B.S. Program Overview

Undergraduate education in the UCLA Electrical and Computer Engineering Department provides:

  • Fundamental knowledge in mathematics, physical sciences, Electrical and Comput engineering.
  • Opportunities to specialize in specific areas of interest or career aspirations.
  • Intensive training in problem solving, laboratory skills, and design skills.
  • A well-rounded education that includes communication skills, the ability to function well on an interdisciplinary and multi-cultural team, an appreciation for ethical behavior, and the ability to engage in lifelong learning.

Electrical Engineering B.S.

The undergraduate curriculum provides all Electrical Engineering majors with preparation in the mathematical and scientific disciplines that lead to a set of courses that span the fundamentals of the three major departmental areas of signals and systems, circuits and embedded systems, and physical wave electronics. These collectively provide an understanding of inventions of importance to society, such as integrated circuits, embedded systems, photonic devices, automatic computation and control, and telecommunication devices and systems.

Students are encouraged to make use of their electrical and computer engineering electives and a two-term capstone design course to pursue deeper knowledge within one of these areas according to their interests, whether for graduate study or preparation for employment.

Major Courses

In order to prepare for the major, students must take the following prerequisites:

  • Chemistry and Biochemistry 20A
  • Computer Science 31, 32
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering 2, 3, 10, 11L, M16 (or Computer Science M51A)
  • Mathematics 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B
  • Physics 1A, 1B, 1C, 4AL, 4BL

The Electrical Engineering B.S. consists of the following courses:

  • Electrical and Computer Engineering 101A, 102, 110, 111L, 113, 131A
  • Six core courses selected from Computer Science 33, Electrical and Computer Engineering 101B, 115A, 121B, 132A, 133A, 141, 170A
  • Three technical breadth courses (12 units) selected from an approved list available in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs
  • 12 units of major field elective courses, at least 8 of which must be upper-division electrical and computer engineering courses—the remaining 4 units may be from upper-division electrical and computer engineering courses or from another UCLA Samueli department
  • One two-term electrical and computer engineering capstone design course (8 units)


For information on UC, school, and general education requirements, see Requirements for B.S. Degrees on page 22 or the GE Requirement web page.

Suggested Tracks

The technical breadth area requirement provides an opportunity to combine elective courses in the Electrical Engineering major with those from another UCLA Samueli major to produce a specialization in an interdisciplinary domain. Students are free to design a specialization in consultation with a faculty adviser.

  • Bioengineering and Informatics (BI) refers to the design of biomedical devices and the analysis of data derived from such devices and instruments. Students might take Chemistry and Biochemistry 20B and two courses from Bioengineering 100, C101, C102, and 110 and/or 12 units from Computer Science CM121, Electrical and Computer Engineering 114, 133B, 134, and 176 and 8 capstone design units from 180DA/180DB.
  • Computer Engineering (CE) concentrates on the part of the hardware/software stack related to the design of new processors and the operation of embedded systems. Students might take a 12unit technical breadth area in computer science such as Computer Science 111, 117, 130, and 180 and/or 12 units of electives from Electrical and Computer Engineering 115C, M116C, M116L, M119, 132B, and M146 and 8 capstone design units from 113DA/113DB or 180DA/180DB or 183DA/183DB.
  • Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) refer to networked systems that include sensors and actuators that interact with the physical world. They blend embedded systems with networking and control and include, for example, robotic systems and the Internet of Things (IoT). Students might take a 12unit technical breadth area in computer science such as Computer Science 111, 117, and 180 and/or 12 units of electives from Electrical and Computer Engineering M116C, 132B, and 142 and 8 capstone design units from 183DA/183DB.
Resources

Four-Year Sample Plan

Freshman Year

1st Quarter

CourseUnits
Computer Science 31 – Introduction to Computer Science I24
English Composition 3 – English Composition, Rhetoric, and Language5
Mathematics 31A – Differential and Integral Calculus14

2nd Quarter

CourseUnits
Chemistry and Biochemistry 20A – Chemical Structure14
Computer Science 32 – Introduction to Computer Science II24
Mathematics 31B – Integration and Infinite Series14
Physics 1A – Mechanics15

3rd Quarter

CourseUnits
Electrical and Computer Engineering M16 (or Computer Science M51A) – Logic Design of Digital Systems24
Mathematics 32A – Calculus of Several Variables14
Physics 1B/4AL – Oscillations, Waves, Electric and Magnetic Fields/Mechanics Laboratory17
  1. Counts as Mathematics and Basic Sciences for ABET, total units Mathematics and Basic Sciences = 47.
  2. Counts as Engineering Concepts for ABET, total units Engineering Concepts = 90.
  3. Students should contact the Office of Academic and Student Affairs for approved lists in the categories of technical breadth and GE (see pages 22 and 23 for details).
  4. See page 85 for list of core courses.

