Undergraduate Level 100 Courses
Foundations of Computer Engineering I
Prerequisite: Engineering student or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory
Algorithm development, syntax and semantics of the C programming language stressing computer systems concepts. Concepts of the machine model, procedural programming and program development including coding, debugging and testing of programs are covered. The use of libraries, header files and macros are covered. Engineering examples are used. Variables, operators, control, input/output, arrays, structures, functions, pointers and files are covered using engineering examples.
Foundations of Computer Engineering II
Prerequisite: ECE 160
3 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory
Computer system and program design issues, abstract data types, dynamic
memory allocation, procedural and data structures using the C programming
language. Concepts of the machine model, procedural programming and program
development including coding, debugging and testing of programs are covered.
The following data structures are covered: linked lists, stacks, queues,
binary trees and hash tables. Run time complexity and procedural abstractions
such as recursive functions are discussed. Features of the C programming
language such as multiple header files, libraries and input/output programming
with files are covered using engineering examples.
Directed Study
Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor, department chairperson, and college dean
Study under the supervision of a faculty member in an area covered in
a regular course not currently being offered. Requires the submission and
approval of a detailed proposal that will become part of the student's
file. Conditions and hours to be arranged.
Undergraduate Level 200 Courses
Circuit Theory I
Prerequisites: EGR 101; and MTH 114 or MTH 112
3 hours lecture, 1.5 hours laboratory
The first course covering basic theory of circuit analysis. The goals of this
course include developing an ability to solve engineering problems and to design,
implement and test circuits to meet design specifications. Topics include network
theorems, review of techniques to solve simultaneous equations, nodal and mesh
circuit analysis, dependent sources, Thevenin's and Norton's equivalent
circuits, solution of first and second order networks to switched DC inputs,
natural responses, AC circuit steady-state response analysis, review of complex
numbers, phasors, coupled inductors and ideal transformers, rms voltage and
current, the maximum power transfer theorem, balanced 3-phase systems, and
power and energy computations. Group classroom and project activities require
design, simulation, implementation and measurement of practical circuits. Written
reports of project results are required.
Circuit Theory II
Prerequisites: ECE 201
3 hours lecture, 1.5 hours laboratory
The second course in basic circuit theory and design. Topics include applications of Laplace transforms to solutions of switched circuits and differential equations with initial conditions, stability, poles/zeros, Fourier transform, frequency response, Bode plots, network analysis, and equivalent circuits. Students are introduced to graphical convolution and Fourier series. Group classroom and project activities require design, implementation and measurement of filters and other circuits to meet design specifications.
Elements of Electrical Engineering I
Prerequisite: MTH 114 or MTH 112
3 hours lecture
Introduces the non-ECE major to some of the basic concepts in Electrical Engineering.
The laws of circuit theory and their applications in the analysis of both DC
and AC circuits consisting of passive components (resistors, capacitors, and
inductors) are introduced. The concepts of power, impedance, reactance, complex
power, phasors, and frequency response are discussed. Semiconductor devices
(diodes and transistors) are introduced, analyzed, and applied in basic circuits.
Use of available computer software to simulate and evaluate circuit performance
is required.
Elements of Electrical Engineering II
Prerequisite: ECE 211
3 hours lecture
Second course of two-part sequence for non-ECE majors, covering more advanced
concepts/applications of Electrical Engineering. Amplifiers utilizing bipolar
or field-effect transistors are analyzed and designed. The concepts of feedback
systems are introduced in the application of operational amplifiers as summers,
integrators, differentiators, filters, and comparators. Basic Boolean algebra
and elements of digital logic (gates, adders, flip-flops, counters, and registers)
are applied in the analysis and design of practical digital circuits. Use of
available computer software to simulate and evaluate the analog and digital
circuit designs and homework problems is required. In addition, three-phase
power, magnetic circuits, and the characteristics, control, and application
of AC and DC machines are studied.
ECE 250 one credit
Fundamentals of MATLAB
Prerequisite: ECE 160
0.5 hours lecture, 1.5 hours laboratory
Introduction to the MATLAB programming language. Topics include,
but not limited to, arrays, script files, functions, function files, two-dimensional
plots, programming in MATLAB.
ECE 251 one credit
Elements of Electrical Engineering Laboratory
Co-requisite: ECE 211
3 hours laboratory
Introduces and develops basic bread-boarding techniques and circuit construction;
acquaints the non-ECE student with measurements using voltmeters, ammeters,
oscilloscopes, power supplies, and signal generators; and demonstrates the
practical use of some fundamental electronic devices in simple applications.
Students use a computer software package to simulate the behavior of the devices
and circuits, which have been constructed and tested in the laboratory exercises.
Fundamentals of UNIX
Prerequisite: ECE 160
2 hours lecture
Fundamentals of the UNIX operating system. Students apply the skills learned
in ECE 160, using the UNIX operating system. Topics covered include X-windows, several basic
UNIX commands, compilers and debugging tools, scripting tools, the use of system libraries,
and the creation of system libraries.
Digital Logic and Computer Design
Prerequisite: Engineering student or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture, 1.5 hours laboratory
Fundamental theory and design methods for digital systems. Topics include
logic components, Boolean algebra, combinational circuit analysis and design,
synchronous and asynchronous sequential circuit analysis and design, state
diagrams, state minimization and assignment, basic computer organization and
design. This course also teaches the use of software tools for design, minimization,
simulation, and schematic capture of digital systems. The digital systems that
are designed will be implemented using MSI, LSI, and field programmable gate
arrays. A hands-on laboratory is included in which students work in teams.
Embedded System Design
Prerequisite: ECE 260
3 hours lecture, 1.5 hours laboratory
A study of embedded system design useful to electrical and computer engineers,
including assembly language programming, program debugging, and system design.
Students learn the fundamentals of microprocessor technology including instruction
set architectures, memory hierarchy design, and input/output functions. Practical
applications apply this technology toward the design of systems involving data
collection, automatic control and operator interfaces. Emphasis is placed on
hands-on program development using a microcontroller.
Object-Oriented Software Development
Prerequisite: ECE 160
3 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory
Basic object-oriented concepts. This course covers language concepts including objects,
classes, and polymorphism from the viewpoint of object-oriented design; and implementation including
portability, maintainability, networking, and concurrency. There is a term project applying the object-oriented
approaches to the entire life-cycle of software development, in which the students work in teams to prototype a
software system with design tools and test the system against various design criteria.
Experiential Learning
Prerequisites: At least sophomore standing and GPA equal or greater than 2.0. Permission of the instructor, department chairperson, and college dean
Work experience at an elective level supervised for academic credit by a faculty
member in an appropriate academic field. Conditions and hours to be arranged.
Graded CR/NC. For specific procedures and regulations, see section of catalogue
on Other Learning Experiences.
Directed Study
Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor, department chairperson, and college dean
Study under the supervision of a faculty member in an area covered in a regular
course not currently being offered. Requires the submission and approval of
a detailed proposal that will become part of the student's file. Conditions
and hours to be arranged.
Undergraduate Level 300 Courses
Engineering Ethics
Prerequisite: ECE junior standing
1 hour lecture
Theory and practice in engineering ethics. This course,
offered by a team of multi-disciplinary engineering faculty, examines codes
of ethics and studies real-life cases. Applying fundamental tools, discussing
with peers, and inviting engineers/speakers, students carry over their
analytical talents into a new area of moral deliberation. Examples of various
engineering fields concerning ethical, social, economic, and safety issues
are analyzed to give students a full understanding of engineering ethical
practice. Students are also engaged in practice of mock company in multi-disciplinary
student teams.
