Academic guide
Program details
The following applies to students entering Carnegie Mellon University Fall 2013 and later.
Minimum total units required for B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering: 379
CIT General Education Requirements
Course | Units | |
99101 | Computing @ Carnegie Mellon | 3 |
CIT General Education Please see the CIT General Education requirement page. |
72 | |
21120 | Differential and Integral Calculus | 10 |
21122 | Integration and Approximation | 10 |
XXXXX | One other introductory engineering course (generally taken during first year) | 12 |
33141 | Physics I for Engineering Students | 12 |
33142 | Physics II for Engineering and Physics Students | 12 |
15112 | Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science | 12 |
Total: | 143 |
General Technical Requirements
Course | Units | |
xxxxx1 | Two Math/Science Electives | 18 |
21325 OR 36219 OR 36225 | Probability Requirement | 9 |
182022 | Mathematical Foundations of Electrical Engineering | 12 |
21127 OR 21128 | Concepts of Mathematics | 123 |
15122 | Principles of Imperative Computation | 10 |
Total: | 61 |
1 The Math/Science Electives may be satisfied by any course in The Mellon College of Science or the Department of Statistics except for: 100-level courses in Mathematics or Statistics, and courses designed for non-science or engineering majors, such as (but not limited to) 09-103, 09-104, 21-240, 21-257, 33-115, 33-120, 33-124, 36-201, 36-202, 36-203, 36-207, 36-208, 36-209, 36-210, 36-247, 36-309, 36-310. Mathematics courses of particular interest to students in ECE are: 21-228 (Discrete Mathematics), 21-241 (Matrices and Linear Transformations), 21-259 (Calculus in Three Dimensions), 21-260 (Differential Equations).
2 This course can also be substituted by a combination of two of the following courses: 21-254, 21-259, 21-260, 21-241, 21-242, 21-268.
3Effective Fall 2022. Prior to Fall 2022, 21-127 was 10 units.
Core Requirements
ECE students are required to take the following core courses along with their co- or pre-requisites.
Course | Units | |
Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering | 12 | |
18200 | ECE Sophomore Seminar | 1 |
18213 | Introduction to Computer Systems | 12 |
18220 | Electronic Devices and Analog Circuits | 12 |
18240 | Structure and Design of Digital Systems | 12 |
18290 | Signals and Systems | 12 |
Total: | 61 |
Area Requirements
To satisfy the ECE Area Requirements (36 units):
- Two courses (24 units) must be taken from one of the areas
- One additional course from a second area (12 units)
The following topics are the five areas of study within the ECE department:
- Device sciences and nanofabrication: Solid State Physics, Semiconductors, Electromagnetic Fields and Waves, Magnetics, Optics, etc.;
- Signals and systems: Digital Signal Processing, Communication Systems, Control Systems, Power Systems, etc.;
- Circuits: Analog and Digital Circuits, Integrated Circuit Design, etc.;
- Hardware systems: Logic Design, Computer Architecture, etc.;
- Software systems: Programming, Embedded Systems, Data Structures, Compilers, Networks, Operating Systems, etc.
Device science and nanofabrication
Course | Units | Semester(s) offered | Course prerequisites | |
18-300 | Fundamentals of Electromagnetics | 12 | Fall only | 18-220 |
18-310 | Fundamentals of Semiconductor Devices | 12 | Spring only | 18-220 |
18-416 | Nano-Bio-Photonics | 12 | Spring only | 18-300 |
Signals and systems
Course | Units | Semester(s) offered | Course prerequisites | |
18-370 | Fundamentals of Control | 12 | Fall only | 18-290 or 18-220 or 24352 |
18-372 | Fundamentals in Electric Energy Systems | 12 | Fall only | 18-202 & 18-220 |
18-491 | Fundamentals of Signal Processing | 12 | Spring only | 18-290 |
18-792 | Advanced Digital Signal Processing | 12 | Fall only | 18-491 & 36-217 |
18-793 | Image and Video Processing | 12 | Fall only | 18-491 |
18-794 | Pattern Recognition Theory | 12 | Fall only | 36-217 and senior standing |
Circuits
Course | Units | Semester(s) offered | Course prerequisites | |
18-320 | Microelectronic Circuits | 12 | Spring only | 18-220 |
