Engineers: Which minor? CE/EE?

[Fry]

So far I’m qualified to 250V and can operate 4160V switchgear. I’ve got the green light to get 600V qualified this year. :tup:

[travisn]

@Fry

power systems or controls. EE will give you much more valuable skills than CE. Also, don’t worry too much about completing a minor so much as taking and doing well in classes that will give you relevant skills.

care to elaborate with more specifics?

[travisn]

bumped. Went to the EE department today to get the paperwork. Due to the prereq’s it will be 2-3 quarters before I can start on this. I will only need to take 4 more classes to get the minor though.

Now this wont be important for a while but I want to be prepared for the meeting I’m having next week with the EE advisor; which should I pick and why:

Digital Systems
Microcomputer systems
Computer Architecture
Linear systems 1
EM Fields 1
EM Fields 2
Electronics 1
Electronics 2
Control Systems
Mechatronics
Communications
Digital Electronics
Linear Systems 2

[ubengineering]

dont 4get to check professors ratings on ratemyprofessor.com

saved me from a handful of assholes where that my buds had to suffer through

[travisn]

bump re: post #23.

and if I’m allowed I might take intro to C-programming/matlab this quarter as a gimme class.

[Fry]

I don’t know what you would do with a lot of that stuff (might just be my ignorance) but I can see an ME with a minor in control systems making you a great candidate for a job at Moog, Praxair, 3M, Linde, and Airsep in Buffalo, just off of the top of my head. You’d have a great foundation for understanding processes, the machines that run the processes, and the electronics that control them.

[travisn]

@Fry

I don’t know what you would do with a lot of that stuff (might just be my ignorance) but I can see an ME with a minor in control systems making you a great candidate for a job at Moog, Praxair, 3M, Linde, and Airsep in Buffalo, just off of the top of my head. You’d have a great foundation for understanding processes, the machines that run the processes, and the electronics that control them.

I have to pick three from that list. Sorry, I forgot to say that.

[drvnkd]

Do you have any course descriptions?

Most of those classes sound similar to the stuff I have taken.
My recollection is that Control systems in school != real world control systems.
(the stuff I have worked with has needed very little calculation work)

Matlab is good to learn, but if your workplace wants to use it, it is extremely expensive.

Also look into good statistics courses. It’s very important to recognize shit data.

[travisn]

@drvnkd

Do you have any course descriptions?

Most of those classes sound similar to the stuff I have taken.
My recollection is that Control systems in school != real world control systems.
(the stuff I have worked with has needed very little calculation work)

Matlab is good to learn, but if your workplace wants to use it, it is extremely expensive.

Also look into good statistics courses. It’s very important to recognize shit data.

I can get course descriptions in a bit. I have to take Engineering Statistics for the ME degree and Probability statistics for the EE minor. The probability statistics will count as a math/science elective for the ME (as will complex var). Double dip ftw.

---------- Post added at 04:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:11 PM ----------

here ya go!

@Digital Systems

This course introduces students to the basic components used in digital systems and is usually the student’s first exposure to engineering design. The laboratory component consists of small design projects that must be constructed and validated by the student. The projects run from traditional combinational logic using SSI chips to small subsystem implementation in a programmable device. Class 3, Lab 2, Credit 4 (F, W, S)

@Microcomputer systems

Initial course in microprocessor-based systems. After a review of computer arithmetic, logic operations, number systems and codes, the elements of microcomputer architecture are presented, including a detailed discussion of the memory, input-output, the central processing unit (CPU) and the busses over which they communicate. Assembly-language-level programming is introduced with an emphasis on enabling manipulation of elements of a microcomputer system. Efficient methods for designing and developing assembly language
programs are presented. Concepts of program controlled input and
output are studied in detail and reinforced with extensive hands-on
lab exercises involving both software and hardware. (0301-240, 4001
211) Class 4, Lab 3, Credit 4 (S)

