform, filter structures, filter design and implementation, random signal analysis and spectral estimation, finite wordlength effects and wavelet transforms for time-frequency analysis.

ECE 09363: Modules In Electrical And Computer Engineering 1 s.h.

The field of electrical and computer engineering is very diverse and is growing exponentially. This course is designed to serve as a feedback and feed-forward mechanism not only to reinforce certain topics previously discussed in the curriculum but also to introduce new and/or emerging topics that are not covered elsewhere in the curriculum. The course is taught as a series of modules covering topics that are not part of any particular course, (e.g., power systems, smart power grid), topics to be reinforced, (engineering probability and statistics, random signals, transform techniques), and/or emerging topics that are not yet fully integrated into the curriculum. Therefore, different offerings of this course may have different topical content, chosen based on the feedback of the faculty and students during curriculum assessment, as well as important emerging topics that push the boundaries of electrical and computer engineering.

ECE 09414: Very Large Scale Integration Systems (3 s.h.)

This course provides an introduction to the design and implementation of Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits for complex digital systems with a focus on CMOS technology. Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and Full-custom techniques will be explored and used to design basic cells and regular structures such as data-path and memory arrays. The emphasis is on modern design issues in power, interconnected and clocking. Topics discussed in this class include VLSI design flow; transistor-level CMOS physical design; gate function and timing characteristics; high-level digital functional blocks; and CMOS digital chip design. Students will design and verify circuits using commercial Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools.

ECE 09433: Electrical Communications Systems (3 s.h.)

This is a senior level undergraduate course that covers the fundamentals of analog and digital communication systems, along with optimal receivers, concept of a matched filter, error rate and intersymbol interference. Appropriate mathematical background in Fourier transforms, probability and random variables are taught. The student is exposed to software and hardware designs.

ECE 09460: Electrical Engineering Clinic Consultant I (1 s.h.)

This course provides the student with disciplinary background and preparation for consulting work in support of multidisciplinary clinic projects. Work and topics will be directed by the clinic discipline manager.

ECE 09462: Electrical Engineering Clinic Consultant II (1 s.h.)

This course provides the student advanced disciplinary background and preparation for consulting work in support of multidisciplinary clinic projects. Work and topics will be directed by the clinic discipline manager.

ECE 09498: Seminar: Engineering Frontiers (1 s.h.)

The Seminar in Engineering Frontiers will provide students with a glimpse into contemporaneous cutting edge technology and research in electrical and computer engineering. Course content and topics will change with each offering to maintain currency with the frontiers of engineering technology

Go back to the main list

ENGINEERING CLINICS

ENGR 01101: First-Year Engineering Clinic I (2 s.h.)

This course presents an introduction to the practice of engineering through application problems drawn from engineering disciplines chosen to amplify work drawn from supporting courses. It includes topics such as: technical communication formats; analytical tools; computer-based tools: introduction to design; engineering ethics; teamwork.

ENGR 01102: First-Year Engineering Clinic II (2 s.h.)

This course, a continuation of First-Year Engineering Clinic I, provides expanded treatment of the practice of engineering through applications drawn from engineering disciplines. Project work includes a variety of technical communication topics, analytic and computer-based tools, including the design process, engineering ethics, safety, and team work.

ENGR 01201: Sophomore Engineering Clinic I (4 s.h.)

This course, a continuation of the Engineering Clinic series, provides expanded treatment of the practice of engineering through applications drawn from various engineering disciplines and industry. Project work includes a variety of technical communication topics, analytic and computer-based tools, including the design process, engineering ethics, safety and teamwork. The composition component presents critical thinking, reading, writing, research and argumentation.

ENGR 01202: Sophomore Engineering Clinic II (4 s.h.)

This course is a continuation of the Engineering Clinic sequence that provides design and design support experiences. The clinic also integrates information from supporting courses. The goal of the public speaking component is to enable students to participate effectively in oral communication, especially as related to technical presentations.