18-421 | Analog Integrated Circuits I | 12 | Fall only | 18-290 & 18-320 |
18-422 | Analysis and Design of Digital Circuits | 12 | Fall only | 18-240 & 18-320 |
Hardware systems
Course | Units | Semester(s) offered | Course prerequisites | |
18-340 | Hardware Arithmetic for Machine Learning | 12 | Fall only | 18-240 |
18-344 | Computer Systems and the Hardware-Software Interface | 12 | Fall only | 18-213 & 18-240 |
18-341 | Logic Design and Verification | 12 | Fall only | 18-240 |
18-447 | Introduction to Computer Architecture | 12 | Spring only | 18-240 & 18-213 & (18-320 or 18-330 or 18-340 or 18-341 or 18-344 or 18-349) |
Software Systems
Course | Units | Semester(s) offered | Course prerequisites | |
18-330 | Introduction to Computer Security | 12 | Fall only | 18-213 |
18-344 | Computer Systems and the Hardware-Software Interface | 12 | Fall only | 18-213 & 18-240 |
18-349 | Embedded Real-Time Systems | 12 | Fall & Spring | 18-213 & 18-240 |
18-441 | Computer Networks | 12 | Spring only | 36-217 & 18-213 |
18-449 | Distributed Embedded Systems | 12 | Fall only | 18-349 |
18-452 | Wireless Networking and Applications | 12 | Intermittently offered | 18-213 |
15-410 | Operating Systems Design and Implementation | 15 | Fall & Spring | 18-213 |
15-411 | Compiler Design | 15 | Fall only | 18-213 |
15-418 |
Parallel Computer Architecture and Programming | 12 | Fall & Spring | 18-213 |
15-440 |
Distributed Systems | 12 | Fall & Spring | 18-213 |
15-441 |
Computer Networks | 12 | Check schedule of classes | 18-213 |
15-445 |
Database Systems | 12 | Fall only | 18-213 |
15-462 |
Computer Graphics | 12 | Fall & Spring | 18-213 & 18-202 |
17-437 |
Web Applications Development | 12 | Fall & Spring | 18-213 or 17-214 |
Coverage Requirement
12 units of a "coverage requirement" are required for the ECE curriculum. Students may use this requirement to further specialize in their main area, or they may use this to explore some of the other areas within the department. Students are also encouraged to pursue undergraduate project units, or research, to fulfill this requirement.
Approved Coverage Courses
All courses offered by the ECE department with the values 18-300 and higher are approved to count as a coverage requirement. You can see the ECE course list on our course list page.
Below are additional courses approved to count for this requirement that are offered outside of the ECE department.
Course | Units | |
---|---|---|
10-301 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 12 |
15-210 | Parallel and Sequential Data Structures and Algorithms | 12 |
15-281 | Artificial Intelligence: Representation and Problem Solving | 12 |
15-312 | Foundations of Programming Languages | 12 |
15-394 | Intermediate Rapid Prototyping | 5 |
15-410 | Operating Systems Design and Implementation | 15 |
15-411 | Compiler Design | 15 |
15-412 | Operating System Practicum | 12 |
15-415 | Database Applications | 12 |
15-418 | Parallel Computer Architecture and Programming | 12 |
15-440 | Distributed Systems | 12 |
15-441 | Computer Networks | 12 |
15-445 | Database Systems | 12 |
15-451 | Algorithm Design and Analysis | 12 |
15-453 | Formal Languages, Automata, and Computability | 9 |
15-462 | Computer Graphics | 12 |
15-463 | Computational Photography | 12 |
15-466 | Computer Game Programming | 12 |
15-494 | Cognitive Robotics: The Future of Robot Toys | 12 |
16-384 | Robot Kinematics and Dynamics | 12 |
16-385 | Computer Vision | 12 |
17-214 | Principles of Software Systems Construction | 12 |
17-313 | Foundations of Software Engineering | 12 |
17-437 | Web Applications Development | 12 |
Undergraduate research
Undergraduate ECE students are encouraged to incorporate undergraduate projects in their program. This engineering experience will enhance both their education and resume in pursuit of further education and professional employment. All undergraduate projects conceived to meet the ECE coverage requirement must be conducted with a faculty member. Should you have any questions, please check with your Academic Advisor.
Visit the Student Project Tracker guide for more information on our undergraduate research program, including instructions on how to apply online.