@Computer Architecture

The purpose of this course is to expose students to both the hardware and the software components of a digital computer system. It focuses on the boundary between hardware and software operations. Students will learn about a computer system from various abstraction levels from the digital logic gates to software applications. This course will also provide a solid foundation in computer systems architecture. The first half of the course should deal with the major hardware components such as the central processing unit, the system memory and I/O modules. The second half focuses on instruction set architecures. The lab sessions cover hardware description language (HDL) implementations of the hardware functional blocks presented in lectures. (0301-240, 365, 4001-211) Class 3, Lab 2, Credit 4 (F, W)

@Linear systems 1

Linear Systems I provides the foundations of continuous and discrete signal and system analysis including signal and system description and modeling. Topics include: a description of continuous linear systems via differential equations, a description of discrete systems via difference equations, input-output relationship of continuous and discrete linear systems, the continuous time convolution integral; the discrete time convolution sum; application of convolution principles to system response calculations; exponential and trigonometric forms of Fourier series and their properties; Fourier transforms including energy spectrum and energy spectral density. (0301-382, 1016-328, co-requisite 1016-420) Class 4, Credit 4 (F, W)

@EM Fields 1

Study of electrostatic, magnetostatic, and quasi-static fields. Topics: vector algebra, vector calculus and orthogonal coordinate systems -Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical coordinates, electrostatic fields;Coulomb’s law, Gauss’s law, the electrical potential, conductors and dielectrics in static electric fields, polarization, electric flux density and dielectric constant, boundary conditions, capacitance, electrostatic energy forces; solution of electrostatic problems, Poisson’s and Laplace’s equations, methods of images, steady electric currents, conduction current density and resistance, static magnetic fields Ampere’s law, vector magnetic potential, Biot-Savart law, the magnetic dipole, magnetization, magnetic field intensity, permeability, boundary conditions, self and mutual inductance, magnetic energy and forces, Faraday’s law. (1016 328, 1017-313) Class 4, Credit 4 (F, W)

@EM Fields 2

Study of propagation, reflection and transmissions of electromagnetic waves in unbounded regions and in guiding structures. Topics: time varying fields, Maxwell’s equations, wave equations, uniform plane waves in conductive regions, polarization, the Poynting theorem and power, reflection and transmission at normal incidence from plane boundaries (multiple dielectric interfaces), oblique incidence at plane dielectric boundaries, two-conductor transmission lines (transmission line equations, transients on transmission lines, pulse and step excitations, reflection diagrams, sinusoidal steady state solutions, standing waves, the Smith Chart and impedance matching techniques), TE and TM waves in rectangular waveguides (propagation dispersion characteristics). A few experiments illustrating fundamental wave propagation and reflection concepts are conducted. (0301-473) Class 4, Lab 2, Credit 5 (S, SU)

@Electronics 1

This is the first course in a two-course sequence in analog electronic circuit design. The course covers the following topics: (1) Basic MOSFET current-voltage characteristics; (2) DC biasing of MOS circuits, including integrated-circuit current sources/mirrors; (3) Small-signal analysis of single-stage MOS amplifiers; (4) Multistage MOS amplifiers, such as differential amplifiers, cascode amplifiers, and operational amplifiers; (5) Frequency response of MOS-based single and multistage amplifiers; (6) Diode circuits, including rectifying and clamping circuits, as well as Zener diode-based voltage regulation; (7) Ideal and non-ideal operational amplifier (op amp) circuits in non-inverting and inverting configurations. (0301 381) Class 4, Lab 3, Credit 4 (F, W, S, SU)

@Electronics 2

This is the second course in a two-course sequence in analog electronic circuit design. The course covers the following topics: (1) DC and small-signal analysis and design of bipolar junction transistor (BJT) devices and circuits, including single-transistor BJT amplifier configurations; (2) BJT DC biasing circuits, such as basic current sources and current mirrors, the Widlar current source and the Wilson current source; (3) Two-transistor BJT amplifier stages, such as differential amplifiers, cascode amplifiers, and output stages; (4) Analysis and design of BJT multistage amplifiers and op amps; (5) Frequency response of BJT-based single and multistage amplifiers; (6) Feedback and stability in BJT and MOSFET amplifiers. (0301-481) Class 3, Lab 3, Credit 4 (F, W, S, SU)

