Currently, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has a total of 84 undergraduate majors. Of these, 81 are enrolled in BSEE degree program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Three students are enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program in Electrical Engineering, which is not an EAC ABET accredited program. (Rice Fall 2013 census) Although undergraduates are encouraged to declare on earlier, students are not required to declare a major until the spring semester of their second year. As result, these enrollment figures understate the number of electrical engineering majors.
In academic year 2012-2013, 47 students earned the BSEE degree.
The program leading to the BSEE is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET*, .
The BSEE degree is the usual degree taken by those Rice University ECE
students planning a career of engineering practice. The program for the
BSEE requires more hours and greater depth than the BA degree, however
it still provides considerable flexibility and can reduce the time
required to become a licensed professional engineer. The program
leading to the BA Degree is not accredited by the Engineering
Accreditation Commission of ABET. For more information on professional
engineers and licensing, see the Web site of the National Society of
Professional Engineers ,and also of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers http://www.tbpe.state.tx.us/.
Accreditation and professional licensing are important for many career
paths, and most states (including Texas) require licensure for anyone
providing engineering services directly to the public, for example as a
consultant. The Rice School of Engineering encourages engineering
students to take the Fundamentals of Engineering exam their senior
year. The exam is held at Rice in April, and exam fees are subsidized
by the School. For more information, contact the office of the Dean of Engineering.
The faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering Department strives
to provide high quality degree programs that emphasize fundamental
principles, that respond to the changing demands and opportunities of
technology, that challenge the exceptional abilities of Rice students,
and that prepare these students for roles of leadership in their chosen
careers. In support of this goal, the Electrical and Computer
Engineering Department's objectives are to graduate students who:
- Practice Electrical Engineering or related fields, and/or obtain an advanced degree in Electrical Engineering or related fields.
- Use mathematical modeling and problem solving skills in ECE and other technical applications.
- Analyze, incorporate, and adapt to new technical and scientific developments.
- Assume increasing professional responsibility and enhancing communication and teamwork abilities.
To achieve its objectives, the ECE department continuously
evaluates its curriculum, course content, and student performance.
The department uses this information to develop its program so that
each of its graduates will have:
a. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
b. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
c. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
d. an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
e. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
f. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
g. an ability to communicate effectively
h. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
i. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
j. a knowledge of contemporary issues
k. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice