Undergraduate Program
The objective of the undergraduate program in Electrical Engineering at Caltech is to produce graduates who will attain careers and higher education that ultimately lead to leadership roles in academia, industry and government in areas of rapidly advancing interdisciplinary technology related to telecommunications, solid-state, information, computer and electrical systems.

The program prepares its students for either graduate study, entrepreneurial careers, or research and development work in government or industrial laboratories. It inspires them to undertake careers and professional practices that provide an opportunity to address the pressing technological needs of society. It accomplishes this by building on the core curriculum to provide a broad and rigorous exposure to the fundamentals (e.g., math, science, and engineering) of electrical engineering. EE’s other program objectives are multiple. The program strives to maintain a balance between classroom lectures and laboratory and design experience, and it emphasizes the problem formulation, system-design, and solving skills that are essential to any engineering discipline. The program also strives to develop in each student self-reliance, creativity, teamwork ability, professional ethics, communication skills, and an appreciation of the importance of contemporary issues and lifelong intellectual growth. For interested students, there are opportunities to conduct research with a faculty member.

Completed applications are due no later than January 1, for entrance the following September. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible.

Please visit the Undergraduate Admissions website for on-line applications, downloadable forms, important dates, and complete information about the undergraduate admissions process.

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Undergraduate Program

External Links
Undergraduate Admissions
Registrar
Current Class ScheduleCaltech Catalog
EE Course Descriptions

The EE Enterprise: Sweeping into Uncharted Terrian (2MB pdf, Engenious article)

Students electing this option will normally choose to take APh/EE 9 ab as a freshman-year elective and the introductory seminar EE 1. The formal study of electrical engineering begins in the sophomore year with circuits and systems, EE 44; digital electronics, EE/CS 51, 52; semiconductor sensors and actuators, EE 40; the theory and laboratory practice of analog circuits, EE 45; and then a course on feedback control systems, EE 113 or CDS 110 a. The junior year features the fundamentals of signals and systems and digital signal processing, EE 111; probability and random processes, ACM/EE 116; an introduction to analog and digital communications, EE 160; electromagnetic engineering, EE 151; and an analog electronics laboratory, EE 90. In the senior year, the student will be asked to demonstrate his or her ability to formulate and carry out a design project through independent research or either a senior thesis, EE 80 abc, or two courses selected from the senior project design laboratory, EE 91 ab, EE/CS 53, and CS/EE/ME 75 c. In addition, the student, especially in the senior year, will have a significant opportunity to take elective courses that will allow him/her to explore earlier topics in depth, or to investigate topics that have not been covered previously.

A student whose interests lie in the electrical sciences but who wishes to pursue a broader course of studies than that allowed by the requirements of the electrical engineering option may elect the engineering and applied science option.

Attention is called to the fact that any student who has a gradepoint average less than 1.9 at the end of the academic year in the subjects listed under electrical engineering may be refused permission to continue work in this option.

Double Majors

The electrical engineering option allows interested students to declare electrical engineering as one of the majors in a double major pursuit. To enroll in the program, the student should meet and discuss his/her plans with the option representative. In general, approval is contingent on good acadamic performance by the student and demonstrated ability for handling the heavier course load. For students simultaneously pursuing a degree in a second option, courses taken as required courses for that option can also be counted as EE electives where appropriate. However, courses that count toward the electives requirement in the other option cannot be simultaneously counted toward satisfying the elective requirement in EE. To qualify for an EE degree, the student would need to complete all option requirements.

Option Requirements

1. EE 1, APh/EE 9 ab, E 10, E 11, EE 40, 44, 45, EE/CS 51, 52, EE 90, 111, 151, and 160.
2. ACM 95 ab, ACM/EE 116.
3. EE 113 or CDS 110 a.
4. One term of EE 91.
   
5. EE 80 abc, or a sequence consisting of CS/EE 143, 144, 145, or a sequence consisting of BE/EE 189 ab, or one course selected from an additional term of EE 91, EE/CS 53, EE 119 c, and CS/EE/ME 75 c (note that CS/EE/ME 75 ab does not satisfy this requirement).
6. In addition to the above courses, 27 units selected from any EE course numbered over 100, or any cross-listed courses numbered over 100 that include EE in the listing.
7. Passing grades must be earned in a total of 486 units, including courses listed above.

Typical Course Schedule¹

¹ See Institute requirements for specific rules regarding humanities and social sciences.

² See option requirements 4 and 5.

Suggested Electives
First-year students interested in electrical engineering should take APh/EE 9 ab, which is an EE option requirement (though it need not be taken freshman year).

Suggested elective courses for the second, third, and fourth year for various specializations within electrical engineering are given below. Students interested in other areas of specialization or interdisciplinary areas are encouraged to develop their own elective program in consultation with their faculty adviser.

Bioengineering
Second Year: Bi 9, Bi 10, APh 17 abc.
Third and Fourth Year: Bi/Ch 110, Bi/Ch 113, BE 141, EE/BE 166, EE/BE 185, CNS/Bi/EE/CS 186, CNS/CS/EE 188, BE/EE 189 ab.

Communications and Signal Processing
Second Year: Selected from APh 17 abc, APh 23, APh 24, EE/CS 53.
Third and Fourth Year: EE 112, EE/Ma 126 ab, 127 ab, EE 128 ab, 161, 163 ab, 164, 167, EE/APh 131, APh/EE 130, 132, Ma 112 a.

Control
Second Year: APh 17 abc.
Third and Fourth Year: CDS 110 ab, and selections from EE 112, EE 128 ab, EE 164.

Electronic Circuits
Second Year: EE 113, CDS 101, APh/EE 183.
Third and Fourth Year: EE 114 ab, 124, 125, 153, EE 119 abc, CS/EE 181 abc, and selections from EE 112, CS 185 abc, EE/APh 180, EE 119, EE 160, EE 128 ab.

Microwave and Radio Engineering
Second Year: APh 23, APh 24, APh 17 abc.
Third and Fourth Year: EE 153, EE/Ae 157 ab, EE 114 ab, EE/APh 131, APh/EE 130, 132, APh/EE 183.

Optoelectronics
Second Year: APh 23, APh 24, APh 17 abc.
Third and Fourth Year: APh/EE 130, 132, APh 105 abc, APh 114 abc, APh/EE 183, APh 190 abc, EE/APh 131, EE 153.

Solid-State Electronics and Devices
Second Year: APh 17 abc.
Third and Fourth Year: APh/EE 183, and selections from APh 105 abc, APh 114 ab, EE 153, EE/BE 185, EE 187.