ENGR 01303: Junior Engineering Clinic (2 s.h.)

This is one course in a sequence of courses that will provide a meaningful research and design experience for a team of undergraduate students under the direction of an engineering faculty advisor. The research topic will be chosen by mutual agreement of the undergraduate students and their advisor. The sequence will include a thorough literature search and review, the development of a clear and concise problem statement, consultations with other faculty and professional experts, and the derivation of publishable results. The research will culminate in a final written report and oral presentation. This course needs to be taken twice, once in Fall and once in Spring semester.

ENGR 01403: Senior Engineering Clinic I - Writing Intensive (2 s.h.)  

This course provides a culminating experience to the Engineering Clinic sequence. The goal of this sequence of courses is to give teams of undergraduate engineering students a meaningful, leading-edge, team-based, multidisciplinary project experience. The sequence will include a thorough literature search and review, the development of a clear and concise problem statement, consultations with other faculty and professional experts, and delivery of a final written report and oral presentation. This course needs to be taken twice, once in Fall and once in Spring semester.

Go back to the main list 

ECE Electives 

ECE teaches many electives and specialized courses every semester. Some of these classes are in high demand and are therefore offered more often than others. The following are the courses that have been recently offered. For a complete list, please see University Catalog.

Unless specified otherwise, all courses are 3 semester hours (credits).

ECE 09402: Topics in Electrical and Computer Engineering 

In addition to many electives taught regularly, ECE also offers timely courses in emerging areas. Such courses are taught under the ECE 09.402 Topics in ECE umbrella. Every section of this class covers different areas and topics that are new and emerging Electrical and Computer Engineering.

ECE 09403: Sustainable Design in Engineering 

This is a senior level undergraduate elective course that covers the fundamentals of sustainable design in engineering with an emphasis on electricity and energy. Topics include energy fundamentals (forms, fuels, conversion technologies), energy use and its impacts on a globalizing economy, life cycle assessment tools and environmental management techniques, ISO14001 implementation in industry (US vs. European experience), application of sustainable engineering practice via an eco-design software tool. The student is exposed to sustainable designs in product manufacturing and energy/electricity
production.

ECE 09404: Principles of Biomedical Systems and Devices

As a survey of biomedical engineering, this class will introduce various systems of the human physiology from an engineering perspective. In particular, students will be introduced to signals of biological origin obtained from these systems; biosensors, transducers and bioelectrodes used to acquire such signals, along with medical quality amplifiers for measuring biopotentials. Electrical safety of medical devices; measurements of the blood pressure, blood flow, and respiratory system will also be discussed. Along with a carefully designed set of experiments, this course will provide the fundamental principles of biomedical engineering from an electrical and mechanical engineering perspective.

ECE 09408: Power System Engineering 

This is an upper-level elective course that covers the fundamentals of power system engineering with an emphasis on the modern electricity grid and new energy technologies. Topics include: History and Key inventions in the development of the electric power industry, mechanical and electromagnetic fundamentals, three-phase circuits and transformers, AC machinery, synchronous machines and induction motors, DC machines, transmission lines, power flow, system reliability, advanced generation technologies, utility industry deregulation, and options for a sustainable electric power system in the
future.

ECE 09409: Introduction to Virtual Reality 

Introduction to Virtual Reality (VR) covers the architecture of current generation systems for creating 3D VR environments. Topics included are application/hardware architecture, pipeline development, geometric transformations in a 3D coordinate system, geometry and pixel shading, lighting systems, texturing and VR development. Students will be exposed to current VR technologies and next-generation algorithms.

ECE 09410: Alternate Energy Systems

This course will introduce the basics and current trends of the electric power system and electric power industry. Students will learn methods to mathematically analyze different renewable electric energy systems and evaluate their performance, economics, and sustainability. Specifically, key basics of wind and solar energy technologies, and their power grid integration issues will be extensively discussed. Opensource software will also be introduced to the class to assist their study, such as PVWatt from NREL. Other alternate energy sources, such as CHP, Microturbine, biomass, PHEV, Microgrid, etc. will also be introduced. After finishing this course, students are expected to be able to conduct a critical analysis of national and global energy systems.

