George Mason University 1999-2000 Catalog

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School of Information Technology & Engineering

Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Faculty
- Course Work
Undergraduate Programs
Electrical and Computer Engineering

Faculty
Professors: Black, Cook, Gertler, Griffiths, Ioannou, Levis, Manitius (chair), Mulpuri, Tabak, Van Trees
Associate professors: Athale, Baraniecki, Beale, Berry, Ceperley, Chang, Ephraim, Haney, Hintz, Jabbari, Pachowicz, Paris, W. Sutton
Assistant professors: Gaj
Adjunct professors: Beatty, Finn, Gorman, Kreidl, Lyons, MacDonald, Matolak, Schumpert, Storey, Wasson, Yegenoglu
Course Work
The Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department offers all courses designated ECE in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog.
Undergraduate Programs

The undergraduate education mission of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department is to provide a quality education for electrical engineering and computer engineering students in support of the needs of Virginia and the nation. The goals of the department are to
1. provide students with the fundamental knowledge and methodologies of electrical or computer engineering, including the opportunity to learn appropriate experimental and computational tools, essential for a successful career;
2. provide students with an awareness of, and skills in, life-long learning and self education, and to be prepared for graduate studies in electrical or computer engineering or related areas;
3. cultivate teamwork, technical writing and oral communication skills;
4. provide students with an appreciation of engineering's impact on society and the professional responsibilities of engineers; and
5. provide students with an opportunity to acquire an understanding of the engineering profession and to observe the use of cutting-edge technologies and advanced systems through direct interaction with industry, including internships and cooperative education experiences.
- Electrical Engineering, B.S.
  
  Electrical engineering is a major field of modern technology. Electrical engineers are involved in research, development, design, production, and operation of a wide variety of devices and systems, from integrated circuits and microwave and laser devices, to communication systems, control systems, radar, robots, large telecommunication networks, and power networks.
  The bachelor's program in electrical engineering at George Mason is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and is staffed by 23 full-time professors, including five fellows of IEEE or other professional societies. The curriculum provides a strong background in the fundamentals of electrical engineering as well as senior-level courses in the important areas of electronics, communications and signal processing, computer engineering, and controls and robotics. Further, the curriculum includes nine credits of senior technical electives, two credits of advanced engineering labs, and three credits of Advanced Design Project, which may be used for further concentration in one of these areas.
  Career opportunities exist in the areas of engineering research and development, system design, system integration, engineering management, engineering consultancy, technical sales, and many others. The program provides a strong preparation for graduate study.
  The requirements for the degree may be satisfied on a part-time or co-op basis. Cooperative education provides students with the opportunity to integrate paid, career-related work experience with classroom learning. In addition to the usual financial aid available to all students through the Office of Student Financial Aid, electrical engineering majors are eligible to apply at the ECE Department for several scholarships provided by professional societies and industrial organizations, such as the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, the Association of Old Crows, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, and Rockwell International.
  Concentrations
  Computer engineering, communications/signal processing, control systems, and electronics concentrations are available within the electrical engineering baccalaureate program. Completion of specific senior-level courses leads to one of these designations on the student's transcript upon graduation.
  Degree Requirements
  All electrical engineering students are required to see their major advisor before course registration each semester. Students interested in engineering who are not declared majors also are invited to obtain advising at the ECE Department office. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain and follow a sample schedule published by the department to ensure that course prerequisites are satisfied.
  Course requirements for the B.S. in Electrical Engineering are as follows:
  1. The two humanities/social science electives and the two literature electives should be selected from the department's list of approved courses. Three credits of humanities/social sciences electives must be in the disciplines of anthropology, economics (excluding the required ECON 103), geography, government, history, psychology, or sociology. Students must either take at least two humanities/social science courses from within the same academic area (i.e., two economics courses [ECON 103 plus another], two history courses, two psychology courses, etc.) or they must take at least one of the humanities or social science or literature electives at the 300 level or above.
  2. The ECE technical electives should be selected from the department's list of approved courses. The required design content must be satisfied by these electives.
  Change of Major
  Students who want to change their major to electrical engineering must have at least a 2.750 GPA in all math, physics, engineering, and computer science courses, and should have successfully completed MATH 114.
  Writing-Intensive Requirement
  The university writing-intensive requirement is satisfied by completion of ECE 492 and 493 Senior Advanced Design Project.
- Computer Engineering, B.S.
  
