ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
beginning Fall 2008

The School of Engineering and Computer Science (ENCS) is an academic unit of the WSU College of Engineering and Architecture that houses the engineering and computer science programs located at WSU Vancouver. In Fall 2006, it admitted the first freshman class and continues to offer upper-division (junior- and senior-level) courses for its undergraduate programs and graduate-level courses for its Masters programs. With its new, well-equipped classrooms and laboratories, small class sizes and research faculty, the School provides a stimulating environment for education and research.

Undergraduate Programs

Our undergraduate curricula provide students with a solid foundation upon which they can build to meet the challenges associated with their individual career paths and to adapt to the rapidly changing technologies. We emphasize the fundamentals and give students significant choice in designing their academic agenda to meet their career goals.

In Computer Science, students can choose from a variety of courses in areas such as intelligent systems, software and hardware systems, graphics, networking and multimedia.

In Mechanical Engineering, students can customize their study through three option areas:

1. Micro/nanotechnology;
2. Design and Manufacturing; and
3. Mechatronics

In Electrical Engineering, students can also customize their study through three option areas:

1. Digital Systems;
2. Electronic Devices and Materials; and
3. Networks and Communications Systems
   

Effective writing, speaking and presentation skills, and ethics are also emphasized as important attributes of our graduates. In addition to teaching, the faculty are actively involved in research sponsored by industry and government agencies. Results of the research often serve as specific examples, case studies, and projects in undergraduate courses. Furthermore, through the undergraduate research program, we offer students the opportunity to work one-on-one with the faculty in advancing the frontiers of knowledge.

Graduate Programs

Our graduate programs balance advanced coursework with hands-on research opportunities in our state-of-the-art laboratories. The graduate courses are designed to provide a broad perspective of a particular discipline. The thesis research allows students to learn by studying a problem in-depth, in close collaboration with a faculty member

Faculty are engaged in various research projects including wireless sensor networks, software architecture and design analysis; meta-cognitive agents, modeling and rendering intricate shapes using fractals; composite materials; fatigue improvement in resistance spot welds; characterization of carbon nanotubes; computational mechanics; boundary element methods; robotics; and haptic interfaces for virtual reality. Teaching and research assistantships are available for qualified students.