Classes for BSEE in Microelectronics at UCF

[Firestrider]

Right now I'm in high school. I want to major in EE and get my BSEE, but I'm not sure what exact classes/minors/concentrations to take to be successful in the workforce. What I really want to do is design circuits for motherboards, cpus, gpus, and basically any microelectronic on a computer, but I like all the math and physics behind it, too. I'm planning a major to get a BSEE at University of Central Florida with a concentration in microelectronics, but which specific classes would I need?

 

[chroot]

The vast majority of your curriculum will likely be laid out for you. Probably only in the last year will you really have the choice of any EE electives. I wouldn't worry too much about that decision yet.

If you're really interested designing and building computers, I'd suggest looking into a computer engineering degree. It's similar to an EE degree, but has a few more programming and logic classes.

- Warren

 

[Firestrider]

If it's similar to EE, then can I take those extra classes for CE during senior year and get both degrees?

 

[chroot]

Generally, no. Most schools require you to do quite a few extra units to get a second degree, even if you've technically already completed all your second degree's requirements. You will have to check the specifics at your proposed university; their course catalog or website should have information about their degree requirements.

- Warren

 

[Lundy]

Actually, I would recommend sticking with the BSEE. I am graduating this May (in 2 months) from Penn State University with a BSEE, and from my experience, a BSEE will give you more options and a more flexible degree. I say that mainly because with an EE degree, you have the option of taking electives that are geared towards Computer Engineering and specialize in a certain topic, but at the same time, it's more versatile.

Basically if you have a Computer Engineering degree, a lot of times it would be difficult to get a job where an electrical engineer is required, but if you're an Electrical Engineer, it probably wouldn't be too difficult to get a job as a computer engineer. It's all about versitilaty.

In the past 4 months, I've interviewed with (and gotten job offers from) Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Ingersoll-Rand, GE, etc., and the feel I get from industry is just what I've shared - EE's are more marketable.

I do agree with chroot however in the fact that your curriculum will most likely be laid out for you from Day 1. Follow it. The key to getting out in 4 years: if you get behind in the curriculum, take summer courses.

Just my $0.02. Best of luck to you.

 

[Firestrider]

The microelectronics concentration takes out senior electives and puts in the classes Device electronics for IC, CMOS analog and Digital IC design, Semiconductor Device modeling & Simulation, and Fabrication of Solid State Devices. Should I stick with the original curriculum and not have a microelectronics concentration? Is motherboard design, and microprocessor design two different worlds? Would this microelectronics concentration only help me with microprocessors?

 

[formulajoe]

motherboard design and microprocessor design is two different worlds.
motherboard design is all about putting the pieces together and laying everything out properly.
the layout is a major pita.
microprocessor design is all about putting components in a specific order to make the micro function the best that it can.