Electrical Engineering (BS): Renewable Electric Energy Systems Concentration
The undergraduate concentration in Renewable Electric Energy Systems (REES) is within the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree program. With a keen eye on the future, students in the REES concentration prepare to tackle the urgent demand for innovative technologies to harness abundant yet dispersed renewable energy sources like solar and wind. This cutting-edge program is all about engineering smart electric power systems that seamlessly integrate these diverse energy generators.
Students in the REES concentration aren't just learning theory—they're diving deep into renewable energy, power systems, power electronics, and the design of electromechanical systems, preparing to lead the charge in powering a greener, more sustainable future.
Core Courses
The electrical and computer engineering curricula share core courses comprising a substantial portion of the first three years of study. Many of the core courses are offered three times a year in fall, spring, and summer. A strong emphasis is placed on fundamental concepts in core courses so that graduates are prepared for rapid technological changes common in the electrical and computer engineering professions. A comprehensive foundation in mathematics and the physical sciences in the freshman year is followed in subsequent years by additional core courses in mathematics, physics, electric circuit theory, digital logic, computer systems, electronics, electromagnetics, and linear systems. Laboratory work is designed to demonstrate fundamental principles and to provide experience in designing and testing electronic hardware and computer software. Both curricula have a required two semester senior design project which gives students comprehensive experience in designing, building, and testing physical systems.
Curricula
In addition to the core courses described above, students in the electrical engineering curriculum take two foundational electives and four specialization electives in areas of their choice within the discipline and two technical electives that can be in either electrical engineering or selected engineering courses offered by other departments. The concentration enriches the electrical engineering curriculum with coursework in electromechanical energy conversion, renewable electric power systems, power electronics, and power transmission and distribution systems. Additionally, a variety of elective courses are offered in communications, computational intelligence, controls, digital signal processing, digital systems, nanotechnology, mechatronics, microelectronics, networking, robotics, and VLSI design. There are typically a dozen or more of these courses offered each fall and spring semester and two or three available each summer.
Plan Requirements
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| CH 101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 | 3 |
| CH 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| E 101 | Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 2 | 1 |
| E 115 | Introduction to Computing Environments | 1 |
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 2 | 4 |
| MA 141 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ECE 109 | Introduction to Computer Systems 2 | 3 |
| MA 241 | Calculus II 1 | 4 |
| PY 205 & PY 206 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| Select one of the following Economics courses: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | ||
| Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Fundamentals of Economics | ||
| Hours | 14 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ECE 200 | Introduction to Signals, Circuits and Systems 2 | 4 |
| ECE 209 | Computer Systems Programming 2 | 3 |
| MA 242 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PY 208 & PY 209 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | 4 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| COM 110 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| ECE 211 | Electric Circuits 2 | 4 |
| ECE 212 | Fundamentals of Logic Design 2 | 3 |
| ECE 220 | Analytical Foundations of Electrical and Computer Engineering 2 | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ECE 301 | Linear Systems | 3 |
| ECE 302 | Microelectronics | 4 |
| ST 371 | Introduction to Probability and Distribution Theory | 3 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ECE 303 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3 |
| ECE 380 | Engineering Profession for Electrical Engineers | 1 |
| ECE 305 | Principles of Electromechanical Energy Conversion | 3 |
| Select one of the following ECE 3** Foundation courses: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Nano Science and Technology | ||
| Introduction to Embedded Systems | ||
| Elements of Control Systems | ||
| Design of Complex Digital Systems | ||
| ENG 331 | Communication for Engineering and Technology | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Select one of the following Senior Design Project I courses: | 3 | |
| Engineering Entrepreneurship Senior Design I | ||
| Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design I | ||
| ECE 452 | Renewable Electric Energy Systems | 3 |
| REES Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select one of the following Senior Design Project II courses: | 3 | |
| Engineering Entrepreneurship Senior Design II | ||
| Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design II | ||
| ECE Elective | 3 | |
| Open/Technical Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 103 | |
- 1
A grade of C or higher is required.
