Insight

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers accredited programs of study leading to a bachelor's degree in electrical/electronic engineering or computer engineering. All engineering curricula are based on a thorough foundation in communication skills, humanities, mathematics, natural and social sciences, and engineering disciplines. Program faculty are committed to preparing engineering graduates to work collaboratively with other engineers, scientists, and business professionals in developing innovative solutions to complex problems.

High school graduates planning to study engineering should complete three years of high school mathematics, including geometry, algebra, and trigonometry. In addition, courses in biology, English, computer programming, physics, and chemistry should be taken to assist in transitioning into an engineering program. If these high school courses are not completed, additional time may be required to complete the requirements for an engineering degree.

Students are highly encouraged to take other courses related to engineering and technology such as mechanical drafting, computer-aided design, Project Lead the Way courses, and/or participate in FIRST Robotics or other engineering-related clubs and activities, which help expose students to some of the concepts and practices that they will develop during their academic careers at California State University, Chico.

Experience

FE (EIT) Examination. Senior engineering students are encouraged to take the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering (Engineer-In-Training) exam, which is the first of two exams required to become a licensed Professional Engineer (PE).

Student organizations. Several engineering professional societies have student chapters on campus. Student organizations sponsor guest speakers, social events, field trips, community service events, and organize teams to compete at regional and national engineering student competitions. Student organizations also offer peer advising and tutoring.

Active chapters on campus include:

• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Association for Computing Machinery
• National Society of Black Engineers
• Society of Women Engineers
• American Society of Civil Engineers
• Structural Engineers Association of California
• Engineers for Alternative Energy
• Society of Plastics Engineers
• American Institute of Mechatronic Engineers
• Chico Rocketry and Aerospace Club
• Materials Research Society
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Society of Manufacturing Engineers

The national honor societies Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu are also available to qualified students.

Chico STEM Connections Engineering. This program is a comprehensive recruitment, retention, and graduation effort that assists underrepresented and disadvantaged students pursuing degrees in engineering and computer science. The program offers tutoring, academic advising, and counseling, and includes a study center.

Outlook

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor,

• "Overall employment in architecture and engineering occupations is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032."
• "About 188,000 openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations due to employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the occupations permanently."
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that in May 2022 the median annual wage for architecture and engineering occupations was $83,700, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $46,310; for computer hardware engineers the median annual wage was $132,360; for electrical and electronics engineers it was $104,610.

The increasing demand for computer and electrical/electronic engineers is fueled, in part, by the explosive growth of cloud computing, the Internet of Things, machine learning, robotics and other autonomous systems, and clean energy systems.

Computer hardware engineers are some of the most recruited graduates on campus. Recent surveys indicate that the demand for engineers with computer hardware and software design experience will continue to increase in both private and government sectors.  

Electrical/electronic engineers are in demand by both industry and government. This demand is predicted to continue as electronic and embedded systems become more vital to business, industry, and consumer products.

Accreditation

The Computer Engineering and Electrical/Electronic Engineering programs at Chico State are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Program Criteria.

Programs

Undergraduate

Bachelor's

Minors

Graduate

Master's

See Course Description Symbols and Terms for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units.

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Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Electrical and Computer Engineering Department

The Faculty

Emeritus Faculty