ECE 09411: Modern Solid State Devices 

This is an introductory course in the fundamentals of solid-state electronic devices. The course will cover the physical structure of silicon and compound semiconductor materials and the conduction processes in these materials. The p-n junction and its applications will be studied along with the principles of transistor devices. The course will address analog and switching applications and introduce basic laser operations.

ECE 09412: Electronic Packaging 

This is an introductory course in the fundamentals of electronic packaging. It focuses on the complex interaction of materials science, mechanics of materials, and electrical signal processing. The course will progress from the basic materials used in chip packaging and board construction, through mechanical design and testing, to the electrical modeling of the interconnect structure, and finally to reliability assessment. The laboratory exercises will mirror this four-part organization by providing opportunities for laboratory experience in each of the four areas.

ECE 09415 Fundamental of Emerging Electricity Market 

This course will provide ECE students with a basic understanding of the power system restructuring, market design, and pricing mechanisms in different physical and financial electricity markets. Rigorous mathematical formulation and MATLAB based simulation will provide students with an in-depth understanding on the major differences between the conventional regulated and the emerging restructured power system operation paradigms, and adequate training to solve the different system operation problems.

ECE 09416: Power Electronics

ECE 09421: Introduction to Systems Engineering 

Systems Engineering is the interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of today's complex, dynamic products and systems. Individual products such as Cell phones, aircraft, automobiles, computers and even household appliances are made up of parts developed by many people with varied skill sets, often working for different companies and from remote locations. Other systems such as transportation, energy generation and distribution, medical, communications, emergency response and similar are very complex as they are composed of many varieties of products and systems. Systems
Engineering is an integrating function that addresses all the disciplines and specialty groups resulting in a structured development process that proceeds from concept to production to operation including maintenance & support, and eventual disposal. Systems Engineering considers both the business and the technical needs, including environmental and safety, of all customers with the goal of providing a quality product that meets the user needs. It focuses on defining customer needs and required functionality early in the development cycle, documenting requirements, proceeding with design synthesis and system validation while considering the complete problem that includes - operations, cost & schedule,
performance, training & support, sustainment, test, disposal, and manufacturing. The course is designed to expose the student to the system engineering process to complement their technical skill set and to cover topics that are often not covered in other classes. The course will include frequent guest lecturers who are practicing experts in the systems engineering domain. The course will utilize the latest in processes and software tools from industry such as SysML modeling and architectural documentation tools. Students will participate in a semester-long project to gain hands-on experience with
the course concepts.

ECE 09417: Fundamental Technologies Towards Green Energy Future 

There is a transformational change in the electric power systems and electric power industry fueled by renewable “green” energy sources. This introductory course will provide an overview of the fundamental technologies that enable this transformation, starting with a review of the current energy sources for electricity generation, including natural gas, nuclear, hydro, wind, solar, coal, and others. Continuously changing positions of these sources in the electric energy portfolios will be discussed to illustrate the increased importance of renewable sources. There are, of course, significant challenges that renewable energy faces, such as low efficiency/high-cost harvesting, uncertainty/intermittency of power output, as well as system integration issues and their impacts. These challenges will be addressed via solutions using advanced controllers, smart inverters, and energy storage technologies. Along the way, several key and fundamental concepts will be introduced, such as power and energy calculation, instantaneous/average/active/reactive power, three-phase systems, power factor, phasors, network equations, power quality, induction and synchronous machines, which will prepare students to subsequent courses in this sequence. This course will also include hands-on design projects for harvesting renewable energy.

