Electrical Engineering
Study the cutting edge of emerging technologies in electronics, microcontrollers, power, and communication systems.
About Our Electrical Engineering Degree
All first-year engineering students begin their studies with a consistent schedule of courses. This includes Fundamentals of Engineering, as well as physics and calculus classes. In addition, all first-year students take Valparaiso University Experience (VUE) courses. These classes are designed to encourage growth of critical-thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
| Semester 1 | Credits |
|---|---|
| GE 100 Fundamentals of Engineering | 2 Cr. |
| GE 199 Engineering Seminar | 0 Cr. |
| VUE 101 Valparaiso University Experience: Exploring Values | 4 Cr. |
| MATH 131 Analytic Geometry & Calculus I | 4 Cr. |
| PHYS 141 Newtonian Mechanics | 3 Cr. |
| PHYS 141L Experimental Physics I | 1 Cr. |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
| ECE 100 Fundamentals of ECE | 3 Cr. |
| VUE 102 Valparaiso University Experience: Finding Your Voice | 4 Cr. |
| MATH 132 Analytic Geometry & Calculus II | 4 Cr. |
| PHYS 142 Elec., Mag., & Waves | 3 Cr. |
| KIN 101 Wellness & Stress | 1 Cr. |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
|---|---|
| ECE 211 Technical Writing for ECE | 1 Cr. |
| ECE 263 Linear Circuit Theory I | 4 Cr. |
| ECE 251 Fundamentals of Programming I | 3 Cr. |
| ECE 221 Digital Logic Design | 3 Cr. |
| MATH 260 Linear Systems & Matrices | 1 Cr. |
| MATH 270 Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 Cr. |
| World Language or Cultural Diversity Elective | 3 Cr. |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
|---|---|
| MATH 253 Calculus III | 4 Cr. |
| ECE 212 The Design Process for ECE | 1 Cr. |
| ECE 264 Linear Circuit Theory II | 4 Cr. |
| Electrical Engineering Elective | 3 Cr. |
| THEO 200 The Christian Tradition | 3 Cr. |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
|---|---|
| ECE 340 Electronics I | 3 Cr. |
| ECE 360 Signals & Systems | 3 Cr. |
| ECE 322 Embedded Microcontrollers I | 3 Cr. |
| Humanities, Social Science, Theology Elective | 3 Cr. |
| Mathematics/Science Elective | 3 Cr. |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
|---|---|
| ECE 452 Digital Signal Processing | 3 Cr. |
| ECE 422 Embedded Microcontrollers II | 3 Cr. |
| STAT 240 Statistical Analysis | 3 Cr. |
| GE 311 Financial Decisions in Engineering | 1.5 Cr. |
| GE 312 Ethical Decisions in Engineering | 1.5 Cr. |
| Computer Engineering Elective | 3 Cr. |
| Humanities, Social Science, Theology Elective | 3 Cr. |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
|---|---|
| ECE 430 Electromagnetic Field Theory | 3 Cr. |
| GE 497 Senior Design Project I | 3 Cr. |
| Electrical Engineering Elective | 3 Cr. |
| Electrical Engineering Elective | 3 Cr. |
| Professional Elective | 3 Cr. |
| Mathematics/Science Elective | 3 Cr. |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
|---|---|
| Professional Elective | 3 Cr. |
| GE 498 Senior Design Project II | 3 Cr. |
| Electrical Engineering Elective | 3 Cr. |
| Electrical Engineering Elective | 3 Cr. |
| Mathematics/Science Elective | 3 Cr. |
| Total Credits Required for Graduation | 125 Cr. |
Electrical Engineering Electives: Eighteen (18) credits must be taken from the following courses: ECE 222, 252, 323, 324, 422, 424, 429, 450, 452, 453, 455, 456, 460, 464, 471, 472, 473, 490 and 499. Other courses may be used to satisfy this elective with the approval of the department faculty. A maximum of 3 credits of ECE 499 may be applied to this requirement unless approved by the department faculty. Multiple sections of ECE 490 can be counted towards this requirement provided the topics are different.
