Courses

EE 111-115 INTRODUCTORY MODULES IN ELECTRICAL & COMPUTER ENGINEERING
1—0—1
A series of five 1.0 credit-hour modules, each taught by a different ECE faculty member, designed to introduce students to the breadth of the electrical and computer engineering discipline. Modules will stress the expectations and opportunities within the ECE profession, will utilize demonstrations of familiar ECE systems to illustrate fundamental ECE concepts, and will provide ample hands-on training with ECE equipment, including computer hardware and software packages. Through careful course design and progression, ECE topics and training will be reinforced across multiple modules in order to emphasize intra-disciplinary connections and prepare students for future ECE coursework.

EE 122. DC CIRCUITS
3—0—3
Electrical Circuit Analysis I, introduces DC resistive circuit analysis with dependent and independent current and voltage sources. Analysis methods include node voltage, mesh current, Thevenin and Norton equivalents, and superposition. Other topics include maximum power transfer, ideal op-amp behavior, and design with opamp building blocks. Familiarity with Matlab and PSpice is assumed. In-class laboratory techniques are introduced with a guided design projects. Prerequisites: EE 111-115 or permission of the instructor. MA 123 must be taken before or concurrently with EE 122. ECE majors must complete this course with a grade of C or better. 

EE 129. INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL LOGIC CIRCUITS
3—0—3
Introduction to the fundamentals of combinational and sequential digital logic circuits. Combinational logic topics include number systems and information representations, switching algebra, basic logic gates, and logic circuit minimization. Medium-scale functions such as multiplexers, decoders, and adders are also covered. Sequential logic topics include latches and flip-flops, clocks, timing analysis, and metastability. Combinational logic and flip-flop principles are used in conjunction with state concepts to analyze and synthesize sequential machines. Medium-scale sequential functions such as registers, counters, and shift registers are also covered. Emphasis is placed on the analysis and synthesis procedures used to design combinational and sequential logic systems. Prerequisites: EE 111-115 or permission of the instructor. ECE majors must complete this course with a grade of C or better.

EE 223. ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT ANALYSIS
3—2—4
Electrical Circuit Analysis II, is the second course in a series designed to provide engineering majors the tools to analyze and design passive analog circuits. This course introduces capacitors and inductors, and develops the natural and forced responses of first and second-order circuits containing these elements. It introduces complex phasor notation in the context of sinusoidal steady-state analysis, and then further develops these concepts in the analysis of single and three-phase AC power. The laboratory portion of the course introduces the practical skills of designing, building, and debugging physical circuits in the context of relevant contemporary examples. It includes a major design 4-lab sequence in which cadets design and build a project of their choice. Prerequisite: MA 124, C or better in EE 122. Corequisite: MA 311.

EE 225. ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
3—0—3
Electromagnetic fields is the first of two courses designed to provide the engineer with the tools to analyze electric and magnetic fields. The course explores Maxwell’s equations for static systems. Electrostatics: fields in vacuum and material bodies, Coulomb’s law, Gauss’ law, divergence theorem, Poisson’s and Laplace’s equations with solutions to elementary boundary value problems. Magnetostatics: fields in vacuum and material bodies, Ampere’s law, Biot-Savart’s law, Faraday’s law, and Stoke’s theorem. Prerequisites: MA 215.

EE 228.DIGITAL SYSTEMS DESIGN
2—2—3
Combinational and sequential medium-scale functions are reviewed and used in conjunction with register-transfer language (RTL) and hardware description languages to design complex digital systems. Principles of modularity, hierarchical methods, controller/datapath partitioning, and a top-down approach are considered in the design process. A hardware description language such as Verilog and programmable logic devices are used in the laboratory to implement digital systems resulting from the aforementioned design process. Prerequisites: EE 129.

EE 230. SIGNAL AND SYSTEM ANALYSIS
3—0—3
Signals and Systems introduces the Fourier and Laplace transforms as methods to model and analyze continuous-time linear systems (primarily first and second-order circuits) in the frequency domain. Parallels between the time and frequency domains are discussed, and sampling and filter design issues are developed. The course makes extensive use of Matlab as a computational and visualization tool. In-class labs reinforce theory and develop hardware skills. Prerequisite: EE 223.

EE 255. ELECTRONICS
3—2—4
Electronics is the first of two courses designed to provide the engineer with the tools to analyze a circuit and to design a circuit in which diodes and transistors are major components. Semiconductor theory: doped materials, diodes, bipolar junction transistors, and field-effect transistors. Analysis and design of small-signal single stage amplifiers and digital logic circuits. The laboratory portion will cover diode circuits, BJT/FET biasing schemes, and BJT/FET small-signal amplifier configurations. Prerequisite: EE 223.

EE 321X. SYSTEMS DESIGN I
3—0—3
Part one of a capstone course in the methodologies and attributes of systems design. Topics include the engineering design process, identification of needs, developing a requirements specification, generating and evaluating concepts, design tools, and professional skills such as teamwork and project management. Particular emphasis is placed on system decomposition, generating behavioral models and testing. Engineering ethics and engineering economy are also presented.