  The field of computer engineering can be described as a blend of electrical engineering and computer science. It is an amalgam of the computer hardware orientation of an electrical engineering program and the operating systems and languages of a computer science program Computer engineers are involved in research, development, design, production and operation of a wide variety of digital systems, from integrated circuits to computer systems and large-scale computer networks. Reflecting the industry trend to integrate hardware and software development, the computer engineering program is built around software, running on advanced hardware, that can simulate and assist in the design of new digital systems. Advanced software such as VHDL and software tools, such as logic and system design tools by Mentor Graphics and Cadence Design Systems, can be used to model hardware and hardware functionality from the system and architecture level down to the gate level and can include relations to integrated circuit fabrication technology. Design and testing methodology involving these tools is taught in the program.
  Career opportunities exist in the areas of engineering research and development, product design, digital system design and integration, engineering management, engineering consultancy, technical sales, and many others.
  The curriculum provides a strong background in the fundamentals of computer engineering. A number of technical elective tracks are offered, ranging from strongly hardware oriented to strongly software oriented. A major project with appropriate planning, documentation, and oral and written reports is required.
  
  The requirements for the degree may be satisfied on a part-time or coop basis. Cooperative education provides students with the opportunity to integrate paid, career-related work experience with classroom learning. In addition to the usual financial aid available to all students through the Office of Student Financial Aid, computer engineering majors are eligible to apply at the ECE Department for several scholarships provided by professional societies and industrial organizations, such as the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, the Association of Old Crows, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, and Rockwell International.
  Degree Requirements
  All computer engineering students are required to see their major advisor before course registration each semester. Students interested in engineering who are not declared majors are also invited to obtain advising at the ECE Department office. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain and follow a sample schedule published by the department to ensure that course prerequisites are satisfied.
  Course requirements for the B.S. in Computer Engineering are as follows:
  1. The two humanities/social science electives and the two literature electives should be selected from the department's list of approved courses. Three credits of humanities/social sciences electives must be in the disciplines of sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics (excluding the required ECON 103), history, geography, or government. Students must either take at least two humanities/social science courses from within the same academic area (i.e., two economics courses [ECON 103 plus another], two history courses, two psychology courses, etc.) or they must take at least one of the humanities or social science or literature electives at the 300 level or above.
  2. The technical electives and technical elective lab should be selected from the department's list of approved technical elective tracks. Students are also encouraged to propose additional technical elective tracks for approval.
  Change of Major
  Students who want to change their major to computer engineering must have at least a 2.750 GPA in all math, physics, engineering, and computer science courses, and should have successfully completed MATH 114.
  Writing-Intensive Requirement
  The university writing-intensive requirement is satisfied by completion of ECE 445 and 447, in which various aspects of project documentation and reports are prepared and critiqued.
- B.S. in Computer Engineering with a Minor in Computer Science
  
  Computer engineering majors can earn a minor in computer science upon taking an additional one-credit course, CS 105 Computer Ethics and Society.
  - Double Major in Computer Engineering and Computer Science
    
    Computer engineering majors can earn a double major in computer engineering and computer science if they complete an additional 17 credits of courses according to an approved plan of study. Details are available in the departmental brochures or through the university website at www.gmu.edu.
  - Certificate in Microelectronics Fabrication
    
    The undergraduate certificate in microelectronics fabrication is intended for individuals working in industry who would like to acquire or broaden knowledge of semiconductor manufacturing at the college level. Credits earned as part of this certificate may be used as part of a B.S. degree.
    Admission Requirements
    Qualifications needed to enter the certificate program include either an associate of science degree or equivalent, or at least two years of college study with appropriate science courses.
    Certificate Requirements
    The certificate is awarded upon completion of five undergraduate courses (15 credits) in chemistry, physics, and electrical and computer engineering. A cumulative GPA of 2.000 is required. No D's can be submitted for the certificate. The certificate courses comprise three required core courses, and two elective courses. The latter two courses are to be chosen from a list of approved chemistry, physics, and electrical and computer engineering courses.
    Core Courses
    After completing the core courses, students can choose two electives from a list of approved chemistry, physics, and electrical and computer engineering courses, or may request approval of other appropriate courses.
  Graduate Programs
  