- 2
A grade of C- or higher is required.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GEP Courses | ||
| GEP Humanities | 6 | |
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | |
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | |
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 5 | |
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | ||
| Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | ||
| Total Hours | 19 | |
REES Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 434 | Fundamentals of Power Electronics | 3 |
| ECE 451 | Power System Analysis | 3 |
| ECE 453 | Electric Motor Drives | 3 |
| ECE 533 | Power Electronics Design & Packaging | 3 |
| ECE 534 | Power Electronics | 3 |
| ECE 535 | Design of Electromechanical Systems | 3 |
| ECE 550 | Power System Operation and Control | 3 |
| ECE 551 | Smart Electric Power Distribution Systems | 3 |
| ECE 553 | Semiconductor Power Devices | 3 |
| ECE 581 | Electric Power System Protection | 3 |
| ECE 583 | Electric Power Engineering Practicum I | 3 |
| ECE 585 | The Business of the Electric Utility Industry | 3 |
| ECE 586 | Communication and SCADA Systems for Smart Grid | 3 |
| MAE 535 | Design of Electromechanical Systems | 3 |
ECE Electives
ECE Elective
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 402 | Communications Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 403 | Electronics Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 404 | Introduction to Solid-State Devices | 3 |
| ECE 406/506 | Architecture Of Parallel Computers | 3 |
| ECE 407 | Introduction to Computer Networking | 3 |
| ECE 410/510 | Introduction to Signal Processing | 3 |
| ECE 411 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 3 |
| ECE 418/518 | Wearable Biosensors and Microsystems | 3 |
| ECE 420 | Wireless Communication Systems | 3 |
| ECE 421 | Introduction to Signal Processing | 3 |
| ECE 422 | Transmission Lines and Antennas for Wireless | 3 |
| ECE 423 | Introduction to Photonics and Optical Communications | 3 |
| ECE 424/524 | Radio System Design | 3 |
| ECE 426 | Analog Electronics Laboratory | 3 |
| ECE 434 | Fundamentals of Power Electronics | 3 |
| ECE 436 | Digital Control Systems | 3 |
| ECE 442 | Introduction to Integrated Circuit Technology and Fabrication | 3 |
| ECE 451 | Power System Analysis | 3 |
| ECE 452/552 | Renewable Electric Energy Systems | 3 |
| ECE 453 | Electric Motor Drives | 3 |
| ECE 455 | Industrial Robot Systems | 3 |
| ECE 456/556 | Mechatronics | 3 |
| ECE 460/560 | 3 | |
| ECE 461/561 | Embedded System Analysis and Optimization | 3 |
| ECE 463/563 | Microprocessor Architecture | 3 |
| ECE 464/564 | ASIC and FPGA Design with Verilog | 3 |
| ECE 465/565 | Operating Systems Design | 3 |
| ECE 466/566 | Compiler Optimization and Scheduling | 3 |
| ECE 468/568 | Conventional and Emerging Nanomanufacturing Techniques and Their Applications in Nanosystems | 3 |
| ECE 470 | Internetworking | 3 |
| ECE 488/588 | Systems Biology Modeling of Plant Regulation | 3 |
| ECE 489/589 | Solid State Solar and Thermal Energy Harvesting | 3 |
| ECE 492 | Special Topics in Electrical and Computer Engineering | 1-4 |
| ECE 505 | Neural Interface Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 511 | Analog Electronics | 3 |
| ECE 513 | Advanced Digital Signal Processing | 3 |
| ECE 514 | Random Processes | 3 |
| ECE 515 | Digital Communications | 3 |
| ECE 516 | System Control Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 517 | Object-Oriented Design and Development | 3 |
| ECE 522 | Medical Instrumentation | 3 |
| ECE 523 | Photonics and Optical Communications | 3 |
| ECE 530 | Physics of Semiconductors | 3 |
| ECE 531 | 3 | |
| ECE 532 | 3 | |
| ECE 533 | Power Electronics Design & Packaging | 3 |
| ECE 534 | Power Electronics | 3 |
| ECE 535 | Design of Electromechanical Systems | 3 |