Sophomore Year

1st Quarter

CourseUnits
Electrical and Computer Engineering 3 — Introduction to Electrical Engineering24
Mathematics 32B — Calculus of Several Variables14
Mathematics 33A — Linear Algebra and Applications14
Physics 1C — Electrodynamics, Optics, and Special Relativity15

2nd Quarter

CourseUnits
Electrical and Computer Engineering 10 (Circuit Theory I) and 11L (Circuits Laboratory I)25
Electrical and Computer Engineering 102 — Systems and Signals24
Mathematics 33B — Differential Equations14
Physics 4BL — Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory12

3rd Quarter

CourseUnits
Electrical and Computer Engineering 2 — Physics for Electrical Engineers24
Electrical and Computer Engineering 110 (Circuit Theory II) and 111L (Circuits Laboratory II)25
UCLA Samueli Ethics Course4
UCLA Samueli GE Elective34
  1. Counts as Mathematics and Basic Sciences for ABET, total units Mathematics and Basic Sciences = 47.
  2. Counts as Engineering Concepts for ABET, total units Engineering Concepts = 90.
  3. Students should contact the Office of Academic and Student Affairs for approved lists in the categories of technical breadth and GE (see pages 22 and 23 for details).
  4. See page 85 for list of core courses.
Junior Year

1st Quarter

CourseUnits
Electrical and Computer Engineering 113 — Digital Signal Processing24
Electrical and Computer Engineering 131A — Probability and Statistics24
UCLA Samueli GE Elective35

2nd Quarter

CourseUnits
Electrical and Computer Engineering 101A — Engineering Electromagnetics24
Electrical and Computer Engineering Core Course2,44
UCLA Samueli GE Elective35

3rd Quarter

CourseUnits
Electrical and Computer Engineering Core Course2,44
Electrical and Computer Engineering Core Course2,44
Electrical and Computer Engineering Core Course2,44
Electrical and Computer Engineering Core Course or Computer Science 33 (Introduction to Computer Organization)2,44
  1. Counts as Mathematics and Basic Sciences for ABET, total units Mathematics and Basic Sciences = 47.
  2. Counts as Engineering Concepts for ABET, total units Engineering Concepts = 90.
  3. Students should contact the Office of Academic and Student Affairs for approved lists in the categories of technical breadth and GE (see pages 22 and 23 for details).
  4. See page 85 for list of core courses.
Senior Year

1st Quarter

CourseUnits
Electrical and Computer Engineering Core Course2,44
Electrical and Computer Engineering Design Course24
Electrical and Computer Engineering Elective24
Technical Breadth Course34

2nd Quarter

CourseUnits
Electrical and Computer Engineering Design Course24
Electrical and Computer Engineering Elective24
Technical Breadth Course34
UCLA Samueli GE Elective35

3rd Quarter

CourseUnits
Electrical and Computer Engineering or UCLA Samueli Elective24
Technical Breadth Course34
UCLA Samueli GE Elective35
  1. Counts as Mathematics and Basic Sciences for ABET, total units Mathematics and Basic Sciences = 47.
  2. Counts as Engineering Concepts for ABET, total units Engineering Concepts = 90.
  3. Students should contact the Office of Academic and Student Affairs for approved lists in the categories of technical breadth and GE (see pages 22 and 23 for details).
  4. See page 85 for list of core courses.

Total Units: 182

Transfer Sample Plan #1

Please Note: This are just two examples of what your curriculum might look like based on requirements from previous school years. Requirements can be subject to change for this school year. Once school has started, you can meet with a counselor from your major to come up with an individualized course plan based on your specific transfer credit. Students are not guaranteed to get any specific class during any specific quarter.

Assumes student has completed all Math, Chemistry, Physics, CS 31, English Composition, GE requirements and also EL ENGR 3 or EL ENGR 102 in the summer.

First Year

Fall

CourseUnits
EL ENGR 3 or EL ENGR 1024
EL ENGR M164
EL ENGR 101A4

Winter

CourseUnits
COM SCI 324
EL ENGR 104
EL ENGR 11L1
EL ENGR 131A4

Spring

CourseUnits
EL ENGR 1104
EL ENGR 111L1
EL ENGR 1134
EL ENGR CORE COURSE #14
Second Year

Fall

CourseUnits
EL ENGR 24
EL ENGR CORE COURSE #24
EL ENGR CORE COURSE #34
EL ENGR CORE COURSE #44

Winter

CourseUnits
EL ENGR CORE COURSE #54
EL ENGR CAPSTONE DA4
ENGINEERING ETHICS*4
TECH BREADTH #14

Spring

CourseUnits
EL ENGR CORE COURSE #64
EL ENGR CAPSTONE DB4
EL ENGR ELECTIVE #14
TECH BREADTH #24

*Satisfied with either ENGR 183EW or ENGR 185EW

Third Year

Fall

CourseUnits
EL ENGR ELECTIVE #24
EL ENGR ELECTIVE #34
TECH BREADTH #34

Finished after fall quarter.