Digital Electronics
3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory
Fundamentals of solid-state electronic devices and the application of
these devices to the design of digital circuits. Among the topics covered
are junction transistors, logic gates and CMOS logic design. Focus is on the design
of logic circuits through solving design-oriented problems and the design,
implementation, and testing of logic circuits by means of computer simulation
software. The course has an integrated laboratory and, in addition, contains
a component designed to increase awareness of the dynamic nature of
the field.
Analog Electronics
3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory
Fundamental concepts of analog electronics and the application of these
concepts to the design of analog circuits (both discrete and integrated).
Among the topics covered are the fundamentals of operational amplifiers,
small-signal modeling and linear amplification, single-transistor amplifiers,
and multistage amplifiers. Also covered are frequency response, feedback,
stability and oscillators. Focus is on the design of analog circuits through
solving design-oriented problems and the design, implementation, and testing
of analog circuits by means of computer simulation software. This course
has an integrated laboratory.
Discrete-Time Linear Systems
Prerequisites: ECE 202 and ECE 250
3 hours lecture
Introduction to discrete-time signal analysis and linear systems. Topics
include time domain analysis of discrete-time linear time-invariant (LTI)
systems, solution of difference equations, system function and digital
filters, stability and causality, discrete-time Fourier series, discrete-time
Fourier transform and discrete Fourier transforms, z-transforms, sampling
and the sampling theorem, discrete-time state equations, and communication
systems. Students use analysis tools to design systems that meet functional
specifications.
Continuous-Time Linear Systems
Prerequisites: ECE 320 and MTH 212
3 hours lecture
Introduction to continuous-time signal analysis and linear systems. Topics
include classification of signals and systems, basic signal manipulation,
system properties, convolution, time domain analysis of continuous-time linear time-invariant
(LTI) systems, Laplace transform and its use in LTI system analysis, transfer
functions and feedback, frequency response and analog filters, Fourier
series representation and properties, continuous-time Fourier transform,
spectral analysis and AM modulation, and simulation.Students learn to use
signal analysis tools.
Electromagnetic Theory I
Prerequisites: ECE 201, MTH 213 (or MTH 211), and PHY 112 (or PHY 114)
3 hours lecture
Fundamentals of time-invariant electric and magnetic fields and time-varying
electromagnetic fields leading to general Maxwell’s equations. Topics
include the electromagnetic model, vector calculus, electrostatic fields,
steady electric currents, magnetostatic fields, electromagnetic induction,
slowly time-varying electromagnetic fields, and Maxwell’s equations
in integral and differential form; solutions of Maxwell’s equations
in the presence of boundary conditions are presented. Maxwell’s equations
in complex domain are introduced and utilized. Circuit theory and its relationship
to electromagnetics is presented as an approximate form of Maxwell’s
equations. Numerical techniques for field computation are introduced.
Electromagnetic Theory II
Prerequisite: ECE 335
3 hours lecture
Fundamentals of electromagnetic waves, propagation, and radiation as a
continuation of ECE 335. The course reviews general Maxwell's equations
in integral and differential form, and electromagnetic boundary conditions.
Poynting's theorem and Lorentz potentials are studied. Topics include
the propagation of uniform plane electromagnetic waves in free space and
in various media (including wave reflection and refraction, and skin effect),
transmission-line theory using frequency- and time-domain analysis, analysis
of waveguides and electromagnetic resonators, and fundamentals of radiation
and antennas. Numerical techniques for radiation and scattering are introduced. A course project on simulating the electro-magnetic field in some realistic RF/Microwave passive component is performed.
Algorithms
Prerequisites: ECE 161, MTH 114 (or MTH 112), and MTH 350
3 hours lecture
Computer algorithm design concepts, computational complexity, NP-completeness,
and the design and analysis for efficient algorithms. Topics include data
structures, sorting, graph, shortest path, depth first search, breadth
first search, and network flow networks, computational geometry, dynamic
programming, linear programming, parallel and distributed, and other state-of-the-art
algorithms. The course includes group projects and presentations requiring
students to design experiments to determine algorithm's complexity
as well as to design algorithms for problem solving.
Operating Systems
3 hours lecture
Operating system design and implementation using the specifics of current
operating systems. The course covers file, process, memory and Input/Output
management; multitasking, synchronization, and deadlocks; scheduling and
inter-process communication. Projects include team system’s programming
assignments to investigate the kernel interface, files, processes, and
inter-process communication for a current operating system.
Digital Design
Prerequisite: ECE 263
2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory
Synthesis of state machines including design, applications and implementation.
Register transfer languages and ASM chart design methodologies. PLA, ROM-centered,
and FPGA implementations. Specific applications to controllers and interface
devices will be discussed. An FPGA based laboratory experience is included.
Random Signals and Noise
Prerequisite: ECE 320
3 hours lecture
Concepts of probability and statistics as they apply to random signals
and their effect on system analysis and design. Topics covered include
basic probability, random variables, probability density and distribution
functions, joint distributions, conditional distributions, functions of
a random variable, mean, variance, covariance, characteristic functions,
random processes, correlation functions, power spectral density, linear
systems, linear filters, systems that maximize signal-to-noise ratio, and
selected applications and designs from communication theory, sonar and
radar, and control theory.
Directed Study
Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor, department chairperson, and college dean
Study under the supervision of a faculty member in an area covered in
a regular course not currently being offered. Requires the submission and
approval of a detailed proposal that will become part of the student's
file. Conditions and hours to be arranged.
Undergraduate Level 400 Courses
Engineering Internship
Prerequisites: Senior standing; submission of a detailed project proposal to
be approved by the appropriate curriculum committee
An electrical or computer engineering project performed under the joint supervision
of an industrial or governmental sponsor and a faculty advisor. ECE 400 is
an approved technical elective and may not be substituted for ECE 457/458 -
Design Project I/II.
Undergraduate Research
Prerequisite: Senior standing
Investigations of a fundamental and/or applied nature intended to develop
research techniques, initiative, and self-reliance. Also, studies are conducted
in areas not included in the formal course offerings. Admission to the course
is based on a formal proposal endorsed by an advising professor. On the recommendation
of the advising professor, the course may be extended for another three credits.
Special Topics in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Topics of timely interest in electrical and computer engineering. Course content
may change from year to year according to instructor's preferences.
Active Circuits I
Prerequisite: ECE 312
3 hours lecture
Design course in the manipulation and generation of signals using analog integrated
circuits, especially operational amplifiers. Methods are developed to understand
and control the impact of practical component limitations like input and output
impedance, frequency response, offset voltages, bias currents and cost. Stability
considerations and compensation techniques are studied, and students are introduced
to noise considerations in circuit design. Students design, build and test
many of the circuits discussed in the course such as precision voltage and
current sources, V/I and I/V converters, and active filters. Students work
individually on small designs but in teams on larger ones.
Introduction to VLSI Design
Prerequisites: ECE 311
3 hours lecture
Introduction to design of Very Large Scale Integrated Circuits (VLSI), taught
at the transistor level. Computer tools are used to create and simulate integrated
circuit layouts. Levels of design automation covered include Full Custom layout,
Schematic Driven layout, Standard Cells and fully automated synthesis of HDL
code. Students are required to complete a project that can be submitted for
fabrication.
Introduction to Analog Integrated Circuit Design
Prerequisite: ECE 413
3 hours lecture
Introduction to the design of CMOS analog integrated circuits (ICs), with
occasional references to bipolar ICs to make comparisons. Students are
required to complete the design of a reasonably complex IC and make a class
presentation of its design methodology and simulation results.
