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Undergraduate Program: Areas of Specialization

Requirements for Degree Plan 2007-2008 School of Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Areas of Specialization document for 2008-2009 is now available for download here.

Students in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering are required to declare an Area of Specialization (AoS) prior to entering their junior year (generally, prior to admission to Professional School). The AoS is an advising mechanism that assists students in choosing a reasonable and coordinated set of electives in order to achieve both breadth and depth in the curriculum. Regular advisement from a faculty member in the chosen AoS is an integral part of this process.

The AoS helps students achieve a comprehensive education in Electrical and Computer Engineering that is aligned with their interests and career objectives. Each student develops a plan of study in consultation with ECEN faculty. The AoS is not intended to “lock” a student into a particular set of elective choices – students are encouraged to discuss their particular career objectives and course choices with a faculty member. If an exception is deemed appropriate, permission can be sought from the department head.

Degree requirements are specified in the Degree Requirement Sheet valid for each student. The applicable Degree Requirement Sheet is normally the one that was in effect when the student enrolled for the first time (usually as a freshman). The AoS requirements are designed to meet the specific curriculum requirements set by the Degree Requirement Sheet. In any case where a conflict occurs, the applicable Degree Requirement Sheet will prevail. This AoS document applies specifically to the Degree Requirement Sheets dated 2007-2008 – these are new AoS requirements.

Prior to enrolling for the junior year, all ECEN students should either select an Area of Specialization within Electrical Engineering or they should declare the Computer Option. This decision helps determine particular curriculum choices for each student.

This document contains the particular requirements for each AoS that is currently in effect. These include


All Electrical Engineering students (not Computer Option) are required to take the following ECEN courses: ECEN 2011, ECEN/ENSC 3213, ECEN 3233, ECEN 3314, ECEN 3513, ECEN 3714, ECEN 4013, ECEN 4024, and ECEN 4503, as well as other requirements specified in their AoS and the Degree Requirement Sheet. A total of 125 semester hours is required.

All students declaring the Computer Option are required to take the following ECEN courses: ECEN 2011, ECEN/ENSC 3213, ECEN 3233, ECEN 3314, ECEN 3513, ECEN 3613, ECEN 3714, ECEN 4013, ECEN 4024, ECEN 4213, ECEN 4243, ECEN 4303, and ECEN 4503, as well as other requirements specified in the Computer Option AoS and the Degree Requirement Sheet. A total of 126 semester hours is required.

Additional requirements for all Areas of Specialization, including the Computer Option, must be chosen in consultation with and approved by an area faculty member. All requirements specified on the Degree Requirement Sheet must be met in order to complete the degree. Please consult with Ms. Helen Daggs, helen.daggs@okstate.edu, in 202 ES (Stillwater campus) or Mr. Ron Knight, ronald.knight@okstate.edu, in 130 NH (Tulsa campus) regarding specific requirements and clearance for graduation.

There are new flow charts available corresponding to these AoS requirements and the 2007-2008 Degree Requirement Sheets. When using the flow charts please keep in mind that although they are designed to correspond to the current Degree Requirement Sheets they are just an advising instrument and what is best for a given student will depend on his/her specific circumstances. In any case where the flow charts conflict with the Degree Requirement Sheets, the latter will prevail.

The following pages describe the current requirements for the various Areas of Specialization. Faculty members in each area are listed. Full instructions for enrolling under your chosen AoS are given on the department web site. Additional procedural assistance is available from Ms. Daggs or Mr. Knight.

Downlaod the complete Areas of Specialization 2007-2008 document.


1 The School of Electrical and Computer Engineering is currently awaiting approval of a new BS degree in Computer Engineering (CpE) which is designed to replace the existing Computer Option. The new BS is designed to be easy to substitute for those students enrolled under the current Computer Option in Electrical Engineering, if desired.

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