@Control Systems

First course in the design of feedback control systems. Conventional design techniques, root locus and Bode plots, are used to design both continuous and discrete controllers. Topics: review of transfer function models of physical systems, second order system response and transient specifications, its relationship to complex poles in S and Z planes (Laplace and Z transforms), effect of additional poles and zeros, steady state error, error, error constants. Root locus analysis, design of lag, lead and PID controllers (continuous and discrete), Design using frequency response techniques, review of Bode plots, W transform and Bode plots for discrete systems, specifications in discrete controllers using Bode plots. Comparison of continuous and discrete controllers. Practical aspects in controller implementations. MATLAB used in class assignments and lab. (0301-453, 554) Class 4, Lab 3, Credit 5 (S, SU)

@Mechatronics

Fundamental principles of electric machines are covered. Sensors and actuators are studied. The primary actuators discussed are high-performance electromechanical motion devices such as permanent- magnet DC, synchronous and stepper motors. Topics in power electronics and control of electromechanical systems are studied. High-performance MATLAB environment is used to simulate, analyze and control mechatronic systems. Application of digital signal processors and microcontrollers in mechatronics are introduced. Case studies are covered. (0301-554, 474) Class 3, Lab 1, Credit 4 (F, W, S)

@Communications

This introductory course provides the basics of the formation, transmission and reception of information over communication channels. Spectral density and correlation descriptions for deterministic and stationary random signals. Amplitude and angle modulation methods (e.g. AM and FM) for continuous signals. Carrier detection and synchronization. Phase-locked loop and its application. Introduction to digital communication. Binary ASK, FSK and PSK. Noise effects, optimum detection: matched filters, maximum-likelihood reception, computer simulation. (1016-345, 0301-453) Class 4, Credit 4 (S, SU)

@Digital Electronics

This course covers the essential concepts and applications of digital electronics circuits, including NMOS, CMOS and BiCMOS technologies. After a basic review of MOSFET devices, NMOS and CMOS inverters are studied from both static and dynamic points of view. Design of combinational and sequential logic networks using NMOS and CMOS technologies is discussed. Dynamic CMOS logic networks, including precharge-evaluate, domino and transmission gate techniques are studied. The discussion of TTL NAND and ECL gates is included for historical reasons. Several special topics are studied as extensions of the foregoing topics, including static and dynamic MOS memory, low power logic, and BiCMOS inverters and logic. (0301-240, 482) Class 3, Lab 3, Credit 4 (F, W)

@Linear Systems 2

Linear Systems II covers advanced topics in both continuous and discrete time linear systems, including the sampling of continuous time signals and the sampling theorem. A comprehensive study of the Laplace transform and its inverse, the solution of differential equations and circuit analysis problems using Laplace transforms, transfer functions of physical systems, block diagram algebra and transfer function realization is also covered. A comprehensive study of the z transform and its inverse, which includes system transfer function concepts, system frequency response and its interpretation, and the relationship of the z transform to the Fourier and Laplace transform is also covered. An introduction to the design of digital filters, which includes filter block diagrams for Finite Impulse Response (FIR) and Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filters. (0301-453) Class 4, Credit 4 (S, SU)

[vt1992s10]

I would personally take the following based on what I have experienced in the “Real World”

Mechatronics, Control systems and see if you can get into the Data Acquisition class (labview)

[Mixmastermike]

I would take control systems, mechatronics, and digital systems. Depending on your career path there’s a chance you will not use what you learn in the control systems class but all three should give you some good experience

[travisn]

@vt1992s10

and see if you can get into the Data Acquisition class (labview)

there is a labview class, I’m in it now. its basically a walk through with in-class work. Or is there another one you are talking about?

[vt1992s10]

@travisn

there is a labview class, I’m in it now. its basically a walk through with in-class work. Or is there another one you are talking about?

That was the one I was thinking of.

[travisn]

so that stuff is useful outside the scope of class? had me fooled.

[vt1992s10]

I use Data Acquisition every day in engine performance, might not be lab view directly but it kind of relates to the software that I use. looks good on the resume too, depending on the job