Professor Joseph P. Noonan, Chair; Communications, coding and information theory,
digital processing
Emeritus Professor Ronald B. Goldner, Applied optics, optoelectronic materials and
devices, solar energy conservation, conversion, and storage
Emeritus Professor Robert A. Gonsalves, Digital image processing, phase retrieval and
diversity
Professor Mohammed Nurul Afsar, Microwaves, design and measurements
Professor Douglas Preis, Electromagnetics, signal processing, audio engineering
Visiting Professor Jeffrey A. Hopwood, Microelectronics, plasma
Visiting Professor Eric L. Miller, Signal Processing, image
processing
Associate Professor Chorng Hwa Chang, Computer engineering, communication
networks
Associate Professor Denis W. Fermental, Control engineering, analog electronics
Associate Professor Karen Panetta, Simulation, multimedia
Assistant Professor Valencia Joyner, High-speed /
low-noise integrated circuits for optical RF communications,
optoelectronic VLS, radiation effects in integrated circuits
Assistant Professor Sameer Sonkusale, Mixed-signal VLSI design, sensor
electronics
Professor of the Practice Ronald Lasser, Product development professional,
innovation management
Lecturer Karlen Kocharyan, Microwave and MM-wave devices, MM-wave
measurement methods
Lecturer Paul McCormack, Software defined radio, FPGA-based computing
Lecturer Gary Scalzi,
Microwave and RF receivers, phased array antenna systems
Lecturer Igor Tkachov, Microwave circuits
Research Professor Arthur Winston, Instrumentation and measurement
Research Associate Konstantine Korolev, Study of complex
dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability of solid, liquid, and powered
substances in millimeter wavelengths; magnetic properties of ferrimagnet
materials in millimeter waves
Adjunct Professor Edward T. Lewis, Microelectronics, VLSI, semiconductor physics
Adjunct Professor Robert J. Mailloux, Antennas
Adjunct Professor David Marquis, Radar
Adjunct Professor Albert Paradis, Control theory
Adjunct Associate Professor
Alva Couch, Parallel computing, computer
graphics
Adjunct Associate Professor Mark
Cronin-Golomb, Optical instrumentation, laser
tweezers, atomic force microscopy, nonlinear optics
Adjunct Associate Professor
Sergio Fantini, Biomedical instrumentation,
medical optics, near infrared imaging of the brain, optical mamography, muscle
hemodynamics, diffuse optical tomography
Adjunct Associate Professor Soha
Hassoun, CAD, VLSI design
Adjunct Research Professor Paul Kelley,
Nonlinear optics, lasers, optical communication
The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department educates leaders who will
create and manage information that characterizes modern society. Our students
provide the devices, tools, and communications networks needed by our society.
The electrical engineer designs devices and systems for the generation, control, and transmission of information; and develops materials and techniques, based on physics, applied mathematics, probability, system theory, and computer simulation, that are useful for this work.
The computer engineer designs devices and systems for the management of information in digital form such as audio and video systems; microprocessor control systems; and digital communications, mechanisms, and networks. Since software is a crucial a component as hardware in good design, the computer engineer is a knowledgeable programmer.
The department offers degree programs in electrical engineering and computer engineering for students in the School of Engineering. Minors in biomedical engineering, computer science, and multimedia arts are also available.
The department offers courses in computer programming and data structures, software engineering, operating systems, digital circuits and systems, very large-scale integration, computer architecture, linear circuits and systems, signal processing, microwaves and microwave devices, electro-optics, communications, and automatic control. Design is integral to the engineering degree programs, each of which culminates in a senior design project. A number of introductory courses are without college-level prerequisites.
By careful selection of course work, students who follow the standard curricula listed below can satisfy admission requirements for professional schools of medicine, dentistry, business, or law.
Undergraduate Programs
The mission of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is to
provide our students with educational experiences which give them a sound basis
for professional practice, advanced education, and lifelong learning. At its
core is the goal that students learn the fundamental principles of electrical
and computer engineering and master engineering methods used to solve challenging and
diverse problems. Further, the department strives to have each
student develop
the leadership and communications skills necessary to relate these solutions to
both technical and non-technical communities. The faculty is dedicated to
accomplishing this mission through the integration of teaching and research.
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
The objectives of the Electrical Engineering Program are:
• to provide students with educational experiences that prepare them for
fulfilling careers in technology related industries and research institutions
and instill in them an appreciation for life-long learning and adaptation so
that they may better apply their knowledge and experience to the continually
evolving, broad domain of Electrical Engineering.
• to offer high-quality instruction that encompasses not only technical content
but also makes students aware of the societal implications of technology.
• to present a curriculum built on fundamental principles of mathematics,
science, and engineering that utilizes departmental disciplinary strengths and
gives students the ability to integrate and apply these principles.
• to teach the curriculum through integrated experiences in analysis, design,
experimentation, and computation.
