University of Alaska Fairbanks

1996-1997 catalog

Degrees and Programs


Electrical Engineering

College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics
Department of Electrical Engineering
(907) 474-7137

Degrees: B.S., M.E.E., M.S.

Minimum Requirements for Degree: B.S.: 135 credits; M.S.: 30 additional credits; M.E.E.: 32 additional credits

Electrical engineering encompasses the areas of computer applications and design, electrical power transmission and distribution, telecommunications and electronics. The electrical engineer designs and oversees the construction, installation and maintenance of electrical systems providing light, heat and power. Engineers design the communication systems of telephone, radio and television as well as the transistors and integrated circuits used in these systems. People trained in computer engineering automate businesses, factories, pipelines and refineries; and design control systems and computers which guide trains, planes and space vehicles. Even the test devices and tools of investigation in medicine, in physics, in geology and in other sciences are today largely electronic.

The scope of electrical engineering has expanded tremendously in recent years. Many developments have been important in this expansion, including automatic control theory, environmental monitoring, communications theory, new geophysical instrumentation, extra-high voltage power transmission, medical electronics, plasmas, magneto hydrodynamics, integrated circuits, satellites, and mini and microcomputers. The process controls in the extraction, transmission and refining of petroleum products are largely the responsibility of the electrical and computer engineer. Development of techniques for utilizing new energy sources presents a challenge, requiring much imagination and resourcefulness. Advanced training in engineering science and mathematics is required for creative work in these areas.

The curriculum is designed to insure that basic fundamentals are learned, as well as specialized skills. The practical needs of engineers who plan to enter practice immediately upon graduation, as well as the theoretical background needed for individuals planning to pursue graduate studies, have been taken into account in our program. Candidates for the bachelor of science degree will be required to take the State of Alaska Engineer-In-Training Examination in their general field.

Graduate degree programs in electrical engineering are closely connected with research activities of the faculty. Research areas in electrical engineering emphasize high latitude problems, and include such areas as: data communications, telecommunications, electromagnetic wave propagation, satellite communications, digital and physical electronics, computer and microcomputer applications, remote biomedical and environmental instrumentation, electric energy system analyses, electric power quality improvement, geomagnetic storm interaction with electric energy systems, system identification and simulation and digital signal processing.

The M.S. degree program includes research and advanced specialized study with a thesis. The M.E.E. degree program is composed of coursework with the possibility of a research project.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Electrical Engineering B.S. Degree

  1. Complete the general university requirements.
  2. Complete the following degree and program (major) requirements. Students must plan their elective courses in consultation with their electrical engineering faculty advisor, and all elective courses must be approved by their electrical engineering faculty advisor.

    First Year
    Fall Semester (16 credits)
    ENGL 111X Methods of Written Communication (3)
    MATH 200X Calculus (4)
    ES 101 Introduction to Engineering (2)
    Perspectives on the Human Condition (3)
    CHEM 105 General Chemistry (4)
    Spring Semester (17 credits)
    COMM 131X or 141X (3)
    MATH 201X Calculus (4)
    EE 102 Intro. to Electrical Engineering (3)
    CHEM 106 General Chemistry (4)
    Perspectives on the Human Condition (3)

    Second Year
    Fall Semester (18 credits)
    MATH 202X Calculus (4)
    PHYS 211 General Physics (4)
    ES 201 Computer Techniques (3)
    EE 203 Fund. of Elec. Engineering (4)
    ENGL 211X Intermediate Exposition with Modes of Literature      or ENGL 213X Intermediate Exposition (3)
    Spring Semester 16 credits
    MATH 302 Differential Equations (3)
    PHYS 212 General Physics (4)
    ES 208 Mechanics (4)
    EE 204 Fund. of Elec. Engineering (4)
    LS 101 Library Information and Research (1)