ECE 09418: Fundamentals of Wind Energy System Planning and Operation 

Wind energy is one of the most critical green renewable energy sources in the U.S., with significant – and still yet unrealized – potential for wind power capacity and generation across the nation. Realizing that potential requires financially viable and physically feasible long-term planning, short-term operation, and real-time control of land-based and offshore wind farms, which constitute the primary focus of this course. Specifically, this course will introduce HVAC (High Voltage Alternating Current) and HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) transmission technologies and compare them to integrating wind energy projects into the power grid. Specific topics discussed in detail include generation system reliability and cost analysis, coordinated generation system and transmission system planning, planning under changing market environments, economic dispatch of wind energy systems, and optimal power flow with wind energy integration. Industrial power system planning and operation tools aided by a set of hands-on labs that use industry-standard simulation systems such as MATLAB/Simulink and Opal-RT will also be introduced.

ECE 09422: Systems and Control II 

This course is a continuation of Systems and Controls I with the focus on multi-input, multi-output systems. The fundamental concepts of linearity and time-invariance are introduced. The state-space description and the concept of a matrix transfer function are studied in depth, especially with respect to stability. The concepts of controllability, observability, and realizations are covered. Numerical techniques are continuously emphasized. Optimal control and nonlinear systems are also discussed. Software simulation, primarily with MATLAB and laboratory experiments, will complement and supplement the theory.

ECE 09423: Introduction to Radar Systems

This course will provide an introduction to radar systems, range equation and radar signal processing techniques as well as the nature of physical observables and propagators, the effects of the propagation medium on sensor performance, the relationship between signals and noise, and the characteristics of critical sensor functions (including detection and tracking). Radar subsystems will be studied, including antennas, transmitters, receivers, and signal processors.

ECE 09424: Introduction to War Gaming and C4ISR 

This course will expose students to a comprehensive range of technologies that govern the effectiveness of our nation’s ability to effectively conduct military operations. It focuses on material drawn from a working group of distinguished thought leaders in critical technology and operations areas, thereby exposing students to the state-of-the-art thinking and philosophies. The class material will be enhanced by the study of patents that relate to the subject which were issued to the course instructor.

ECE 09425: Introduction to Command and Control

Command and Control (C2) is defined as the exercise of authority and direction over assigned forces in order to accomplish a mission. This course will embark on a study of C2 information processing and decision making in the context of adaptive combat systems, as well as civilian and business examples. The course topics discussed in this class include the following: the history of military C2, C2 decision processes (Observe-Orient-Decide-Act loops), problem sensemaking (Identification) and solution finding and implementation processes, operational architectures, information fusion, control theory, mission success and organizational fitness.

ECE 09426: Introduction to Weapon Systems 

This course will study system engineering principles in the weapon system components and will relate the principles used in components such as prelaunch decision processing and missile in-flight control functionality to the robustness of the overall combat system. Missile systems will be studied, including basic aerodynamics and propulsion. The engineering principles discussed will be used to develop missile guidance laws and track filters to support a robust combat system design.

ECE 09.427: Introduction to Model Based Systems Engineering

This course is an extension of systems engineering by addressing the needs to better train and prepare students to use model-based techniques to solve complex design problems. This multi-disciplinary class is designed to use a model-based systems engineering approach to transform a set of customer needs, expectations, and constraints into a solution and to support that solution throughout its lifecycle. Students will utilize SySML, a general-purpose modeling language, for developing complex systems composed of hardware, software, information, personnel, procedures, and/or facilities. Through the use of SySML students will gain an understanding of structural, behavioral, parametric, and requirements models and their application. Students will also learn how these models can be used to inform other domain specific activities or subordinate models.

ECE 09430: Introduction to RF (Radio Frequency) Electronics 

Introduction to RF Electronics covers the fundamental principles behind radio-frequency (RF) design and analysis. Topics will include distributed parameter analysis, single- and multi-port networks, filter design, matching and bias networks, active devices, and amplifier design. The course also covers numerical modeling/analysis of RF sub-systems using appropriate software and laboratory-based measurements. Designing, building, and testing an RF sub-system (of receiver) is part of the course.

