B.S. Electrical Engineering

The Electrical Engineering undergraduate program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

ABET Accreditation

Our mission is to prepare students for rewarding careers and higher education. Our graduates will be able to solve complex technical problems and address the needs of modern society, and will pursue lifelong learning.

Electrical Engineering majors at Cal State Northridge receive a solid, broad-based education. Among the many topic areas in the basic curriculum are mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer programming, engineering materials, electrical circuits, engineering mechanics, thermodynamics, engineering economy, and numerical analysis. At the senior level, students are required to take an approved concentration in one of the Electrical and Computer Engineering options: biomedical engineering, communications, digital systems design, control systems, electronics, microwave and antenna engineering, or power systems.

 The Computer Engineering (CompE) program bridges the curriculum gap between Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. Computer Engineers deal with the hardware and software aspects of computer system design and development. The CompE curriculum contains components of both the Computer Science and Electrical Engineering programs.

Computer Engineering majors receive a broad knowledge in the basic curriculum. Among the many topics are: mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, electrical circuits, engineering economy, algorithms, programming, and computer organization. Computer Engineering students will take coursework in a number of areas (i.e. computer architecture, digital design) from both the software and hardware points of view, allowing them to get a broader, more complete exposure to the subject. Additionally, these curricula will be unified in the one year senior design project course bringing together the existing Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science programs.

The ECE department has 16 labs associated with its ECE classes. In the labs, students work alongside professors who may be designing medical instrumentation for health care, designing microcontroller based applications, developing pager and satellite communications systems, or working on innovations in electrical power systems.

All students in the EE or CompE programs take part in the department's senior design program, modeled on industry work groups that students will encounter on the job. Like professional engineers, students design and develop a project, from conception through manufacture. In the process, they gain valuable experience in working as a team, dealing with personalities as well as technical areas.

Senior design projects have included national intercollegiate competitions. Students compete in designing a micromouse and training it to run through a 10' square maze. Students also work on interdisciplinary teams to design, build, program, and test an unmanned autonomous helicopter. Other projects include developing a sophisticated stereo system, control system for satellite tracking antenna, television tuner, fabrication of hybrid circuit, etc.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science offers an Honors Cooperative Internship Program that allows juniors and seniors to complete their studies while holding down jobs as engineers.

A student chapter of the national professional society, the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers, meets on campus. Other active organizations include: 

• Tau Beta Pi (the engineering honors society)
• Eta Kappa Nu (the electrical engineering honors society)
• the Society for Women Engineers (SWE)
• the National Society for Black Engineers (NSBE)
• the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)

The department's practical approach to engineering offers hand's on design experience as well as theoretical knowledge. That's an advantage on the job because graduates actually have experience in constructing projects as well as designing them. Students who enjoy using math and science creatively to solve real-world problems will find rewarding careers as electrical and computer engineers.

Careers in Electrical Engineering:

Graduates in Electrical Engineering design and build communications systems, information processing, entertainment devices, medical diagnosis equipment, robotics control, navigation, and traffic control systems. Graduates can find work in virtually every industry. Among the major employers are electronic manufacturing firms, communications companies, the entertainment industry, public utilities, oil companies, laboratories, transportation companies, and chemical plants. Some graduates pursue professions as patent attorneys, technical writers, consultants, teachers, or technical sales representatives. This program not only prepares students to enter the work force, but also to enter graduate school to pursue an area of specialization.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Overall employment of electrical/electronics engineers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2016 to 2026. In May 2018, the median annual wage for electrical engineers was $96,640 while that for electronics engineers was $102,700.

It must be emphasized that this program is based upon an expectation of adequate high school preparation in science, mathematics, and English. High school courses should include algebra, plane geometry, trigonometry, chemistry, or physics (both desirable), and four years of English.

Students who have not had an adequate background of pre-engineering work in high school may be required to take some additional course work in their first year and may not be able to complete an engineering program in eight semesters. Entering beginning engineering students must take or be exempt from the Entry Level Mathematics Test and the Mathematics, Chemistry, and English Placement Tests before registration in basic courses will be permitted.

