The Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department’s vision demonstrates its long-standing commitment to provide excellent, “world class” quality undergraduate and graduate programs in a vibrant academic environment. In doing this, we serve our varied constituents: our students; local, national and international industry; the federal research laboratories; local, national, and international graduate and professional schools; the state of New Mexico; and our alumni.
The ECE department offers two undergraduate degree programs, one in electrical engineering and one in computer engineering. The technology in both these fields changes very rapidly. For this reason the curriculum in both programs stresses fundamental concepts as well as current application methods. Students are advised to get the latest Advisement Brochure for either program for changes made after this catalog is printed.
Students must be admitted for study at the University of New Mexico and must have completed approximately one year of the appropriate freshman year subjects before applications can be processed for admission to the Baccalaureate Programs in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Approval from the ECE department is required. Applicants must consult the appropriate departmental advisor for evaluation of academic work before admission can be completed.
The criteria for admission to Baccalaureate Programs in Electrical and Computer Engineering are specified in detail in the respective Advisement Brochures, which may be obtained from the department. There are 18 semester hours of freshman year technical subjects required by the School of Engineering for admission and a minimum grade point average of 2.50 in those courses is required for admission to undergraduate study in either Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering. A total of 26 semester hours applicable to a degree is required for admission with a grade point average of at least 2.20. All applicants must have completed ENGL 101 or its equivalent before admission. All courses required in a Baccalaureate degree program in the ECE Department must have grades of C or better for satisfying both admission and graduation requirements.
Students admitted or readmitted to the Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering degree programs may not apply a course toward the B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering if the grade earned in the course is not a C or better, regardless of where that grade was earned. In order to fulfill the requirements for the UNM Core Curriculum, which went into effect in the Fall of 1999, students must have a C or better on specific UNM core classes.
No one may enroll in an undergraduate course in the ECE Department without first earning a grade of C or better in all prerequisites for the course.
Students admitted to a B.S. degree program in the ECE Department must complete a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of work applicable to the B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering after admission to the program.
The policy on courses numbered 300 or above is defined by the School of Engineering policy in this catalog. This policy is commonly referred to as the 8-Hour Rule. Briefly, this policy states that a student may not enroll in courses in the junior year of the curriculum (300-level or above) unless the student is within 8 credit hours of meeting all requirements of the first two years and is enrolled in the remaining courses to satisfy those requirements, with the exception of MATH 314, 316 and CE 304.
ECE courses numbered 300 through 499 are designed primarily for B.S. majors in the ECE Department; courses numbered 500 and above are designed primarily for M.S. and Ph.D. students in the ECE department. Therefore, students who have not been admitted to one of the degree programs in the ECE department may take a maximum of four ECE courses numbered 300 or above. This restriction will not apply to students who are taking an approved minor in the
ECE department or who are enrolled in an approved dual degree program. Non-degree students who already have a B.S. or M.S. degree and are making up deficiencies for entrance into the ECE graduate program or are engaged in continuing education will be given special consideration, but are expected to obtain advising from the ECE Graduate Director each semester.
Minors in Electrical and Computer Engineering are offered to students majoring in Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science.
1) For a minor in Electrical Engineering, Physics and Mathematics students must take 203, 213, 206L, 238L, 314, 321L and one of 340, 360, 371 and 445.
2) For a minor in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science students must take 203, 206L, 213, 314, 321L and two of 322L, 340, 360, 371 and 445.
3) For a minor in Computer Engineering, Physics and Mathematics students must take 203, 213, 238L, 331, 344L and 337.
4) For a minor in Computer Engineering, Computer Science students must take 203, 206L, 213, 321L, 322L, 338 and 438.
Substitutions for the above required courses may be made with the approval of the designated ECE advisor for the appropriate minor.
Students are required to consult a departmental undergraduate faculty advisor and obtain approval for registration each semester. At this time, faculty advisors review the program requirements, including scholarship, course requirements, prerequisites and progress toward degree goals. A computer hold on the student’s academic record is removed only after this advisement. The department has an Undergraduate Academic Advisor who is available to answer questions students have concerning the undergraduate programs, and to assist students in arranging for consultation with faculty advisors.
Design is at the heart of engineering. Thus, design is integrated throughout the courses offered in the two ECE undergraduate programs, beginning with the very first courses, and culminating in a year-long team-based senior design project. Specifically, in ECE 419 and 420, students from the computer and electrical engineering programs work together in order to create specifications for designing, managing and building a high technology product.
Electrical Engineering has been and continues to be a very dynamic field that provides exciting and excellent career opportunities. Electrical engineers use mathematics, physics and other sciences, together with computers, electronic instrumentation and other tools to create a wide range of systems such as integrated circuits, telecommunication networks, wireless personal communication systems, diagnostic medical equipment, robots, radar systems and electrical power distribution networks. Their involvement has changed the way we live and work.
The continuous need to improve and discover new systems makes the electrical engineering profession more sought after than ever before. The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering is the first degree offered at the University of New Mexico and provides the student with the necessary skills to compete in such a rapidly changing discipline.
