Electrical and Computer Engineering

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science

Guoping Wang, Chair

Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science Building 327 ~ 260-481-6362

email: ece@pfw.edu; https://www.pfw.edu/ece

Through the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue Fort Wayne offers bachelor’s programs in computer engineering and electrical engineering. The Electrical Engineering (B.S.) program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. The Computer Engineering (B.S.) program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Studies in engineering emphasize the practical and analytical aspects of engineering by combining laboratory and lecture courses in mathematics, science, humanities, and engineering sciences.

The Electrical and Computer Engineering curriculum consists of a common first-year engineering program, challenging engineering science coursework, hands-on laboratory activities, up-to-date technical elective courses, and practical design experiences, which are complemented with an enriching general education program.

In addition to the coursework, the department supports and encourages student participants in undergraduate research, co-op, internships, and several very active student organizations such as IEEE, and Society of Women Engineers (SWE).

The Electrical and Computer Engineering programs develop students’ technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities, as well as teamwork and communication skills, producing engineers that are in high-demand in Northeast Indiana.

At the graduate level, the department offers a Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E) degree program with a concentration area in Electrical, Computer, or Systems Engineering. The department also offers a five-year combined BSEE/BSCPE+MSE Program. This is an integrated degree program in which qualified students can receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering and a Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) with a concentration area in Electrical, Computer, or Systems Engineering.

In its recently (2023-2024) released rankings of the best colleges and universities in the United States, U.S. News & World Report deemed the engineering programs at Purdue University Fort Wayne to be the among the best in the country. Both programs are ranked #40 around the country at schools where no PhD is offered. This ranking puts the two programs among the top 20% in the country.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is to support the needs of Northeast Indiana through education, scholarship, and service. We are committed to providing quality educational opportunities to both traditional and non-traditional students and seek to equip our students with the knowledge, skills, and experience to pursue productive engineering careers. Our faculty is also dedicated to excellence in scholarship and service to the community and the profession.

Admission

To gain direct admission to the Electrical or Computer Engineering programs, in addition to satisfying Purdue Fort Wayne admission requirements, besides one semester of high school trigonometry, students should satisfy one of the following Math requirements:

SAT Math >=570 or ACT Math >=24
Purdue Fort Wayne Math placement score: >=50
AP Calculus AB score >=4
AP Calculus BC score >=3
dual Math credit at or above MA 15400
Previous college Math credit at or above MA 15400

If applicants who do not meet the above math criteria at time of application, you may be admitted to a dual technology/engineering program 2+3 until you meet all of the admission requirements for the engineering program of your choice. For more information about this 2+3 program, please contact ETCS Student Success Center, https://www.pfw.edu/etcs/student-success-center.

Admission deadlines for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering are:

Applicants

August 1 for the fall semester

December 15 for the spring semester

Readmission and Appeal

If you have been academically dropped from Purdue Fort Wayne and wish to reapply you should review the following information carefully. This material will help you understand the readmission process and requirements to get you back on track to Purdue Fort Wayne.

Readmission to Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering program is not automatic or guaranteed, and it’s your responsibility to understand and complete all of the steps in the readmission process. Please visit https://www.pfw.edu/admissions/apply/returning to apply for readmission.

Appeals

There is no appeal process for academic dismissal. Make sure all your assigned grades are accurate. If a grade is changed because of a reporting error, your GPA will be recalculated, which may affect the drop decision.

Exceptions

You may be eligible for an exception if,

You have 15 or fewer credit hours to complete your degree and can take all of your remaining courses in a single semester.
There are extenuating circumstances beyond your control, such as serious health issues.

Readmission Evaluation

Your readmission to Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering will be evaluated by Department committee.

Special Academic Regulations for Students in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Plan of Study

A One Year Plan of Study must be approved by your academic advisor every semester to ensure that you are making satisfactory academic progress towards graduation.

Program Standing

Students’ program standing is based on the number of completed credit hours required by the degree program. The program standing of Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering is defined as:

>=90 credits (including ECE 36200) = Senior
>=60 credits = Junior
>=30 credits (including PHYS 15200) = Sophomore

Registration & Advising

Each semester online registration will be blocked for ECE students until they meet with the assigned academic advisors and have their one-year-plan completed and signed by their advisors. This form can be completed using Microsoft Word and then be emailed to the academic advisor for digital signature.

Civics Literacy Requirements

All BSEE and BSCmpE students need to satisfy PFW “Civics Literacy Proficiency Requirement”, for more information, please visit http://catalog.pfw.edu/ - Civics Literacy Proficiency Requirement.

Concentration Course Grades

You must have a combined GPA of at least 2.00 in your chosen major and overall GPA of at least 2.0 in all courses required in the program. It is your responsibility to see that this requirement is met. Even though the grade of D is accepted as a passing grade in some courses, it is highly recommended that the course be repeated if it serves as a prerequisite to another required course. All courses used to satisfy any General Education Requirement must be completed with a grade of C- or better.