Student Info > Prospective Student Information

2008-2009 Undergraduate Admissions Guide

Electrical Engineering - a brief description of the field
Electrical Engineering at the University of Washington - who and what we are
Pre-Engineering - what to expect in your four years of college
Applying to the EE Department at the U of W - for high school, UW, transfer or former EE students
Admission Requirements - How to prepare for admission to EE
Application Procedure - Deadlines, required materials
Selection Criteria and Process - How new EE students are selected, when and how to appeal a denial
Scholarships - How to apply
Advising - Making an appointment with the EE Adviser

Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineers design, produce and operate devices and systems that use electric and electromagnetic energy. Electrical engineering (EE) has grown from its roots in power systems to branches in communications systems, automatic controls, signal processing, semiconductor physics, electronic circuit synthesis, optics, computer science and artificial intelligence. Graduates with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering find employment in the aerospace, communications, computer, power distribution, consumer electronics, biomedical engineering and military industries. Many graduates pursue post-baccalaureate studies for advanced degrees in electrical engineering or related fields, and many apply their technical expertise to business, law and medicine. Nationally and locally, the need for electrical engineers continues to increase.

Electrical Engineering at the University of Washington

The Electrical Engineering Department at the University of Washington offers a program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. This program is accredited by the Enginering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410) 347-7700. The EE Department's graduate division offers programs leading to the Master's of Science in Electrical Engineering, and Doctor of Science in Electrical Engineering degrees. Approximately 475 undergraduates and 250 graduate students are currently enrolled in the EE Department.

The University of Washington's Electrical Engineering Department is respected as the top EE department in the region, and among the top EE departments in the nation. Our undergraduates are among the best engineering students. EE graduates are hired by such companies as Boeing, Microsoft, Intel, Nintendo, Hewlett Packard, Fluke, IBM, Lockheed Martin, T-Mobile, Verizon, Puget Sound Energy, and Seattle City Light among others.

Members of our faculty include nationally-honored investigators and 21 Fellows of professional societies. Advances in multimedia systems technology, integrated circuit design and laboratory automation are credited to faculty in the department.

Pre-Engineering

If you plan to major in electrical engineering at the University of Washington, you will spend your first one or two years of college as a pre-engineering major. At the University of Washington, you will be enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences, and may qualify for early admission into the EE Department at the end of your freshman year. Or you may take a pre-engineering curriculum at a community college or another four-year university. During this time you should successfully complete all prerequisite courses for entry into the EE program. In addition, you may take courses to satisfy the EE Department's requirements in the areas of Visual, Literary and Performing Arts, and Individuals and Societies.

If you are admitted to the EE Department you will spend the next two or more years completing the requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) degree. The BSEE program is not intended for part-time study. Students enrolled in the program are expected to engage in full-time study. In addition, you must meet certain standards of academic performance to continue in the program.

Undergraduates in the EE Department focus on one of thirteen major concentration areas:

Analog Circuits
Biomedical Instrumentation
Sensors and Devices
Digital VLSI Circuits
Embedded Computing Systems
Electromagnetics
Signal Processing
Communications
Wireless Communications
Large Scale Power Systems
Sustainable Electric Energy
Power Electronics and Electric Drives
Controls
Student-Designed

Applying to the E E Department at the University of Washington

To apply for admission to the University of Washington, you must submit an Undergraduate Admission Application and supporting information (high school or college transcripts and SAT or ACT scores). If you are a student in a Washington State high school you may obtain these forms from your school counseling center. If you are an out-of-state or transfer student, you should contact the office of Admissions for forms and information, at:

: Office of Admissions; 320 Schmitz Hall, Box 355850; University of Washington; Seattle, WA 98195; (206)543-9686; askuwadm@u.washington.edu

If you are currently enrolled at the University of Washington, you may qualify for Early Admission to the Electrical Engineering Department, if you have fulfilled the application requirements for this program. Early Admission candidates may apply to the Department only during Autumn Quarter admissions. All other candidates for admission may apply for either Autumn or Spring Quarter admission. The application form can be found on-line at: http://www.engr.washington.edu/score/engrapplications.html.

If you are a transfer student, and have completed the application requirements for the Electrical Engineering Department, you may also submit an application for admission to the EE Department. You can obtain this form at: http://www.engr.washington.edu/score/engrapplications.html.

If you were previously enrolled in the Electrical Engineering Department at the U of W, and wish to reapply for admission your should consult the EE Advising Office at (206) 543-2142.

Admission Requirements

You may apply for admission only when you have satisfied the following minimum requirements:

Early Admissions Group (EAG) (for Autumn Quarter admission only)

You may apply for early admission if you are currently enrolled at the University of Washington, and have completed:

15 credits of mathematics at the level of MATH 124, 125 and 126 or their equivalents;
10 credits of physical sciences courses plus the accompanying labs at the level of PHYS 121, 122, 123 or CHEM 142, 152 or their equivalents, or above
5 credits of English composition

You must have completed at least 15 of these 30 credits at the UW, and your cumulative GPA in these courses must be 2.50 or higher. Early Admission is for Autumn Quarter only; the application deadline is July 1.