Humanities, Social Science, Theology Electives: Students may take six credits from the approved list of Humanities courses, Social Science courses, or Theology courses. Courses may be from the same area or from different areas. List of approved Humanities, Social Science, Theology Electives
World Language/Diversity Electives: Students will take three credits from either world language courses at the 102 level or above or from the diversity list. List of approved World Language/Diversity Electives
Writing Intensive Course (as indicated by a superscript “w”): At least one course taken to satisfy the World Languages/Diversity Elective, Humanities, Social Science, and Theology Electives, THEO 200: The Christian Tradition, or ECE 211 must be a Writing Intensive Course. List of approved Writing Intensive Courses
Math/Science Elective: The Mathematics/Science Elective requirement may be met by taking nine credits from the approved list of courses. Other choices may be made available by petition to the ECE Department.
These electives can be chosen from among the following courses:
- Astronomy 252 and 253
- Biology: 151, 152, 171, 172, 210, 260, and 270.
- Chemistry: Any courses numbered 115 and above
- Mathematics: 220, 264, 314, 320, 321, 322, 323, 330, 334, 370, 371, 373, 374, 421, 422, 451, 452, 461, and 462.
- Statistics: IDS 340, STAT 340, 343, and 344.
- Meteorology: 215, 216, and 240.
- Physics: 142L, 243, 245, 250, 345, 360, 371, 372, 381, 421, 422, 430, 430L, and 440.
Cooperative Education: Six credits of GE 481 through GE 483 may be used to satisfy the Professional Electives requirement, if a minimum of six credits of cooperative education have been completed. All courses are graded S/U only.
Professional Electives: These courses are selected, in consultation with the advisor, to support the student’s specific career goals. Other choices may be made available by petition to the ECE Department.
List of approved Professional Electives
Computer Specifications: When looking for a computer to use for engineering classes, click here for the specifications.
Training in electrical engineering prepares graduates for a variety of careers. Among them are:
- Aerospace engineering
- Automotive engineering
- Electronics
- Marine engineering
- Pharmaceuticals
- Oil and gas industry engineer
- Consulting engineering
- Broadcast engineer
- Project engineer
- Network engineer
- Systems engineer
- Professor
- Robotics engineer
- Researcher
- Application engineer
- Power engineer
- Microelectronics engineer
- Telecommunications engineer
The Electrical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.
Program Educational Objectives
Program Educational Objectives are broad statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years of graduation. Program educational objectives are based on the needs of the program’s constituencies. The Program Educational Objectives help to direct and measure the success of the Electrical Engineering Program in accomplishing its mission. Review of the Educational Objectives is an integral part of the annual assessment process.
Within a few years of graduation, electrical engineering alumni will be expected to:
- Our graduates will be highly sought for their world-class electrical engineering expertise and well-rounded education.
- Our graduates will respond to a rapidly changing global environment with an entrepreneurial mindset, demonstrating persistence, creativity, innovation, and adaptability.
- Our graduates will communicate effectively and persuasively and function as integral members of diverse teams.
- Our graduates will demonstrate character and values by making ethical decisions throughout their lives.
- Our graduates will strive to serve society in pursuing their chosen vocation.
Student Outcomes
Student Outcomes describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. These relate to the skills, knowledge, and behaviors that students acquire as they progress through the program. The Student Outcomes help to direct and measure the success of the electrical engineering program in accomplishing its mission. Review of the student outcomes is an integral part of the annual assessment process.
After ompleting the program, the electrical engineering graduate will be prepared to enter the practice of electrical engineering or pursue an advanced degree and will have demonstrated:
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- 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
- an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- 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
- 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
- an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Enrollment and Graduation Data
The College of Engineering tracks its enrollment and graduation data, click the link below to view our data over the past five years.
Senior Design Projects
At Valparaiso University, each College of Engineering student participates in a senior design project. This capstone experience utilizes all of the skills students have acquired in previous semesters, with an emphasis on teamwork and communication skills. Teams work independently to conceptualize, design, build, test, and assess a project; consulting a faculty advisor as needed.
Meet Our Faculty
Our professors are educators. And they’re also our students’ biggest advocates. Some of the finest engineering faculty in the field can be found at Valpo. These accomplished and dedicated individuals have earned numerous accolades for teaching and research on topics such as ethics and emerging technology, solar energy, soil analysis after earthquakes, jet technology, and more.
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
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