Course | Units | |
---|---|---|
18-580 | Undergraduate Projects | Variable |
39-500 | Honors Research Project | Variable |
Capstone Design Requirement
This requirement provides students with the opportunity for some hands-on experience. Each student must complete at least one of the approved Capstone Design courses. The Capstone Design courses are intended to enhance the student's repertoire of professional problem-solving and engineering design skills in the context of realistic engineering situations. In the Capstone Design courses, students work in teams to formulate the problem, propose an engineering solution or a design in the presence of technical and socioeconomic constraints, and make sound professional judgments among alternative solutions. One course from the following list must be taken (12 units):
Course | Units | Semester offered | Course prerequisites | |
18-500 | ECE Design Experience | 12 | Fall & Spring | 18-220 & 18-290 & 18-240 & 18-213, plus any two ECE Area courses |
18-540 | Rapid Prototyping of Computer Systems | 12 | Spring only | 18-220 & 18-290 & 18-240 & 18-213 plus (18-320 or 18-370 or 18-491) AND (18-340 or 18-341 or 18-349) |
18-578 | Mechatronic Design | 12 | Spring only | 18-220 & 18-290 & 18-240 & 18-213, plus (18-370 & 18-349) or (17-313 & 18-349) or (18-320 & 18-349) or (18-320 & 18-370) |
18-525* | Advanced Digital Integrated Circuit Design | 12 | Spring only | 18-220 & 18-290 & 18-240 & 18-213, plus (18622 or 18623 or 18422) |
*coming Spring 2024
Free Electives
For most students, the curriculum above will result in a remainder of 54 units of free electives to achieve the 379 required total units.
A Free Elective is defined as any graded course offered by any academic unit of the university (including research institutes such as the Robotics Institute and Software and Societal Systems).
Up to 9 units of courses taken as Pass/Fail credit, such as Physical Education or StuCo courses, may also be used toward meeting the total units requirement.
Substitutions of courses from other high-quality universities may be accepted through submission of the Transfer Credit Request form on the CIT web page.
The large number of units without categorical constraints provides the student with the flexibility to design a rich educational program.
Adding Majors or Minors
Combining the ECE degree with a major/minor
ECE students may combine the ECE major with other studies in one of three ways:
- Earn two undergraduate degrees (dual degrees);
- Pursue an additional major (one degree, two majors), or;
- Augment a degree major with a minor
Combinations are possible with virtually all academic departments. Computer science, biomedical engineering, engineering and public policy, business, economics, foreign language, fine arts, and music study, and many others have all been paired successfully with the ECE degree. You can see more information on dual degrees, additional majors, or minors in the undergraduate catalog.
Majors and minors available
You can find information on specific programs on their individual websites. Click here to be directed to the list of CMU schools and colleges.
There are a number of additional majors and minors that are available within the College of Engineering exclusively to engineering students. Engineering and Public Policy and Biomedical Engineering are additional majors available exclusively to other engineering majors within CIT. CIT also has a list of minors available only to students within the college as well.
Introduced in 2014, the Integrative Design, Arts and Technology (IDeATe) network offers students the opportunity to become immersed in a collaborative community of faculty and peers who share expertise, experience, and passions at the intersection of arts and technology. Students will engage in active “learning by doing” in state-of-the-art maker spaces. The program addresses current and emerging real-world challenges that require disciplinary expertise coupled with multidisciplinary perspectives and collaborative integrative approaches. Students who participate in IDeATe will be able to combine the unique experience of a “deep dive” in their chosen discipline while connecting to the diverse areas of knowledge and skill across the university. A student can choose to enroll in an IDeATe concentration (or minor) either in their sophomore or in their junior year. For more information, please visit the IDeATe website.
Resources for Creating a Course Schedule
There are a number of resources available for you to plan your course schedule. It's recommended that you make at least a tentative course plan well ahead of time, particularly if you are planning on any additional majors or minors, in order to meet your graduation timeline.
The academic advising syllabus has a number of useful tools and resources, and we strongly recommend reviewing this document for tips.
Advisors and mentors
ECE assigns each student staff and faculty members to assist them with course planning, career questions, and general academic advice. While you are encouraged to build staff and faculty relationships throughout the department, college, and university, you also have assignments within ECE to assist you.
Your academic advisor is a full time staff member that is here to assist you with curriculum questions, course questions, study abroad opportunities, or anything else pertaining to your academics. Your ECE academic advisor is assigned to you once you have declared your ECE major and is with you through the duration of your academic career in the department. The undergraduate advising office is located in Hamerschlag Hall 1116.- Your faculty advisor is an ECE faculty member that is assigned to you for the duration of your sophomore year (in addition to your academic advisor). Your faculty advisor is a person that can help you decide what areas within ECE are related to your interests, help you with choosing courses, and help you plan a course timeline within ECE. You are emailed information about your faculty advisor in the late spring semester of your freshman year after you have declared your ECE major. Your faculty advisor information is listed in SIO.