ECE 09431: Optical Fiber Communications 

Optical communications is an integral part of the worldwide telecommunications system. This course will consider the numerous technologies that comprise such systems as well as the techniques to design, analyze, simulate, and test such systems. Topics include: theory of optical waveguiding, waveguide structures, materials, dispersion, signal degradation in fibers, laser diodes, optical amplifiers, optical coupling, photodetectors, noise, receiver operation, and numerical and analytical techniques for performance calculations and system evaluation.

ECE 09432: Wireless Communications 

This course will cover the fundamentals of cellular systems, the technologies that are used to implement such systems, radio propagation effects, modulation techniques and the analysis and systems performance evaluation of wireless links.

ECE 09451: Architectures for Digital Signal Processing

This is a senior level undergraduate elective course that covers the fundamentals of the implementation of digital signal processing algorithms using special purpose hardware. Topics include fixed and floating point arithmetic, assembly language programming, sampling, digital filter implementation, finite wordlength effects, quantization noise and fast Fourier transform implementation. The student is exposed to application designs in communications, speech and image processing.

ECE 09452: Introduction to Digital Image Processing

Introduction to Digital Image Processing covers the analysis and contemporaneous applications of the enhancement, restoration,compression and recognition of monochromatic images. Both classical and state-of-the-art algorithms will be employed in conjunction with appropriate software for analyzing real-world images.

ECE 09454:  Introduction to Modern Neural Networks 

This course provides a theoretical and practical foundation of neural networks for machine learning. Students will learn about the core challenges and approaches in neural networks. Through a combination of lectures, projects, and written and coding assignments, students will become well versed in key ideas and techniques for neural networks. The course will introduce multi-layer perceptrons, convolutional neural networks, recurrent neural networks, generative learning, generative adversarial networks, topics in gradient-based optimization, and applications of neural networks. Class assignments will include the implementation of neural networks using Python.

ECE 09455:  Machine Learning

This class will introduce a broad spectrum of pattern recognition algorithms along with various statistical data analysis and optimization procedures that are commonly used in such algorithms, with particular emphasis to engineering applications. Although mathematically intensive, pattern recognition is nevertheless a very application driven field. This class will, therefore, cover both theoretical and practical aspects of pattern recognition, Bayes decision theory for optimum classifiers, density estimation techniques, discriminant analysis, basic optimization techniques, introduction to basic neural network
structures, unsupervised clustering techniques and more state of the art algorithm independent techniques.

ECE 09456: Embedded Software Design

Embedded systems dramatically enhance our lives and are prolific in our everyday life. It is not uncommon for Americans to come in contact with over one hundred embedded systems each day. With billions of embedded systems being produced each year there is a huge need for engineers who can create good embedded software. This course focuses on embedded software for applications running directly on an embedded processor without an operating system. A brief survey of microcontroller technologies will be covered but the class will focus on ARM microcontrollers and the embedded
peripherals available on such devices. Advanced embedded communication technologies (CAN,WIFI, Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc.) will be surveyed and at least one implemented during the courses. A great emphasis will be put on good programming practices and design patterns which support working in large groups.

ECE 09457: Introduction to Biometric Systems 

Biometrics is the science of recognizing and authenticating people using their physiological and/or behavioral characteristics. By using biometrics, it is possible to establish an identity based on “who you are”, rather than by “what you possess” (e.g., an ID card) or “what you remember” (e.g., a password). Interest in biometrics has increased significantly with a global market that is experiencing very rapid growth. Border and immigration control, restricted access to facilities and information systems,  cybersecurity, crime investigations and forensic analysis are just a few of the primary application areas
of biometrics used by commercial, government and law enforcement agencies. There is much research interest in different biometric systems with the main issues being high performance, ease of use and implementation, low cost and high user acceptance. This course involves the study and design of various biometric systems (fingerprints, voice, face, iris and other modalities). Multibiometric systems are also covered. This includes feature fusion, classifier fusion and systems that use two or more biometric modalities. Biometric system performance and issues related to the security, ethics and privacy aspects of these systems will also be addressed.

