Programs Overview

Today’s electrical and computer engineers have a powerful role in creating social good, delivering innovations for a better future. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) offers two bachelor’s degrees: Electrical Engineering and Computer Systems Engineering. We also offer certificates in biomedical instrumentation and the security of cyber-physical systems. Non-majors can earn a minor in Electrical Engineering.

The Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering is launching a new undergraduate degree this fall — a bachelor of science in computer systems engineering.  This new degree has been developed in response to industry demand for engineers capable of integrating software and hardware solutions to produce a stable system.  An important thread in this new program is the security of cyber-physical systems, which will prepare students with an awareness of security issues in their field.

This degree will be a pathway for students to learn and apply engineering and computer science principles beyond the constraints of a traditional, single discipline-focused degree program. For instance, a graduate from this program will be able to work efficiently in an automation environment where the proposed Computer Systems Engineering degree has provided the electrical engineering background/principles for overall systems design, with the ability to use programming to automate systems and to understand how cyber hacking can impact the daily function of the systems. The quantitative, problem-solving skill set that comes with a systems engineering background will also provide a unique perspective and competitive edge for students seeking advanced degrees or industry certifications within their professional field of interest.

• See degree requirements for the BSCSE
• See the four-year plan for the BSCSE
• Take a look at the courses we offer
• Read about the application process
• Schedule an appointment with an advisor

The bachelor of science in electrical engineering (BS EE) from Boise State University provides students with a rigorous foundation in physics, mathematics, and computing. Core courses in electronics and digital systems orient students to the major and begin to build each student’s skills in problem analysis and design of experiments. The program concludes with a year-long design experience in which students carry out a team project with industry sponsors.

Our curriculum emphasizes basic theory to ensure students gain a solid technical foundation, and then build students’ skills through practical experience. Electives (18 credit hours) allow students to fully explore the major and try different specialty areas, such as power engineering, semiconductors, or security of cyber-physical systems. As a result, every student in the department has an opportunity to map out a unique program suited to her/his background, interests, and goals.

• See degree requirements for the BSEE
• View the four-year plan for the BSEE
• Take a look at the courses we offer
• Read about the application process
• Schedule an appointment with an advisor

Want to make a difference in your community? Get cutting-edge knowledge in your field? And build valuable teaching skills? Consider the IDoTeach program.  IDoTeach is an innovative secondary STEM teacher preparation program at Boise State University, offering talented STEM majors the opportunity to pursue teaching certification while earning a bachelor’s degree. A transcript and captions are available for the following video.

Earn a BS EE degree and graduate ready to teach by making these adjustments to your four-year plan:

• Take STEM-ED 220 Philosophical Perspectives on Science and Mathematics instead of a humanities elective
• Complete ED-CIFS 201 Education, Schooling, and Society instead of a social science elective
• Take STEM-ED 350 Research Methods and STEM-ED 410 Project-Based Instruction in place of technical electives
• Enroll in 12 additional credits:
  • STEM-ED 101 Step 1: Inquiry Approaches to Teaching
  • STEM-ED 102 Step 2: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design
  • STEM-ED 210 Knowing & Learning in Mathematics & Science
  • STEM-ED 310 Classroom Interactions
  • STEM-ED 480 Apprentice Teaching

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department offers a minor in Electrical Engineering, a perfect fit for many science and engineering majors. The minor requires six (6) courses plus accompanying labs. This minor can be earned with little additional coursework for Material Science Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or Computer Science majors if planned in advance.

For example, a BS in Computer Science already requires students to take two ECE courses and associated labs, ECE 230 Digital Systems and ECE 330 Microprocessors, which can be counted towards the ECE minor. A CS major would then need to take just four ECE courses in order to earn an ECE minor.

• View requirements for the EE minor
• Get instructions on how to add a minor

Biomedical Engineering is one of the fastest-growing fields in the United States, with a projected growth of 24% by 2024. In anticipation of rapid growth in positions for biomedical researchers in the medical device area, biotechnology, and medical supply companies, we’ve added a new Biomedical Instrumentation certificate.

This certificate is intended to bridge the gap between electrical engineering and biomedical engineering. Students will apply fundamental concepts from engineering and use them to design, build, and evaluate electrical systems used in medicine and research. We explore sensors (cochlear implants, pacemakers), signal processing (EEG, EMG, brain stimulation), and image processing (MRI, CT, x-ray), in the context of biomedical engineering.

• View requirements for the Biomedical Instrumentation certificate
• See instructions on how to add a certificate

Today’s highly-interconnected digital workplace demands new skills. Boise State is ready to help students meet the challenge with a new online Cyber Operations certificate. This new online certificate program is designed to prepare students to defend and protect information systems and networks. The high-quality, innovative cyber operations program is offered in a flexible online format. Coursework includes information assurance, defensive security, recovery and forensics, and offensive security.

