Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Electrical Engineering B.S.E.E.


TOTAL DEGREE HOURS: 128
Plans of Study

The Electrical Engineering major offers study in all areas fundamental to the analysis, design, and development of electrical devices and systems. ​The areas covered by the major include foundational topics such as circuits and electrical power and their many applications such as the Internet of Things, Smart Grid, Security, Data Analytics and Machine Learning & AI. The major offers curriculum tracks that include: Bioelectrical Systems, Communication Systems, Energy, Power and Sustainability, Mechatronics, Robotics and Embedded Systems, Micro and Nano-scale Systems and Wireless Systems and Systems and Security. Additional information on these areas may be found at: http://www.usf.edu/engineering/ee/documents/trackdescriptions.pdf. Well-equipped laboratories reinforce fundamental concepts, while providing real world hands-on exposure.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Electrical Engineering Department in the College of Engineering at the University of South Florida is to provide a high quality education in electrical engineering for our students and practicing professionals; create new knowledge and solve real world problems via innovative research, and disseminate this information for the benefit of society; and to engage in effective regional, national and international service and outreach.

Program Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes

Educational Objectives

The Electrical Engineering Department in the College of Engineering at the University of South Florida is committed to graduating electrical engineers who shall within a few years of graduation:

  • Demonstrate a progression in technical competence and increasing responsibility in the practice of engineering, and the ability to contribute to the diversity of thought and creativity in the workplace.
  • Continue to develop professionally through life-long learning, advanced education, or other creative pursuits in science and technology.

Student Outcomes

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

Please refer to the mission statement on the department website for additional information.

University Admissions - College of Engineering


Admission to the University is based on the University’s Undergraduate Admission Requirements that may be found by clicking on the following urls:

For Admission information specific to the College of Engineering, see the information at College of Engineering .

Progression Requirements in the Upper Division - Electrical Engineering B.S.E.E.


Electrical Engineering students who have fully met the below requirements and are in good academic standing, may progress into the upper division of the major. Prior to progression into the upper division, a student may be permitted to take no more than two departmental engineering courses beyond the first two years. Upon admission to the department all students must meet with the Undergraduate Program Coordinator, to discuss their pathway to graduation, and the department’s Academic Integrity policies.  The Department has continuation requirements which specify minimum performance standards in core major courses which must be met before further registration in the Department is granted.

  1. Completion of:

A minimum grade of C in each course and a 3.0 GPA based upon the best attempt in these courses (maximum two attempts) for guaranteed progression to the upper division, OR a 2.75 GPA based upon the best attempt in these courses for a conditional progression to the upper division pending review of complete transcript.
   2. A minimum overall GPA of 2.0
   3. A minimum USF GPA of 2.0

Departmental Policies


In addition to the College’s graduation requirement, the department has the following policies:

  • Students must consult with an academic advisor for the development of their individual academic study plan, and selection and approval of their Electrical Engineering Technical Electives. 
  • To hear a brief welcome message, access current course listings and to schedule an appointment with an EE undergraduate advisor, the student can use the following link https://www.usf.edu/engineering/ee/undergraduate/ugadvising.aspx 
  • In order to reach an EE undergraduate advisor via e-mail, please use the following: ENG-EEAdvising@usf.edu
  • Students must complete Exit interviews as a graduation requirement.

Required Courses: (116 credit hours)


State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites - Electrical Engineering B.S.E.E. (27 credit hours)*


Following Florida BOG Regulation 8.010, state mandated common course prerequisites are lower-division courses that are required for progression into the upper division of a particular baccalaureate degree program. 

Transfer students should complete the State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at a Florida College System institution, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Successful completion of the common prerequisites alone does not guarantee a student admission into the degree program. 

Unless stated otherwise, a grade of C- is the minimum acceptable grade in prerequisite courses. 

  • MAC X311 OR MAC X281 - 4 credit hours
  • MAC X312 OR MAC X282 - 4 credit hours
  • MAC X313 OR MAC X283 - 4 credit hours
  • MAP X302 OR MAP X305 - 3 credit hours
  • (CHM X045 AND CHM X045L) OR CHM X045C OR (CHS X440 AND CHS X440L) - 4 credit hours
  • (PHY X048 AND PHY X048L) OR PHY X048C - 4-5 credit hours
  • (PHY X049 AND PHY X049L) OR PHY X049C OR (PHY X044 AND PHY X049L) OR (PHY X042 AND PHY X049L) - 4-5 credit hours

* All state common prerequisite courses count towards major-required Mathematics and Science courses and are not additional credit hours

State Mathematics Pathway – Electrical Engineering B.S.E.E. (7 Credit Hours)*


The Electrical Engineering B.S.E.E. uses the Algebra through Calculus Mathematics Pathway with the following requirements:

Major Core Courses: 40-41 courses; 101-104 credit hours


Math and Science Courses: 10 courses; 27 credit hours


Major Core Courses: 18 courses; 43 credit hours


Elective Core: 4 courses; 12 credit hours


Students must choose four (4) out of the six (6) courses listed below. Each course serves as a “gateway” to one of the Technical Tracks (see technical tracks and technical electives lists below).  

Major Track Electives: 13 to 16 credit hours


Students must complete a minimum of two (2) technical tracks as areas of specialization.  To complete a track, students must select at least two (2) minimum 3-credit hour courses (called Track Electives) and one (1) minimum 1-credit hour laboratory (called Track Elective Labs) from courses listed under that track. The only exception is Track 6 in which the lab component is included in the Gateway course. As a general rule, courses cannot be double counted across different tracks or the core.

See Track and Technical Electives lists below. Please contact the department advisors (eng-eeadvising@usf.edu) for more information on registering for graduate courses.