Transfer Sample Plan #2

Assumes student has completed all Math, Chemistry, Physics, English Composition, CS 31, and 3 GE requirements.

First Year

Fall

CourseUnits
EL ENGR 24
EL ENGR 34
EL ENGR M164

Winter

CourseUnits
COM SCI 324
EL ENGR 104
EL ENGR 11L1
EL ENGR 1024

Spring

CourseUnits
EL ENGR 1104
EL ENGR 111L1
EL ENGR 1134
GE COURSE5
Second Year

Fall

CourseUnits
EL ENGR 101A4
EL ENGR 131A4
EL ENGR CORE COURSE #14
TECH BREADTH #14

Winter

CourseUnits
EL ENGR CORE COURSE #24
EL ENGR CORE COURSE #34
EL ENGR CORE COURSE #44
TECH BREADTH #24

Spring

CourseUnits
EL ENGR CORE COURSE #54
EL ENGR CORE COURSE #64
EL ENGR ELECTIVE #14
ENGINEERING ETHICS*4

*Satisfied with either ENGR 183EW or ENGR 185EW

Third Year

Fall

CourseUnits
EL ENGR CAPSTONE DA4
EL ENGR ELECTIVE #24
TECH BREADTH #34

Winter

CourseUnits
EL ENGR CAPSTONE DB4
EL ENGR ELECTIVE #34
GE COURSE5

Finished after winter quarter.

For more information about the B.S. program, please click here.

Computer Engineering B.S.

The undergraduate curriculum provides all computer engineering students with preparation in the mathematical and scientific disciplines that lead to a set of courses that span the fundamentals of the discipline in the major areas of data science and embedded networked systems. These collectively provide an understanding of many inventions of importance to our society, such as the Internet of Things, human-cyber-physical systems, mobile/wearable/implantable systems, robotic systems, and more generally smart systems at all scales in diverse spheres. The design of hardware, software, and algorithmic elements of such systems represents an already dominant and rapidly growing part of the computer engineering profession. Students are encouraged to make use of their computer science and electrical and computer engineering electives and a two-quarter capstone design course to pursue deeper knowledge within one of these areas according to their interests, whether for graduate study or preparation for employment.

Major Courses

In order to prepare for the major, students must take the following prerequisites:

  • Computer Science 1 (or Electrical and Computer Engineering 1), 31, 32, 33, 35L, M51A (or Electrical and Computer Engineering M16)
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering 3
  • Engineering 96C
  • Mathematics 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B, 61
  • Physics 1A, 1B, 1C, and 4AL or 4BL

The Computer Engineering B.S. consists of the following courses:

  • Computer Science 111, 118 (or Electrical and Computer Engineering 132B), M151B (or Electrical and Computer Engineering M116C), M152A (or Electrical and Computer Engineering M116L), 180
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering 100, 102, 113, 115C
  • One course from Civil and Environmental Engineering 110, Electrical and Computer Engineering 131A, Mathematics 170A, 170E, Statistics 100A
  • 8 units of computer science and 8 units of electrical and computer engineering upper-division electives
  • Three technical breadth courses (12 units) selected from an approved list available in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs
  • 8 units capstone design from either Electrical and Computer Engineering 180DA/180DB or 183DA/183DB


For information on UC, school, and general education requirements, see Requirements for B.S. Degrees on page 22 or the GE Requirement web page.

