Undergraduate Admissions
Application Information
When applying for admission to become an undergraduate electrical or computer engineering student at the University of Minnesota, students are accepted to the University through the Institute of Technology, the college that encompasses engineering, the physical sciences, and mathematics. For more information on applying to become an undergraduate engineering student, please see the Prospective IT Students Web page.
Curriculum Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is engineering?
- Is engineering the career for you?
- Why major in electrical or computer engineering?
- What are the areas of specialization for electrical engineers?
- What are the areas of specialization for computer engineers?
- What are the job prospects for electrical or computer engineers?
- Why choose our program?
- Is financial aid available?
What is engineering?
Engineering is both a science and an art, requiring a combination of imagination, creativity, technical skills, and business acumen to make things that benefit people. Engineers design bridges and automobiles, biomedical materials and robots, mass transit systems and communication networks, processes for cleaning up toxic spills, and systems for improving harvest yields; and that is only scratching the surface. Basically, engineering is the process of producing a technical product or system that meets a specific need. For more information about engineering, you can read lengthy descriptions of engineering in general, as well as the various types of engineering, at the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook's section on engineering.
Is engineering the career for you?
Do you enjoy how things work? Do you like working with computers? Do you like to know "why"? Are you a problem solver and do you excel at it? Do you get good grades in math and science? If you can answer "yes" to most of these questions, then your potential for a successful and satisfying career in engineering is high.
Why major in electrical or computer engineering?
- Electronics is one of the largest manufacturing industries. Its economic and social impact makes it the most important industry in the 21st century.
- Electrical and computer engineers continue to provide the key building blocks of the information technology revolution, from improved data storage devices and faster computer chips to advanced data compression methods and telecommunications.
- From cell phones to fiber optic networks, electrical engineers are designing a radically new communications infrastructure for the 21st century.
- The electrical power industry is moving rapidly towards global competition, which will lead to a total utility investment of an estimated $2.6 trillion (USD) over the next twenty years.
- In order to maintain a competitive edge and operate more cost effectively, firms will continue to demand computer professionals who are knowledgeable about hardware and software and can apply this knowledge to meet the needs of business and society.
What are the areas of specialization for for electrical engineers?
For descriptions of the areas of specialization within the electrical
engineering program, please refer to the
EE Focus Areas
Guide 
.
What are the areas of specialization for computer engineers?
For descriptions of the areas of specialization within the computer
engineering program, please refer to the
CE Focus Areas
Guide .
What are the job prospects for electrical or computer engineers?
- A recent IEEE Member Opinion Survey found that the median primary annual income from base salaries, self-employment, commissions, and bonuses for IEEE members in the United States to be $92,000 (USD). Electrical and computer engineers are consistently among the highest paid of any engineers.
- The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook states that future growth in electrical engineering is excellent, and computer engineering will continue to be one of the three fastest growing occupations in the nation.
- Many recent University of Minnesota ECE graduates have gotten multiple job offers. Our graduates have accepted positions with top technology companies, including 3M, AT&T, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Lucent Technologies, Medtronic, Motorola, and Sun Microsystems, just to name a few.
Why choose our program?
- The faculty are committed to undergraduate education and take an active interest in the development of each student. This commitment is reflected by faculty teaching all ECE lecture and discussion sections.
- The ECE department is consistently ranked among the top 20 programs in the nation and has an international reputation as a leading academic research center in a wide variety of specialties.
- As part of a research university, the ECE department offers numerous opportunities for undergraduates to become involved with cutting-edge research and design.
- Fully equipped laboratories allow students to gain invaluable hands-on experience.
- Co-ops and other programs enhance a student's academic experience.
- The rigorous attention paid to core course instruction and the advanced specialty course offerings provide excellent preparation for students planning to attend graduate school.
- Our department and the degrees we offer are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Is financial aid available?
Financial assistance is available to students at the University of Minnesota. Students can find information relating to financial aid on the University's One Stop Web site.