  Graduate programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in engineering prepare students for careers in industry, government, or academia. The M.S. in Electrical Engineering is offered by the ECE Department, and contains several areas of emphasis, including one in computer engineering. Aproposed M.S. in Computer Engineering is going through an approval process. The Ph.D. in Information Technology is offered by IT&E, and includes a number of courses with an electrical engineering emphasis. A new Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering program is going through an approval process. Details about these programs are available through the university website at www.gmu.edu.
  The department is firmly committed to high standards of teaching and research in the vibrant areas of communications, signal and image processing, computer networks, computer engineering, control systems, intelligent systems, microelectronics, microwaves, optoelectronics, telecommunications, and thermoacoustics. Graduate students are offered a progressive environment with ample opportunities for the type of advanced engineering research that will be needed to confront the complex realities of the 21st century.
- Electrical Engineering, M.S.
  
  The courses in this program are offered during the evening or late afternoon hours to permit persons who are employed full time to enroll in the program. For those who enter the program on a full-time basis, some financial aid may be available in various forms such as teaching assistantships, research assistantships, work-study, or co-op agreements with local industry.
  Students may take courses through the Commonwealth Graduate Engineering Program. Appropriate courses may be transferred, with advisor approval, into this George Mason degree program.
  The computer engineering emphasis is being converted to a full M.S. degree program for the 1999-2000 academic year,pending approval. Details are available in the ECE Department office or through the university website at www.gmu.edu.
  Admission Requirements
  Admission is strictly competitive. The department's policy is to admit only those students who have demonstrated a potential for outstanding performance in their graduate work. To be considered for admission to the master's program, an applicant should have the following:
  1. An earned baccalaureate in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related discipline from an accredited program with a reputation for high academic standards
  2. A grade average of B or better during the last 60 credits
  3. Three letters of recommendation, preferably from academic references, or from references in industry or government who hold advanced degrees and are familiar with the applicant's professional accomplishments
  4. A detailed statement of career goals and aspirations
  5. For a student who has not earned a bachelor's degree from a U.S. university, satisfactory performance on the Graduate Record Examination; and for a student whose native language is not English, a minimum score of 575 on the TOEFL. (A minimum score of 600 is required for applicants who wish to be considered for a graduate teaching assistantship.)
  Admission Categories
  Students may be admitted into one of the following categories: degree, provisional, or nondegree. Provisional admission is for students whose past performance provides reasonable, but not strong, evidence of their ability to pursue graduate work. To advance to degree status, provisional students must achieve a 3.000 GPA after 12 credits, remove all undergraduate deficiencies (by taking the corresponding courses with a grade of B or better), and receive a B or better in specific courses representing two of the four graduate core areas: ECE 521, 528, 546 or 548, and ECE 565 or 584. The nondegree category is used primarily by students who wish to take courses but not necessarily pursue a degree. Nondegree students who wish to enter the degree program must formally apply for admission.
  Non-ECE Students
  Students with B.S. or M.S. degrees in ECE-related disciplines (for example, computer science, mathematics, mechanical engineering, or physics) are encouraged to apply for admission. Such students may initially be admitted into the provisional category and advance to degree status by satisfying the requirements described in the previous paragraph. Such students may also be advised to take some courses from the undergraduate electrical or computer engineering curriculum, according to their intended area of specialization and specific background.
  Transfer of Credit
  Up to 12 credits, the maximum permitted, may be transferred from schools that are part of the Commonwealth Graduate Engineering Program. Up to six credits may be transferred from other graduate programs.
  Student Advising
  Newly admitted graduate students must consult with the ECE graduate coordinator before they register for classes. Students should make an appointment by calling the ECE office. Each student is expected to select an area of emphasis: communications and signal processing, computer engineering, control and robotics, or electronics and electromagnetics. The student then is assigned an academic advisor from that area. Before the end of the second semester, each student must submit a plan of study (approved by his or her academic advisor) to the graduate coordinator's office.
  Degree Requirements
  Course Work
  Each student must complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits beyond the bachelor's degree. A minimum GPA of 3.000 is required. The plan of study for the degree includes the following:
  1. A minimum of two core courses (with B or better in each) from the following:
    ECE 521 Modern Systems Theory
    ECE 528 Random Processes in Electrical and Computer Engineering
    ECE 548 Sequential Machine Theory or ECE 546 Parallel Computer Architectures
    ECE 584 Solid-State Device Theory or ECE 565 Introduction to Optical Electronics
  2. A minimum of three courses with a grade of B or better at the 600 or 700 level (not including ECE 798 or 799) from a chosen emphasis.
  3. A maximum of six credits of non-ECE courses, subject to prior departmental approval. Approved INFT courses that cover ECE topics may be taken for credit toward an M.S. in Electrical Engineering in addition to the six credits of non-ECE courses.
  A maximum of two courses with a C grade may be applied toward the degree. However, all graduate courses are counted in computing the student's GPA.
  Seminar Requirement
  All degree candidates must attend a minimum of 10 department seminars.
  To complete the requirements for graduation, students may select one of the following options.
  Thesis Option
  Thesis students must complete ECE 799 Master's Thesis (6 credits) and 24 credits of course work. The thesis is particularly recommended for those students who wish to develop and document their research skills, and/or who contemplate subsequent enrollment in a Ph.D. program. The thesis involves a research effort, which is conducted under the guidance of a faculty advisor. In some cases, permission may be granted to complete a portion of the work at the student's place of employment. The final written thesis and oral defense are approved by the student's advisory committee. This committee consists of at least three full-time faculty members, including two from the student's major area and one from outside the area. Thesis students may not register for ECE 798 Research Project.
  Scholarly Paper Option
  Students who select this option must complete 30 credits of course work or 27 credits of course work plus ECE 798 Research Project, and must present a scholarly paper. The scholarly paper is a technical report on an independent study, laboratory or computer experimentation, or literature search done by the student on a current scientific or technological topic, such as a survey of some new technologies, or new methodologies, or a case study of new applications, on a theme selected under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The student must demonstrate knowledge of the topic and make a satisfactory technical presentation of the paper in the graduate seminar. The scholarly paper and the final presentation must be approved by the student's advisory committee.
  - Certificate in Communications and Networking
    
