Pre-Electrical Engineering Students

We recommend that you become classified as a pre-electrical engineering major when you are initially admitted to the University so that you are ensured of receiving program information and staying advised of any changes that may be made in degree requirements. Declaration of a pre-major will also enable you to participate in activities associated with the degree program. You can become classified as a pre-electrical engineering major by informing the University Registrar or the Electrical Engineering Academic Counselor.

Admission Requirements

If you are just finishing high school and qualify for the University Honors Program (whether or not you actually choose to join that program), you can be admitted directly to the ECE Program once you are formally admitted to the University of Utah. Presently the criteria for direct admission are as follows:

  • High School GPA of 3.5 or higher; AND
  • U of U Admissions Index of 120 or higher; AND
  • Math ACT Score of at least 28 - OR - SAT Math Score of at least 630.

Direct admission is available only to recent high school graduates who plan on attending the University of Utah and majoring in Electrical Engineering. For additional information regarding applying for direct admission, please contact Arlene Padilla Arenaz at arlene.arenaz@utah.edu or Debbie Sparks at dsparks@ece.utah.edu

Otherwise, before you are formally admitted to the Electrical Engineering Program, you must complete pre-major courses. You may apply for major status during any semester in which you will complete the pre-major classes listed below. Applications are evaluated as soon as grades are available at the end of each semester. Complete the "Application for Major Status" form available in the ECE office or by printing the application in PDF from our web site. To submit your admission application electronically, click here. Submit only one copy of the application. You must be admitted to major status before you will be able to register for ECE classes beyond the freshman level.

Admission Courses

ECE 1270 4.0 Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering
ECE 1020 1.0 Electrical Engineering Problem Solving with Matlab
CS 1010 0.5 Introduction to Unix
Math 1210 or 1270 4.0 Calculus I or Accelerated Engineering Calculus I (see below)
Math 1220 or 1280 4.0 Calculus II or Accelerated Engineering Calculus II (see below)
Phys 2210 4.0 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I
17.5
* CS 2000 or 1410 4.0 Program Design in C or Introduction to Computer Science I
*(Recommended during 1st year, but not required for major admission)

 

  • The current GPA for admission to major status is 2.8 on the above classes, except for ECE 1020 and CS 1010 in which CR is required.
  • ECE 1270 must be passed with a grade of C- or better.
  • You must take ECE 1020 in the same semester in which you take ECE 1270 or before taking ECE 1270.
  • If you have AP AB Calculus with a score of 3 or 4 or an ACT Math score of 30, you should take Math 1270 and 1280. These classes are designed for Engineering students and replace the three-semester series Math 1210, 1220, and 2210. Math 2210 is not required if you take Math 1270 and 1280.
  • Grades from transfer courses from other institutions will be counted the same as University of Utah courses for admission purposes only. Technical transfer classes with grades below C- and technology classes are not accepted in the Electrical Engineering program. Please see the section on "Acceptance of Transfer Classes" in the on-line undergraduate handbook for additional information regarding transfer courses.

 

Continuing Performance

In order to remain in good standing and to graduate, a student must have a 2.5 or higher cumulative U of U GPA and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on all University of Utah technical classes that count toward requirements for the Electrical Engineering degree. This includes Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, and technical electives. Grades in Writing (including ECE 3940 and 3950), General Education, and transfer classes are NOT included in the technical GPA calculation.

Students whose grade point average in either of these two categories falls below 2.5 are put on probation. Students on probation must raise both GPAs (cumulative and technical) above 2.5 within 12 months or they will be dropped from the program.

The continuing performance requirements will be applicable to students admitted into the Electrical Engineering Program during Summer Semester 2008 and thereafter. Students admitted at the end of Spring Semester 2008 and earlier will need to abide by the graduation policies that were in place for the catalog year in which they were admitted to the Electrical Engineering Program, either in full major status or probationary status.