| ECE 536 | Digital Control System Projects | 3 |
| ECE 538 | Integrated Circuits Technology and Fabrication | 3 |
| ECE 540 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3 |
| ECE 541 | Antennas and Arrays | 3 |
| ECE 542 | Neural Networks and Deep Learning | 3 |
| ECE 544 | Design Of Electronic Packaging and Interconnects | 3 |
| ECE 546 | VLSI Systems Design | 3 |
| ECE 547 | Cloud Computing Technology | 3 |
| ECE 549 | RF Design for Wireless | 3 |
| ECE 550 | Power System Operation and Control | 3 |
| ECE 551 | Smart Electric Power Distribution Systems | 3 |
| ECE 553 | Semiconductor Power Devices | 3 |
| ECE 554 | Electric Motor Drives | 3 |
| ECE 555 | Autonomous Robot Systems | 3 |
| ECE 557 | Principles Of MOS Transistors | 3 |
| ECE 558 | Digital Imaging Systems | 3 |
| ECE 570 | Computer Networks | 3 |
| ECE 573 | Internet Protocols | 3 |
| ECE 574 | Computer and Network Security | 3 |
| ECE 575 | Introduction to Wireless Networking | 3 |
| ECE 576 | Networking Services: QoS, Signaling, Processes | 3 |
| ECE 577 | Switched Network Management | 3 |
| ECE 578 | LTE and 5G Communications | 3 |
| ECE 579 | Introduction to Computer Performance Modeling | 3 |
| ECE 581 | Electric Power System Protection | 3 |
| ECE 582 | 3 | |
| ECE 583 | Electric Power Engineering Practicum I | 3 |
| ECE 584 | Electric Power Engineering Practicum II | 3 |
| ECE 585 | The Business of the Electric Utility Industry | 3 |
| ECE 586 | Communication and SCADA Systems for Smart Grid | 3 |
| ECE 587 | Power System Transients Analysis | 3 |
| ECE 591 | Special Topics In Electrical Engineering | 1-6 |
| ECE 592 | Special Topics In Electrical Engineering | 1-6 |
Open/Technical Elective
Open Electives
Choose from the ECE Elective List or the other Open Electives listed below
ECE Elective
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 402 | Communications Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 403 | Electronics Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 404 | Introduction to Solid-State Devices | 3 |
| ECE 406/506 | Architecture Of Parallel Computers | 3 |
| ECE 407 | Introduction to Computer Networking | 3 |
| ECE 410/510 | Introduction to Signal Processing | 3 |
| ECE 411 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 3 |
| ECE 418/518 | Wearable Biosensors and Microsystems | 3 |
| ECE 420 | Wireless Communication Systems | 3 |
| ECE 421 | Introduction to Signal Processing | 3 |
| ECE 422 | Transmission Lines and Antennas for Wireless | 3 |
| ECE 423 | Introduction to Photonics and Optical Communications | 3 |
| ECE 424/524 | Radio System Design | 3 |
| ECE 426 | Analog Electronics Laboratory | 3 |
| ECE 434 | Fundamentals of Power Electronics | 3 |
| ECE 436 | Digital Control Systems | 3 |
| ECE 442 | Introduction to Integrated Circuit Technology and Fabrication | 3 |
| ECE 451 | Power System Analysis | 3 |
| ECE 452/552 | Renewable Electric Energy Systems | 3 |
| ECE 453 | Electric Motor Drives | 3 |
| ECE 455 | Industrial Robot Systems | 3 |
| ECE 456/556 | Mechatronics | 3 |
| ECE 460/560 | 3 | |
| ECE 461/561 | Embedded System Analysis and Optimization | 3 |
| ECE 463/563 | Microprocessor Architecture | 3 |
| ECE 464/564 | ASIC and FPGA Design with Verilog | 3 |
| ECE 465/565 | Operating Systems Design | 3 |
| ECE 466/566 | Compiler Optimization and Scheduling | 3 |
| ECE 468/568 | Conventional and Emerging Nanomanufacturing Techniques and Their Applications in Nanosystems | 3 |
| ECE 470 | Internetworking | 3 |
| ECE 488/588 | Systems Biology Modeling of Plant Regulation | 3 |
| ECE 489/589 | Solid State Solar and Thermal Energy Harvesting | 3 |
| ECE 492 | Special Topics in Electrical and Computer Engineering | 1-4 |
| ECE 505 | Neural Interface Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 511 | Analog Electronics | 3 |
| ECE 513 | Advanced Digital Signal Processing | 3 |