The principal goal of this program is to provide students with the fundamentals of electrical engineering in order that they have an excellent base for a successful engineering career. This includes building a sufficient reading knowledge and analytical capability so that the graduates can continue to expand their knowledge as their fields of interest and the scope of electrical engineering changes. Our core courses are intended to provide a broad base so that those who terminate their formal education with the Bachelor’s degree can continue to grow. Likewise, the base provides insight into fields that students may choose to study at the graduate level. This goal is met by a curriculum in which there is a progression in course work and in which fundamental knowledge of earlier years is applied in later engineering courses.
Goals have also been developed for students who graduate from the electrical engineering program. Students should be able to:
In addition to the scholarships available through the University of New Mexico and the School of Engineering, the ECE department has scholarships available for highly qualified students.
The Bachelor of Science Program in Electrical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Computer Engineering is an exciting, rapidly growing and changing field with high-paying jobs in industry, government and education. Computers pervade society, from microprocessors in electronic devices, to personal computers, laptops and workstations, to large parallel and distributed computers for solving complex problems. Computer engineers design computers and computer systems and write software for a wide variety of applications. Some specific areas are robotics, spacecraft and space applications, medical applications, navigation systems, information systems, entertainment systems, virtual reality, telecommunications, computer networks, computer graphics, the World Wide Web, embedded systems and digital systems in general.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering is intended to prepare students for work in industry as well as for graduate school. The ECE Department offers both M.S. and Ph.D. graduate programs in Computer Engineering.
Computer engineering degree programs vary from institution to institution, so it is important to understand the goals of this program. One important goal of the program is to integrate computer hardware (design), computer software (programming) and electrical engineering into a broad and cohesive program within the framework of an engineering degree. This goal includes providing a core set of courses which lays a firm foundation for specialization in all significant areas of Computer Engineering. Other goals are: 1) to stress fundamental and advanced principles to prepare the student to become a practicing engineer, obtain an advanced degree or engage in continuing education; 2) to provide opportunities for specialization and for hands-on experience through laboratories at all levels; 3) to maintain modern and up-to-date laboratories; and 4) to take advantage of resources within electrical engineering and computer science.
The program has also developed goals for computer engineering students who graduate from the program. They should be able to:
The Computer Engineering degree program can be looked at as consisting of three major threads that are intertwined: computer hardware, computer software and electrical engineering. The hardware sequence consists of ECE 238L, 337, 338, 438 and 440, all of which include at least some hardware design. The software sequence consists of CS 151L and ECE 231, 344L, 330, 331 and 435; all of these include some software design. Finally, the electrical engineering sequence includes ECE 203, 206L, 213, 314 and 321L. ECE 338 and 438 are the culmination of the hardware design sequence and involve software as well. ECE 335, 435 and are the culmination of the software design sequence and generally involves integrating hardware and software, e.g., embedded systems, high-performance computing, wireless networks and multimedia systems. Design projects in ECE 344L require knowledge of hardware, software and circuits/electronics.
The Bachelor of Science Program in Computer Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Electrical and Computer Engineering students may participate in a cooperative education program. In this program, students gain engineering experience with full-time employment during part of the year and full-time study for the remainder of the year. It is also possible to participate in programs in which the student has a mixture of part-time engineering employment and part-time study. Because almost all courses required for both degree programs are offered in each of the fall and spring semesters, the department offers a firm base for both cooperative education and part-time study. Both the Electrical and Computer Engineering programs require a minimum grade point average of 2.50 to participate in the co-op program. See appropriate entry in this catalog in the School of Engineering, Co-op section.
Students with a B+ average (3.20 degree GPA) in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering are encouraged to enroll in the Honors Program. ECE students may graduate with General Honors (honors in general studies) or with Departmental Honors or with both. Information is available from University College advisors, departmental advisors and the University Honors Center.
Courses
ECE 101. Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering. (1)
Insight into electrical engineering is gained through videos, “hands-on” experiments, use of computer software to learn basic problem-solving skills and a team-oriented design project.
ECE 131. Programming Fundamentals. (3)
Fundamental programming concepts, including consideration of abstract machine models with emphasis on the memory hierarchy, basic programming constructs, functions, parameter passing, pointers and arrays, file I/O, bit-level operations and interfacing to external devices.
ECE 203. Circuit Analysis I. (3)
Basic elements and sources. Energy and power. Ohm's law and Kirchhoff's laws. Resistive networks, node and loop analysis. Network theorems. First-order and second-order circuits. Sinusoidal sources and complex representations: impedance, phasors, complex power. Three-phase circuits.
Prerequisite: ECE 131 and MATH 163. Pre- or Corequisite: MATH 316 and PHYC 161.
ECE 206L. Instrumentation. (2)
Introduction to laboratory practices and the use of test equipment. Measurements on basic electrical components, dc and ac circuits using ohmmeters, voltmeters, ammeters and oscilloscopes. Circuit simulation.
Prerequisite: 203 and ENGL 102
ECE 213. Circuit Analysis II. (3)
General transient analysis of electrical circuits. Laplace transform with applications to circuit analysis. State-space equations. Fourier series analysis. The network function; convolution; frequency response.
Prerequisite: 203 and MATH 316 Corequisite: MATH 314
ECE 231. Intermediate Programming and Engineering Problem Solving. (3)
Introducton to elementary data structures, program design and computer-based solution of engineering problems. Topics include use of pointers, stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, graphs, systems and device-level programming and software design methodology.