EE 328. COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE (CROSS-LISTED WITH CS 316 COMPUTER SYSTEMS)
3—0—3
An introduction to the architecture and design of digital computers. Topics include instruction sets and assembly language programming, computer arithmetic, central processing units, pipelines, memory systems, input/output systems, and RISC and CISC concepts. Digital computers are modeled as complex digital systems to which digital systems design methods can be applied. Prerequisites: EE 228.

EE 339. MICROCONTROLLERS
3—2—4
Fundamentals of microprocessors and microcontrollers and their use in embedded systems. Topics include basic architectures, address modes, memory and input/output interfacing, interrupt-driven processing and assembly language programming. The use of C programming for microcontrollers is also considered. Projects involving the use of microcontrollers to solve embedded system design problems such as motor controls, display drivers, analog-to-digital conversion, etc. are integrated in both the laboratory and lectures. Prerequisites: EE 328 or permission from the instructor.

EE 351. ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS AND MACHINES
3—0—3
Analysis of D.C and A.C. electrical circuits. Element equations, Kirchhoff’s laws, network theorems, power, phasor techniques, 3-phase systems and transformers; introduction to rotating machines. Prerequisites: MA 124. For non-electrical engineering students.

EE 352. ELECTRONIC DEVICES
2—2—3
Fundamentals of solid-state devices, amplifier circuits, theory of electronic instruments, sensors, digital interfacing techniques, and an introduction to control systems. Laboratory used to demonstrate principles. Prerequisite: EE 351. For non-electrical engineering students.

EE 356. ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS AND INTERFACING
2—2—3
Electronic Applications and Interfacing is a continuation of EE-255 Electronics. Tools and techniques taught in EE-255 are applied to the design of practical electronic circuits in the course of solving electronics and engineering problems. Operational amplifiers and their characteristics are used to design linear and non-linear circuits to solve analog circuit problems. The Barkhausen criteria are presented for the desin of oscillators and waveform generation. Basic electromagnetic principles are used to provide methods of grounding and shielding, power supply decoupling, and the termination of transmission lines to minimize the effects of external and internal noise sources. Power switching techniques including transistor switches, h-bridges, and pulse-width modulation are used to interface transducers and various types of actuatior. Power supply design is studied using linear regulation approaches and introductory switching methods. Digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversions may also be presented. Circuit simulation software is used throughout the course and typical circuit applications are designed, implemented, and tested in the laboratory. Prerequisite: EE 255.

EE 372W. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
3—2—4
Principles of electronic digital communications theory and systems including AM, FM, PAM, and PCM. Fourier analysis techniques are developed and broadly applied both in class and in the supporting laboratory exercises. Also included are introductions to: information theory, encoding theory, and noise. Trade-offs among signal power, noise and system bandwidth versus system channel capacity are thoroughly developed. Prerequisites: EE 230 and EE 356. Writing Intensive (W).

EE 381. AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
2—2—3
Properties of closed loop (feedback) control systems. Analysis of both analog systems (in open and closed loop configurations) using: transfer functions, Mason gain, and state space techniques. Modeling of electromechanical systems (translational and rotating). System design methods using Bode plots, gain and phase margin. Controllability and state variable feedback concepts. Root locus and designs to meet pole placement and time response specifications are stressed. Knowledge of Laplace transforms and matrix algebra is expected. Prerequisites: EE 230, MA 311.

EE 413. MICROELECTRONICS
2—2—3
This course emphasizes microelectronic circuit design and fabrication, and stresses a familiarization with both established and emerging technologies including: thick/thin films, 3D and multichip modules, nanotechnologies, printed circuit board technologies, surface mount technologies, MEMs/NEMs, optoelectronics, biotechnologies, and advanced electronic materials, packaging, and interconnections. Laboratory experiments involving multiple technologies will complement the lectures throughout the course.

EE 420. GREEN ENERGY POWER CONDITIONING
2—2—3
Basic theory and operation of power conditioning required for green energy such as Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV) and wind power are covered. Specifically DC-to-DC converters such as buck, boost, buckboost, and four quadrant power conditioning are investigated. AC-to-DC power conditioning techniques are also covered along with DC-to-AC inverters. Analysis and design of power conditioning systems required for green energy applications which employ some combination of DC-to-DC, AC-to-DC, and DC-to-AC power conditioning is stressed. Prerequisite: EE 255.

EE 422. SYSTEMS DESIGN II
0—3—3
Part two of a capstone course in the methodologies and attributes of systems design. Teams of cadets realize the system that was proposed in part one of the course sequence. Once implemented and tested, the system design is explored in a formal oral presentation to the faculty accompanied by a formal written report. Prerequisite: EE 321.

EE 426. SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
2—2—3
Topics include: overview of microelectronics fabrication processes; photolithography techniques; oxidation theory, processing and characterization; diffusion theory, processing, and characterization; film deposition techniques; interconnections and contacts in integrated circuits; microelectronic packaging options; and MOS device process integration. The laboratory portion of the course will focus on clean room protocol, and the use of semiconductor processing equipment in the fabrication and characterization of resistors, diodes, and transistors on silicon wafers.