| ECE 514 | Random Processes | 3 |
| ECE 515 | Digital Communications | 3 |
| ECE 516 | System Control Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 517 | Object-Oriented Design and Development | 3 |
| ECE 522 | Medical Instrumentation | 3 |
| ECE 523 | Photonics and Optical Communications | 3 |
| ECE 530 | Physics of Semiconductors | 3 |
| ECE 531 | 3 | |
| ECE 532 | 3 | |
| ECE 533 | Power Electronics Design & Packaging | 3 |
| ECE 534 | Power Electronics | 3 |
| ECE 535 | Design of Electromechanical Systems | 3 |
| ECE 536 | Digital Control System Projects | 3 |
| ECE 538 | Integrated Circuits Technology and Fabrication | 3 |
| ECE 540 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3 |
| ECE 541 | Antennas and Arrays | 3 |
| ECE 542 | Neural Networks and Deep Learning | 3 |
| ECE 544 | Design Of Electronic Packaging and Interconnects | 3 |
| ECE 546 | VLSI Systems Design | 3 |
| ECE 547 | Cloud Computing Technology | 3 |
| ECE 549 | RF Design for Wireless | 3 |
| ECE 550 | Power System Operation and Control | 3 |
| ECE 551 | Smart Electric Power Distribution Systems | 3 |
| ECE 553 | Semiconductor Power Devices | 3 |
| ECE 554 | Electric Motor Drives | 3 |
| ECE 555 | Autonomous Robot Systems | 3 |
| ECE 557 | Principles Of MOS Transistors | 3 |
| ECE 558 | Digital Imaging Systems | 3 |
| ECE 570 | Computer Networks | 3 |
| ECE 573 | Internet Protocols | 3 |
| ECE 574 | Computer and Network Security | 3 |
| ECE 575 | Introduction to Wireless Networking | 3 |
| ECE 576 | Networking Services: QoS, Signaling, Processes | 3 |
| ECE 577 | Switched Network Management | 3 |
| ECE 578 | LTE and 5G Communications | 3 |
| ECE 579 | Introduction to Computer Performance Modeling | 3 |
| ECE 581 | Electric Power System Protection | 3 |
| ECE 582 | 3 | |
| ECE 583 | Electric Power Engineering Practicum I | 3 |
| ECE 584 | Electric Power Engineering Practicum II | 3 |
| ECE 585 | The Business of the Electric Utility Industry | 3 |
| ECE 586 | Communication and SCADA Systems for Smart Grid | 3 |
| ECE 587 | Power System Transients Analysis | 3 |
| ECE 591 | Special Topics In Electrical Engineering | 1-6 |
| ECE 592 | Special Topics In Electrical Engineering | 1-6 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 303 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3 |
| E 304 | Introduction to Nano Science and Technology | 3 |
| ECE 305 | Principles of Electromechanical Energy Conversion | 3 |
| ECE 306 | Introduction to Embedded Systems | 3 |
| ECE 308 | Elements of Control Systems | 3 |
| ECE 309 | Data Structures and Object-Oriented Programming for Electrical and Computer Engineers | 3 |
| ECE 310 | Design of Complex Digital Systems | 3 |
| ECE 384 | Practical Engineering Prototyping | 3 |
| CE 214 | Engineering Mechanics-Statics | 3 |
| or MAE 206 | Engineering Statics | |
| MSE 200 | Mechanical Properties of Structural Materials | 3 |
| or MSE 201 | Structure and Properties of Engineering Materials | |
| ISE 311 | Engineering Economic Analysis | 3 |
| MAE 208 | Engineering Dynamics | 3 |
| MAE 201 | Thermal-Fluid Sciences | 3 |
| MAE 302/BME 525 | Engineering Thermodynamics II | 3 |
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| CH 101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 | 3 |
| CH 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| E 101 | Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 2 | 1 |
| E 115 | Introduction to Computing Environments | 1 |
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research | 4 |
| MA 141 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ECE 109 | Introduction to Computer Systems 2 | 3 |
| MA 241 | Calculus II 1 | 4 |
| PY 205 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I 1 | 3 |