Introduction to Solid State Electronics
Prerequisite: PHY 114 (or PHY 112)
3 hours lecture
Solid state device behavior. Among the topics covered are semiconductor fundamentals,
p-n junction theory, and both the bipolar and the field effect transistor.
Emphasis is placed on those transistor parameters that need to be considered
in VLSI and microwave applications.
Antennas and Propagation
Prerequisite: ECE 336
3 hours lecture
Solution of Maxwell's equations for radiation problems. Hertzian dipole as
a fundamental radiation element is described. Radiation patterns, directivity,
gain, antenna impedance, radiation efficiency, and antenna polarization are
defined. The course reviews wire dipole antennas, loop antennas, antennas above
ground plane, and corner reflector antennas. Topics include receiving antenna
properties, antenna arrays, and microstrip patch and slot antennas. Rectangular
horn antennas and parabolic reflector antennas are studied. Also discussed
are ground-wave propagation and ionospheric propagation.
Wireless Communications
Prerequisite: ECE 320
3 hours lecture
Introduction to the principles and practice of wireless communications. The
course presents the concepts of frequency reuse and cellular structure and
covers propagation effects, multipath fading, digital and analog modulation,
diversity and equalization, multiple access and wireless networks. The course
also presents modern wireless systems and standards. The focus of the course
is to understand wireless communications at a systems level and is designed
as a senior elective for departmental majors. Basic understanding of electromagnetic
wave propagation and communication theory is expected. The course includes
a project related to new technological advances in wireless systems.
Advanced Electromagnetic Theory
Prerequisite: ECE 336
3 hours lecture
Vector analysis in a generalized orthogonal coordinate system. The course
reviews basic electromagnetic-field theorems. Two- and three-dimensional boundary
value problems are addressed and solution methods presented. Topics include
wave propagation in multi-layer media and wave polarization. Waveguides with
cylindrical conducting boundaries, special waveguide types, waveguide devices,
cavity resonators, radiation, and scattering are also studied.
Microwave and RF Engineering
Prerequisite: ECE 335
3 hours lecture
Review of transmission line theory. The concept of impedance transformation
is presented. The characteristics of coaxial lines, waveguides and microstrip
lines are studied in detail. Propagation and impedance properties of these
lines are derived. Smith charts are used for designing matching and tuning
circuits. The use of S-parameters and the analysis of multi-port networks are
presented. Passive multi-port devices such as microwave power couplers and
dividers are described. The fundamentals of microwave and RF filters and resonators
are discussed, and their implementation using microstrip lines and waveguides
is also presented.
Wireless System Design
Prerequisite: ECE 335
3 hours lecture
Design of microwave and RF wireless systems. Transmission line theory and
network analysis are reviewed and the fundamentals of antenna theory are presented.
Basic antennas such as dipoles, slots, and horns are covered. System noise
and its description are discussed. Operational concepts of microwave detectors
and mixers are presented. The design and analysis of detector and mixer circuits
are covered. Operational concepts of microwave and RF amplifiers, oscillators
and frequency synthesizers are presented. The integration of components in
microwave and RF receivers and their performance are covered. Microwave systems
such as radar, remote sensors and radiometers are also described.
Electromechanical Energy Conversion
Prerequisite: ECE 311
3 hours lecture
Transformers and rotating machines. Among the AC devices studied are three-phase
transformers, induction motors, reluctance motors, stepper motors, and synchronous
motors. DC motors and electric vehicle drive circuits are included.
Power Electronics
Prerequisite: ECE 311
3 hours lecture
Electronic circuit design techniques using power semiconductor devices for
industrial and residential applications. Typical applications include switching
DC power supplies, power conditioners, DC-to-AC inverters, DC-to-DC converters,
motor controllers, AC-to-AC converters, and utility-intertie.
Power Systems I
Prerequisites: ECE 335
3 hours lecture
First course of a two-semester sequence covering energy sources such as fossil-fuels,
nuclear, hydro, photovoltaic, wind, and bio-mass; loads such as residential
and commercial end-users; and the transmission-distribution networks that connect
them.
Power Systems II
Prerequisite: ECE 443
3 hours lecture
Second course of a two-semester sequence continuing with the modeling, analysis,
and design of power generating plants, loads, and transmission-distribution
networks.
Fault-Tolerant Computing
3 hours lecture
Techniques for designing and analyzing dependable and fault-tolerant computer-based
systems. Topics addressed include: fault, error, and failure cause-and-effect
relationships; fault avoidance techniques; fault tolerance techniques, including
hardware redundancy, software redundancy, information redundancy, and time
redundancy; fault coverage; time-to-failure models and distributions; reliability
modeling and evaluation techniques, including fault trees, cut-sets, reliability
block diagrams, binary decision diagrams, and Markov models. In addition, availability
modeling, safety modeling, and trade-off analysis are presented.
Computing Methods of Numerical Analysis
Prerequisites: ECE 250, MTH 212,
and MTH 213 (or MTH 211)
3 hours lecture
Mathematical methods useful to the engineer, including topics from
numerical analysis and linear algebra. Students learn how and when to apply
a particular numerical analysis tool or method and how to analyze and interpret
the results provided by the method. Emphasis is placed on selecting appropriate
numerical tools for a variety of basic problems, applying them, and studying
their reliability, efficiency, and computer implementation. A large number
of problems are solved using the computer.
Computer Architecture
3 hours lecture
An examination of various components that make up a computer system, including
CPU, memory, input/output, and buses, as well as how they work together
to form a functioning computer system. The major advances in computer organization
and architecture including von Neumann architecture, interrupts, the family
concept, microprocessors, cache memory, virtual memory, virtual I/O, pipelining,
RISC, superscalar processors, IA-64 (EPIC), micro-programmed control unit as
well as parallel processing are also presented. This course includes team projects.
Design Project I
Prerequisites: Senior standing in Electrical Engineering or Computer
Engineering
2 hour lecture, 3 hours laboratory
The goal of this course is to prepare the student to undertake and successfully
complete the capstone design experience embodied in the subsequent course ECE
458 Design Project II. The objectives of this course include providing a firm
basis in the methodology of planning and executing an engineering design project,
exposing the student to real case studies involving engineering design, forming
a design project group and developing group skills in executing design projects,
preparing a design project plan, and having the student groups select a design
project of appropriate complexity and their faculty advisor in preparation
for the subsequent course ECE 458. Included in this course are two major written
reports and two major oral presentations as well as minor reports and presentations.
Design Project II
Prerequisite: ECE 457
1 hour lecture, 6 hours laboratory
Continuation of ECE 457. Goals of this course are for the student to conduct,
successfully complete, and professionally present the results of his/her capstone
design project under the oversight of his/her faculty advisor. The objectives
of this course include executing the design project plan prepared in ECE 457,
conducting group activities associated with the execution of the design project,
participating in design reviews, preparing the project report, and presenting
and demonstrating the results of the project activities to a group of faculty,
students, and industry representatives. Included in this course are three major
written reports and three major oral presentations as well as minor reports
and presentations.
Computer Systems Performance Evaluation
3 hours lecture
Probability and statistics with applications to principles of queuing theory,
computer systems simulation, and empirical analysis techniques as applied to
computer systems modeling. This course is oriented toward a practical application
of theory and concepts to computer systems hardware and software performance.
Microprocessors I
3 hours lecture
Design and construction of a microprocessor based computer system. Students
will learn how a computer operates at the chip level and develop an understanding
of the interdependence of hardware and software. Students will develop circuitry
and software to control CPU interaction with SRAM, ROM and peripheral chips,
as well as reset and boot-up control and interrupt handling. At the end of
the course, students will have produced a working computer.