Suggested Tracks
  • Networked Embedded Systems: This track targets two related trends that have been a significant driver of computing, namely standalone embedded devices becoming networked and coupled to physical systems, and the Internet evolving toward a network of things (the IoT). These may broadly be classified as cyber-physical systems, and includes a broad category of systems such as smart buildings, autonomous vehicles, and robots, which interact with each other and other systems. This trend in turn is driving innovation both in the network technologies (new low-power wireless networks for connecting things, and new High-speed networks and computing infrastructure to accommodate the transport and processing needs of the deluge of data resulting from continual sensing), and in embedded computing (new hardware and software stack catering to requirements such as ultralow power operation, and embedded machine learning).
    • Students pursuing this track are strongly encouraged to take Electrical and Computer Engineering M119 or Computer Science M119 in junior year, and to choose three electives from courses such as Computer Science 117, 130, 131, 132, 133, 136, 181, 188, Electrical and Computer Engineering 2, 115A, 115B, 132A, 133A, 141, 142, 188.
      • Students who pursue a technical breadth area in either electrical and computer engineering or computer science can choose an additional three courses from this list.
  • Data Science: This track targets the trend toward the disruptive impact on computing systems, both at the edge and in the cloud, of massive amounts of sensory data being collected, shared, processed, and used for decision making and control. Application domains such as health, transportation, energy, etc. are being transformed by the abilities of inference-making and decision-making from sensory data that is pervasive, continual, and rich. This track will expose students to the entire data-to-decision pathway spanning the entire stack from hardware and software to algorithms, applications, and user experience.
    • Students pursing this track are strongly advised to take Computer Science 143 and M146 or Electrical and Computer Engineering M146, and to additionally choose two electives from courses such as Computer Science CM121, 136, 144, 145, 161, 188, Electrical and Computer Engineering 114, 133A, 133B, 134, 188.
      • Students who pursue a technical breadth area in either electrical and computer engineering or computer science can choose an additional three courses from this list.

Students are also free to design ad hoc tracks. The technical breadth area requirement provides an opportunity to combine elective courses in electrical and computer engineering and computer science with those from another UCLA Samueli major to produce a specialization in an interdisciplinary domain. As noted above, students can also select a technical breadth area in either Electrical and Computer Engineering or Computer Science to deepen their knowledge in either discipline.

Resources

Four-Year Sample Plan

Freshman Year

1st Quarter

CourseUnits
Computer Science 1 (Freshman Computer Science Seminar) or Electrical and Computer Engineering 1 (Undergraduate Seminar)21
Computer Science 31 – Introduction to Computer Science I24
English Composition 3 – English Composition, Rhetoric, and Language5
Mathematics 31A – Differential and Integral Calculus14

2nd Quarter

CourseUnits
Computer Science 32 – Introduction to Computer Science II24
Mathematics 31B – Integration and Infinite Series14
Physics 1A – Mechanics15
UCLA Samueli GE Elective35

3rd Quarter

CourseUnits
Computer Science 33 – Introduction to Computer Organization25
Engineering 96C – Introduction to Engineering Design: Internet of Things22
Mathematics 32A – Calculus of Several Variables14
Physics 1B – Oscillations, Waves, Electric and Magnetic Fields15
  1. Counts as Mathematics and Basic Sciences for ABET, total units Mathematics and Basic Sciences = 49.
  2. Counts as Engineering Concepts for ABET, total units Engineering Concepts = 86.
  3. Students should contact the Office of Academic and Student Affairs for approved lists in the categories of technical breadth and GE (see pages 22 and 23 for details).
  4. See page 65 or 86 for list of electives.
Sophomore Year

1st Quarter

CourseUnits
Electrical and Computer Engineering 3 — Introduction to Electrical Engineering24
Mathematics 32B — Calculus of Several Variables14
Mathematics 33A — Linear Algebra and Applications14
Physics 4AL (Mechanics Laboratory) or 4BL (Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory)12

2nd Quarter

CourseUnits
Computer Science 35L – Software Construction Laboratory23
Computer Science M51A or Electrical and Computer Engineering M16 – Logic Design of Digital Systems24
Electrical and Computer Engineering 100 – Electrical and Electronic Circuits24
Mathematics 33B – Differential Equations14

3rd Quarter

CourseUnits
Electrical and Computer Engineering 102 – Systems and Signals24
Mathematics 61 – Introduction to Discrete Structures14
Physics 1C – Electrodynamics, Optics, and Special Relativity15
  1. Counts as Mathematics and Basic Sciences for ABET, total units Mathematics and Basic Sciences = 49.
  2. Counts as Engineering Concepts for ABET, total units Engineering Concepts = 86.
  3. Students should contact the Office of Academic and Student Affairs for approved lists in the categories of technical breadth and GE (see pages 22 and 23 for details).
  4. See page 65 or 86 for list of electives.
Junior Year

1st Quarter

CourseUnits
Computer Science 111 – Operating Systems Principles25
Probability Elective2, 44
UCLA Samueli Ethics Course4

2nd Quarter

CourseUnits
Computer Science 118 (Computer Network Fundamentals) or Electrical and Computer Engineering 132B (Data Communications and Telecommunication Networks)24
Computer Science M152A or Electrical and Computer Engineering M116L – Introductory Digital Design Laboratory22
Computer Science 180 – Introduction to Algorithms and Complexity24
Electrical and Computer Engineering 115C – Digital Electronic Circuits24

