Mission

The University's mission is to:

  • Provide high-quality undergraduate programs in the arts and sciences and professional fields, with emphasis upon those of special benefit to the citizens of Pennsylvania;
  • Offer superior graduate programs in the arts and sciences and the professions that respond to the needs of Pennsylvania, as well as to the broader needs of the nation and the world;
  • Engage in research, artistic, and scholarly activities that advance learning through the extension of the frontiers of knowledge and creative endeavor;
  • Cooperate with industrial and governmental institutions to transfer knowledge in science, technology, and health care;
    • offer continuing education programs adapted to the personal enrichment, professional upgrading, and career advancement interests and needs of adult Pennsylvanians; and
  • Make available to local communities and public agencies the expertise of the University in ways that are consistent with the primary teaching and research functions and contribute to social, intellectual, and economic development in the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world.

The trustees, faculty, staff, students, and administration of the University are dedicated to accomplishing this mission, to which they pledge their individual and collective efforts, determined that the University shall continue to be counted among the prominent institutions of higher education throughout the world.

The mission of the Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, is to produce highly qualified engineers and useful creative research and technology through academic excellence.

Electrical Engineering Educational Objectives

The Electrical Engineering program at the University of Pittsburgh equips its graduates with solid theoretical and practical foundations in power systems, electromagnetics, semiconductor devices, electronic circuit design, signal processing, and control theory. Students build on these foundations through specialization in advanced and contemporary Electrical Engineering topics and opportunities to apply and expand their skill set through design projects, research, and cooperative education.

Within a few years of the completion of the Electrical Engineering program, our graduates will be able to:

  • Apply their knowledge of fundamental and advanced Electrical Engineering topics and design practices while considering all relevant constituents, design factors, tradeoffs, societal impacts, and ethical issues,
  • Leverage resources for continued learning and professional development to learn about and contribute to emerging topics in Electrical Engineering,
  • Pursue advanced degrees and specialization in different fields such as Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Bioengineering, Science, Law, or Medicine,
  • Contribute effectively to a diverse, professional, and inclusive work environment, and
  • Attain leadership positions in industry, academia, and government.

 

Computer Engineering Educational Objectives

The Computer Engineering program at the University of Pittsburgh provides graduates with a comprehensive foundation of theory and practice in topics including computer organization and architecture, embedded systems, computer networks, digital systems, information security, and systems and project engineering. Students build on this foundation through specialization in advanced and contemporary Computer Engineering topics, and opportunities to apply and expand their skill set through design projects, research, and cooperative education.

Within a few years of completing the Computer Engineering program, our graduates will be able to:

  • Apply their knowledge of fundamental and advanced Computer Engineering topics and design practices while considering all relevant constituents, design factors, tradeoffs, societal impacts, and ethical issues,
  • Leverage resources for continued learning and professional development to further specialize in emerging areas of Computer Engineering,
  • Pursue advanced degrees in Computer Engineering or other fields of Engineering, Science, Law, and Medicine,
  • Contribute effectively to a diverse, professional, and inclusive work environment as engineers, and

Achieve leadership positions in industry, academia, and government.

Resources

The Computer Engineering Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria.

The Electrical Engineering Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria.

The Swanson School of Engineering Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers Undergraduates a wide variety of options for attaining their undergraduate degrees and gaining real-world experience during their academic careers.

Students taking our curriculum can obtain a broad background in electrical engineering, or they can develop a concentration in computers, electronics, telecommunications/signal processing, or power.

This is a joint program between the Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science Departments that provides a deep understanding of the fundamentals of math, sciences, computer hardware, and software systems.

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers a minor in Electrical Engineering for students not majoring in Electrical or Computer Engineering.

This special undergraduate program is a joint effort between the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the Department of Materials Science, and the Department of Physics and Astronomy. It is ideal for students who have an interest in physics but who wish to hone their skills in engineering.

For questions regarding the academic administration of ECE programs.

There are a number of opportunities for EE and CoE undergraduates to be involved in projects with faculty and graduate students.

Many activities are available to our students.

Students from the Engineering Freshman Program at the University of Pittsburgh must satisfy certain criteria to be considered for admission into the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Several options are available to assist with your college expenses.

ABET Accreditation

The BS in electrical engineering program and the BS in computer engineering program are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org

Electrical & Computer Engineering Student Outcomes

The most recent set of the ABET criteria (3a-3k), taken from the Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs Effective for Evaluations During the 2011-2012 Accreditation Cycle are:

a. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;

b. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;

c. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability;

d. an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams;

Our interpretation of multidisciplinary teams includes teams of individuals with similar educational backgrounds focusing on different aspects of a project as well as teams of individuals with different educational backgrounds.

e. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;

f. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;

Our interpretation of this outcome includes the ethical reporting of experimental data, issues related to plagiarism (including self-plagiarism), academic and professional integrity/intellectual property (e.g., credit for work), and avoidance of intentionally harmful application of engineering knowledge, particularly in the context of design.

g. an ability to communicate effectively;

h. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context;

Our interpretation of this outcome is to consider impacts of engineering practices on society. This outcome considers the long-term impacts of designs on various environments and socio-economic/cultural groups as ethical issues.

i. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning;

Our interpretation of this includes teaching students that the underlying theory is important because the technology will change. We interpret this outcome to require us to identify mechanisms that our students can use for continued learning such as professional societies, graduate school, etc.

j. a knowledge of contemporary issues;

Our interpretation of this outcome includes theory and practice of emerging research areas within a discipline. This outcome also requires us to present students with contemporary issues such as the impact of globalization, the outsourcing of both engineering and other support jobs as practiced by modern international companies.

k. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

Electrical Engineering Enrollment and Graduation Numbers

Academic Year Enrollment Graduates
2012-2013 184 52
2013-2014 181 55
2014-2015 187 53
2015-2016 199 57
2016-2017 201 52

Computer Engineering Enrollment and Graduation Numbers

Academic Year Enrollment Graduates
2012-2013 182 40
2013-2014 194 32
2014-2015 228 54
2015-2016 241 54
2016-2017 255 68