Undergraduate Studies
Electrical and computer engineers enjoy flexibility in career options and many engineering careers turn toward management as they mature. NC State University is known worldwide for providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary in all aspects of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Application InformationFinancing InformationWhat’s Electrical Engineering?
Electrical engineers design many of the systems that we use every day, including the nation’s electrical power grid, computer systems, cell phones, communications satellites, biomedical devices, automatic control systems, robotics, nanotechnology, renewable energy, and much more. Our students use scientific and engineering principles to design new and better electronics, solve real-world challenges, and improve our quality of life.
What’s Computer Engineering?
Computer engineers design computers and computer-based systems, and their work impacts nearly every aspect of modern technology: the Internet, smartphones, video games, 3DTV, biomedical equipment, autonomous vehicles, WiFi and cellular networks, and much more. Computer engineers are, first and foremost problem solvers – they make computers work better, faster and more efficiently. Computer engineering is among the most lucrative fields in engineering, according to Forbes magazine.
Unlike electrical engineering or computer science, computer engineering primarily deals with how to build computer systems, hence there is more emphasis on hardware and low-level software that make up the systems. In contrast, computer science explores how to process information using computer systems, thus leading to a focus in software.
Revolutionize the nation’s power grid
Build the most powerful supercomputer in the world
Work on the next-generation smartphone
Invent a device capable of diagnosing tuberculosis in seconds
Launch a start-up that becomes the next big thing
and change the world everyday.
Powered by Renewable Energy.
ECE has partnered with the Center for Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) to offer an undergraduate concentration in Renewable Electric Energy Systems (REES). This concentration enables students to understand how to generate secure, sustainable, and environmentally friendly energy to significantly improve U.S. energy independence and reduce carbon emissions.
Your Health. Our Technology.
Our students can minor in Nano Science and Technology through our Center for Advanced Self-Powered Systems of Integrated Sensors and Technologies (ASSIST). Students will be trained in the fundamentals of nano-scale materials, devices, and systems for a broad variety of applications within the world of wearable health monitoring systems – preparing them to contribute to this global industry.
Stringent Accreditation
Both the Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering programs at NC State are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
MakerSpace
In late 2016, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering opened the ECE MakerSpace in Engineering Building II, consisting of two facilities – the Robert M. Kolbas MakerSpace, and the William F. Troxler MakerSpace. The two spaces serve to provide all of the resources students need to realize electronics and fabrication projects, both for Senior Design and other coursework as well as extracurricular and personal experimentation and creation.
The Kolbas MakerSpace provides all the tools required for students to work on electrical projects with state-of-the-art testing and soldering stations, in addition to multiple 3-D printers to aid in prototyping. The Troxler MakerSpace allows for fully-fledged fabrication with a complete wood and metal workshop.
The MakerSpace will enable and encourage students to be involved in hands-on engineering projects in their coursework and of personal interest.
Hands-on Education
Student learn best by doing, so ECE has adopted the Analog Discovery unit throughout our curricula, aiming to accelerate and deepen learning, and have more fun.
The Analog Discovery 2 is a portable and full-featured toolbox that can measure, visualize, generate, record, and control both analog and digital signals. It packs enough punch that it can be used to study and design the vast majority of circuits and signals in our ECE program, augmenting hands-on experiences with traditional desktop workstations.
Senior Design Project
The ECE Senior Design experience is a two semester course (ECE 484\ECE485) designed to prepare students for the workplace through hands on experience in the design and development of a real world solution. Students learn about the product life cycle and about development processes utilizing system engineering and project management techniques.
Students working in teams start with a problem statement, then define product requirements, evaluate possible solutions and perform design tradeoff analyses, then define a system solution, develop a project plan, and share a presentation of their system design and plan at a design review. Next students complete their detailed design and then build a working prototype and verify their solution. Students then present their prototype solutions at Engineering Design Day.
Finally, students document their design process and design solution in a final report. The final report also includes a summary of lessons learned and possible future enhancements.
You’ve got Options
Your Return on Investment
Earning potential for Electrical and Computer Engineers in the twenty-first century is excellent. The average first term co-op (cooperation education) earns approximately $18.00/hour.
- New BS graduates start out earning an average of $58,000 per year.
- The new MS graduate earns an average of $71,000 per year.
- Graduates who acquire a PhD start at average earnings above $80,000 per year.
Both degrees are also excellent entry points for careers in patent law, business, management, or medicine. The opportunity to develop new technologies and improve existing ones help to make a career in ECE both challenging and exciting. Our graduates don't just work with tomorrow's technology, they create it.
Double Major (EE & CPE)
Students who complete first-year engineering requirements can apply to CODA in the EE/CPE Dual Degree program.
The curriculum follows the CPE curriculum, taking ECE 303 as the open elective, and adding three extra classes (1 foundation elective and 2 EE electives)
Transferring from an Outside Institution
If you are a student seeking to transfer into the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at NC State University from an outside college or university, you should know how classes taken at an external institution transfer over as credit into the NC State Credit System. Follow this link for a list of AP scores that qualify for meeting transfer admission coursework requirements.
College-level work must be completed with a C or better grade at a regionally accredited institution to be considered for admission/transfer credit. Work completed in technical programs is not considered for transfer credit or GPA calculation. Credits awarded by another institution without a letter grade of C or higher cannot be used to meet admissions requirements.
You can browse Admissions Databases which detail which courses from other institutions with transfer to NC State.
Military and Veterans
The world needs great leaders like you. That’s why we are committed to helping veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families earn a first-rate engineering education from NC State.
Whether you are on active duty or transitioning from service, you need a program that does not require you to put the rest of your life on hold.
We can help. NC State’s online engineering and computer science programs allow you to get the same top-tier education as your on-campus peers — at a location and time convenient for you.
Learn more about Engineering Online for veterans and military personnel.
Department Information
Undergraduate Information
Undergraduate Curriculum
Renewable Electric Energy Systems