Microprocessors II
Prerequisite: ECE 461
3 hours lecture
Design and construction of an advanced microprocessor computer system. This
course is a continuation of ECE 461 in which students will modify the previous
design to accommodate multiple processors to achieve parallel computation or
use an advanced microprocessor to achieve higher performance.
Database Programming
2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory
Database management system specification, design, implementation, operations
and evaluation introduced using a current industrial grade database management
system (Oracle, IBM DB2, Microsoft SQL or Informix UDS). SQL language concepts
including object-relational operations, object-language relational schema modeling
using entity-relationship modeling concepts, data definition language, data
manipulation language, data control language, persistent stored modules, triggers
and assertions specification and use, applied within both ad-hoc and embedded
systems environments are investigated in a studio classroom context. The laboratories
include team database application development projects utilizing all major
elements of contemporary object-relational database languages aimed at developing
least cost solutions to contemporary information management problems.
Advanced Database Design
Prerequisite: ECE 466
2 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory
Database management systems and operations. Students learn how to describe
and design a database, how to describe and specify embedded and ad-hoc database
applications, and how to develop least cost solutions to information management
problems integrated through a series of database design exercises implemented
within an industry grade database management system. Topics include database
management systems architecture and operations, database applications specification,
database stored procedure design, database embedded program design, and database
ad-hoc specification and design.
Advanced Computer Architecture
Prerequisite: ECE 456
3 hours lecture
Advanced computer design, emphasizing fundamental limitations and tradeoffs
in designing high performance computer systems. Students develop an understanding
of the theoretical foundations in both hardware and software by studying parallel
computer models; program partitioning, granularity, and latency; processor
architectures and interconnects; and memory hierarchy, interleaving and bandwidth.
Specific architectures such as shared memory multi-processors, message passing
multi-computers, and superscalar, supervector, VLIW and dataflow designs will
be explored.
Computer Networks
3 hours lecture
Introduction to current networking methodologies. Backbone design, layered
architecture, protocols, local and wide area networks, internetworking, broadband,
electrical interface, and data transmission. Projects are included.
Communication Theory
3 hours lecture
Probability theory, signals and linear networks, Fourier transforms, random
processes and noise are reviewed. Analog communications including amplitude
and frequency modulation with and without noise are studied. Digital communications
including baseband pulse modulation, quantization, sampling theory, digital
pulse shaping, matched filter, Nyquist criterion and error rates due to noise
are covered.
Advanced Communications Systems
Prerequisite: ECE 471
3 hours lecture
Continuation of ECE 471. Signal-space analysis is introduced. Passband digital
transmission, direct sequence and frequency-hop spread-spectrum modulation
and multiuser radio are studied. Entropy is discussed and channel capacity
is derived. Block and convolutional error-control coding is covered.
Digital Signal Processing
Prerequisite: ECE 320
3 hours lecture
Methods and techniques for digital signal processing, covering the basic principles
governing the design and use of digital systems as signal processing devices.
Review of discrete-time linear systems, Fourier transforms and z-transforms.
Topics include allpass and minimum-phase systems, linear phase systems and
group delay, sampling, decimation, interpolation, discrete-time filter design
and implementation, discrete Fourier series, discrete Fourier transform, the
fast Fourier transform, and basic spectral estimation. Applications to digital
processing of real data are included.
Digital Processing of Speech Signals
3 hours lecture
Applications of digital signal processing to speech signals. Course goals
are to reinforce concepts learned in prerequisite courses, to introduce new
tools needed to deal with time-varying signals and to have students apply what
they have learned to their own voices. A semester design project is a large
component of this course. Topics include a brief introduction to articulatory and acoustic
phonetics, hearing and speech perception, time-domain methods for speech processing, short-time Fourier analysis,
homomorphic speech processing, linear predictive coding of speech, and applications.
Control Theory I
Prerequisite: ECE 321
3 hours lecture
Classical control of single-input single-output systems. Both time domain
and frequency domain analysis and design techniques are presented. Subjects
included are signal flowgraphs, control devices, electrical motors, root-locus,
Bodé plots, stability, Routh-Hurwitz criterion, Nyquist stability, phase
lead/lag controllers and PID controllers.
Control Theory II
Prerequisite: ECE 481
3 hours lecture
Continuation of ECE 481. Control Theory II introduces control of discrete
systems, modern control theory, and nonlinear control. Concepts of discrete
systems, state variables, observability, controllability, phase plane and describing
functions method are surveyed.
Advanced Engineering Mathematics
Prerequisites: MTH 213 (or MTH 211) and MTH 212
3 hours lecture
Selective topics in advanced engineering mathematics. The mathematical areas
considered are linear algebra, partial differential equations, complex analysis,
and calculus of variations. Representative examples of the topics covered are
real and complex matrices, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, method of separating
variables for solving partial differential equations, solution of partial differential
equations by Fourier series and integrals, integration of complex functions,
Taylor and Laurent series, conformal mapping, unconstrained and constrained
optimization, and Lagrange multipliers.
Database Systems I
Prerequisite: CIS 370 (or ECE 367)
3 hours lecture
Introduction to database systems from an architectural and functional perspective.
The course provides an overview of database systems architecture, computer
representation of information, computer data storage, properties of persistent
data, database structuring models (relational, object, object-relational, and
entity-relationship), transaction processing models, concurrency control techniques,
database transaction recovery, and security. These concepts will then be explored
by examining and comparing the architecture and operations of database systems
such as conventional, real-time, temporal, fault-tolerant, distributed, heterogeneous,
secure and others.
Network Security
Prerequisite: ECE 469
3 hours lecture
Principles and practices of security in computer networks. This course covers
the theoretical foundations of securing computer networks including cryptography
and models. It steps through the practical process of defending networking
resources. It also reveals various case studies, large and small, to familiarize
the techniques that attackers use.
Fundamentals of Acoustics
Prerequisite: Upper level undergraduate standing with course in calculus including partial differential equations
3 hours lecture
Fundamentals of acoustics including vibration and wave propagation in solid and fluid media. Topics include: vibration and wave propagation in one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional media including lumped parameter systems, strings, bars, membranes, thin plates and fluids; mechanical and electrical equivalent circuit models, normal modes, linearized wave equation and solutions, reflection, transmission, refraction and attenuation phenomena in fluids, production and reception of sound, basic properties of transducers and arrays.
Cross-listed with ECE 557.
Introduction to Ocean Engineering
Prerequisite: Senior standing in the College of Engineering
2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory
Lab includes boat trips and LMSET Acousto/Optic Tank Experiments
Study of a range of ocean engineering topics to provide a basis for the design
of systems, which must function in the ocean environment. Topics include ocean
waves, water quality, ocean optics, vehicle dynamics, underwater structures,
and ocean sensing systems. The course also includes laboratory experiments
aboard the UMass Dartmouth research vessel Lucky Lady and experiments in the
acousto/optic tank at the UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and
Technology.
Principles of Underwater Systems
Prerequisite: ECE 491
3 hours lecture
Principles that govern the design and operation of underwater systems, for
engineering students. The student should develop a broad understanding of underwater
systems that will prepare him/her for more advanced studies and/or engineering
projects in underwater systems. Topics include generation of sonar signals
and sound propagation in the ocean. The course also includes laboratory experiments
aboard the UMass Dartmouth research vessel Lucky Lady and experiments in the
acousto/optic tank at the UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science and
Technology.
Independent Study
Prerequisites: Senior standing and permission of the instructor, department chairperson,
and college dean
Study under the supervision of a faculty member in an area
not otherwise part of the discipline's course offerings. Requires the
submission and approval of a detailed proposal that will become part of the
students file. Conditions and hours to be arranged.