ECE 09458 Reinforcement Learning

This course will provide a solid introduction to the field of RL, and students will learn about the core challenges and approaches, including generalization and exploration. Through a combination of lectures, and written and coding assignments, students will become well versed in key ideas and techniques for RL. The course will introduce fundamental concepts of RL, including Markov Decision and Reward Processes, Dynamic Programming, Model-Free Learning, Temporal Difference, Monte Carlo search, on-policy control, off-policy methods, and policy gradient methods. Class assignments will include implementation of basic as well as advanced RL algorithms using TensorFlow topics. Besides, students will advance their understanding and the field of RL through a final project again using TensorFlow libraries.

ECE 09466: Systems, Devices, and Algorithms in Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is the field of applying computational techniques, from mathematics, statistics, and machine learning, to the vast amounts of biological - but most specifically genomic - data. While some refer to bioinformatics only in the context of collection, storage, organization and access of such biological data within large databases, this course's view of bioinformatics will include - in fact focus on - systems and devices that generate such data, and development of methodologies and models to analyze the vast quantities of data generated by such systems and devices. The course will provide a basic biological background of genomics, will introduce the students to commonly used bioinformatics databases
and computational tools (such as search, alignment, and protein visualization tools) used to analyze genomic data from such databases. The focus of the course will be on basic bioinformatics systems and devices, such as high throughput next-generation sequencers and genechips, followed by an in-depth discussion of the theory of basic genomic signal processing and computational intelligence techniques used in bioinformatics, including hidden Markov models and optimization algorithms for sequence alignment and gene prediction, clustering and classification algorithms.

ECE 09468: Introduction to Discrete Event Systems

This course introduces fundamentals of discrete event system models and their applications in modeling, control, analysis, validation, simulation, and performance evaluation of computer systems, hardware/software co-design, manufacturing/de-manufacturing processes, communication networks, and transportation, etc. The mathematical and graphical models include graphs, finite state machine, Petri Nets, timed models, stochastic timed models, and Markov chains, etc.

ECE 09472: Smart Grid

The ways in which electricity is generated, transmitted, distributed, stored, and used, are the subject of revolutionary and evolutionary changes compared to the electricity grid we have today. Smart Grid goals include the improvement of grid reliability, reduction in outages, faster return on service, ability to integrate a broad range of renewable energy sources, and to include customers in the ability to effect load decisions based on grid demand and energy pricing. This course will address grid fundamentals, tools and technologies, and then address major Smart Grid subsystems including conventional and
alternative generation, storage technologies, transmission and distribution systems, standards, demand management, real-time pricing, grid stability, control technologies, measurement including Smart Sensors and Advanced Metering Intrastructure. Physical and cyber vulnerabilities will also be addressed. The course will include a project to reinforce Smart Grid elements and involve students in this technology, which has significant international economic implications.

ECE 09473: Smart Sensors

Elements of Smart Sensors and Smart Sensor systems are treated. Instrumentation fundamentals covered include transducers, signal conditioning, and data acquisition, communication, along with important considerations and associated standards. Relationship of smart sensors to integrated system health monitoring (ISHM) and similar Intelligent Sensor applications are addressed. The course will include a project to reinforce Smart Sensor elements.