Sample Curriculum
You can view the ECE BS 4-year curriculum by going to the Undergraduate Catalog, or by viewing a sample curriculum.Stellic Academic Audit
The academic audit is a powerful tool to help you stay on track for graduation. As of 2018, CMU has adopted a new audit/schedule planning tool named "Stellic". You can access Stellic by visiting your SIO>Course Schedule and clicking the link under "Stellic Degree Audit Application".
Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of frequently asked questions for ECE students. You can scroll through the page, or click on a question in the list below to be directed to that question directly.
What courses count for the math/science elective requirement?
What is Experiential Learning?
How many units do I need to graduate with a BS in ECE?
What is the minimum QPA needed to graduate?
What is the overload policy in ECE?
How do I find research opportunities as an undergraduate student?
What is the difference between my staff and faculty advisor?
How do I schedule an appointment with my advisor?
What is the "IMB" (Integrated Masters/Bachelor) program and how do I apply?
How can I find information on scholarships?
Where can I find information on transferring credit from another university?
Q: What courses count for the math/science elective requirement?
A: The Math/Science Electives may be satisfied by any course The Mellon College of Science or the Department of Statistics except for: 100-level courses in Mathematics or Statistics, and courses designed for non-science or engineering majors, such as (but not limited to) 09-103, 09-104, 21-240, 21-257, 21-261, 33-115, 33-120, 33-124, 36-201, 36-202, 36-203, 36-207, 36-208, 36-209, 36-210, 36-247, 36-309, 36-310.
Mathematics courses of particular interest to students in ECE are: 21-228 (Discrete Mathematics), 21-259 (Calculus in Three Dimensions), 21-260 (Differential Equations).
Q: What is Experiential Learning?
A: You can find information about what experiential learning is on the CIT webpage. Your Experiential Learning advisor and a list of some of the approved events to complete this requirements can be found on the course Blackboard page. Please remember that you must register for Experiential Learning (39-210, 39-220, 39-310) in order to access the Blackboard page and complete the paperwork for this requirement.
Q: How many units do I need to graduate with a BS in ECE?
A: The ECE undergraduate curriculum is 379 units. This includes 143 units of CIT general education electives, 61 units of general technical requirements, 121 units of ECE coursework, and (typically) 54 units of free electives. Up to 9 units of pass/fail or ROTC coursework may be applied to free electives.
Q: What is the minimum QPA needed to graduate?
A: ECE students must have a cumulative, CIT, and ECE QPA of at least 2.0 in order to graduate. Your cumulative QPA consists of all factorable courses you have taken as a student at CMU. Your CIT QPA consists of all factorable courses you have taken at CMU after your first year. Your ECE QPA consists of the 121 units of ECE coursework. Please see your academic advisor if you need clarification on this policy.
Q: What is the overload policy in ECE?
A: ECE students may not overload in their first semester of Sophomore year. After their first semester, ECE students must have a cumulative QPA of 3.5 or higher in order to overload (which increases your max units to up to 66 units). Students with a cumulative QPA of less than a 3.5 must attain a semester QPA of 3.5 or higher to overload and therefore need to wait until after final grades are released for the semester. Please note that overloading is not a recommended strategy - please talk to your academic advisor before overloading your schedule.
Q: How do I find research opportunities as an undergraduate student?
A: The best way to find a research opportunity is to visit the Student Project Tracker (SPT) website. ECE students can view, apply, and accept research projects on this website. If students are interested in research that is not already posted on this website, you can reach out to the faculty you are interested in working with directly to have the project posted online.
Q: What is the difference between my academic advisor and my faculty advisor?
A: We have outlined this difference on our website in the Resources for Creating a Course Schedule section.
Q: How do I schedule an appointment with my advisor?
A: To schedule an appointment with your academic advisor, please click the link available in any of the emails from any of the academic advisors, or by scheduling here. 15 or 30 minute appointments are available most days.
Q: What is the "IMB" (Integrated Masters/Bachelor) program and how do I apply?
A: The Integrated Master's/Bachelor's program (otherwise known as the
Q: How can I find information on scholarships?
A: he CMU Student Financial Aid page also has a list of useful links and resources. The CMU Fellowships and Scholarships Office is another helpful resource for students.
Q: Where can I find information on transferring credit from another university?
A: Please refer to the college's information on transferring courses from other universities. If you wish to take ECE major-specific courses at another university, please consult with your academic advisor.