the department of electrical and computer engineering

ECE @ UBC http://www.ece.ubc.ca1

T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F B R I T I S H C O L U M B I A

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering



Topics for Today’s Presentation

• What is Electrical and Computer Engineering?

• Types of research that we do

• ECE program options

• Our undergraduate facilities

• Student activities



What is Electrical and Computer Engineering?

• Electrical Engineering– the design and development of new and

useful technologies or techniques based on electrical or optical phenomena.

• Computer Engineering– the physical design of computers,

computer systems, and the development of stable, reliable software.



Some of the things we might do (in research or in industry) include:

• Communication systems– Routers, switches, networks, encryption software, etc.

• Power systems– Transmission lines, transformers, monitoring equip.,

power supplies, energy conservation, clean energy, etc.

• Computers and computer software– Microprocessors, control or automation software,

productivity tools, games, entertainment applications, etc.





Some of the things we might do (in research or in industry) include:

• Photonic systems– Optical sensors, electro-optic devices, telecom systems, etc.

• Robotic systems– Mechanics, control, actuators and sensor systems, machine-

human interaction, etc.

• Imaging systems– Hardware and software for image acquisition, analysis,

enhancement, and storage, etc.




Computer Engineering vs. Computer Science?

• CE has a hardware component as well as broader scope as compared to CS.

• CE is more project, systems design, and outcome oriented. There is a closer link to real-world problems and closer connection to physical systems.



Some research areas in ECE

• Power Systems

• Communications

• Microelectronics

• Photonics

• Robotics

• Signal & Image Processing

• Control

• Computer Engg.

• Software Engg.

• Biomedical

• Multimedia

• Microwave & RF

• Electromagnetics

• VLSI & SOC

• Human-Comp Interface



Research in ECE at UBC

Power Engineering




Robotics and Control Engineering




Optoelectronics, RFtest & measure,novel materials, sensors,and devices.




Microfabricationfacilities




System on a Chip (SoC)



ECE Program Options

• Second year – Traditional lecture-based learning

– Project Integration Program (PIP)

• Third year– Electrical Engineering option

– Computer Engineering option (can also choose software option within CE)

• Fourth year– Increasing diversity in elective options

– More projects allow you to apply your knowledge



ECE Program Options• General program flow shown below• EE / CE choice made when entering 2nd year• Two additional options are available (they

generally require extra time to complete):• Honours Mathematics Option (noted on diploma)• Minor In Commerce (noted on transcript)



Project Integration Program (PIP)

• PIP replaces all 2nd year ECE courses.• Emphasis on project- and problem-based learning• 4 group projects are completed during the year (new

projects are created each year).• Modified lecture/tutorial format designed to deliver

information in a timely way to aid in the completion of each project.

• Dedicated meeting and lab facilities for PIP students• Currently a maximum of 72 students working in

teams of 6 with 5 instructors teaching/supervising.



Co-operative Education Program• Regular program

– Complete your degree in 4 years

– Your choice of what you do in the summer

– Some summer course offerings allow the chance to reduce course load over subsequent terms

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Co-operative Education Program• Co-op program

– Complete your degree in 5 years

– Obtain valuable work experience & references

– Get paid (avg. salary in recent past ~ $2500/mo.)

– Get practice job hunting, interviewing

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Undergraduate Facilities• Our department is part of the Provincial “Double

the Opportunity” (DTO) Initiative. • Our current 2nd year intake has now doubled and

stands at approximately 260 students.• Number of Professors, Instructors, and graduate

students are also increasing.• We have approx. 40 faculty members. In the last

2 years we have hired several new Professors and 4 Instructors. Additional hires are planned.

• We are expanding and upgrading our facilities to accommodate new students and new programs.



Undergraduate Facilities

The new ECE building, scheduled for completion in late 2004,will free up space in our existing building for additional undergraduate facilities as the program expands.




The existing ECE building has been undergoing classroomrenovations. Many presentation formats are supported, and theUBC Wireless LAN project allows internet access in class.




Undergraduate electronics laboratories.




Undergraduate computing facilities.




Undergraduate DSP lab facilities.




Student machine shop available for use when working on projects.



Student ActivitiesStudents work hard but there are many

opportunities for social activity:– Club EZZIE (ECE students club)

– IEEE Student Branch

– Engineering Undergraduate Society

– Clubs to suit just about any interest can be found around the university



Contact InformationUBC Admissions:

http://students.ubc.ca/welcome/apply.cfm

ECE Contacts:

http://www.ece.ubc.ca

(604) 822-2872 – main office

ECE High School Liaison:

Carol Jaeger

[email protected]

(604) 822-2592

the department of electrical and computer engineering

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