Electrical Engineering (EE) Major

Steven Hietpas, Head
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building 214
605-688-4526
e-mail: steven.hietpas@sdstate.edu
http://www.sdstate.edu/eecs/

Faculty

Professor Hietpas, Head; Professors A. Andrawis, M. Andrawis, Brown, Galipeau, Helder; Professors Emeriti Ellerbruch, Knabach, Sander; Associate Professors Bommisetty, Fan, Fourney, Tan; Assistant Professors Farrokh-Baroughi, Bayat, He, Qiao, Yan.

Program

Electrical engineers play key roles in solving technical problems in many areas including biomedical engineering, communications, computers and digital hardware, electronic materials and sensor devices, image processing, control systems, alternative energy and power systems.

The mission of the Electrical Engineering program is to provide a rigorous, practical education for our students oriented toward problem solving; to conduct world-class research with a regional emphasis; and to provide technical assistance to existing and emerging businesses, industry, and government.

As a practicing electrical engineer, three years or more into their career, our alumni will:

1. Have achieved increases in duties and responsibilities within their positions and/or have been promoted to new positions.
2. Have achieved advanced studies in electrical engineering or other engineering/ professional fields.

The program begins the first year developing a strong foundation in mathematics, science, and communications. Following this are two intensive years of study in circuit theory, electronics, signal and system theory, material science, and digital systems/microprocessors. The capstone of the program is Senior Design I-II, a two-semester sequence taken in the senior year, that places every student on a team that designs, builds, tests, and demonstrates a significant electrical engineering project. The projects are often in collaboration with industry and provide students valuable “real world” team design experience.

Academic and Graduation Requirements

Realizing that each student is an individual, the degree program is arranged to include 32 credits of elective coursework. This elective flexibility allows a student to pick a technical and non-technical course program that best suits his/her needs and interests. Students will be admitted into junior level EE courses only after they have completed EE 220, 220L, 222, 222L, 245 and 245L with minimum grades of “C.” Students will not be permitted to enroll in subsequent courses for which EE 220, EE 222, or EE 245 is a prerequisite until the above requirement has been met. Students must also pass all junior electrical engineering courses (with the exception of EE 385) prior to taking EE 464 (Senior Design I). In addition to the graduation requirements and academic performance specified in this catalog, to earn the Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering a student must earn a CGPA of 2.0 or higher for all his/her Electrical Engineering courses combined. All graduating seniors are required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination which leads to professional registration.

The non-technical (18), technical (14 EE 400 level), and required (104) credits comprise the 136 credit degree. The 18 required non-technical electives must be from a list of approved courses to meet graduation requirements. To meet the 12 credits of the South Dakota Regental System’s General Education requirements, students are required to take a minimum of six approved credits in Social Science/Diversity (SGR Goal 3) and six approved credits in Humanities and Arts/Diversity (SGR Goal 4). To meet the six credits of the Institutional Graduation requirements, students are required to take a minimum of three approved credits in Social Responsibility/ Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness (IGR Goal 1) and three approved credits in Land and Natural Resources (IGR Goal 3).

The 14 required technical electives must be from Electrical Engineering courses at the 400 level. These may be selected from specialization areas: Biomedical, Communications, Computers, Electronic Devices, Image Processing, or Power Systems.

Many students benefit from the Department’s Cooperative Education program which allows students to receive limited technical elective credit for working in industry while they complete their degree in Electrical Engineering. Many such students gain valuable work experience in industry during the summer months without extending the time required to complete the BS degree. The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science provides assistance to students desiring this practical experience. The Department also provides assistance in resume preparation and job placement.