Underwater Acoustics
Prerequisite: ECE 490
3 hours lecture
Production, propagation, and reception of underwater sound. Topics include plane, spherical and cylindrical wave propagation, transmission loss, normal mode theory, waveguides, ray acoustics, active and passive sonar equations, properties of transducers and arrays including transmit and receive sensitivity, beam patterns, directivity, spatial aperture functions and their Fourier transform pairs, equivalent electrical circuits, and calibration of underwater projectors and hydrophones. Cross-listed as ECE 597.
Introduction to Electroacoustic Transducers
Prerequisite: Upper level undergraduate standing in engineering or physics
3 hours lecture
Design, modeling, properties, and application of electromechanical piezoelectric transducers and arrays used for underwater acoustic sound, navigation, and ranging. The course focus is on piezoelectric ceramic devices and the use of lumped parameter equivalent electrical circuit analysis. This introductory course will require lectures, laboratory exercises, calibration experiments and class project. Cross-listed as ECE 558.
Directed Study
Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor, department chairperson, and college dean
Study under the supervision of a faculty member in an area covered in a regular
course not currently being offered. Requires the submission and approval of
a detailed proposal that will become part of the students file. Conditions
and hours to be arranged.
Graduate Level 500 Courses
Master's Graduate Research
Prerequisite: Submission of a formal proposal endorsed by a faculty advisor
Investigations of a fundamental and/or applied nature intended to develop
design techniques, research techniques, initiative, and self-reliance. Admission
is based on a formal proposal endorsed by an advisor and submitted to the
ECE Graduate Program Director.
Applications of Active Circuits
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
Advanced analog design techniques with emphasis on using operational amplifiers.
Topics include multi-pole transfer functions and stability, noise calculations,
interfacing with digital circuits, and specialized analog applications.
Problems are solved using numerical and circuit simulation software packages.
Random Signals and Systems I
Prerequisite: Probability and random variables; or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
Random variables and probabilistic description of signals and systems.
The course provides the analytical tools for studying random phenomena
in engineering systems and provides graduate students with an extensive
treatment of probability theory, Bayes theorem, random variables, distribution
and density functions, conditional distributions, moments, functions of
random variables, characteristic functions, stochastic processes, Gaussian
processes, stationary processes, correlation functions, power spectral
density, response of systems to random inputs, mean square error estimation,
filtering and prediction, and noise analysis. The course prepares students
for a wide range of courses in communications, signal processing, acoustics,
control and other areas of engineering in which random signals and systems
have an important role.
Digital Spectral Analysis
3 hours lecture
Spectral estimation techniques with particular emphasis on performance/resolution
tradeoffs. The course enables participants to understand spectral estimation
and acquire a working knowledge of the spectral analysis techniques available,
with a critical understanding of the advantages and limitations of all spectral
estimation techniques studied. The student learns: (1) the limitations of Fourier
transform based spectral estimators; (2) the benefits and limitations of high
resolution methods; (3) how to choose accurate and appropriate models; (4)
the state-of-the-art in modern spectral estimation; (5) how the
modern spectral estimators perform in practice; (6) when to select each spectral
estimation method.
Solid State Electronics
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
Solid state device behavior. Among the topics covered are semiconductor fundamentals,
p-n junction theory, and both the bipolar and the field effect transistor. Emphasis
is placed on those transistor parameters that need to be considered in VLSI
and microwave applications.
Digital Filters
3 hours lecture
Design, simulation, and implementation of digital filters. After a review of
classical FIR and IIR design techniques and modern AR, MA, and ARMA techniques,
the course immerses the student in problem solving with digitized signals and
DSP microprocessors. These problems include noise reduction, echo cancellation,
signal detection, etc. Computer simulation is an integral part of the course,
and students are expected to have some familiarity with small computer operating
systems and assembly language programming concepts.
Active Remote Sensing of the Environment
3 hours lecture
Principles and applications of active remote sensing techniques. Course focuses
on microwave and millimeter wave radar techniques. Topics include radar equation,
detection theory, scattering from targets and natural surfaces, and imaging
systems. The following sensors are covered: synthetic aperture radar (SAR),
radar scatterometers, altimeters, polarimetric radars and interferometric radars.
Applications include ocean wave and wind measurements, soil moisture measurements,
biomass measurements, measurement of land topography, and precipitation studies.
Course also includes laboratory computer exercises for analyzing and processing
real sensor data.
Passive Remote Sensing of the Environment
3 hours lecture
Principles and applications of passive remote sensing techniques. Course addresses
the use of sensors such as thematic mappers, optical multispectral scanners,
infrared radiometers and multispectral microwave radiometers. The following
sensors are covered: Thematic Mapper, SPOT, AVHRR, SSM/I and WINDRAD. Applications
include ocean color and productivity measurements, ocean temperature measurements,
salinity measurements, ocean wind measurements, marine pollution monitoring
and atmospheric measurements. Course also includes laboratory computer exercises
for analyzing and processing real sensor data.
Radar Engineering
Prerequisite: ECE 436 or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
Fundamentals of microwave radar engineering and radar system analysis. The course
covers the radar equation, radar detection theory, noise analysis, radar cross-section,
continuous wave and pulsed systems, moving target indicators, pulse compression,
radar transmitters and receivers. Also covered are radar systems such as pulsed
Doppler radar, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), inverse synthetic aperture radar
(ISAR), polarimetric radar and interferometric radar. Applications include target
detection, radar remote sensing, satellite oceanography and terrain mapping.
VLSI Design
Prerequisite: ECE 311 or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
Design of Very Large Scale Integrated Circuits (VLSI), taught at the transistor
level. Computer tools are used to create and simulate integrated circuit layouts.
Levels of design automation covered include Full Custom layout, Schematic Driven
layout, Standard Cells and fully automated synthesis of HDL code. Required readings
from the current literature lead to a formal written report on recent developments
in VLSI. Students are required to complete and present at least one project.
Some designs may be fabricated.
Analog Integrated Circuit Design
3 hours lecture
Introduction to the design of CMOS analog integrated circuits (ICs),
with occasional references to bipolar ICs to make comparisons. Required
readings from the current literature lead to a formal written report on recent
developments in analog ICs. Students are required to complete the design
of a complex IC and make a class presentation of its design methodology and
simulation results.
Applied Computational Electromagnetics
Prerequisite: ECE 336 or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
Numerical techniques for practical applications in electromagnetic scattering,
propagation, and radiation. The course reviews fundamentals of electromagnetic
field and wave theory and covers all basic classes of computational techniques
used in modern applied electromagnetics. Numerical techniques include the method
of moments, finite difference method, finite element method, and physical optics.
Applications cover static and quasi-static problems, transmission lines, scattering,
and antennas.
Antenna Theory
Prerequisite: ECE 336 or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
Antenna fundamentals, antenna arrays, and basic types of antennas for wireless
communication. Mathematical solution of Maxwell’s equations for radiation
problems is introduced. Basic antenna parameters are defined and discussed. Electrically
small antennas are analyzed. Theory of receiving antennas is presented. Topics
in antenna arrays include the array factor, pattern multiplication, multidimensional
arrays, and phased arrays. Several types of antennas are studied, including wire
and microstrip antennas.
Electromagnetics of Signal Integrity
Prerequisite: ECE 336 or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
Electromagnetic fundamentals of signal integrity in high-speed, high-density interconnects.