    Third Year
    Fall Semester (17 credits)
    EE 333 Physical Electronics (4)
    EE 353 Circuit Theory I (3)
    Approved Math Elective** (3)
    Perspectives on the Human Condition (3)
    Option I: Communications
    EE 311 Applied Engineering Electromagnetics (3)
    EE 331 High Frequency Lab (1)
    Option II: Power and Control
    EE 303 Electrical Machinery (4)
    Option III: Computer Engineering
    EE 343 Digital Syst. Analysis & Design I (4)
    Spring Semester (18 credits)
    EE 334 Electronic Circuit Design (4)
    EE 354 Engineering Signal Analysis (3)
    Perspectives on the Human Condition (3)
    EE 471 Fundamentals of Automatic Control (4)
    Option I: Communications
    EE 312 Electromagnetic Waves and Devices (3)
    EE 332 Electromagnetics Laboratory (1)
    Option II: Power and Control
    EE 404 Electric Power Systems (4)
    Option III: Computer Engineering
    EE 443 Digital Systems Analysis and Design II (4)

    Fourth Year
    Fall Semester (18 credits)
    Perspectives on the Human Condition (3)
    Option I: Communications
    Approved Engineering Science Elective*** (3)
    EE 303 Electrical Machinery (4)
    EE 343 Digital Systems Analysis and Design I (4)
    EE 461 Communications Systems (4)
    Option II: Power and Control
    Approved Engineering Science Elective*** (3)
    EE 311 Applied Engineering Electromagnetics (3)
    EE 331 High Frequency Lab (1)
    EE 406 Electrical Power Engineering (4)
    EE 343 Digital Systems Analysis and Design I (4)
    Option III: Computer Engineering
    EE 303 Electrical Machinery (4)
    EE 311 Applied Engineering Electromagnetics (3)
    EE 331 High Frequency Lab (1)
    EE 451 Digital Signal Processing (4)
    EE 461 Communications Systems (4)
    Spring Semester (15 credits)
    ESM 450 Economic Analysis and Operation (3)
    Perspectives on the Human Condition (3)
    Approved Engineering Science Elective*** (3)
    Approved EE Elective (3-4)
    Approved EE Design Elective (3-4)
    Must take State of Alaska Engineer-in-Training Examination

*Perspectives on the Human Condition and ES 201 may be interchanged if student's mathematics preparation allows.

**Mathematics elective to be chosen from the following advanced topics: linear algebra and matrices, probability and statistics, partial differential equations, numerical analysis, advanced calculus or complex variables.

***Engineering science elective to be chosen from ES 331, ME 334, ES 341 and ES 346.

Graduate Degree Requirements

Electrical Engineering M.E.E. Degree

Admission Requirements

Those entering the Master of Electrical Engineering degree program should have completed a bachelors degree in electrical engineering. Students with bachelors degrees in other fields should work out a program to remove background deficiencies with their graduate committee.

Degree Requirements

The M.E.E. is structured to be a terminal degree for the practicing professional engineer. Students must complete UAF degree requirements, and complete 32 credits of coursework, beyond the Bachelor of Science degree, approved by their advisory committee. At least 26 credits must be at the 600 level. Courses may be selected from electrical engineering and related fields. A research project is not required, although up to six credit hours of research may be completed as part of the degree program. Candidates must pass a department-administered written comprehensive examination. If a research project is part of the degree program, an oral project presentation and defense is required.

Electrical Engineering M.S. Degree

Admission Requirements

Students entering the Master of Science in electrical engineering degree program should have completed a bachelors degree in electrical engineering. Students with bachelors degrees in other fields should work out a program to remove background deficiencies with their graduate committee.

Degree Requirements

Students must complete UAF degree requirements, and complete 30 credits of coursework, beyond the Bachelor of Science degree, approved by their advisory committee. At least 24 credits, including thesis and research must be at the 600 level. Courses may be selected from electrical engineering and related fields. A thesis must be completed, carrying a maximum of 12 credits.

Candidates for the M.S. degree in electrical engineering must pass a department-administered comprehensive examination and an oral thesis presentation and defense.