Prerequisite: ECE 131
ECE 238L. Computer Logic Design. (4)
Binary number systems. Boolean algebra. Combinational, sequential and register transfer logic. VHDL. Arithmetic/logic unit. Memories, computer organization. Input-output. Microprocessors.
Prerequisite: ECE 131
ECE **314. Signals and Systems. (3)
Continuous and discrete time signals and systems; time and frequency domain analysis of LTI systems, Fourier series and transforms, discrete time Fourier series/transform sampling theorem, block diagrams, modulation/demodulation, filters.
Prerequisite: 213 and MATH 264
ECE **321L. Electronics I. (4)
Introduction to diodes, bipolar and field-effect transistors. Analysis and design of digital circuits, gates, flip-flops and memory circuits. Circuits employing operational amplifiers. Analog to digital and digital to analog converters.
Prerequisite: 213
ECE **322L. Electronics II. (4)
Analysis, design, and characterization of linear circuits including operational amplifiers. Design of biasing and reference circuits, multistage amplifiers, and feedback circuits.
Prerequisite: 321L
ECE 330. Software Design. (3)
Design of software systems using modern modeling techniques. Relationship between software design and process, with emphasis on UML and its interface application code. Exposure to design patterns, software frameworks, and software architectural paradigms.
Prerequisite: 231
ECE **331. Data Structures and Algorithms. (3)
An introduction to data structures and algorithms. Topics include asymptotic notation recurrence relations, sorting, hash tables, basic priority queues, balanced search trees and basic graph representation and search.
Prerequisite: 231 and MATH 327 Corequisite: 340
ECE **335. Integrated Software Systems. (3)
Course considers design principles, implementation issues, and performance evaluation of various software paradigms in an integrated computing environment. Topics include performance measurement and evaluation, program optimization for the underlying architecture, integration and security for large-scale software systems.
Prerequisite: 330 and 337
ECE **337. Introduction to Computer Architecture and Organization. (3)
Survey of various levels of computer architecture and design; microprogramming and processor architecture, assembly language programming, operating system concepts and input/output via the operating system. Three lectures, 1 hr. lab.
Prerequisite: 231 and 238L
{Spring}
ECE **338. Intermediate Logic Design. (3)
Advanced combinational circuits; XOR and transmission gates; computer-based optimization methods; RTL and HDL; introduction to computer aided design; advanced sequential machines; asynchronous sequential machines; timing issues; memory and memory interfacing; programmable logic devices; and VLSI concepts.
Prerequisite: 238L
ECE **340. Probabilistic Methods in Engineering. (3)
Introduction to probability, random variables, random processes, probability distribution/density functions, expectation correlation, power spectrum, WSS processes, confidence internals, transmission through LIT systems, applications of probability.
Prerequisite: MATH 314
ECE **344L. Microprocessors. (4)
Computers and Microprocessors: architecture, assembly language programming, input/output and applications.
Prerequisite: 206L and 238L and 321L
Three lectures, 3 hours lab.
ECE 345 [*445] . Introduction to Control Systems. (3)
Introduction to the feedback control problem. Plant modeling, transfer function and state-space descriptions. Stability criteria. Nyquist and root-locus design. Introduction to analytical design. Z-transforms and digital control. Laboratory design project.
Prerequisite: 314
ECE **360. Electromagnetic Fields and Waves. (3)
Maxwell’s equations, plane wave propagation, waveguides and transmission lines, transient pulse propagation and elementary dipole antenna.
Prerequisite: 213 and PHYC 161 and MATH 264
ECE **371. Materials and Devices. (4)
Introduction to quantum mechanics, crystal structures, insulators, metals, and semiconductor material properties, bipolar, field effect and light emitting devices.
Prerequisite: PHYC 262
ECE 412. Introduction to Computer Graphics: Scanline Algorithms. (3)
(Also offered as CS 412)
This course is an introduction to the technical aspects of raster algorithms in computer graphics. Students will learn the foundational concepts of 2-D and 3-D graphics as they relate to real-time and offline techniques. Students will develop a video game as a final project to demonstrate the algorithms learned in class.
Prerequisite: 331 or CS 361L
{Fall}
ECE 413. Introduction to Ray and Vector Graphics. (3)
(Also offered as CS 413)
Topics include ray-geometry intersections, viewing, lenses, local/global illumination, procedural textures/models, spline curves and surfaces, and statistical integration for realistic image synthesis. Students will write a raytracing renderer from scratch, exploring high performance implementations and realistic rendering.
Prerequisite: CS 361L or ECE 331
ECE 419. Senior Design I. (3)
Design methodology and development of professional project oriented skills including communication, team management, economics and engineering ethics. Working in teams, a proposal for a large design is prepared in response to an industrial or in-house sponsor.
Restriction: ECE major and senior standing
ECE 420. Senior Design II. (3)
Continuation of 419. Students work in assigned teams to implement proposal developed in 419. Prototypes are built and tested to sponsor specifications, and oral and written reports made to the project sponsor.
