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Electrical & Computer Engineering

College of Engineering

Minor available

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(s): Computing, Engineering

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Degree requirements

Applicant type

Applicant type

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).

The primary pathway to Electrical and Computer Engineering is through Direct to College admission to the College of Engineering. If you want to major in this or any major within the College of Engineering, be sure to list it as your first-choice major on the freshman application.

Quarters of general admission to UW: autumn / winter (U.S. applicants only) / spring / summer

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

Please contact the department for details about the application process.

This major is capacity-constrained. Completion of prerequisites does not guarantee admission.
  • For the autumn 2024 application cycle, Electrical & Computer Engineering degree will be the only undergraduate option available.
  • Transfer students must submit two separate applications: one to the Office of Admissions and one to Electrical Engineering.
  • 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.

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 I 1
  • 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
  • PHYS 121 NSc RSN – Mechanics 1
  • PHYS 122 NSc – Electromagnetism 1
  • 5 Credits English composition C 1

Additional course requirements:

  • CSE 123 NSc RSN Introduction to Computer Programming III or CSE 143 NSc RSN Computer Programming II 2
  • MATH 207 NSc – Introduction to Differential Equations 2
  • Two courses from the following 2: BIOL 130 Nsc – Introduction to Neuroscience, BIOL 180 NSc – Introductory Biology, BIOL 220 NSc – Introductory Biology, CHEM 142 NSc RSN – General Chemistry, MATH 208 NSc – Matrix Algebra with Applications, MATH 224 NSc – Advanced Multivariable Calculus, PHYS 123 NSc – Waves, Light, and Heat

Courses recommended for the major:

    1 All courses completed prior to the application deadline.
    2 All completed prior to autumn quarter.

Entering transfer information:

Total undergraduates: 258
Total from Washington community colleges: 103

Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):

3.75 – 4.00: 29
3.50 – 3.74: 19
3.25 – 3.49: 23
3.00 – 3.24: 10
2.75 – 2.99: <5
2.50 – 2.74: <5
2.49 and below: 6

NOTES:

    1 All courses completed prior to the application deadline.
    2 All completed prior to autumn quarter.

Career outcomes

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