Today's technological world is driven by the electronics and electronic systems, developed and advanced by electrical engineers, that are found embedded in a large portion of today's commercial and consumer products. The electronic systems and subsystems (including both hardware and software components) are increasing exponentially in complexity and sophistication each year. The familiar expectation that next year's computer and communications products will be far more powerful than today's is an expectation seen in all products incorporating electronics. The high (and increasing) complexity and sophistication of these electronic products may not be seen by the casual user, but they are understood, delivered and advanced by electrical engineers. The field of electrical engineering encompasses areas such as telecommunications, data networks, signal processing, digital systems, embedded computing, intelligent systems, electronics, optoelectronics, solid-state devices and many others. The Department's program is designed to provide our electrical engineering graduates with the tools and skills necessary to understand and apply today's technologies and to become leaders in developing tomorrow's technologies and applications.

    The principles and practices of electrical engineering rest upon the broad base of fundamental science and mathematics that defines the School of Engineering's core program. A sequence of electrical engineering courses provides the student with an understanding of the major themes defining contemporary electronic systems as well as depth in the mathematics and principles of today's complex electronic systems. Students select elective courses to develop depth in areas of personal interest. In addition to electrical engineering elective courses, the student can draw upon computer engineering and other Stevens' courses to develop the skills appropriate for their career objectives. In the senior year, students complete a significant, team-based engineering design project through which they further develop their skills.

Mission and Objectives
    The mission of the undergraduate electrical engineering program in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is to provide a balanced education in fundamental principles, design methodologies and practical experiences in electrical engineering and in general engineering topics through which the graduate can enter into and sustain a lifelong professional career of innovation and creativity.

    The overriding objective of the electrical engineering program is to provide the graduate with the skills and understanding needed to design and build innovative new products and services, which balance the rival requirements of competitive performance/cost and practical constraints imposed by available technologies.

    Graduates of the Electrical Engineering program will

• Understand the evolving electronic devices and systems from their underlying physical principles and properties.

• Design electronic devices, circuits and systems by applying underlying mathematical principles, software principles and engineering models.

• Perform effectively in team-based electronic engineering practice.

• Be proficient in the systematic explorations of alternatives for electronic systems design.

• Demonstrate compliance with professional ethics, for example, as stipulated in the IEEE Code of Ethics.

• Be proficient in the use of communications (oral presentations and written reports) to articulate their ideas effectively.

• Participate in continuing learning and self-improvement necessary for a productive career in computer engineering.

Play leadership roles in their professions.  

    One of the most rapidly growing fields today is computer engineering. This includes the design, development and application of digital and computer-based systems for the solution of modern engineering problems, as well as computer software development, data structures and algorithms, and computer communications and graphics. The department provides our computer engineering students with the tools and skills necessary to understand and apply today's technologies and to become leaders in developing tomorrow's technologies. The program prepares students to pursue professional careers in industry and government, and to continue their education in graduate school, if they choose.

    Students in the computer engineering program begin by studying the scientific foundations that are the basis for all engineering. Specialized electrical engineering, computer engineering and computer science courses follow, providing depth in the many issues related to computers, data networks, information systems and related topics used in contemporary commercial and industrial applications. Students may direct their interests into areas such as computer and information systems, software/software engineering, and computer architectures and digital systems. In addition to computer engineering courses, the student can draw upon electrical engineering and computer science courses to develop the skills appropriate for their career objectives. In the senior year, students have the opportunity to participate in an actual engineering design project which is taken directly from a current industrial or commercial application.