Prerequisite: 419
ECE 421 / 523. Analog Electronics. (3)
Design of advanced analog electronic circuits. BJT and MOSFET operational amplifiers, current mirrors and output stages. Frequency response and compensation. Noise. A/D and D/A converters.
Prerequisite: 322L
ECE *424. Digital VLSI Design. (3)
CMOS logic gates and circuits, transistor implementations, applications to sequential circuits, VLSI data path and controller design, VLSI routing issues and architectures, RTL and VLSI impacts and applications to microprocessor design.
Prerequisite: 321L and 338
ECE *432. Introduction to Parallel Processing. (3)
(Also offered as CS 442)
Machine taxonomy and introduction to parallel programming. Performance issues, speed-up and efficiency. Interconnection networks and embeddings. Parallel programming issues and models: control parallel, data parallel and data flow. Programming assignments on massively parallel machines.
Prerequisite: (331 or CS 351L) and (337 or CS 341L)
ECE **435. Software Engineering. (3)
Management and technical issues including business conduct and ethics related to the design of large engineering projects. Student teams will address the design, specification, implementation, testing and documentation of a large hardware/software project.
Prerequisite: 331 and 335
ECE *437. Computer Operating Systems. (3)
(Also offered as CS 481)
Fundamental principles of modern operating systems design, with emphasis on concurrency and resource management. Topics include processes, interprocess communication, semaphores, monitors, message passing, input/output device, deadlocks memory management, files system design.
Prerequisite: (330 and 337) or CS 341L
ECE *438. Design of Computers. (3)
Computer architecture; design and implementation at HDL level; ALU, exception handling and interrupts; addressing; memory; speed issues; pipelining; microprogramming; introduction to distributed and parallel processing; buses; bus protocols and bus masters. CAD project to include written and oral presentations.
Prerequisite: 337 and 338 and 344L
ECE *439. Introduction to Digital Signal Processing. (3)
Bilateral Z transforms, region of convergence, review of sampling theorem, aliasing, the discrete Fourier transform and properties, analysis/design of FIR/IIR filters, FFT algorithms spectral analysis using FFT.
Prerequisite: 314
ECE *440. Introduction to Computer Networks. (3)
(Also offered as CS 485)
Theoretical and practical study of computer networks, including network structures and architectures. Principles of digital communications systems. Network topologies, protocols and services. TCP/IP protocol suite. Point-to-point networks; broadcast networks; local area networks; routing, error and flow control techniques.
Prerequisite: 330 and 337 Corequisite: 340
ECE *441. Introduction to Communication Systems. (3)
Amplitude/frequency modulation, pulse position/amplitude modulation, probabilistic noise model, AWGN, Rice representation, figure of merit, phase locked loops, digital modulation, introduction to multiple access systems.
Prerequisite: 314 and 340
ECE *442. Introduction to Wireless Communications. (3)
The course is an introduction to cellular telephone systems and wireless networks, drawing upon a diversity of electrical engineering areas. Topics include cellular concepts, radio propagation, modulation methods and multiple access techniques.
Prerequisite: 314 and 360
ECE *443. Hardware Design with VHDL. (3)
The VHDL hardware description language is used for description of digital systems at several levels of complexity, from the system level to the gate level. Descriptions provide a mechanism for documentation, for simulation and for synthesis.
Prerequisite: 338
ECE *446. Design of Feedback Control Systems. (3)
Modeling of continuous and sampled-data control systems. State-space representation. Sensitivity, stability and optimization of control systems. Design of compensators in the frequency and time domains. Phase-plane, describing function design for non-linear systems, and laboratory design project.
Prerequisite: 345
ECE 448 / 548. Fuzzy Logic with Applications. (3)
Theory of fuzzy sets; foundations of fuzzy logic. Fuzzy logic is shown to contain evidence, possibility and probability logics; course emphasizes engineering applications; control, pattern recognition, damage assessment, decisions; hardware/software demonstrations.
ECE 456 / 556. Entrepreneurial Engineering. (3)
(Also offered as ME 456)
Review and application of necessary elements for successfully launching technical businesses; focuses upon technology, manufacturing, management, marketing, legal and financial aspects. Students work in groups developing elements of new businesses and producing business plans.
Restriction: senior standing
ECE 460 / 560. Introduction to Microwave Engineering. (3)
This lecture/laboratory course provides essential fundamentals for rf, wireless and microwave engineering. Topics include: wave propagation in cables, waveguides and free space; impedance matching, standing wave ratios, Z- and S- parameters.
Prerequisite: 360
ECE *463. Advanced Optics I. (3)
(Also offered as PHYC 463)
Electromagnetic theory of geometrical optics, Gaussian ray tracing and matrix methods, finite ray tracing, aberrations, interference and diffraction.
Prerequisite: PHYC 302
ECE *464. Laser Physics . (3)
(Also offered as PHYC 464)
Resonator optics. Rate equations; spontaneous and stimuated emission; gas, semiconductor and solid state lasers, pulsed and mode-locked laser techniques.
Prerequisite: 360 or PHYC 406
ECE 469 / 569. Antennas for Wireless Communication Systems. (3)
Aspects of antenna theory and design; radiation from dipoles, loops, apertures, microstrip antennas and antenna arrays.
