UW’s electrical & computer engineering department hosts transition to new degree program | Community







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UW’s electrical & laptop engineering (ECE) division not too long ago declared the changeover from their Bachelor’s of Science degree in electrical engineering (BSEE) to an electrical and computer engineering (BSECE) degree. This improve, which will just take influence in Autumn 2022, will come as the final result of a long-time period work by the section to sufficiently symbolize the multi-faceted self-discipline. 

The transition commenced again in 2018 when the office itself altered its title from EE to ECE.

“For a long time, our division has been doing more than electrical engineering,” Dr. Eric Klavins, chair of the ECE section, mentioned. “We’ve been constructing computers, making use of computers, building desktops. Computing is a massive section of what we do and so, in 2018, the division modified its identify from EE to ECE.” 

Then, the real problem began: In excess of the system of nearly a few several years, Klavins and his crew labored tirelessly to create a degree plan that would mirror the department’s principles. 

“We talked to most people,” Klavins mentioned. “We had each faculty member in our office reviewing many iterations of the proposed improvements. We had [input from] college students on our University student Advisory Council … [and Curriculum Committee] … We also experienced to speak to other departments, the college or university, community faculties, our alumni, our field advisory board, and the companies that retain the services of our learners mainly because they all want to know what we’re performing with our curriculum.” 

Klavins reported he thinks the program roll-out will be a sleek transition. 

“We are definitely assured in the benefits,” Klavins said. “It has been looked at by so lots of folks that I feel it’s bulletproof.”

The BSECE diploma introduces two new core classes, EE 201: Laptop Components Capabilities and EE 280: Checking out Devices, that generate a more robust basis for learners getting into the willpower. Pursuing the completion of the core curriculum, learners are equipped to assemble a path by way of the degree, with programs that concentrate on their possess pursuits within just the field. 

“ECE is an exceptionally broad subject,” Klavins said. “And I consider that the actuality of ECE is that all of that stuff can be merged into a diploma in diverse techniques relying on the human being, and I’m just thrilled that students will have a opportunity to set together their own intellectual landscape and discover the way they want to check out and that we can give them that flexibility.” 

In accordance to the formal announcement of the system, new admits will only be equipped to enter the BSECE program, but both of those BSEE and BSECE levels will be awarded right up until all students presently enrolled in EE both graduate or switch to ECE, which will most likely be by the close of 2026. 

Although increasing seniors finishing their BSEE degrees will be not able to change to an ECE diploma owing to time and ability constraints, Klavins claimed that the diploma title on the diploma is not what issues. 

“We designed the degree considerably much more adaptable, but it is nonetheless the identical EE classes that we presently have,” Klavins said. “All of our constituents know what office the pupils are coming from. And they never treatment that substantially about what the title of the degree is what they care about is that they came from this wonderful office.”

As for the long term, Klavins and the ECE division explained they are extremely thrilled about what the new software can give possible pupils.

“UW has so many excellent prospects inside by itself further than departments,” undergraduate advisor for the ECE office Stephanie Swanson stated. “So I’m fired up this degree will let students to not only personalize their interests inside of the program but also within UW, and so they’ll get a great deal additional out of the UW experience.” 

Reach contributing writer Alexandra Yakimova at [email protected] Twitter: @alex_theyak

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