Theory of multi-conductor transmission lines (MTLs) is presented. Per-unit-length
capacitance, inductance, conductance, and resistance matrices of MTLs embedded
in a multi-layer substrate are introduced and evaluated numerically using the
method of moments. Time-domain response of MTLs terminated in arbitrary networks
is studied. Circuit-analysis models for MTLs in the Laplace-transform domain are
introduced. The effects of signal delay, distortion, cross-talk, ringing, multiple
reflections, and losses are discussed.
Electromagnetics
Prerequisite: ECE 336 or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
Advanced electromagnetics concepts, with in-depth studies of electromagnetic
waves, radiation, and scattering. Time-varying electromagnetic fields, electrical
properties of matter, and electromagnetic theorems are presented. Wave equations
are discussed, along with wave propagation, polarization, reflection, and transmission.
Multiconductor transmission lines, waveguides, cavity resonators, and radiation
and antenna principles are studied. Geometrical optics, diffraction theory,
and physical optics are introduced. Topics in scattering include scattering
by planar surfaces, cylinders, wedges, and spheres.
Database Systems I
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and at least a C grade in programming
3 hours lecture
Introduction to database systems from an architectural and functional perspective.
The course provides an overview of database systems architecture, computer representation
of information, computer data storage, properties of persistent data, database
structuring models (relational, network, object, object-relational and entity-relationship),
transaction processing models, concurrency control techniques, database and transaction
recovery, and security. These concepts will then be explored by examining and
comparing the architecture and operations of database systems such as conventional,
real-time, temporal, fault tolerant, distributed, heterogeneous, secure and others.
Fault-Tolerant Computing and Reliability Engineering
Prerequisites: MTH 212; MTH 331 or ECE 384; or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
Techniques for designing and analyzing computer-based systems. Topics addressed
include: fault, error, and failure cause-and-effect relationships; fault avoidance
techniques; fault tolerance techniques, including hardware redundancy, software
redundancy, information redundancy, and time redundancy; fault coverage; time-to-failure
models and distributions; reliability modeling and evaluation techniques, including
fault trees, cut-sets, reliability block diagrams, binary decision diagrams,
and Markov models. In addition, availability modeling, safety modeling, and
trade-off analysis are presented. The course will also include a research project
and investigation of current topics.
Network Security
Prerequisite: ECE 469 or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture,1 hour laboratory
Principles and practices of security in computer networks. This course covers the
theoretical foundations of securing computer networks including cryptography and
models. It steps through the practical process of defending networking resources.
It also reveals various case studies, large and small, to familiarize the techniques
that attackers use. An Internet Testbed is facilitated for students to experiment
attacksand defenses.
Fundamentals of Acoustics
Prerequisites: Graduate standing
3 hours lecture
Fundamentals of acoustics including vibration and wave propagation in solid and fluid media. Topics include: vibration and wave propagation in one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional media including lumped parameter systems, strings, bars, membranes, thin plates and fluids; mechanical and electrical equivalent circuit models, normal modes, linearized wave equation and solutions, reflection, transmission, refraction and attenuation phenomena in fluids, production and reception of sound, basic properties of transducers and arrays. Cross-listed as ECE 490.
Introduction to Electroacoustic Transducers
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in engineering or physics
3 hours lecture
An introductory course on the design, modeling, properties and application of electromechanical piezoelectric transducers and arrays used for underwater acoustic sound, navigation and ranging. The course focus is on piezoelectric ceramic devices and the use of lumped parameter equivalent electrical circuit analysis. The course will require lectures, laboratory exercises, calibration experiments and a class project. Cross-listed as ECE 499.
Computer Systems Performance Evaluation
Prerequisites: ECE 460 and graduate standing
3 hours lecture
Development of a broad working knowledge of probability, queuing theory, petri-nets,
simulation and empirical modeling as applied to computer systems hardware and
software performance modeling and assessment. The course is oriented toward
a practical application of theory and concepts with an emphasis placed on the
use of computer tools to model performance and to perform tradeoff analysis.
Computer Systems
3 hours lecture
An examination of various components that make up a computer system, including
CPU, memory, input/output, and buses, as well as how they all work together
to form a functioning computer system. The major advances in the computer organization
and architecture including von Neumann architecture, interrupts, the family
concept, microprocessors, cache memory, virtual memory, virtual I/O, pipelining,
RISC, superscalar processors, IA-64 (EPIC), micro-programmed control unit as
well as parallel processing are also presented. State-of-the-art research projects
are assigned to prepare students to perform research in the field of computer
organization and architecture.
Advanced Computer Architecture
Prerequisite: ECE 561 or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
Advanced computer design, emphasizing fundamental limitations and tradeoffs
in designing high performance computer systems. Students develop an understanding
of the theoretical foundations in both hardware and software by studying parallel
computer models; program partitioning, granularity, and latency; processor architectures
and interconnects; and memory hierarchy, interleaving and bandwidth. Specific
architectures such as shared memory multi-processors, message passing multi-computers,
and superscalar, supervector, VLIW and dataflow designs will be explored.
Computer Operating Systems
3 hours lecture
Operating system design and implementation using the specifics of current operating
systems. Topics covered include: file, process, memory and Input/Output management;
multitasking, synchronization, and deadlocks; scheduling and inter-process
communication. Projects include system’s programming assignments to investigate the
kernel interface, files, processes, and inter-process communication for a current
operating system.
Microprocessors I
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in the College of Engineering
3 hours lecture
Design and construction of a microprocessor based computer system. Students
will learn how a computer operates at the chip level and develop an understanding
of the interdependence of hardware and software. Students will develop circuitry
and software to control CPU interaction with SRAM, ROM and peripheral chips,
as well as reset and boot-up control and interrupt handling. At the end of the
course, students will have produced a working computer.
Microprocessors II
Prerequisite: ECE 566
3 hours lecture
Design and construction of multiprocessor microprocessor computer systems. This
course is a continuation of ECE566 in which students will modify the previous
design to accommodate multiple processors to achieve parallel computation.
Advanced Computer Networks
Prerequisite: ECE 469 or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
Advanced topics on the protocols, algorithms and tools supporting the development
and delivery of quality assured services over networks. The course covers capabilities
provided by emerging ultra-fast network technologies, routers and routing functions.
Emphasis in on todays de-facto Internet standards of TCP/IP protocol
suite, recent developments and research issues for next generation internetworking
driven by multimedia real-time distributed applications requiring quality of
service guarantees.
Digital Communications
Prerequisite: ECE 471 or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
Fundamentals of digital communications. Topics covered include information theory,
vector signal space, detection of digital signals in noise, sampling process,
waveform coding techniques, digital modulation and demodulation techniques,
error control coding, spread spectrum modulation, and wireless communications.
Discrete-Time Signal Processing
3 hours lecture
Representation, analysis and design of discrete signals and systems. Topics
include a review of the z-transform and the discrete-time Fourier transform,
the fast Fourier transform, digital filter structures, digital filter design
techniques, quantization issues and effects of finite word-length arithmetic,
sampling and oversampling, decimation and interpolation, linear prediction,
the Hilbert transform and the complex cepstrum. Students gain experience in
analyzing and designing digital signal processing systems through computer projects.
Sonar Signal Processing
3 hours lecture
Classical theories in detecting and processing both active and passive signals
in noise with special emphasis on the underwater environment and associated
techniques in sound navigation ranging (SONAR). Both spatial and temporal processing
methods are studied including beamforming, matched filtering, effects of noise
and interference, application and utility of frequency agile signals, narrowband
and broadband passive techniques, and adaptive algorithms to address the time/space
varying interference sources. Applications in underwater detection, classification,
localization and communication are also discussed.
