Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science

Professors Emeriti: Gerald J. Kirwin, Ph.D., Syracuse University; Kantilal K Surti, Ph.D., University of Connecticut; Darrell Horning, Ph.D., University of Illinois; Roger G. Frey, Ph.D., J.D., Yale University; Norman Hosay, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin

Professors: Bouzid Aliane, Ph.D., Polytechnic Institute of New York; Tahany Fergany, Ph.D., University of Connecticut; Alice E. Fischer, Ph.D., Harvard University; Andrew J. Fish, Jr., Ph.D., University of Connecticut; Ali Golbazi, Ph.D., Wayne State University; Bijan Karimi, Ph.D., Oklahoma State University

Associate Professors: William R. Adams, Ph.D., University of Connecticut; Andrew Brooks, Ph.D., University of Strathclyde; Barun Chandra, Ph.D., University of Chicago; David W. Eggert, Ph.D., University of South Florida; Christopher Martinez, Ph.D., University of Texas at San Antonio

Degrees Offered

A.S., Computer Science
B.S., Computer Engineering
B.S., Computer Science
B.S., Electrical Engineering
B.S., Information Technology
Five-year B.S./M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Five-year B.S./M.S. in Computer Science

For graduate degrees offered by this Department, please refer to the UNH Graduate Catalog.

Mission

The mission of the Department is to prepare students from diverse backgrounds for professional practice and continued growth in the fields of electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, and information technology. We provide students with the skills and basic background needed to become proficient in today’s technology, as well as to keep abreast of future developments in these fields.

The offerings in the Department cover a wide spectrum of possibilities. On one end, the electrical engineering discipline focuses on the design of electrical systems, both computer-related and non-computer-related. On the other end, the computer science discipline focuses on the design and implementation of computer software for various applications. In between, the field of computer engineering bridges this gap through the design of computer hardware and its controlling software. The area of information technology deals with the deployment and integration of these various components into larger systems, such as a secure computer network infrastructure or an e-commerce website.

Educational Philosophy

Being true to the broader educational missions of the University and the Tagliatela College of Engineering, the programs in the Department possess many facets. Through the University’s core requirements, students expand their cultural and intellectual horizons by exposure to the humanities and social sciences, in addition to the technical aspects of mathematics and science. Written and oral communication skills are developed continually throughout the curriculum.

During the freshman and sophomore years, students in each program participate at different levels in the multidisciplinary spiral curriculum of the TCoE, in addition to taking introductory discipline courses. They then have an opportunity to pursue particular interests through required and elective courses in their final two years.

Another important feature of these programs is that they put theory into practice. Through a mixture of specific lab courses and in-class projects, students have “hands-on” experiences to further emphasize the lessons they have learned. These activities culminate in a design project in their senior year, as well as an internship in local industry.

Internship Requirement

The internship program enriches the academic experience for the student by providing exposure to a working industrial environment. Each internship is a partnership between the student, a faculty adviser and an employer. Once the junior year is reached (60 credits), a student is eligible to find and propose a particular experience. This could take the form of part-time or summer employment, a co-op job, community service or some other activity of sufficient duration and with duties relevant to the discipline. The minimum length of time required for the internship varies for each program (300 hours for electrical and computer engineering, 100 for computer science and information technology). Students who are already working in the field should contact their adviser concerning a possible waiver of this requirement.

Extracurricular Activities

Students are encouraged to develop themselves not only academically, but also socially. Various opportunities exist outside the classroom for interaction with other students and faculty. The Living/Learning Community provides a great bonding experience in the freshman year. In later years, various clubs and student chapters of national societies, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and the Association of Computing Machinery, provide an opportunity to listen to visiting lecturers, attend workshops or conferences, and take field trips into the surrounding industry. Student chapters of national honor societies (for example, Eta Kappa Nu for electrical and computer engineering), also recognize the outstanding achievements of superior students.

Five-year B.S./M.S. Programs

Students of good academic standing are eligible to participate in a five-year program in which both B.S. and M.S. degrees are earned. Those in the B.S.E.E. and B.S.C.E.N. degrees can transition to the M.S.E.E., while those in the B.S.C.S. program can continue to the M.S.C.S. program with minimal paperwork and no application fee. Students take two graduate courses in their senior year that both fulfill their B.S. requirements and waive certain M.S. requirements, so that they can graduate with both degrees in five years. Students are encouraged to speak with their academic advisers for details.

Student Societies

The Computer Engineering program sponsors a student section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. This organization supports visiting lecturers, educational workshops, field trips to surrounding industrial sites, and social events.

Eta Kappa Nu, the national honor society for electrical and computer engineers, is represented by the Zeta Rho Chapter at the University of New Haven. This society exists to honor superior students and to encourage high scholastic achievement.

Student Societies

The Electrical Engineering program sponsors a student section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. This organization supports visiting lecturers, educational workshops, field trips to surrounding industrial sites, and social events.