Electrical Engineering (ELE)

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The Department of Electrical Engineering offers one undergraduate degree: a B.S. in electrical engineering. The B.S. in electrical engineering offers five areas: microelectronics, power/controls, signal processing and communications, electromagnetics, and computer engineering. The B.S. in electrical engineering will equip students with the basic competence and job skills needed to design, develop, and operate systems which generate and use electronic signals. These technologies include machinery, electronics, communications and computers.

As a profession, electrical engineering demands the individual to work with others in supporting disciplines to achieve common goals. Design is central to the profession and is integrated throughout the curriculum. The design experience is supported by concepts related to reliability, maintainability, and product value. The student is encouraged to approach central technical issues with increased awareness of logistical, ethical, and social implications. Respect for the safety of persons and property is integral to the electrical engineering curriculum.

Accelerated B.S./M.S. Sequence

This accelerated sequence leads to both the B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering and is open to all undergraduate electrical engineering majors who finished at least 90 semester hours of undergraduate course work with a minimum GPA of 3.00. A minimum GPA of 3.00 must be maintained during the course of study. Failure to meet the requirements of the accelerated sequence may lead to a B.S. degree only, but only after all the requirements for that degree have been met.

With this program, M.S. courses can be taken three semesters prior to earning the B.S. degree and have up to 18 semester hours count towards both the M.S. and B.S. degrees. A GRE is not required. Students must meet Graduate School application deadlines. Interested students should talk with an adviser as early as possible and are encouraged to apply during the spring semester of their junior year.

Students wishing to take part in this program should be aware of all the regulations and restrictions of accelerated baccalaureate/master’s degree programs as outlined in the NIU Graduate School Catalog under the heading of Early Admission of NIU Undergraduates; and Admission to Accelerated Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Programs.

All students enrolled in this sequence must have their schedule approved by their faculty adviser each semester. Any deviation from an approved course schedule may delay graduation.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Electrical Engineering is to join the university in its commitment to the transmission, expansion, and application of knowledge through teaching, research, and public service. In this commitment, the department features close interaction with area industries and fosters an ongoing exchange of ideas to benefit its students, alumni, and the community at large.

Electrical Engineering Program Educational Objectives

As individuals or as members of teams, our graduates will have:

• A solid background in mathematics, science, and engineering fundamentals that make it possible to acquire and use contemporary knowledge and tools to practice electrical engineering, in a professional and ethical way, as well as to succeed in graduate education.
• The ability to develop problem-solving skills to design and build systems and to communicate, orally and in writing, with others from inside and outside the profession.

Electrical Engineering Program Educational Objectives

As individuals or as members of teams, our graduates will have:

• A solid background in mathematics, science, and engineering fundamentals that make it possible to acquire and use contemporary knowledge and tools to practice electrical engineering, in a professional and ethical way, as well as to succeed in graduate education.
• The ability to develop problem-solving skills to design and build systems and to communicate, orally and in writing, with others from inside and outside the profession.

Program Learning Outcomes

The Electrical Engineering program is designed to provide our graduates with:

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.

2. 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.

3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.

7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Department Requirements

All electrical engineering students must have their schedule reviewed, approved, and signed by their faculty adviser each semester. Any deviation from an approved course schedule may delay graduation.

Electrical Engineering Faculty

Mansoor Alam, Ph.D., Indian Institute of Science, Professor and Chair
Ibrahim Abdel-Motaleb, Ph.D., P.E., University of British Columbia, professor
Veysel Demir, Ph.D., Syracuse University, associate professor
Hadan Ferdowski, Ph.D., Missouri University of Science and Technology, assistant professor
Benedito Fonseca, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, assistant professor
Michael Haji-Sheikh, Ph.D., University of Texas, Arlington, professor
Reza Hashemian, Ph.D., P.E., University of Wisconsin, emeritus professor
Venumadhav Korampally, Ph.D., University of Missouri, associate professor
Wei Li, Ph.D., University of Victoria, assistant professor
Lichuan Liu, Ph.D., New Jersey Institute of Technology, professor
Mohammad Moghimi, Ph.D. Montana State University, assistant Professor
Donald Zinger, Ph.D., P.E., University of Wisconsin, professor

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