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Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
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Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Undergraduate Programs

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What can you study?

At Iowa State University, you are admitted to the engineering program of your choice and begin taking courses in your major right away during your first year. Our electrical, computer and cyber security engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Explore our degree programs below.

Majors

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE) offers four Bachelor of Science degree programs. A bachelor’s degree in any of these areas could lead to careers in industries ranging from health care, renewable energy, and retail to security, gaming, and telecommunications. All of these areas also provide opportunities to work with teams of engineers and make a huge difference in the lives of people worldwide in your career.

Overview of bachelor’s degree requirements

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    Computer Engineering

    Develop systems to protect many of the critical infrastructures that the United States relies on for our country’s day-to-day operations. Invent new technologies and make things such as smartphones, computers, robots, and medical equipment faster, smaller, cheaper, smarter, and safer. Plus, catch cyber criminals and help keep your personal computer and information secure.

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    Cyber Security Engineering

    This degree program stems from our belief that cyber security can no longer be an afterthought or an added layer; it must be an integrated component throughout the four-year curriculum. The major is new, but Iowa State has been teaching and researching cyber security since 1995, making it one of the oldest programs in the country. Students will gain a strong foundation in computer engineering concepts while applying engineering methodology to solve complex cyber security problems.

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    Electrical Engineering

    Impact the nation’s electric power systems, biomedical imaging equipment that doctors use, tiny chips that operate your smartphone and other electronics, wireless technologies that people use worldwide, and nanotechnologies that biologists use to conduct experiments. Enhance technology to test hidden flaws in car engines and medical equipment, and improve electronic car safety systems. Plus, help the environment by developing and incorporating wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources into the power grid.

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    Software Engineering

    Expand the limits of what computers, cell phones, pacemakers, and other electronic devices can do by developing and improving software that runs those devices. Work on a team to design, implement, and maintain software systems that are reliable, efficient, and affordable. Apply your software knowledge to areas such as real-time systems, virtual reality, and gaming, as well as improve operation of medical equipment and hybrid-electric cars. This major is offered jointly with the Department of Computer Science.

Learn more about ECpE majors

All engineering majors use principles of science, math, and problem solving to create cost-efficient, reliable, and safe solutions to technical problems. Engineering is where science meets real-world applications to create products people need and things to make people’s lives better.

Engineering Minors

Interdisclipinary Minors

Concurrent Degree Programs

The ECpE department offers three concurrent degree programs that allow students to count up to 6 credits of coursework for both your bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. The programs may reduce by one year the normal time period for completing both degrees separately. The following are the concurrent degree programs currently offered:

The Bachelor of Science/Master of Science (BS/MS) Concurrent Degree Program allows well-qualified students to be admitted in either the electrical engineering or computer engineering graduate program while still working on their undergraduate degrees. They become full-time graduate students after the completion of their undergraduate degree program, and pursue a Master of Science with Thesis or Master of Science with creative component. This option is excellent for students who wish to pursue a research-related career.

BS/MS admission requirements

  • Cumulative GPA of 3.3 or better
  • Candidates may be seeking a Master of Science (with or without thesis) degree

BS/MS program requirements and guidelines

  • Students admitted to the concurrent BS/MS electrical or computer engineering degree program are allowed to double count up to 6 credits of graduate level coursework taken while an undergraduate (during the semester of concurrent enrollment) toward both their undergraduate and graduate program of study
  • Students also may transfer in up to 6 credits of graduate level coursework taken while an undergraduate that will NOT be counted toward their undergraduate program of study; the coursework must have a grade of B or better
  • Concurrent enrollment can be no longer than one semester

BS/MS course schedules 

For both the thesis and creative component options, up to 6 credits total will be double counted toward the undergraduate and graduate programs of study. Students may enroll in the concurrent degree program in the fall or spring semester. Below is an example of the credit hours BS/MS concurrent program students may take during the fall and spring semester.