Prerequisite: 360
ECE *471. Materials and Devices II. (3)
An intermediate study of semiconductor materials, energy band structure, p-n junctions, ideal and non-ideal effects in field effect and bipolar transistors.
Prerequisite: 360 and 371
ECE **473. Semiconductor Materials, Devices, and Circuits. (3)
This course is primarily for non-EE majors (ChE, Physics, Chemistry, etc.) who will work in the semiconductor industry. It describes integrated circuit electronics from basic concepts, transistor operation, logic circuit electronic, layout and higher level design. Credit is not allowed for undergraduate or graduate Electrical or Computer Engineering majors.
Restriction: senior standing
ECE 474L / 574L. Microelectronics Processing. (3)
Fledderman, Hersee
(Also offered as NSMS 574L)
Materials science of semiconductors, microelectronics technologies, device/circuit fabrication, parasitics and packaging. Lab project features small group design/fabrication/testing of MOS circuits.
ECE *475. Introduction to Electro-Optics and Opto-Electronics. (3)
Basic electro-optics and opto-electronics, with engineering applications. Interaction of light with matter. Introduction to optics of dielectrics, metals and crystals. Introductory descriptions of electro-optic, acousto-optic and magneto-optic effects and related devices. Light sources, displays and detectors. Elementary theory and applications of lasers, optical waveguides and fibers.
Prerequisite: 371
ECE 486 / 586. Design for Manufacturability. (3)
(Also offered as ME 486)
Introduction to methods of design for manufacturability. Emphasis is on teamwork and designing to your customer’s needs. This is achieved through statistical methods and computer based systems.
Restriction: senior standing
ECE *487. Semiconductor Factory Design and Operations. (3)
A detailed overview of the operations of an integrated circuit fabrication facility using Sandia’s Microelectronics Development Laboratory as a prototype. Topics include building facilities, equipment, software tracking and personnel.
ECE 490. Internship. (3)
Professional practice under the guidance of a practicing engineer. Assignments include design or analysis of systems or hardware, or computer programming. A preliminary proposal and periodic reports are required. The engineer evaluates student’s work; a faculty monitor assigns grade.
Restriction: ECE major and junior standing. (12 hours/week) (24 hours/week in summer session).
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
ECE 491. Undergraduate Problems. (1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Registration for more than 3 hours requires permission of department chairperson.
ECE 493. Honors Seminar. (1-3)
A special seminar open only to honors students. Registration requires permission of department chairperson.
ECE 494. Honors Individual Study. (1-6)
Open only to honors students.
Registration requires permission of the department chairperson and of the supervising professor.
ECE 495 / 595. Special Topics. (1-4 to a maximum of 9, 1-4 to a maximum of 15 Δ)
Restriction: ECE major and senior standing.
ECE 500. Theory of Linear Systems. (3)
State space representation of dynamical systems. Analysis and design of linear models in control systems and signal processing. Continuous, discrete and sampled representations. This course is fundamental for students in the system areas.
ECE 505. Multimedia Systems. (3)
Course considers the fundamental knowledge of multimedia systems. Learn to design multimedia systems for different engineering, science, training and entertainment applications. Topics include audio, video, compression, quality of service, synchronization, resource management, multimedia networking and multimedia applications.
ECE 506. Optimization Theory. (3)
Introduction to the topic of optimization by the computer. Linear and nonlinear programming. The simplex method, Karmakar method, gradient, conjugate gradient and quasi-Newton methods, Fibonacci/Golden search, Quadratic and Cubic fitting methods, Penalty and Barrier methods.
ECE 509. Parallel Algorithms. (3)
(Also offered as CS 509)
Design and analysis of parallel algorithms using the PRAM model, with emphasis on graph algorithms, searching and sorting, and linear algebra applications. Embedding into hypercubic and related networks. Introduction to parallel complexity theory.
Prerequisite: 537
ECE 510. Medical Imaging. (3)
This course will introduce the student to medical imaging modalities (e.g. MRI, Nuclear Imaging, Ultrasound) with an emphasis on a signals and systems approach. Topics will include hardware, signal formation, image reconstruction and application.
ECE 512. Advanced Image Synthesis. (3)
(Also offered as CS 512)
Covers image synthesis techniques from perspective of high-end scanline rendering, including physically-based rendering algorithms. Topics: radiometry, stochastic ray tracing, variance reduction, photon mapping, reflection models, participating media, advanced algorithms for light transport.
ECE 513. Real-Time Rendering and Graphics Hardware. (3)
(Also offered as CS 513)
Course covers advanced algorithms in real-time rendering and graphics hardware, bringing students up to speed with cutting edge real-time graphics. Topics: advanced GPU algorithms for graphics and non-graphics applications. Term project required
ECE 514. Nonlinear and Adaptive Control. (3)
Linearization of nonlinear systems. Phase-plane analysis. Lyapunov stability analysis. Hyperstability and Popov stability criterion. Adaptive control systems. Adaptive estimation. Stability of adaptive control systems, backstepping and nonlinear designs.