3rd Quarter

CourseUnits
Computer Science M151B or Electrical and Computer Engineering M116C – Computer Systems Architecture24
Computer Science Elective2, 44
Electrical and Computer Engineering Elective2, 44
UCLA Samueli GE Elective34
  1. Counts as Mathematics and Basic Sciences for ABET, total units Mathematics and Basic Sciences = 49.
  2. Counts as Engineering Concepts for ABET, total units Engineering Concepts = 86.
  3. Students should contact the Office of Academic and Student Affairs for approved lists in the categories of technical breadth and GE (see pages 22 and 23 for details).
  4. See page 65 or 86 for list of electives.
Senior Year

1st Quarter

CourseUnits
Electrical and Computer Engineering 11324
Electrical and Computer Engineering Elective2, 44
Technical Breadth Course34
UCLA Samueli GE Elective35

2nd Quarter

CourseUnits
Computer Science Elective2, 44
Electrical and Computer Engineering Design Course2, 44
Technical Breadth Course34
UCLA Samueli GE Elective35

3rd Quarter

CourseUnits
Electrical and Computer Engineering Design Course2, 44
Technical Breadth Course34
UCLA Samueli GE Elective35
  1. Counts as Mathematics and Basic Sciences for ABET, total units Mathematics and Basic Sciences = 49.
  2. Counts as Engineering Concepts for ABET, total units Engineering Concepts = 86.
  3. Students should contact the Office of Academic and Student Affairs for approved lists in the categories of technical breadth and GE (see pages 22 and 23 for details).
  4. See page 65 or 86 for list of electives.

Total Units: 180

Transfer Sample Plan #1 (No Summer School)

Please Note: This are just two examples of what your curriculum might look like based on requirements from previous school years. Requirements can be subject to change for this school year. Once school has started, you can meet with a counselor from your major to come up with an individualized course plan based on your specific transfer credit. Students are not guaranteed to get any specific class during any specific quarter.

Assumes student has completed all Physics, Math (except 61), CS 31, CS 32, English Composition, and GE requirements.

First Year

Fall

CourseUnits
COM SCI 335
COM SCI/EC ENGR 11
ENGR 96C2
MATH 614

Winter

CourseUnits
COM SCI 35L4
STATS4
COM SCI M51A/EC ENGR M164
TECH BREADTH #14

Spring

CourseUnits
EC ENGR 34
COM SCI 1804
EC ENGR 1024
TECH BREADTH #24
Second Year

Fall

CourseUnits
EC ENGR 1004
COM SCI 1115
EC ENGR 1134
CAPSTONE DA4

Winter

CourseUnits
COM SCI M152A/EC ENGR M116L2
EC ENGR 115C4
COM SCI 1184
CAPSTONE DB4

Spring

CourseUnits
COM SCI 1814
COM SCI M151B/EC ENGR M116C4
ENGINEERING ETHICS*4
COM SCI ELECTIVE #14

*Satisfied with either ENGR 183EW or ENGR 185EW

Third Year

Fall

CourseUnits
EC ENGR ELECTIVE #14
COM SCI ELECTIVE #24
TECH BREADTH #34
EC ENGR ELECTIVE #24

Finished after fall quarter.

Transfer Sample Plan #2 (With Summer School)

Assumes student has completed all Physics, Math (except 61), CS 31, CS 32, English Composition, and GE requirements.

First Year

Summer

CourseUnits
MATH 614
EC ENGR 34
STATS4

Fall

CourseUnits
COM SCI 335
ENGR 96C2
CS/ECE 11
EC ENGR 1004

Winter

CourseUnits
COM SCI 35L4
COM SCI M51A/EC ENGR M164
TECH BREADTH #14
COM SCI ELECTIVE #14

Spring

CourseUnits
EC ENGR 1024
COM SCI 1804
COM SCI 1115
TECH BREADTH #24
Second Year

Fall

CourseUnits
COM SCI 1184
EC ENGR 1134
TECH BREADTH #34
CAPSTONE DA4

Winter

CourseUnits
COM SCI 1814
EC ENGR 115C4
ENGINEERING ETHICS4
CAPSTONE DB4

Spring

CourseUnits
COM SCI M151B4
EC ENGR ELECTIVE #14
COM SCI ELECTIVE #24
EC ENGR ELECTIVE #24

*Satisfied with either ENGR 183EW or ENGR 185EW

For more information about the B.S. program, please click here.

For more information about the Electrical and Computer engineering program, please click here.

For more information about courses offered in the Electrical and Computer Engineering program, please click here.

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