ECE 09480: Introduction to Internet of Things (coming soon)

Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of connected devices with sensing, processing and actuating capabilities. These devices play an increasingly important role, and in fact control many of aspects of our daily lives. IOT devices are commonly used in home automation, automotive, security, communications and seemingly endless list of other applications. This course provides a comprehensive review of IoT devices including their hardware architectures, communication protocols, power requirements and other important aspects of the IoT infrastructure. Specific topics discussed in this course include IoT wireless communications protocols that provide low power, low bandwidth, low cost specifications that enable small sensing devices to transmit data over long distances and obstacles while running on battery power for many years. This course covers aspects of RF, sensor hardware, data transmission, network layout, and a brief introduction to data receiving applications. This course also includes a major project component, allowing the students to implement various concepts discussed in the class.

ECE 09482: Introduction to Memristors and Nanoelectronic VLSI

This course is an advanced course in the extension of analog/digital electronic systems, dealing with CMOS devices and emerging nanoelectronic devices and technologies. Since the importance of emerging nano systems goes beyond traditional circuit theory and EE in general, this course aims to provide students with an opportunity of understanding the fundamental concepts of a set of emerging nanodevices, with particular emphases on memristors and memristive systems, and their
potential applications and impacts on the next generation VLSI systems. The course will also emphasize hands-on programming and application to examples as an important means to understand and benefit from the material. Software tools such as Matlab/SPICE/Cadence will be extensively used throughout the learning and design experiments.

ECE 09485: Introduction to Engineering Cyber Security 

This course addresses the need to better prepare students for the expansion in the interest of Things (loT) by imparting fundamental concepts and capabilities in the management of cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is key to developing large-scale, wide-area systems, which can provide the degree of security required to further implementation highly-vulnerable, highly-visible systems such as the Smart Grid. To gain this understanding, the course addresses a number of key components: standards including network and encryption techniques (RSA, etc.) and security processes, methods of cyber attack, and some methods of software and hardware security enhancement. Course principles are reinforced by a significant project experience.

ECE 09486: Introduction to Portable Platform Development

The total number of Android and IOS devices is estimated to be several billion devices and continues to grow. The ubiquitous nature of these devices means that they are now the default choice of platforms for hardware and software developers. This course details the ARM core architecture, which underpin the majority of mobile devices, along with the basic operating system and application software environments. Principles of effective app development using available SDK tools and project management techniques are presented. The hardware vs. software trade space will also be considered. The course content is reinforced with a significant development project.

ECE 09495: Emerging Topics in Computational Intelligence, Machine Learning and Data
Mining

As the amount of data we generate grow astronomically, so does the need for approaches, algorithms, techniques and the hardware that can be used for effective processing, storing, and analysis of such massive volumes of data. Computational intelligence, machine learning and data mining all deal with automated analysis of large volumes of data in search of known or hidden structures, patterns and information. While well-established approaches that now form the foundations of these
topics are discussed in other specifically named courses, this course will provide an introductory treatment of emerging topics - fueled by rapid growth of research and development in these areas - but that have not yet reached the mainstream textbooks. Hence, due to its very nature, the specific content of this class will be different every time it is offered, focusing on the most recent developments in these areas.

Go back to the main list

General Engineering Courses Available as ECE Electives

The following are some of the general engineering courses offered by other engineering or even sometimes ECE faculty, and are available to all ECE students, satisfying the ECE Elective requirements. For a full list of other engineering courses that may also be available to ECE Students, please see the University Catalog.

ENGR 01410: Introduction To Finite Element Analysis

Fundamental concepts for the development of finite element analysis are introduced. The element stiffness matrices are developed using shape functions defined on the elements. Aspects of global stiffness formation, consideration of boundary conditions, and nodal load calculations are presented. Mesh division and problem modeling considerations are discussed in detail. Topics of scalar field problems and natural frequency analysis are covered. Computer applications are included.

ENGR 01411: Introduction To Engineering Optimization

Objective function for minimization and setting up the constraints are presented for engineering problems. Solution techniques using gradient-based methods, zero order methods, and penalty techniques are discussed. Formulation and solution of linear programming, non-linear programming, integer and discrete programming problems in engineering are covered. Algorithms are implemented in computer programs for problem solution.

Go back to the main list