    The certificate in communications and networking provides graduate students with the opportunity to reach a demonstrated level of competence in one of the five areas of emphasis in communications and networkingcommunication networks, optical communications, mobile communication systems, communication theory, and digital communications. Course work toward the graduate certificate can be used for credit toward the M.S. in Electrical Engineering. However, the primary purpose of the certificate is to provide a well-defined target for students who want to advance their knowledge of modern communications but do not necessarily want to complete all the requirements for the M.S. in Electrical Engineering. The certificate may be pursued concurrently with any of the graduate degree programs in IT&E.
    Admission Requirements
    The certificate program in communications and networking is open to all students who hold a B.S. degree in any scientific or engineering discipline from an accredited university.
    Certificate Requirements
    The certificate is awarded upon completion of five graduate courses (15 credits) in communications. A cumulative GPA of 3.000 is required, and at most one course with a grade of C may be applied toward the certificate. The certificate courses comprise two required foundation courses, one core course, and two elective courses. The latter three courses are to be in the chosen emphasis.
    Foundation Courses
    Emphases
    After completing the foundation courses, students can choose among the five emphases described below by taking three courses in that area, one of which is to be the corresponding core course. In rare cases, with prior approval from the chairman of the graduate committee, one elective course may be substituted with a course from a different emphasis.
    1. Communication Networks: Core Course: ECE 642
      Electives: ECE 643, 742; OR 635, 643, 647; INFT 834, 886
    2. Optical Communications: Core Course: ECE 667
      Electives: ECE 565, 630, 631, 642, 665
    3. Mobile Communication Systems: Core Course: ECE 732
      Electives: ECE 630, 631, 637, 639, 642, 663
    4. Communication Theory: Core Course: ECE 630
      Electives: ECE 633, 636, 734, 735; INFT 886
    5. Digital Communications: Core Course: ECE 631
      Electives: ECE 535, 630, 636, 637, 639, 734, 738; INFT 886
  - Certificate in Signal Processing
    