Prerequisite: 500
ECE 515. Scientific and Information Visualization. (3)
(Also offered as CS 515)
Introduction to scientific and data visualization techniques. Topics: data manipulation, feature extraction, visual display, peer critique of project design, data formats and sampling, geometric extraction, volume visualization, flow visualization, abstract data visualization, user interaction techniques
ECE 516. Computer Vision. (3)
(Also offered as CS 532)
Theory and practice of feature extraction, including edge, texture and shape measures. Picture segmentation; relaxation. Data structures for picture description. Matching and searching as models of association and knowledge learning. Formal models of picture languages.
ECE 517. Pattern Recognition. (3)
(Also offered as CS 531)
Decision functions and dichotomization; prototype classification and clustering; statistical classification and Bayes theory; trainable deterministic and statistical classifiers. Feature transformations and selection.
ECE 518. Synthesis of Nanostructures. (3)
Brinker, Brueck
(Also offered as CHNE, NSMS 518)
Underlying physical and chemical principles (optics, organic and inorganic chemistry, colloid chemistry, surface and materials science) for nanostructure formation using ‘top-down’ lithography (patterned optical exposure of photosensitive materials) and ‘bottom-up’ self-assembly. Labs will synthesize samples.
Prerequisite: NSMS 510
{Spring}
ECE 519. Theory, Fabrication, and Characterization of Nano & Microelectromechanical Systems (NEMS/MEMS). (3)
(Also offered as ME, NSMS 519)
Lectures and laboratory projects on physical theory, design, analysis, fabrication, and characterization of micro and nanosystems. Special attention given to scaling effects involved with operation of devices at nano and microscale.
ECE 520. VLSI Design. (3)
Advanced topics include: lC technologies, CAD tools, gate arrays, standard cells and full custom designs. Design of memories, PLA, I/0 and random logic circuit. Design for testability.
ECE 523 / 421. Analog Electronics. (3)
Design of advanced analog electronics circuits. BJT and MOSFET operational amplifiers, current mirrors and output stages. Frequency response and compensation. Noise. A/D and D/A converters.
ECE 524. Collaborative Interdisciplinary Teaching. (3)
(Also offered as ANTH 624, BIOL 524, CS 524, STAT 524)
Course designed to develop the methods content and assessment of effective interdisciplinary biological courses; Students will develop and teach an undergraduate interdisciplinary topics course. Topics vary.
Restriction: permission of instructor
ECE 525. Microelectronics Test Engineering. (3)
Course describes the intricacies of testing large, modern integrated circuits. These topics include: test economics, defects and fault models, automatic test equipment (ATE) architecture, ATE programming and timing, software issues, characterization and Shmoo plots, defect electronics, diagnostics, IDDQ testing, board testing, analog and mixed signal issues.
ECE 526. Microelectronic Reliability. (3)
Microelectronic reliability failure mechanisms: metal electromigration and stress voiding; oxide wearout and hot carrier injection; packaging; qualification testing; statistics; radiation effects; EOS/ESD; wafer level reliability; new material reliability.
ECE 527. Microelectronic Failure Analysis. (3)
Microelectronic failure analysis process: electrical characterization, package analysis, global and local failure site isolation; photon and thermal emission; electrical, laser, e-beam and mechanical probing; FIB; deprocessing; backside techniques; EOS/ESD; surface material analysis; FA lab management.
ECE 528. Embedded Systems Architecture. (3)
Development and analysis of techniques and algorithms for use in embedded processor systems. Application of tools implementing solutions to control and data applications involving standard processing paradigms and programmable logic systems.
ECE 529. Semiconductor Process Integration and Test. (3)
Topics relevant to manufacturing a quality semiconductor product are introduced. These include reliability, test, packaging, mechanical and thermal problems and handling damage effects.
ECE 531. Error-Correcting Codes. (3)
Efficient insertion of redundant bits into binary data for protection against error; association with linear algebra; sequential coding and decoding logic; arithmetic codes for computational circuits.
ECE 532. Nanoscale Electronic and Photonic Devices. (3)
Huffaker
(Also offered as NSMS 532)
Introduces devices, device physics, characteristics and possible applications specific to the nanoscale. Topics include single electron transistor, carbon nanotube electronics, quantum dot devices, spin-polarized electronic and photonic devices.
ECE 533. Digital Image Processing. (3)
Fundamentals of 2D signals and systems. Introduction to multidimensional signal processing. Applications in digital image processing. Image formation, representation and display. Linear and nonlinear operators in multiple dimensions. Orthogonal transforms representation and display. Image analysis, enhancement, restoration and coding. Students will carry out image processing projects.
ECE 534. Plasma Physics I. (3)
(Also offered as ASTR, PHYC, CHNE 534)
Plasma parameters, adiabatic invariants, orbit theory, plasma oscillations, hydromagnetic waves, plasma transport, stability, kinetic theory, nonlinear effects, applications.
ECE 536. Computer System Software. (3)
Course considers design principles, implementation issues and performance evaluation of system software in advanced computing environments. Topics include resource allocation and scheduling, information service provider and manipulation, multithreading and concurrency, security for parallel and distributed systems.
ECE 537. Foundations of Computing. (3)
Computational aspects of engineering problems. Topics include machine models and computability, classification and performance analysis of algorithms, advanced data structures, approximation algorithms, introduction to complexity theory and complexity classes.
