Electrical and Computer Engineering
College of Engineering
Electrical and Computer Engineering students design and build hardware and software for a variety of electronic devices with a wide range of applications ranging from nanoscale computer chips to multinational power grids. Academic pathways within ECE include sustainable energy systems, sensing and communication, neurotechnology, control systems, VLSI design / digital systems design, computing, photonics, computer architecture, embedded systems, machine learning, microelectronics and nanotechnology.
Major category: Capacity-constrained
Topic: Engineering, Computing
Applicant type
Freshman
Freshmen can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)
Read more about applying to the UW as a freshman, including details for programs that provide high school students with college credit (like Running Start).
Transfer
Quarters of general admission to UW: autumn / winter (U.S. applicants only) / spring
Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.
- Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree
- Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
- Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
- UW college and school graduation requirements
Department admission information
- Departmental application deadline: April 5
- Please contact the department for details about the application process.
Transfer students applying through the admission process can request admission to either Electrical Engineering or Electrical & Computer Engineering through the autumn 2023 admission cycle. As of autumn 2024, the Electrical & Computer Engineering degree will be the only undergraduate option for students seeking admission to the ECE department.
Major Profile: In the admission decision for this and every major, a wide range of factors are taken into consideration. The profile should not be used to overstate the importance of grades in the admission decision for academic majors but it may offer some guidance as you plan for transfer.
To be eligible to apply, you must have a 2.0 (“C” grade) minimum GPA in each prerequisite course and a 2.5 cumulative GPA in all the prerequisites. These are minimums; the actual GPA of those admitted is much higher.
To plan your transfer, be sure to utilize the engineering transfer admission website and contact the department if you have additional questions. A separate departmental application is required in addition to the UW application for admission. For more information, please visit the department’s website.
Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.
Courses required for the major:
- CSE 122 NSc RSN Introduction to Computer Programming II or CSE 142 NSc RSN Computer Programming II 1
- CSE 123 NSc RSN Introduction to Computer Programming II or CSE 143 NSc RSN Computer Programming II 2
- MATH 124 NSc RSN – Calculus Analytic Geometry I 1
- MATH 125 NSc – Calculus Analytic Geometry II 1
- MATH 126 NSc – Calculus Analytic Geometry III 1
- MATH 207 NSc – Introduction to Differential Equations 2
- PHYS 121 NSc RSN – Mechanics 1
- PHYS 122 NSc – Electromagnetism 1
- PHYS 123 NSc – Waves, Light, and Heat 2
- Two courses from the following: BIOL 180 NSc – Introductory Biology or BIOL 220 NSc – Introductory Biology or CHEM 142 NSc RSN – General Chemistry or MATH 224 NSc – Advanced Multivariable Calculus or PHYS 123 NSc – Waves, Light, and Heat2
- 5 Credits English composition C 1
Notes:
1 Application requirements (completed by application deadline)
2 Enrollment requirements (completed by the start of your first quarter in the major)
Entering transfer information:
Total undergraduates: 394
Total from Washington community colleges: 71
Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):
3.75 – 4.00: 12
3.50 – 3.74: 19
3.25 – 3.49: 16
3.00 – 3.24: 6
2.75 – 2.99: 6
2.50 – 2.74: 6
2.49 and below: 6