Track 5: Micro and Nano-scale Systems


Track 6: Wireless Circuits and Systems


Capstone Design Sequence Courses: 2 courses; 6 credit hours


Technical Writing Course: 1 course; 3 credit hours


Major Technical Electives: 12 to 15 credit hours


Select 12 to 15 credit hours of course and laboratory work from any of the Electrical Engineering upper-level (3000- or 4000-level) courses listed in the Undergraduate Catalog. Students may choose more coursework under their two specialization tracks, or choose breadth over depth by choosing courses in other Electrical Engineering areas.  

The exact number of required credits for major technical electives depends on the selection of track elective courses and the number of credits taken in each track. The total number of credits completed in track and technical electives should be 28 hours.  For example, if students complete 14 credits in their track electives they are required to take 14 additional credits as their technical electives. If students complete 16 credits in their track electives due to registering for a 3-credit track elective lab in addition to two 3-credit track elective courses, they are required to take 12 additional credits as their technical electives.  

  • Students can complete up to 3 credit hours of general technical elective courses at the 3000 and 4000 levels, with prior department approval such as an engineering course outside of the Electrical Engineering department, courses in physics, math, biology etc. or the Leadership in Engineering course.
  • In order to recognize our students’ extra-curricular professional formation activities, the department also allows the students to take EEL 4940 - Undergraduate Internship Experience  for up to 3-credit hours if they secure an internship within the electrical engineering discipline. The credit hours will depend on the specifics of the internship (i. e., part-time versus full-time) and will be approved by the undergraduate program director Dr. Ismail Uysal. Students are encouraged to reach out to EE Advising at eng-eeadvising@usf. edu when they receive an offer for an internship for further instructions.
  • Students can also receive technical elective credits for undergraduate research activities. All students who engage in undergraduate research or independent study with a faculty member are expected to enroll in EEL 4915 - Advanced Undergraduate Research Experience  for 0-credit hours. Based on the specifics and work intensity of their research they can sign up for up to 3-credit hours to be counted towards their major electives.
  • The combined contribution of internship and research credits towards degree completion cannot exceed 3 hours.  For example a student can use 3-credits of internship or 2-credits of internship and 1-credit of research and so on.

Additional Information - Electrical Engineering B.S.E.E.


GPA Requirements


Students must have and maintain a minimum 2.0 semester GPA, 2.0 Math and Science GPA, 2.0 Engineering GPA, 2.0 Specialization GPA, 2.0 USF GPA, and 2.0 overall GPA

Grading Requirements


Unless otherwise stated, the minimum acceptable grade in BSEE required math, science, engineering and specialization courses is a C or higher (C- is insufficient).

Residency Requirements


Transfer students must complete a minimum number of approved specialization courses in the major at USF. The minimum number of USF specialization credit hours required is established by the respective academic department. In no case will this be less than 18 hours. Basic engineering courses are not considered specialization courses. The University residency requirement must also be met.

A dual degree student must meet the requirements of each major and have a minimum of 18 approved specialization hours taken in the degree granting department beyond those specialization hours required for the first degree.

Internship Opportunities


The College of Engineering and USF’s Center for Career and Professional Development Cooperative Education (Co-Op) program provides services for students interested in experiential educational experiences. A wide variety of industries and government agencies offer internships and cooperative education employment opportunities for engineering students. Participants gain valuable expertise in practical applications and other aspects of operations and development in a professional engineering environment. Students normally apply for participation in this program during their first year in the engineering college and pursue actual internships during their sophomore, junior, and senior years. 

Students seeking to secure an internship, are strongly encouraged to sign up on Handshake (https://usf.joinhandshake.com/login) and complete their profile.

Bachelor’s/Master’s Pathways


Students majoring in Electrical Engineering have the option to pursue one of the following Bachelor’s/Master’s Pathways:

  • B.S.E.E. in Electrical Engineering and M.S.E.E in Electrical Engineering
  • B.S.E.E. in Electrical Engineering and M.S.E.M. in Engineering Management
  • B.S.E.E. in Electrical Engineering and M.S.M.S.E. in Materials Science and Engineering

For more information, see the Graduate Catalog.

Accreditation Information


The Electrical Engineering (B.S.) program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Research Opportunities - College of Engineering


Undergraduate students in any degree program are able to participate in undergraduate research. Several options exist to show mentored undergraduate research activity on a student’s official transcript. Those who wish to enroll in an undergraduate research course should consult with their academic advisor to understand how the credit will apply towards the degree requirements. If no credit is needed, students may be eligible to enroll in the 0-credit IDS 4914 - Advanced Undergraduate Research Experience  course. This course will not impact degree credits or GPA but will show on an official transcript and document the experience. The Office of High Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research (HIPUR) is able to assist with further inquiries.

Advising Information - Electrical Engineering B.S.E.E.


All incoming freshman and transfer students must meet with one of the college advisors in the Engineering Student Services (ESS).

Engineering Student Services

Office: Engineering Building III (ENC) 1302
Phone: (813) 974-2684
Email(s): Can be found here: https://www.usf.edu/engineering/student-services/academic-advising/advisors.aspx

Website: www.usf.edu/engineering/student-services

Electrical Engineering students progressing into the upper-division should meet with one of the EE Department Undergraduate Advisors listed below.

Dr. Ismail Uysal

Undergraduate Program Director
iuysal@usf.edu
Engineering Building II (ENB) 366
(813) 974-8823

Ms. Amy Lyn Medicielo

Undergraduate Program Specialist
amedicielo@usf.edu
Engineering Building II (ENB) 379B
(813) 974-2659

eng-eeadvising@usf.edu is the main e-mail account for advising related questions. All information on upper-division EE advising along with useful links on class schedules and course permits can be found on the following website:

 https://www.usf.edu/engineering/ee/undergraduate/ugadvising.aspx