CSUN requires most beginning students to take the Entry Level Mathematics Exam (ELM) and the English Placement Test (EPT) prior to enrolling in their courses. Refer to Test Requirements for further details on these exams. In addition to these general University requirements, students in any of the engineering programs may also need the following exams:

• Mathematics Diagnostic Test (MDT) is required prior to enrollment in MATH 150A. Students who have passed or are exempt from the ELM should take this exam prior to enrolling in their classes so they may be placed in the appropriate mathematics course. Students with scores of 3, 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus AB or BC tests are exempt from the MPT.
• The Chemistry Placement Test (CPT) is required with a score of 40 or higher prior to enrolling in CHEM 101. Students who do not receive this score must receive a grade of “C” or better in CHEM 100 before taking CHEM 101.

All degree programs in engineering accommodate students beginning as freshmen or as transfer students. Transfer students should have completed lower division writing, mathematics, physics, and chemistry courses. Courses that are transferred into the major are reviewed to ensure that they satisfy the same requirements as courses at Northridge. Courses transferred into the engineering major must have been completed with a grade of C or better.

Procedure for Transfer:

• Transfer of courses are automatically processed and will appear on your Degree progress Report (DPR), if there is an Articulation Agreement between CSUN and the institution where the course was completed.
• For the Articulation Agreement, please refer to the following website:  http://www.assist.org/web-assist/welcome.html
• If there is no Articulation Agreement, a Course Substitution must be completed by the student and submitted to the Department.

The following requirements must be met:

1. Complete the Course Substitution Form.  Visit the ECE Department Office (Jacaranda Hall 4509)
2. The course(s) must already appear on your DPR.
3. Provide a catalog course description.
4. Provide a catalog description of any prerequisite(s) required for the course.

The following are minimum grade requirements (no exceptions will be waived):

• For all required courses in your major: C-
• For all transfer courses: C
• For all General Education (GE): D-
  • Basic Skills Requirements Section A (A.1 through A.4): C-
  • Such as ENGL 115, COMS 151/L, PHIL 230

* More stringent prerequisite requirements may apply to some courses.

Freshmen

All freshmen are required to make their academic advisement appointments with the CECS Student Services Center/EOP Satellite (Jacaranda Hall 4509, 818-677-2191) or with the Matador Advising Hub (Extended University Commons (EU) Room 150, 818-677-2900) prior to enrolling in all classes.  Based on the results of their placement tests, students will be placed in the appropriate courses and supplied with all advisement materials.

Sophomores

All sophomores are required to make their academic advisement appointments with the CECS Student Services Center/EOP Satellite (Jacaranda Hall 1501, 818-677-2191).

New Transfer Students

All new transfer students should meet with a faculty advisor in the ECE Department to meet and advise them into the proper classes for their first semester. All continuing undergraduate students in good standing are encouraged to seek advisement each semester.

Academic Probation or Disqualification

All students on Academic Probation or Disqualification are required to make an appointment with the Department Chair.

General Education  (27 Units)

Electrical Engineering majors have to follow a modified general education program depending upon the year and enrollment status as a college student. Returning and transfer students should consult an advisor before planning their general education programs.

Electrical Engineering students are required to take courses in the following GE sections: Analytical Reading and Expository Writing (3 units), Oral Communication (3 units), Social Sciences (3 units), Arts and Humanities (6 units), Comparative Cultures (6 units), U.S. History and Local Government (6 units). All other GE requirements are met through completion of courses in the major. Nine of the GE units must be at the upper division level and two courses must meet the Information Competency requirement.

Total Units Required for the Degree: 126

The B.S. in Electrical Engineering program requires a minimum of 126 units total, including:

1. General Education and Title 5 requirements of 27 units,
2. An Electrical Engineering core of 81,
3. A minimum of 18 units of approved electives.
4. Electrical Engineering majors must complete a minimum of 37 semester units of upper-division engineering courses, in residency, including Senior Design Project I and II. 