    The certificate in signal processing provides graduate students with a concise sequence of courses and laboratory experiences within the wide field of signal processing. Course work toward the graduate certificate can be used for credit toward the M.S. in Electrical Engineering or in Statistical Science. However, the primary purpose of the certificate is to provide a well-defined target for students who want to advance or update their knowledge in this fast moving field but do not necessarily wish to complete all the requirements for the M.S. degree. The certificate may be pursued concurrently with any of the graduate degree programs in IT&E.
    Admission Requirements
    The certificate program in signal processing is open to all students who hold a B.S. degree in any scientific or engineering discipline from an accredited university, and are in graduate status (either degree or nondegree) in IT&E.
    Certificate Requirements
    The certificate is awarded upon completion of five graduate courses (15 credits) in signal processing. A cumulative GPA of 3.000 is required, and at most one course with a grade of C may be applied toward the certificate. The certificate courses comprise two foundation courses taken by all students and three elective courses.
    Foundation Courses
    Elective Courses
    After completing the two foundation courses, students can choose elective courses by taking three courses from the list below.
  - Certificate in VLSI Design/Manufacturing
    
    The primary purpose of the certificate is to provide a well-targeted graduate-level continuing education possibility for people working in Northern Virginia's semiconductor and intellectual property business as well as every other interested person. This certificate is intended for the students who want to advance their knowledge of very large-scale integration (VLSI) design or VLSI manufacturing but do not necessarily wish to complete all requirements for the M.S. in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering. The course work is designed so that graduate students can reach a demonstrated level of competence either in VLSI design or VLSI manufacturing. Course work toward the proposed graduate certificate can later be used for credit toward the M.S. in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering. The certificate may be pursued concurrently with any of the graduate degree programs in IT&E.
    Admission Requirements
    The certificate program in VLSI design/manufacturing is open to all students who hold a B.S. degree in any scientific and engineering discipline and are currently holding a graduate student status (degree or nondegree) in IT&E. Students with nonscientific and nonengineering degrees are required to take remedial courses before being admitted into the certificate program.
    Certificate Requirements
    The certificate is awarded upon completion of five graduate level courses (15 credits). These five courses include a required foundation course, a compulsory core course, and three elective courses out of which at least two are in the selected concentration. A cumulative GPA of 3.000 is required and, at most, one course with a grade of C may be applied toward the certificate. At most, two courses may be transferred from graduate course work at other accredited universities.
    After completing the foundation course (ECE 684), students can choose one of the two concentrations (VLSI design or VLSI manufacturing) described below by taking four courses in that concentration, one of which is to be the core course in that area.
    Foundation Course
    VLSI Design Concentration
    Core Course
    Electives
    VLSI Manufacturing Concentration
    Core Course
    Electives
  - Ph.D. Study in Electrical and Computer Engineering
    
    Doctoral study in electrical engineering and computer engineering is currently available through the Ph.D. in Information Technology program, which offers advanced courses in these disciplines. The doctoral program allows the student to take a broad range of courses with ECE topics and research options. Students enrolled in that program may become eligible for transfer to the Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering program when it is approved. The electrical and computer engineering emphasis in the Ph.D. in Information Technology program is being converted to a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering during the 1999-2000 academic year, pending approval. Additional information is available through the university website at www.gmu.edu.
George Mason University:1999-2000 University Catalog: Catalog Index: School of Information Technology & Engineering: Electrical and Computer Engineering

School of Information Technology & Engineering

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Undergraduate Programs

Graduate Programs