Artificial Intelligence
Prerequisites: Probability and random variables; or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
An introduction to artificial intelligence and expert systems. Topics covered
include state-space representations and search methods; problem-reduction representation
and search methods; Bayes networks; theorem proving using predicate calculus;
natural languages; expert system design using Lisp or Prolog; and an introduction
to neural networks and pattern recognition.
Time Series Analysis
Prerequisite: ECE 384 or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
Fundamentals of time series analysis. Topics covered: moving average and autoregressive
models; estimation of the mean and autocorrelation; statistical forecasting;
spectral analysis and estimation; bivariate processes; linear system identification;
and nonstationary time series. Application to electrical engineering and marine
science problems is emphasized.
Mathematics of Systems Analysis
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
3 hours lecture
Elementary exposition of linear algebra and time domain methods and their utility
in the analysis and design of linear systems. Linear space, state variables,
controllability, observability, assignability, linear state variable feedback
design, time variant systems and adjoint model are included.
Optimal Control Theory
Prerequisite: ECE 581
3 hours lecture
The calculus of variations and classical optimal control techniques based on
it. Modern control theory is presented including Pontryagin’s principle
of maximum and Bellman’s dynamic programming. Relation to Hamiltonian
mechanics is discussed.
Nonlinear Systems Theory
Prerequisite: ECE 581
3 hours lecture
Analysis and design techniques for nonlinear systems. Topics covered include
singular points, contraction mapping, existence and uniqueness of solutions,
comparison principle, Lyapunov stability, stability of perturbed systems, slowly
varying systems, input-output stability, circle criterion, Popov criterion,
small-gain theorem, describing function method, feedback control design via
linearization, exact feedback linearization, and other selected topics from
nonlinear control theory.
Estimation Theory
3 hours lecture
Basic concepts and principles of estimation theory. Topics include least squares
estimation, recursive least squares estimation, best linear unbiased estimator,
Bayes estimation, maximum likelihood estimation, maximum a posteriori estimation,
conditional mean, Gauss-Markov random processes, Kalman filtering, prediction,
smoothing, and nonlinear estimation. Estimator bounds and properties are discussed.
Fuzzy Sets and Applications
Prerequisite: Probability and random variables; or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
Concepts of fuzzy sets, understanding their impact on mathematics, and development
of the principles of design. Crisp sets, their operations, and classical two value
logic are reviewed and extended to fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic. Relations, orderings,
compatibility maps, and morphisms are extended to their fuzzy counterparts. Fuzzy
numbers, fuzzy arithmetic and equations are presented. Approximate reasoning,
evidence theory, possibility theory and probability are covered. Measures of uncertainty,
vagueness, and information are developed. Application to fuzzy control is presented
while applications to other disciplines are studied via individualized student projects.
Topics in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
Topics of timely interest in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Course content
may change from year to year according to instructor’s preferences.
Principles of Project Engineering
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
An introduction to design, scheduling, managing, implementation and documentation
of engineering and applied science projects. The course emphasizes the methodologies
that lead to successful execution of projects and the phases and steps of the
design process. The course requires the students to practice writing parts of
a professional technical document or journal submission. Students work on real
engineering tasks and assignments of contemporary importance; these works may
be work or school related.
Independent Study
Prerequisite: Submission of a formal proposal that includes grading procedure
and must be endorsed by the instructor, the students advisor, the ECE
Graduate Program Director, and the department Chairperson before the course
begins.
Allows study into areas not included in the formal course listings.
Directed Study
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor, the ECE Graduate Program Director, and the department Chairperson.
Allows completion of a numbered course formally in the graduate program listing
but not being offered as a scheduled class.
Underwater Acoustics I
Prerequisite: ECE 557 or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
Production, propagation, and reception of underwater sound. Topics include plane, spherical and cylindrical wave propagation, transmission loss, normal mode theory, waveguides, ray acoustics, active and passive sonar equations, properties of transducers and arrays including transmit and receive sensitivity, beam patterns, directivity, spatial aperture functions and their Fourier transform pairs, equivalent electrical circuits, and calibration of underwater projectors and hydrophones. Cross-listed as ECE 497.
Underwater Acoustics II
Prerequisite: ECE 597 or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
A continuation of ECE 597. This course covers advanced aspects of underwater
sound propagation including ray, normal mode, parabolic and WKB approximations,
shallow water treatments, surface and bottom reflection, scattering theory,
reverberation, and ambient and self noise studies.
Graduate Seminar
Prerequisite: Graduate Students in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Course includes instruction in library services, introduction of department
faculty research and laboratories, thesis/dissertation requirements, professional
ethics and standards, and seminar presentations by speakers from industry and
academia in addition to UMass Dartmouth faculty. Students are required to attend
several department seminars and participate in technical discussions and write
a report by the end of the semester.
Graduate Level 600 Courses
Masters Graduate Project/Thesis
Prerequisite: Submission of a formal proposal endorsed by the Students Graduate Committee
Investigations of a fundamental and/or applied nature, intended to develop
design techniques, research techniques, initiative, and self-reliance.
For the project option, after three credits,
a written project report has to be completed and approved by the students graduate committee.
For the thesis option, after six credits, a written thesis must be completed in accordance with
the rules of the Graduate School and the College of Engineering. Admission to the course is based
on a formal project/thesis proposal endorsed by the students graduate
committee and submitted to the ECE Graduate Program Director.
Masters Graduate Thesis
Prerequisite: Submission of a formal proposal endorsed by the students Graduate Committee
Investigations of a fundamental and/or applied nature, intended to develop
design techniques, research techniques, initiative, and self-reliance.
A written thesis must be completed in accordance with the rules of the
Graduate
School and the College of Engineering. Admission to the course is based
on a formal proposal endorsed by the students graduate committee
and submitted to the ECE Graduate Program Director.
Pre-Dissertation Research
Research for and preparation of doctoral dissertation proposal. The dissertation
proposal must provide a thorough survey of the research activities in the
research topic area and it must present original and innovative research
ideas and preliminary results as well as a defined research scope and directions.
Ph.D. students must have passed this course before registering for doctoral
dissertation research credits. Graded P/F
Doctoral Continuous Enrollment
Prerequisite: ECE Ph.D. students with approval of faculty advisor
Ph.D. students who have completed course credit requirement but not yet
passed qualifying exam may take the course with approval of faculty advisor.
Distributed Computing Architecture
Co-requisite: ECE 562
3 hours lecture
An in depth exploration of the architecture and systems of state-of-the-art
distributed computers. Students will develop an understanding of the requirements
and design issues associated with high performance computing using networks
of commodity computers, including the underlying networking technologies
and issues and techniques associated with process scheduling and load balancing.
Representative systems will be examined.
Distributed Computing Programming
Co-requisite: ECE 562
3 hours lecture
An in depth exploration of the issues and methodology in programming distributed
computers. Students will develop an understanding of the programming languages
and supporting programming environments associated with high performance
computing on networks of commodity computers. Representative algorithms
and applications will be examined.
Current Topics in Distributed Computing
Co-requisite: ECE 562
3 hours lecture
A survey of issues and methodology in programming distributed computers.
Students will develop an understanding of the hardware and software used
in high performance computing based upon networks of commodity computers.
Representative systems, algorithms and applications will be examined.
Database Systems II
Prerequisite: ECE 541
3 hours lecture
An in depth view of database management systems architecture and operations.
The focus is on architectural and operational aspects of transactions and
transaction processing. Topics include properties of data in a database,
database management systems architecture, transaction properties, transaction
processing, transaction and database recovery, concurrency control, locking
protocols, storage management and the application of concepts within various
database systems. The course includes a design project derived from topics
covered.
