Program Overview

Mission Statement

To be prepared for employment as a contributing engineer and/or for graduate-level education, students within the ECE Department receive instruction that is balanced between theory and practice. In fact, much of our curriculum integrates theory and practice within each course. It is common to study new devices and techniques, and then immediately work with these devices/techniques in a laboratory setting. In response to the breadth of ECE, all students work with their academic advisor to develop a broad-based program of study. As with most engineering curricula, ECE study includes a solid foundation of mathematics and science. Discipline-specific study in ECE usually begins early in a student's career - during the second half of the freshman year - with courses providing a broad overview of the entire field. During the sophomore and junior years, students learn the core analysis, design and laboratory skills necessary to a broad range of ECE sub-disciplines. When desired, specialization within ECE occurs during the junior and senior years. In addition, all students complete a major qualifying project (MQP). This project, typically completed in teams during the senior year, is an individualized design or research project that draws from much of the prior instruction. Utilizing the benefit of individualized instruction from one or more faculty members, students develop, implement and document the solution to a real engineering problem. Many of these projects are sponsored by industry, or are associated with ongoing faculty research. These projects form a unique bridge to the engineering profession.

Program Educational Objectives

The WPI ECE program educates future leaders of the electrical and computer engineering profession with a program characterized by curricular flexibility, student project work, and active involvement of students in their learning. Through a balanced, integrated curriculum, graduates of the BS program in ECE will achieve:

An education which is strong both in the fundamentals and in state-of-the-art knowledge,
Preparation for immediate professional practice as well as graduate study and lifelong learning,
Broad preparation for their professional and personal lives, providing the basis for effective professional and civic leadership and informed citizenship,
Strength in all forms of technical and nontechnical communication,
The ability for effective teamwork,
An understanding of the broad social and ethical implications of their work.

Endorsed by the ECE faculty on 23 August 2006.

Program Outcomes

Based on the department's educational objectives, students will achieve the following specific educational outcomes within a challenging and supportive environment:

Preparation for engineering practice, including the technical, professional, and ethical components
Preparation for future changes in electrical and computer engineering
A solid understanding of the basic principles of electrical engineering, computer engineering, and the relationship between hardware and software
An understanding of appropriate mathematical concepts, and an ability to apply them to ECE
An understanding of the engineering design process, and ability to perform engineering design, including the needed teamwork and communications skills
Demonstration of in-depth understanding of at least one specialty within ECE
An ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form
An understanding of options for careers and further education, and the necessary educational preparation to pursue those options
An ability to learn independently
The broad education envisioned by the WPI Plan, and described by the Goal and Mission of WPI
An understanding of engineering and technology in a societal and global context.

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Last modified: April 23, 2008 11:42:18