Many of the products and services in modern society are based upon the work of electrical and computer engineers. The reduction in the cost of digital electronic devices has led to an explosive growth in the use of computers and computation. At the same time, our increased understanding of computation science has made possible the development of new software systems of increased power sophistication, and flexibility.

Electrical communication systems involving, wire, optical fiber, or wireless technology abound in radio, television, telephone, and computer-communication networks. Modern electronics has made possible instrumentation systems for use in all branches of the physical and biological sciences, as well as in most areas of engineering and manufacturing. Digital signal processing have made possible information extraction and processing capabilities in areas of environmental sciences, communication and computer systems. Electrical machines and power electronic circuits control a multitude of systems that affect our lives in many different ways. Electric power that is essential to the functionality of modern society is controlled and distributed by a complex transmission and distribution network.

From participation in multi-million-dollar national engineering research centers to smaller, single-investigator efforts, the Department's faculty has created a strong, collaborative research environment where ideas and information can flow freely across the various specialties. It is an environment in which students can develop a solid background in their chosen specialty, while also becoming familiar with other vital issues in the field. The research environment lends extra vitality to graduate and undergraduate courses. Faculty experts teach courses in their area of specialty and develop courses in state-of-the-art applications. All faculty members teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers Bachelors and Master degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Ph.D. Program in Computing Sciences and Engineering (jointly with the Mathematics Department). The Department's research and graduate programs involve 14 laboratories, groups and centers, more than 30 graduate-level courses, 45 faculty members, 80 graduate students and many motivated undergraduate students.