Advances in Database Systems
Prerequisite: ECE 541
3 hours lecture
An in depth exploration of the theory, architecture, implementation and
design of state-of-the-art specialized data base systems. Students will
develop an understanding of the requirements and design issues associated
with emerging technologies applied to specialized database systems. Database
systems to be studied will be selected based on present research interest
of course faculty and students.
Wavelets
Prerequisites: ECE 574 and graduate standing
3 hours lecture
Basic theory and applications of wavelets and filter banks. Wavelet theory
provides very general techniques that can be applied to many tasks in signal
processing, e.g., multi-resolution analysis in computer vision, sub-band
coding in speech and image compression, and wavelet series expansions in
applied mathematics. The course is designed to enable participants to understand
wavelet theory and to acquire a working knowledge of the techniques available
in this signal processing area. In particular, a paramount goal is to enable
each participant to develop a critical understanding of the advantages
and limitations of wavelet analysis.
Advanced Topics in Signal Processing
3 hours lecture
Advanced signal processing topics. Content may vary according to instructors
preferences but typically includes selections from: two-dimensional signal
processing, higher-order spectral analysis, chaotic signal processing,
array signal processing, multirate signal processing, optimal filtering
and linear prediction, time-frequency and time-scale signal analysis, smart
antennas, and inverse problems (signal reconstruction). Applications are
discussed in radar, sonar, acoustics, speech, communications, and image
processing.
Adaptive Filtering
3 hours lecture
Basic theory of adaptive filter design and implementation including applications.
Topics include optimal filters, adaptive linear combiners, performance
measures, adaptive FIR filters, adaptive IIR filters, and nonlinear adaptive
filters. Applications in adaptive signal processing include adaptive modeling
and system identification, adaptive deconvolution and equalization, and
adaptive interference canceling.
Digital Speech Processing
3 hours lecture
Signal processing and statistical techniques used in processing speech
signals providing an understanding of how these techniques are used in
the coding, synthesis and recognition of speech. Topics typically include
the human vocal and auditory systems, characteristics of speech signals,
lossless tube model of speech production, time and frequency domain representations
of speech, time-frequency speech analysis methods, homomorphic speech processing,
speech coding, speech synthesis, speech recognition, pitch detection and
processing, and acoustic preprocessing for speech recognition.
Computer Network Management
Prerequisite: ECE 569 or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
Advanced topics in computer networks. Topics include: network management
systems and architectures; network management protocols and standards;
management of information bases. Examples are drawn primarily from the
Internet (e.g., SNMP).
Information Theory
Fundamental aspects of information theory. Topics covered include discrete
and differential entropy, discrete source and channel model, information
rate, mutual information and channel capacity, coding theorems for sources
and channels, the data processing theorem, encoding and decoding of data
for transmission over noisy channels, rate distortion theory, maximum entropy
distributions and entropy estimation techniques for unknown sources. Several
applications of information theory are included.
Signal Detection Theory
3 hours lecture
Fundamentals of detection theory. Topics include Bayes and Neyman-Pearson
tests, composite hypothesis testing, nonparametric test, detection of known
signals in Gaussian noise, detection of signals with random parameters
in noise, multiple pulse detection of signals, generalized likelihood ratio
test, Bayes and maximum likelihood estimators, space-time processing, application
to radar and sonar.
Pattern Recognition
Prerequisite: ECE 521
3 hours lecture
An introduction to the theory and applications of pattern recognition.
Topics include descriptions of patterns, problem formulation, linear and
nonlinear classification theories, representation of patterns, feature
selection, supervised and unsupervised training, nonparametric methods
in pattern recognition, cluster and mode-seeking techniques, recursive
algorithms using stochastic approximation, sequential pattern recognition,
design of computer recognition experiments, linguistic approach to pattern
recognition.
Time-Frequency Signal Processing
Prerequisites: ECE 574 and graduate standing
3 hours lecture
Time-varying signal processing methods. The course covers many of the prevalent
techniques that have been developed over the years for time-frequency signal
analysis and addresses the characteristics and properties of time-frequency
representations in Cohens fixed kernel class, e.g., the spectrogram
and the Wigner distribution. The course covers many time-frequency representations
and addresses their performance tradeoffs in applications. Gradually, the
student learns about the terms that are pertinent to the field and develops
an understanding for the state-of-the-art of this area of
signal processing.
Sonar Systems Engineering
3 hours lecture
Principles and design of sonar systems. Topics include: complex array and
element apertures (weighting) functions, and beam shaping; linear, planar,
and volumetric arrays; directivity and beam-forming; operating and installation
of sonar systems; improving signal-to-noise ratios; wave vector spectrum
filtering.
Neural Networks
Prerequisites: ECE 521
Theory of neural networks. Topics include learning models, single and multilayer
perceptrons, LMS algorithm, back propagation algorithms, radial basis function
networks, Hopfield networks and Boltzman machine, self-organizing systems
including Hebbian learning, Kohonen feature map algorithm, temporal processing
neural networks, biological neural networks, and VLSI implementation.
Digital Image Processing
3 hours lecture
Fundamentals of digital image processing. Topics include human vision models,
2-D sampling and quantization, image transforms, image enhancements, color
image processing, image restoration, image and video compression, image
segmentation by thresholding and region analysis, texture analysis, boundary
descriptions, morphological methods, image processing system architecture.
Geophysical, Radar and Speech Signal Processing
3 hours lecture
Common mathematical frameworks in the processing of geophysical, radar,
and speech signals are introduced, followed by a study of individual source
mechanisms and transmission media. Specific digital filtering, deconvolution,
spectral analysis and interference or clutter rejection techniques are
discussed. Case studies for effective processing of seismic, radar and
speech signals are also included.
Computer and Robot Vision
Prerequisites: ECE 678 or permission of instructor
3 hours lecture
Conditioning and labeling, the facet model, texture models, image segmentation
and arc extraction, 3-D shape representation and shape recovery, surface
reflection mechanism, shape from shading, range image analysis, stereo
vision, 2-D and 3-D motion analysis, non-rigid body motion analysis, relational
matching, 3-D object recognition, fundamentals of robot vision, architecture
of computer vision systems.
Nonlinear Acoustical Theory
Prerequisite: ECE 597
3 hours lecture
Nonlinear acoustic fields and parametric sources. Topics include nonlinear
acoustics of fluids, turbulence, underwater explosions as sources of sound,
parametric acoustic arrays, finite-amplitude effects, acoustic cavitation
and streaming.
Acoustic Transduction and Electroacoustic Transducers
3 hours lecture
An advanced course covering fundamental principles, design, and operation
of transducers for the reception and generation of underwater sound using
energy analysis methods. Topics include: theory of simple radiators and
receivers, electromechanical circuit analogies, impedance functions and
equivalent circuits; piezoelectricity; reciprocity; acoustic properties
of transducer materials; acoustic motion sensors; pressure gradient sensor
designs, and diffractions constant.
Graduate Level 700 Courses
Graduate Seminar
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Seminar discussions including presentations based on research or detailed literature
surveys.
Doctoral Dissertation Research
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Ph.D. comprehensive examination
and approval of doctoral dissertation proposal by the students graduate
committee
Investigations of a fundamental and/or applied nature representing an original
contribution to the scholarly research literature of the field. Ph.D. dissertations
are often published in refereed journals or presented at major conferences.
A written dissertation must be completed in accordance with the rules of
the Graduate School and the College of Engineering. Admission to the course
is based on successful completion of the Ph.D. comprehensive examination
and submission of a formal proposal endorsed by the students graduate
committee and submitted to the ECE Graduate Program Director.
Contact Info:
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