ECE 538. Advanced Computer Architecture. (3)
Course provides an in-depth analysis of computer architecture techniques. Topics include high speed computing techniques, memory systems, pipelining, vector machines, parallel processing, multiprocessor systems, high-level language machines and data flow computers.
ECE 539. Digital Signal Processing. (3)
Hilbert spaces, orthogonal basis, generalized sampling theorem, multirate systems, filterbanks, quantization, structures for LTI systems, finite word-length effects, linear prediction, min/max phase systems, multiresolution signal analysis.
ECE 540. Advanced Networking Topics. (3)
Research, design and implementation of high-performance computer networks and distributed systems. High speed networking technologies, multimedia networks, enterprise network security and management, client/server database applications, mobile communications and state-of-the-art internetworking solutions.
ECE 541. Probability Theory and Stochastic Processes. (3)
Axiomatic probability theory, projection theorem for Hilbert spaces, conditioned expectations, modes of stochastic convergence, Markov chains, mean-square calculus, Wiener filtering, optimal signal estimation, prediction stationarity, ergodicity, transmission through linear and nonlinear systems, sampling.
ECE 542. Digital Communication Theory. (3)
Elements of information theory and source coding, digital modulation techniques, signal space representation, optimal receivers for coherent/non-coherent detection in AWGN channels, error probability bounds, channel capacity, elements of block and convolutional coding, fading, equalization signal design.
Prerequisite: 541
ECE 545. Digital Control Systems. (3)
Discrete-time signals and systems. Performance and stability criteria. Design approaches for digital control of analog plants. Sampling and signal quantization. Optimal and adaptive control. Microprocessor implementation of digital control algorithms.
Prerequisite: 500
ECE 545. Large-Scale Systems. (3)
Introduction to large-scale systems, models for large scale systems, model reduction, hierarchical control, decentralized control, structural properties of large scale systems.
Prerequisite: 500
ECE 546. Multivariable Control Theory. (3)
Hermite, Smith and Smith-McMillan canonic forms for polynomial and rational matrices. Coprime matrix-fraction representations for rational matrices. Bezout identity. Poles and zeros for multivariable systems. Matrix-fraction approach to feedback system design. Optimal linear-quadratic-Gaussian (LQG) control. Multivariable Nyquist stability criteria.
Prerequisite: 500
ECE 547. Neural Networks. (3)
(Also offered as CS 547)
A study of biological and artificial neuron models, basic neural architectures and parallel and distributed processing.
ECE 548 / 448. Fuzzy Logic with Applications. (3)
(Also offered as CE 548)
Theory of fuzzy sets; foundations of fuzzy logic. Fuzzy logic is shown to contain evidence, possibility and probability logics; course emphasizes engineering applications; control, pattern recognition, damage assessment, decisions; hardware/software demonstrations
ECE 549. Information Theory and Coding. (3)
An introduction to information theory. Fundamental concepts such as entropy, mutual information, and the asymptotic equipartition property are introduced. Additional topics include data compression, communication over noisy channels, algorithmic information theory, and applications.
Prerequisite: 340 or equivalent
ECE 550. Social and Ethical Issues in Nanotechnology. (1-3 [3])
Mills, Fledderman
(Also offered as CHNE, NSMS 550)
In this course, students will examine issues arising from this emerging technology, including those of privacy, health and safety, the environment, public perception and human enhancement.
ECE 551. Problems. (1-6 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
ECE 553L. Experimental Techniques in Plasma Science. (3)
(Also offered as CHNE 553L)
Theory and practice of plasma generation and diagnostics, coordinated lectures and experiments, emphasis on simple methods of plasma production and selection of appropriate diagnostic techniques, applications to plasma processing and fusion.
Prerequisite: 534
ECE 554. Advanced Optics II. (3)
(Also offered as PHYC 554)
Diffractions theory, coherence theory, coherent objects, and incoherent imaging, and polarization.
ECE 555. Foundations of Engineering Electromagnetics. (3)
Mathematical foundations for engineering electromagnetics: linear analysis and method of moments, complex analysis and Kramers-Kronig relations, Green’s functions, spectral representation method and electromagnetic sources.
ECE 556 / 456. Entrepreneurial Engineering. (3)
(Also offered as ME 556)
Review and application of necessary elements for successfully launching technical businesses; focuses upon technology, manufacturing, management, marketing, legal and financial aspects. Students work in groups developing elements of new businesses and producing business plans.
ECE 557. Pulsed Power and Charged Particle Acceleration. (3)
Principles of pulsed power circuits, components, systems and their relationship to charged particle acceleration and transport. Energy storage, voltage multiplication, pulse shaping, insulation and breakdown and switching. Single particle dynamics and accelerator configurations.
ECE 558. Charged Particle Beams and High Power Microwaves. [Charged Particle Beams]. (3)
(Also offered as CHNE 546)
Overview of physics of particle beams and applications at high-current and high-energy. Topics include review of collective physics, beam emittance, space-charge forces, transport at high power levels, and application to high power microwave generation.
Prerequisite: 557 and CHNE 546
ECE 559. Internship in Optical Science and Engineering. (3)
(Also offered as PHYC 559)
Students do research and/or development work at a participating industry or government laboratory in any area of optical science and engineering.