EE 431. DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING
3—2—4
Digital Signal Processing discusses the representation of discrete-time signals and systems using time-domain methods such as convolution and frequency-domain methods including the DTFT (Discrete Time Fourier Transform), the DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform), and the Z transform. Other topics include digital filter design and analysis, the impact of sampling in the time and frequency domains, and the design of anti-aliasing and reconstruction filters. The laboratory will emphasize practical considerations involved with the implementation of DSP algorithms. MATLAB will be used for digital signal generation, plotting and the implementation and analysis of DSP operations. Prerequisite: EE 230.

EE 435. FAULT TOLERANT COMPUTING
2—2—3
This course covers techniques for designing and analyzing fault tolerant digital systems. The topics covered include fault models and effects, fault avoidance techniques, hardware redundancy, error detection and correction, time redundancy, software redundancy, combinatorial reliability models. In addition, Markov reliability modeling, Markov availability modeling, safety modeling, design trade-off analysis, and the testing of redundant digital systems will be covered. Prerequisites: MA 220, EE 339.

EE 445. COMPUTER NETWORKS
2—2—3
Introduction to computer network fundamentals such as network architecture and Media Access Control (MAC). The topics covered include: ALOHA networks, Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) networks, CSMA Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) networks, CSMA with collision detection (CSMA/CD) networks, token passing networks, Ethernet networks, seven layer OSI model, IEEE network standards, wireless networks to include satellite networks, network media selection, and the fundamental components of the Internet. The ability to design a network to meet a throughput requirement is stressed. Prerequisites: MA 220, EE 372W.

EE 450. BIOMEDICAL SIGNAL PROCESSING AND BIOMECHANICS
2—2—3
This laboratory-intensive course is divided into modules covering two of the largest branches of bioengineering: biosignal processing and the mechanical analysis of biostructures. The first module introduces the Short-Time Fourier Transform and its application to speech processing and synthesis. The two-dimensional Z-Transform and its application to filter and enhance medical images are also covered. The second module has a brief treatment of statics and continuum mechanics, then introduces three-dimensional solid modeling techniques, and ties these together with the use of finite element solvers. Prerequisite: EE 431.

EE 455. ELECTRICAL/MECHANICAL DESIGN
2—2—3
Engineering in practice often employs a hybrid of electrical and mechanical design skills. This laboratory-intensive course takes students already proficient in analog design and microcontroller programming, and in the first module ties these skills together with microcontroller analog interfacing methods. The second module consists of a brief treatment of statics and continuum mechanics, and then introduces three-dimensional solid modeling, additive rapid prototyping, and stress analysis techniques. Students then demonstrate mastery of electrical and mechanical design skills in the third module design project. Laboratory experiments involving microcontroller interfacing and computer-aided design complement the lectures. Prerequisites: EE 223, EE 339, PY 161.

EE 460. PORTABLE POWER
2—2—3
Microelectronics has enabled sophisticated electrically powered communications, sensing/data acquisition, computing, entertainment and positioning systems that are portable. A major challenge is the lifetime, weight, reliability and resupply of the batteries powering these systems. This course examines high-energy-density solutions capable of meeting these enhanced requirements. A laboratory session examines systems efficiencies, energy conversion/storage methods, high efficiency converters/regulators and testing metrics applied as feedback to a systems engineering approach. Prerequisite: EE 356.

EE 469. ECE INTERNSHIP FOR CREDIT
0—0—0 TO 0—0—3
Designed for students pursuing an internship for credit in ECE. Students must meet eligibility, registration, and documentation requirements, as outlined in the VMI Academic Regulations.

EE 470. SEMINAR
1—0—1
The senior seminar is designed with the twin goals of preparing students to take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination, and provide graduating cadets with important career skills not covered in other courses, including how to interview/negotiate salary, what graduate school offers an engineering career, the role of professional organizations including the IEEE, the importance of P.E. licensure, and how to obtain patents. Students will choose an area from several current fast-hiring branches of electrical engineering, research the field from the view of a prospective hire, and present their findings in a formal written and power point presentation to the class.

EE 471W SYSTEM DESIGN VALIDATION
1—0—1
The objective of this course is to validate a system design satisfying requirements defined by the IEEE Student Hardware Contest rules through a final evaluation occurring as a multi-team competition. This course applies test and evaluation as feedback to conceptual, logical and physical design steps of multiple subsystems and the integrated system. A reflective essay addresses lessons learned from application of a complex systems engineering process that produces both a product and management processes. Prerequisite: EE 422. Writing Intensive (W).

EE 473. SELECTED TOPICS IN ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
3—0—3
Special topics in electrical and computer engineering as suggested by members of the faculty or cadets. Subject and content announced before the semester begins. Topics will be determined upon adequate student interest. Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor.

EE 491-496. UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH IN ECE
1—0—1 TO 0—6—3
Designed for students pursuing undergraduate research under the supervision of one or more members of the ECE faculty. Approval of the instructor(s) and the ECE Department Head is required. A final paper and/or presentation will be required at the end of the course, as deemed appropriate by the instructor(s).