Upper-Division Admission Group (UAG) (for both Autumn and Spring quarter admission)

You may apply for admission to the EE department if you have completed at least 64 credits applicable to the BSEE degree, including

MATH 124, 125 and 126
PHYS 121 and 122
CHEM 142
5 credits of English composition

Your cumulative GPA for these courses must be 2.50 or higher. Admission is for Autumn or Spring quarter. Deadlines are July 1 for Autumn admission and February 1 for Spring admission.

If you have not satisfied the minimum requirements by the application deadline your application will not be considered.

All applications are evaluated by the Department Admissions Committee. The Department regrets that because of its limited resources and facilities, it may not be able to offer admission to all applicants who meet the minimum prerequisites or conditions.

Application Procedure

The EE Department accepts new students only in Autumn and Spring Quarters. Application deadlines are July 1 for Autumn admissions and February 1 for Spring admissions. Applications and transcripts received or postmarked after these deadlines will be considered incomplete and may not be reviewed further.

To apply, you must submit an on-line application via the links above, which includes a personal statement. Your application must include physical copies of all your college transcripts, even if you have already submitted them to the University's Office of Admissions. Transcripts must be submitted to the Department of Electrical Engineering.

If you are a transfer student, you must apply to the University of Washington (UW) through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 320 Schmitz Hall (you can be admitted to the University after you are accepted by the EE Department, but you must be admitted to the University before you can become an EE major). Indicate your interest in Electrical Engineering on your UW application. Submit the application to the University Admissions Office early enough to meet both University and Department deadlines. The Admissions Office recommends you allow at least four weeks before the deadline dates. In general, applications are reviewed within six to eight weeks after all materials have been received. Transfer applicants should also submit copies of all college transcripts directly to the Electrical Engineering Advising Office to ensure consideration by the Admissions Committee. Transcripts must include your most recent quarter or semester grades; Spring Quarter grades for Autumn admission and Autumn Quarter grades for Spring admission.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING THAT YOUR APPLICATION AND ALL SUPPORTING TRANSCRIPTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN THE DEPARTMENT BY THE PUBLISHED DEADLINE.

Direct any questions about these deadlines to the EE Advising Office at (206) 543-2142.

Undergraduate Engineering Departmental Requirements for Admission

Selection Criteria and Process

The Admissions Committee will evaluate your qualifications only on the basis of the written material you submit. Because of the large number of applicants we cannot include personal interviews in the selection process. You are encouraged to meet with the EE Advising staff before you file your application, to ensure that your application is complete.

The EE Department grants preferential admission to applicants who have demonstrated high academic achievement, work experience, or other accomplishments. Residents of the State of Washington may be given admission preference.

In conformance with a standing policy of the University of Washington, the EE Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran. The Equal Employment Officer, Dr. Helen Remick, coordinates the University of Washington's efforts to comply with all laws. You can reach her at:

: 126 Brooklyn Building; 4045 Brooklyn Ave. NE; Box 354560; Seattle, WA 98195; (206) 543-1830, V/TDD

The EE Department will notify you in writing of your admission status approximately one month after the deadline.

APPEALS PROCEDURE

If you are denied admission to the EE Department you should first consult with the EE Advising Office. Then you may request a review of the Admissions Committee decision by writing a letter to the Department Chairperson, citing your reasons for appeal. You must submit this letter within two weeks after the letter of denial is postmarked. The only legitimate basis for appeal is an error in the data considered by the Admissions Committee. If you were denied admission because you submitted incomplete or inaccurate records, your appeal will not be considered. A Departmental Appeals Committee will consider appeals and respond promptly.

Scholarships

The Electrical Engineering Department offers approximately four full resident tuition scholarships each year, funded by the College of Engineering or industry. The EE Department also awards two to six partial tuition scholarships yearly. To apply for a scholarship you must submit a College of Engineering Scholarship Application Form to the College of Engineering. The deadline for this application is April 1.

You can get a scholarship application form online at http://www.engr.washington.edu/score/scholarship.html or a physical copy at:

: College of Engineering; 353 Loew Hall; Box 352180; Seattle, WA 98195; (206) 543-1770

or at:

: EE Advising; Paul Allen Center AE 100; Box 352500; Seattle, WA 98195; (206) 543-2142

Advising

For general information on electrical engineering as a profession, admissions, academic advising, course scheduling, or information on procedures, rules and regulations, you may call the Advising Office at (206) 543-2142. You can make an appointment with one of the advisors by calling or coming by the Advising Office. The Advising Office's mailing address is:

: Electrical Engineering Advising; Paul Allen Center AE 100; Box 352500; Seattle, WA 98195; (206) 543-2142

Information about EE on the Internet

The address of the EE Department's home page is:

www.ee.washington.edu

The home page includes links to the EE Undergraduate Handbook, descriptions of the six areas of specialization in EE, information about EE professors and their research areas, and a catalog of courses.

Updates or corrections to this page should be sent to .