SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
Electrical
and Computer Engineering Technology Curriculum
For the B.S. Degree
A Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology (ECET) requires you to take a minimum of 128 credit hours of coursework. You must earn at least a grade of C or better in each 300- and 400-level course in the major field.
The primary focus in your first and second years of the ECET program will be basic AC and DC circuit analysis, semiconductors and linear electronics, computer applications, digital electronics, microprocessors, electrical machines, and programmable logic controls (PLCs). In addition, you will study applied mathematics, physics, and other General Education courses. There will be plenty of lab work, designed to help you relate theoretical concepts to physical systems.
The last two years of the program are spent developing more in-depth knowledge, with more project-based experiences. You will expand your electrical and computer background with courses in computer-based data acquisition, structured programming techniques, analog and discrete signal analysis, and embedded systems. You will also be able to select an area of focus, either in electrical engineering technology (EET) or computer engineering technology (CMPET). If you decide to pursue the EET option, you will gain knowledge in communication systems, control systems, and fluid and thermal design of electrical systems. If you choose the CMPET option, you will increase your knowledge of microprocessor systems, and learn about computer networking and software engineering concepts.
The last two years also allow you to take technical electives to further enhance your knowledge of the field of ECET. Courses offered in the past have included power electronics and intermediate PLCs. Courses in the option you haven’t chosen can also be used to meet technical elective requirements. In addition, selected courses within other degree programs at Penn State Behrend can also be used to satisfy technical elective requirements.
Both the EET and CMPET options culminate in a capstone design experience in the senior year, where student teams use their acquired knowledge to tackle an industrial-based design problem. Each team designs, builds, tests, and validates a solution to their problem. Teams also develop requirement, design, and test specifications, and demonstrate their knowledge through oral and written presentations.
By the time you graduate, you will become capable of using the techniques and tools employed by electrical and computer engineers and technologists out in the field. You'll enhance your computer capabilities by learning commercial software packages such as LabVIEW, Matlab, Visual Basic, and Pspice. And you will have developed the confidence to be a valuable contributor to any organization that demands your skills.