Thesis Option (Entering Spring of Senior Year)

  • Spring of senior year: 6 credits undergraduate/graduate coursework + 6-9 credits undergraduate coursework
  • Fall (after BS completed): 9 credits graduate coursework + 3 credits research
  • Spring (after BS completed): 6 credits graduate coursework + 6 credits research

Non-thesis/Creative Component Option (Entering Spring of Senior Year)

  • Spring of senior year: 6 credits of undergraduate/graduate coursework + 6 credits graduate coursework
  • Fall (after BS completed): 12 credits graduate coursework
  • Spring (after BS completed): 9 credits graduate coursework + 3 credits creative component

BS/MS admission procedure

  1. Meet with your academic advisor to discuss the concurrent program and complete the Undergraduate advisor’s Form.
  2. Fill out a Concurrent Enrollment for Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Form from the Graduate College (under Concurrent Student Request Forms section).
  3. Follow steps number 2 and 3 on the Concurrent Enrollment for Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Form, and provide all documentation to the ECpE Student Services Office. The department will route the form to get all necessary signatures.

BS/MS application processing

Applications for the current program must be received by September 15 (to enter in the program in the spring) or January 15 (to enter the program in the fall). The Graduate College Admissions Office will receive the online information and will forward it to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Attention: Director of Graduate Education (DOGE), who will sign for acceptance or denial. The department will communicate the approval or denial to the Graduate College and Admissions Office and the student will receive a letter with the final decision. To check on the status of your application, visit the ECpE Student Services Office.  

The Bachelor of Science/Master of Engineering (BS/MEng) Concurrent Degree Program program requires coursework only, and does not require an oral examination, thesis, or creative component. It is directed toward students who do not wish to pursue a research-based career. It also enables students to take a job immediately after completing their bachelor’s degree, but continue to finish a master’s degree program at their own pace by taking courses via our online graduate program.

This program allows well-qualified students to be admitted in either the electrical engineering or computer engineering graduate program while still working on their undergraduate degrees. It is ideal for students who wish to pursue their master’s degree on a part-time basis after receiving their undergraduate degree.

BS/MEng admission requirements

  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Students must be within 18 credits of completing requirements for their bachelor’s degree

BS/MEng program requirements and guidelines

  • Up to 1 semester of concurrent enrollment is allowed (the semester in which the student has both undergraduate and graduate standing)
  • Up to 6 credits of 500 level courses in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering can be used for both the BS and MEng degrees, which are to be taken during the concurrent enrollment
  • Student will take at least 3 credits of 500 level courses during concurrent enrollment

BS/MEng application procedures

  1. Meet with your academic advisor to discuss the concurrent program and complete the Undergraduate advisor’s Form.
  2. Fill out a Concurrent Enrollment for Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Form from the Graduate College (under Concurrent Student Request Forms section).
  3. Follow steps number 2 and 3 on the Concurrent Enrollment for Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Form, and provide all documentation to the ECpE Student Services Office. The department will route the form to get all necessary signatures.

BS/MEng application processing

Applications for the concurrent program should be received by September 15 (to enter in the program in the spring) or January 15 (to enter the program in the fall).

The Graduate College Admissions Office will receive the online information and will forward it to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Attention: Director of Graduate Education (DOGE), who will sign for acceptance or denial.

The ECpE department will communicate the approval or denial to the Graduate College and Admissions Office and the student will receive a letter with the final decision. To check on the status of your application, visit the ECpE Student Services Office.

The Iowa State University College of Engineering and the College of Business offer an integrated, concurrent program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. The Engineering/MBA program is available to undergraduate students majoring in agricultural, civil, computer, electrical, industrial, or mechanical engineering. The Engineering/MBA concurrent degree program reduces by one year the normal time period for completing both degrees separately.

This program provides engineers strong business management skills to complement their engineering bachelor’s degree, giving them a competitive edge for advancement or leading to accelerated opportunities for growth into management positions.

See the sample study plans and admissions requirements on the Engineering/MBA website.

Got questions about our programs?

Contact our ECpE Student Services Office to talk with an academic advisor.