| PY 206 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory | 1 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| EC 205 | Fundamentals of Economics | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ECE 200 | Introduction to Signals, Circuits and Systems 2 | 4 |
| ECE 209 | Computer Systems Programming 2 | 3 |
| MA 242 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PY 208 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| COM 110 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| ECE 211 | Electric Circuits 2 | 4 |
| ECE 212 | Fundamentals of Logic Design 2 | 3 |
| ECE 220 | Analytical Foundations of Electrical and Computer Engineering 2 | 3 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ECE 301 | Linear Systems | 3 |
| ECE 302 | Microelectronics | 4 |
| ST 371 | Introduction to Probability and Distribution Theory | 3 |
| ECE 305 | Principles of Electromechanical Energy Conversion | 3 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ECE 303 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3 |
| ECE 380 | Engineering Profession for Electrical Engineers 3 | 1 |
| REES Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Select one of the following Foundation Electives: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Nano Science and Technology | ||
| Introduction to Embedded Systems | ||
| Elements of Control Systems | ||
| Design of Complex Digital Systems | ||
| ENG 331 | Communication for Engineering and Technology | 3 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ECE 484 | Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design I 3 | 3 |
| REES Electives 4 | 3 | |
| ECE 452 | Renewable Electric Energy Systems | 3 |
| Open/Technical Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ECE 485 | Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design II 4 | 3 |
| ECE Elective 5 | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Open/Technical Electives | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 2-3 | |
| Hours | 14-15 | |
| Total Hours | 121-122 | |
- 1
A grade of C or higher is required.
- 2
A grade of C- or higher is required.
- 3
Students in the entrepreneurs program should take ECE 383/ECE 482/ECE 483, instead of ECE 380/ECE 484/ECE 485.
- 4
Major GPAs greater than 3.5 are required to take 5xx courses.
- 5
Students with major GPAs greater than 3.5 can take 5xx courses
A degree in electrical engineering with a concentration in renewable electric energy systems opens up a world of exciting career opportunities at the forefront of the green energy revolution. Graduates can pursue roles designing and implementing sustainable power systems that harness solar, wind, and other renewable resources. They may work at optimizing the integration of renewable energy sources into existing electrical grids to enhance efficiency and reliability. Additionally, opportunities abound in research and development, where engineers innovate new technologies to improve the performance and scalability of renewable energy systems.
Whether in traditional engineering firms, renewable energy startups, government agencies, or multinational corporations, expertise in renewable electric energy systems is in high demand, driving positive change and paving the way towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
You can see some currently hiring positions in ePack for examples of career paths.
Career Titles
- Computer Network Architects
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
- Electrical Drafter
- Electrical Engineer
- Electrical EngineeringTechnician
- Electro-Mechanical Technicians
- Electronic Drafter
- Electronics Engineer
- Electronics Technician
- Engineering Professor
- Instrument Technician
- Mechanical Drafter
- Mechatronics Engineers
- Photonics Engineers
- Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
- Sales Engineers
- Solar Energy Systems Engineers
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