Lower Division Required Courses  (44 units)

NOTE:  All students must pass the English Placement Test with a score of 151 or above before enrolling in any 200-level engineering courses.

Upper Division Required Courses  (37 units)

NOTE:   All students must complete the Lower-Division Writing Requirement before enrolling in any 300-level engineering courses and in any 400-level engineering courses.

The senior core consists of a set of courses considered essential for all students who are seeking a career in Electrical Engineering.

Upper Division Electives  (18 units)

The senior elective packages must contain at least eighteen 400/500-level department courses and labs which are well balanced in both design and analysis. One of the electives must be either ECE 440/L (3/1) or ECE 442/L (3/1). Students will be required to take the corresponding labs for every elective chosen that offers a lab. For each lab taken, the corresponding lecture course is a corequisite. The student's total engineering program should contain at least one semester of engineering design.

Note: Students can take ECE 370L and/or ECE 480L as part of their senior electives.

All senior electives must be completed with a faculty advisor and approved by Department Chair, or a designee. A number of examples of suggested senior elective packages in the Electrical Engineering degree are available in the department office. Other programs are also possible and may be developed with an advisor.

The total number of units in the major is 99.

FOUR-YEAR PLAN - ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEGREE

This is a suggested schedule for students wishing to complete their degree in 4 years. The number of units required in each semester can be reduced by moving some courses into summer school or by spreading the program out over a longer time period.
Students are encouraged to meet regularly with an advisor.

FRESHMAN - YEAR 1

Fall - 1st Semester                                                      Spring - 2nd Semester         

SOPHOMORE - YEAR 2

Fall - 1st Semester                                                      Spring - 2nd Semester        

JUNIOR - YEAR 3

Fall - 1st Semester                                                      Spring - 2nd Semester        

SENIOR - YEAR 4

Fall - 1st Semester                                                      Spring - 2nd Semester        

*ECE Electives must be selected from the list on the next page. These electives may include ECE 370L and/or ECE 480L. A 4-unit course indicates a lecture/lab course, while a 3 unit course is lecture only. Students are always requested to take the lab for lecture/lab courses. See "Instructions for Filing Senior Program", available in the ECE Department Office.
** See "Engineering Major General Education Planning Form'.
*** Upper Division writing exam should be completed before the beginning of the Fall Semester in the Junior Year.

Major Evaluation Sheet

Total of 18 units of ECE Senior Electives required. Additional ECE 400/500 level courses may be added due to lack of Design units or unit Deficiency.

A combination of ECE Senior Elective courses may be chosen with the approval of faculty advisor.

Required Courses

1. Students must receive a grade of "C-" or better for all courses in the major. A grade of "C" or better is required in Math 150A, Math 150B and Math 250 to meet the mathematics prerequisite requirement.
2. ECE 492 & ECE 493 must be taken in residence.

If a student has taken all or some of the lower division core courses at some other school and has transferred them to CSUN, he or she still needs to complete the "Recommendation for Course Substitution or Waiver of Major or Minor Requirements for Bachelor's Degree" form (commonly referred to as the substitution form) that can be obtained from the ECE Department office or on the "students forms" section of the CSUN Admissions and Records website. This needs to be done before filing the senior program.  Exceptional cases should be reviewed by and discussed with your advisor.  If you do not have an advisor, go to the ECE Department Office.

Units/Design Units requirements:

All students receiving the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree must have a minimum of 39 Upper Division Engineering Units taken in residency, a minimum of 18 Engineering Design units taken in residency, and a minimum of 12 ECE Senior Elective Units taken in residency.  Senior Elective courses should be selected with these requirements in mind.

TO FILE A SENIOR PROGRAM:

1. Make an appointment to see the undergraduate advisor by contacting the ECE Department office. At this meeting, the undergraduate advisor will review your DPR with you and make sure you are aware of all remaining course requirements. The undergraduate advisor will recommend a Professor in your field of interest to be your career advisor and complete the senior program with you.
    