• to foster an environment where students learn to appreciate and refine
fundamental communications skills through the integrated use of research,
written reports, and presentations targeted at both similar and diverse
audiences.
• to challenge students to exercise their knowledge, skills, and creativity
through exercises in design and problem resolution in both individual and
collaborative forums.
• to encourage students, through advising and curriculum structure, to pursue
individualized, well-rounded plans of study including elective courses,
internships, undergraduate research, and the development of leadership skills.
The accredited curriculum leading to the degree of bachelor of science in electrical
engineering is intended to qualify students to begin a professional career in electrical
engineering or to proceed to advanced study. The departmental concentration electives and
free electives permit the undergraduate to select additional courses in the core areas.
Students may study a wide variety of topics, including semiconductor
integrated circuits, VLSI design, biomedical engineering, microwaves and
telecommunications, antennas and antenna systems, optical electronics, lasers, fiber optics, digital image processing, semiconductor and optoelectronics
materials, signal processing, switching circuit design, computer architecture, parallel
processing, computer systems, and multimedia.
The core courses of the degree program contain elements of design as well as analysis, and include associated laboratory work. They involve concepts of circuits and systems, digital and analog electronics, microprocessors, electromagnetic fields, automatic control and communication.
The program leading to this degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The required courses for the electrical engineering program are listed below. They are presented in one possible arrangement for completing the program.
First Year
FALL TERM
Mathematics 11
Physics 11 with lab
Engineering 1 (half credit)
Elective (half-credit course in Engineering)
English 1
SPRING TERM
Mathematics 12
Physics 12 with lab
Chemistry 1 or 16
Engineering 2 (half credit)
Elective (half-credit course in Engineering)
Sophomore Year
FALL TERM
Mathematics 13
Engineering Science 3 (Introduction to Electrical Engineering)
Department foundation elective
Humanities or social sciences elective
Science elective
SPRING TERM
Mathematics 38
Engineering Science 4 (Introduction to Digital Logic Circuits)
Electrical Engineering 13 (Circuit Theory)
Department foundation elective (Computer Science II)
Department foundation elective
Junior Year
FALL TERM
Electrical Engineering 11 (Introduction to Analog Electronics)
Electrical Engineering 14 (Microprocessor Architecture and Applications)
Department foundation (Probability and Statistics: Math 161 and Math 162
or CE 102 or BIO 132 or PHY 153 or EE 108)
Humanities or social sciences elective
SPRING TERM
Electrical Engineering 18 (Electromagnetic Waves)
Electrical Engineering 12 (Intermediate Electronics)
or Electrical Engineering 50 (Introduction to Biomedical Engineering)
Department foundation (Electrical Engineering 102)
Department foundation elective
Humanities or social sciences elective
Senior Year
FALL TERM
Electrical Engineering 97 (Design Project, half credit)
Electrical Engineering 105 (Feedback Control Systems)
Electrical Engineering 107 (Communications Systems I)
Probability/statistics (see department list)
Free elective
Department concentration elective
Humanities or social sciences elective
SPRING TERM
Electrical Engineering 98 (Design Project, half credit)
Department concentration elective
Department concentration elective
Humanities or social sciences elective
Free elective
The selection of elective courses described above may be altered for program flexibility. The assignments here represent one possible way of meeting the requirements for the bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering.
A probability and statistics course, taken for a grade, is required. The menu for the requirement is: Civil Engineering 102 (Probability and Statistics in Engineering), Mathematics 161 (Probability) AND 162 (Statistics), Biology 132 (Biostatistics), Physics 153 (Statistical Mechanics), Electrical Engineering 108 (Communication Systems II).
Four of the elective departmental concentration courses are normally chosen from
nonrequired electrical engineering courses. The additional one is selected from
nonrequired electrical engineering courses; from appropriate graduate-level courses in
biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, engineering science, mathematics or
physics; or from a list (provided by the department) of approved undergraduate technical
courses.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
The objectives of the Computer Engineering program are:
• to provide and expose students to fundamental theory and practice in
Computer Engineering;
• to prepare students for careers and leadership in computer-related
industry and research institutions at a professional level, for
life-long learning, and for adapting to changes in these
fast-paced fields;
• to offer opportunities for students to participate in teaching and
research experiences including inter-disciplinary research.
In both required and elective courses throughout the curriculum,
the digital computer is used extensively in the study of electrical systems, components,
and materials. Students wishing to investigate more intensively the analysis and design of
digital computers, as well as the analysis, design, and operation of systems in which
computers are an integral part, should follow the computer engineering program.
The program leading to this degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The required courses for the computer engineering program are listed below. They are presented in one possible arrangement for completing the program.
First Year
The same as the standard program in electrical engineering.