• View requirements for the Cyber Operations certificate
• See instructions on how to add a certificate

A new certificate for students in all majors is now available for those interested in gaining an awareness of the security issues relevant to today’s digital workplace. Take your learning beyond the major and plus up your resume with this transdisciplinary certificate. Learn to manage unauthorized access to digital assets with no experience in high-level mathematics or programming needed.

• View requirements for the Cyber-Physical Systems Security certificate
• See instructions on how to add a certificate

From automobiles to medical devices, we are surrounded by smart networked systems using embedded sensors, processors, and actuators that interact with the physical world. While these advances bring us greater safety and productivity, they also bring increased vulnerability to cyber-physical attacks.

We’ve created a series of four certificates focused on the security of cyber-physical systems.  Most undergrads in STEM majors easily can add these credentials to their learning portfolio and graduate with the necessary “cyber awareness” to take on real-world challenges. The curriculum includes a variety of topics, including cryptography, industrial controls, smart grids, vehicle controller area networks (CAN), hacking, threat modeling, and more.

• View the Hardware and Firmware certificate
• View the Industrial Control certificate
• View the Power Systems certificate
• View the Software certificate

• Learn how to add a certificate

The accelerated master’s program is a terrific option for strong students who would like to complete a graduate degree in less time.  By enrolling in their junior year, students in the accelerated masters program can count 9 course credits towards both their undergraduate and graduate degrees.

The MENG ECE requires 30 course credits, so by completing 9 credits as an undergrad, you’d only need 21 more course credits to add graduate credentials to your profile.

Once students are admitted to the accelerated master’s version of the program and complete their undergraduate degree requirements, they will receive their bachelor’s degree.  They will then be classified as graduate students and proceed to fulfill remaining requirements for the master of engineering or master of science in electrical and computer engineering degree.

Graduate credit for any courses taken as part of the accelerated masters degree program will be assigned once the student’s Application for Admission to Candidacy has been approved by the Graduate College.
Academic Performance

Students accepted into the accelerated masters’ degree program are subject to all academic performance requirements published by the Graduate College, including semester GPA, program GPA, and individual course grade requirements. These requirements include maintaining a 3.0 GPA in the graduate level courses taken during the bachelor’s degree. For more information, consult the “Academic Performance” portion of the graduate catalog.

Eligible students must submit an application to the Graduate College by May 15, prior to the start of his or her senior year. Students must apply online no later than May 15. For application instructions, refer to our online application guide.

Once a student has been admitted to the accelerated masters’ degree program, the Permit for Seniors to Take Graduate Courses form is used to register for classes. The ECE Department will review and submit the form to the Graduate College on the student’s behalf. During the semester immediately following program acceptance, students enrolled in the accelerated masters’ degree program must take at least one three-credit ECE course at the graduate level (5xx or 6xx).

Once students are admitted to the accelerated master’s version of the program and complete their undergraduate degree requirements, they will receive their bachelor’s degree.  They will then be classified as graduate students and proceed to fulfill remaining requirements for the master of engineering or master of science in electrical and computer engineering degree.

Graduate credit for any courses taken as part of the accelerated masters degree program will be assigned once the student’s Application for Admission to Candidacy has been approved by the Graduate College.
Academic Performance

Students accepted into the accelerated masters’ degree program are subject to all academic performance requirements published by the Graduate College, including semester GPA, program GPA, and individual course grade requirements. These requirements include maintaining a 3.0 GPA in the graduate level courses taken during the bachelor’s degree. For more information, consult the “Academic Performance” portion of the graduate catalog.

The MEng ECE degree is designed without required courses to allow for maximum technical specialization. Classes are kept small to encourage interaction with your student cohort, your professors and your industry collaborators. These networks are reinforced through career advising and placement, access to alumni and industry connections, and other support.  Upon completion, you earn the Master of Engineering degree in ECE, reflecting an integrated understanding of technology, practice, and leadership.

To complete the MEng ECE degree, students must earn a C or better in 30 electrical and computer engineering course credits and pass a comprehensive exam.

• View requirements for the MEng ECE degree
• See our graduate application guide

A Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MS ECE) is an excellent choice for students seeking research experience with their graduate credentials.  Designed for maximum flexibility, the MS ECE requires 24 graduate course credits in electrical and computer engineering (and related disciplines such as computer science or mathematics), culminating with a written thesis and oral presentation.

• View requirements for the MS ECE degree
• See our graduate application guide

As the terminal degree in the discipline, a doctor of philosophy in electrical and computer engineering (PhD ECE) requires coursework, comprehensive examination, written dissertation and oral presentation. Successful candidates will conduct independent research leading to a contribution that enhances state-of-the-art ECE research and knowledge.

• View requirements for the PhD ECE degree
• See our graduate application guide