2. Make an appointment to see your advisor by contacting him or her during their office hours and indicate that you need to plan your senior program.  Allow 1 to 2 days notice for the advisor so that he or she can obtain your file.
    
3. Before meeting with your advisor, review the attached senior electives packages and make a tentative list of ECE senior courses you would like to take.  Do this on a worksheet with total units no less than 18. Note that 4 out of these 18 units are already included on the senior program form (ECE 440/L or ECE 442/L).  Hence at least 14 more 400/500 level units from the suggested senior elective packages need to be added.
   
   Also note that the "Packages for Senior Program" attached are only suggested and you can discuss any selection of courses that interest you with your advisor. Undergraduate ECE students are required to take both the lecture and the lab for all elective electrical engineering courses that have labs. (The labs for ECE 470 and ECE 480 are not required but may be taken and included as elective units.) Your TOTAL program must have at least 18 design units. 
   See #17 above for information on Senior Design Units.
    
4. Bring the attached forms with your worksheet to the meeting with your advisor. The advisor will forward the forms to the ECE Department office for the Chair's approval (please allow 1 week to process).
    
5. After the senior program has been signed by the student, advisor, and ECE Department Chair, the student can request a graduation check.  A graduation check is to be requested from the ECE Department office (JD4509) approximately one year before graduation.

NOTE: Should a student want to change his or her graduate program after the graduation check is completed, the student can do so by completing the following forms:

• Recommendation for Course Substitution or Waiver of Major or Minor Requirements for Bachelor's Degree form (commonly referred to as the substitution form)
• Request for Course Substitution Questionnaire

These two forms can be obtained from the ECE Department office. After completion of these forms, they are to be turned in to ECE Department for the Department Chair's approval.

Begin this process at least ONE MONTH prior to the deadlines below:

• Application for Spring/Summer Graduation: September 1st
• Application for Fall Graduation: March 1st
  Please Note: An additional $10.00 fee will be applied if applying after the deadline.

STEP 1: GRAD CHECK (PR Review with Undergraduate Coordinator)

• Contact the ECE Department Office (818-677-2190 or ece@csun.edu) to schedule an appointment with the ECE Undergraduate Coordinator (Dr. Ruting Jia). During this appointment, you will review your Degree Progress Report (PR) to confirm you are aware of any remaining course requirements.

STEP 2: COURSE SUBSTITUTION

• If you have transferred any courses towards your major outside of SUN, it is recommended you review your DPR to ensure those courses have been properly transferred and applied to the appropriate area. If they have not been properly transferred, please contact the ECE Undergraduate Coordinator for necessary course evaluations and substitution.
• Make sure that you provide an official course description from that university when you make the request. If that course has any prerequisites, you will need to attach those course descriptions as well.

STEP 3: SENIOR ELECTIVE PROGRAM

• After your appointment with the ECE Undergraduate Coordinator, you will be required to contact any ECE Full-Time faculty member (excluding the Department Chair and Undergraduate Coordinator) to select your Senior Elective Program corresponding to your major.
• Once formally selected, the Senior Elective Program will be submitted electronically to Admissions and Records for processing.

STEP 4: APPLICATION FOR BACHELOR'S DEGREE AND DIPLOMA

• About two weeks after completing Step 3, apply for graduation online by following the guide provided by CSUN.

STEP 5: AFTER GRADUATION APPLICATION SUBMISSION

• About two weeks after completing Step 4, review your PR and confirm the information is correct. If you have any questions, please contact the ECE Undergraduate Coordinator immediately. You will not graduate unless all listed requirements are complete.

Biomedical Engineering

Communications and Radar Engineering

Control Engineering

Digital and Computer Engineering

Electronics, Solid State Devices & Integrated Circuits Engineering

Microwave and Antenna Engineering

Power Systems Engineering