Sophomore Year
FALL TERM
Mathematics 13
Engineering Science 3 (Introduction to Electrical Engineering)
Department foundation elective
Science elective
Humanities or social sciences elective
SPRING TERM
Mathematics 38
Engineering Science 4 (Introduction to Digital Logic Circuits)
Computer Science 11 (Introduction to Computer Science)
Electrical Engineering 13 (Circuit Theory)
Humanities or social sciences elective
Junior Year
FALL TERM
Electrical Engineering 11 (Introduction to Analog Electronics)
Electrical Engineering 14 (Microprocessor Architecture and Applications)
Computer Science 15 (Data Structures)
Humanities or social sciences elective
SPRING TERM
Electrical Engineering 18 (Electromagnetic Waves)
Electrical Engineering 26 (Digital Logic Systems)
Electrical Engineering 102 (Linear Systems)
Mathematics 22
Humanities or social sciences elective
Senior Year
FALL TERM
Electrical Engineering 97 (Design Project, half credit)
Probability/statistics (see department list)
Electrical Engineering 107 (Communication Systems I)
Electrical Engineering 126 (Computer Engineering)
Electrical Engineering 128 (Operating Systems)
Computer engineering elective*
Humanities or social sciences elective
SPRING TERM
Electrical Engineering 98 (Design Project, half credit)
Computer engineering elective*
Computer engineering elective*
Free elective
Free elective
*Computer engineering electives are selected from a list provided by the department. The
selections are subject to the approval of the departmental adviser.
Bachelor of Science in Engineering
Alternatively, students in the electrical and computer engineering department may follow programs of
study leading to the bachelor of science degree in engineering. These programs of study
differ from the regular programs only in the selection of the twelve required departmental
concentration courses and the eight required departmental foundation courses. In the
bachelor of science in engineering program, these twenty courses are selected by the
student, with the approval of the departmental adviser, to satisfy student interest or
professional objectives. Normally, five are engineering or engineering science courses,
while the remaining fifteen are selected from engineering, engineering science, computer
science, mathematics, natural sciences, and other related areas.
Bachelor of Science
If a student wants a program with a strong computer engineering or
other electrical engineering component, the faculty adviser will normally be from the
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. (See School of Engineering
Information.)
Undergraduate Minor Programs
(See Disciplinary Minor Programs for restrictions.)
Biomedical Engineering
The department offers a minor in biomedical engineering. Details are available
from the Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Computer Science
The department offers a minor in computer science for those students
pursuing the BSEE degree. Details are available from the Department of Computer
Science.
Multimedia Arts
The department offers an interdisciplinary minor in multimedia arts, administered jointly by the Departments of Music and Electrical and Computer
Engineering. (See Multimedia Arts for description of this minor.)
Certificate Program
The department offers graduate-level certificates in microwave and
wireless engineering and other specialized topics as approved. The certificates are
offered on a part-time, nondegree basis for students seeking professional training in
these fields. In most cases, courses taken in a certificate program can be transferred
into a graduate degree program. For more information, see
Microwave and Wireless Engineering in this bulletin
or contact the Office of
Graduate and Professional Studies at 617-627-3395 or visit
http://ase.tufts.edu/gradstudy.
Graduate Program
Master of Science
The department offers a program leading to the M.S. degree in electrical
engineering. The master of science degree requires ten courses, usually one credit per course, and all courses
must be at the 100 level or above. At least eight credits must be from approved courses.
The two remaining credits usually are a creative thesis work, written and defended orally,
and performed under the supervision of a faculty member. Alternatively, these two credits
can be a supervised project plus another approved course.
Doctor of Philosophy
The department offers a program leading to the Ph.D.
in electrical engineering. Students in each
program must already have a master of science degree in the same or a related field. Applicants to the
Ph.D. program who do not have the M.S. degree will instead be considered for admission to
the master of science degree program, and on completion of that program will
automatically be considered for admission to the Ph.D. program.
The department differentiates between admission to the Ph.D. program and Ph.D. candidacy. No students are accepted as formal doctoral candidates until they have exhibited merit in a qualifying examination and have identified a faculty member who has agreed to be their dissertation supervisor.
Doctoral candidates are expected to plan a program of research under the direction of their dissertation supervisor and with the guidance of a faculty committee. On completion of this research, the candidate must prepare and publicly defend a dissertation.
Students in electrical engineering must take twenty credits beyond the M.S. degree. These credits include both course work and a dissertation; the dissertation effort is usually assigned ten credits. The qualifying examination is a single, written examination that must be taken within one academic year of admission to the Ph.D. program (within two academic years for part-time students).
Typical areas available for dissertations include solid-state materials with an emphasis on
optoelectronic and solar energy applications, microwave devices and systems, microwave
thermography, electromagnetics, antennas, plasma physics, small computers, microprocessor
applications, computer architecture, multiprocessing, VLSI design, VLSI CAD,
microelectronics, communications systems, information theory, signal processing, digital
electronics, Fourier optics, coherence theory, image analysis, nonlinear
optics, and circuit theory.
For more detailed information, please visit the website http://www.ee.tufts.edu.
To view Course Descriptions, please go to: http://webcenter.studentservices.tufts.edu/courses/main.asp.