ECE 560 / 460. Introduction to Microwave Engineering. (3)
This lecture/laboratory course provides essential fundamentals for rf, wireless and microwave engineering. Topics include: wave propagation in cables, waveguides and free space; impedance matching, standing wave ratios, Z- and S- parameters.
ECE 561. Engineering Electromagnetics [Electrodynamics]. (3)
Maxwell’s equations, electromagnetic interaction with materials, the wave equation, plane wave propagation, wave reflection and transmission, vector potentials and radiation equations, electromagnetic field theorems, wave propagation in anisotropic media and metamaterials, period structures, dielectric slab waveguides.
Prerequisite: 555
ECE 563. Computational Methods for Electromagnetics. (3)
Computational techniques for partial differential and integral equations: finite-difference, finite-element, method of moments. Applications include transmission lines, resonators, waveguides, integrated circuits, solid-state device modeling, electromagnetic scattering and antennas.
Prerequisite: 561
ECE 564. Guided Wave Optics. (3)
Optical propagation in free space, colored dielectrics, metals, semiconductors, crystals, graded index media. Radiation and guided modes in complex structures. Input and output coupling, cross-coupling mode conversion. Directional couplers, modulators, sources and detectors.
ECE 565. Optical Communication Components and Subsystems. (3)
Optical waveguides, optical fiber attenuation and dispersion, power launching and coupling of light, mechanical and fiber lifetime issues, photoreceivers, digital on-off keying, modulation methods, SNR and BER, QAM and M-QAM, modulation methods, SNR, and BER, intersymbol interference (impact on SNR), clock and data recovery issues, point-to-point digital links, optical amplifiers theory and design (SOA, EDFA, and SRA), simple WDM system concepts, WDM components.
ECE 566. Advanced Optical Subsystems and Networks. (3)
External modulators WDM system design, other multiple access techniques design issues, analog transmission systems nonlinear processes in optical fibers and their impact on system performance, optical networks, photonic packet switching, coherent lightwave systems, basic principles for homodyne and heterodyne detection, noise reduction, relevant digital modulation formats: PSK, ASK, FSK, DPSK. Practical implementation, performance of synchronous and asynchronous heterodyne systems, phase noise, polarization mismatch.
Prerequisite: 565
ECE 569 / 469. Antennas for Wireless Communications Systems. (3)
Aspects of antenna theory and design; radiation from dipoles, loops, apertures, microstrip antennas and antenna arrays.
ECE 570. Optoelectronic Semiconductor Materials and Devices. (3)
Theory and operation of optoelectronic semiconductor devices; semiconductor alloys, epitaxial growth, relevant semiconductor physics (recombination processes, heterojunctions, noise, impact ionization), analysis of the theory and practice of important OE semiconductor devices (LEDs, Lasers, Photodetectors, Solar Cells).
Prerequisite: 471 or 572
ECE 572. Semiconductor Physics. (3)
Sigmon
(Also offered as NSMS 572)
Crystal properties, symmetry and imperfections. Energy bands, electron dynamics, effective mass tensor, concept and properties of holes. Equilibrium distributions, density of states, Fermi energy and transport properties including Boltzmann’s equation. Continuity equation, diffusion and drift of carriers.
Prerequisite: 471
ECE 574L / 474L. Microelectronics Processing. (3)
Fledderman, Hersee
(Also offered as NSMS 574L)
Materials science of semiconductors, microelectronics technologies, device/circuit fabrication, parasitics and packaging. Lab project features small group design/fabrication/testing of MOS circuits.
ECE 575. Junction Devices. (3)
Advanced junction devices including VLSI bipolar transistors, Si-Ge and III-V HBTs, high-level injection, high-frequency devices.
Prerequisite: 471 or 572
ECE 576. Modern VLSI Devices. (3)
Review of the evolution of VLSI technology and basic device physics. Detailed analysis of MOSFET devices, CMOS device design including device scaling concepts.
Prerequisite: 471 or 572
ECE 577. Fundamentals of Semiconductor LEDs and Lasers. (3)
Carrier generation and recombination, photon generation and loss in laser cavities, density of optical modes and blackbody radiation, radiative and non-radiative processes, optical gain, spontaneous and stimulated emission, Fermi’s golden rule, gain and current relations, characterizing real diode lasers, dynamic effects, rate equation; small signal and large signal analysis, radiative intensity noise and linewidth.
Prerequisite: 572
ECE 578. Advanced Semiconductor Lasers. (3)
Scattering matrix theory, S and T matrices, gratings, DBR and DFB lasers, perturbation and coupled-mode theory, photonic integrated circuits, tunable lasers, directional couplers.
Prerequisite: 577
ECE 579. Advanced Microelectronic Processing. (3)
Relevant techniques in advanced metallization, including process requirements for gigabit devices, state of the art metal deposition approaches, multi-level interconnects, ultra-thin diffusion barrier technology, advanced dielectrics, metal-dielectric integration, micromachining, contamination control, cluster tools, metrology.
ECE 580. Advanced Plasma Physics. (3)
(Also offered as PHYC 580, CHNE 580)
Prerequisite: 534 or PHYC 534
ECE 581. Colloidal Nanocrystals for Biomedical Applications. (3)
(Also offered as BIOM, NSMS 581)
Intended for students planning careers combining engineering, materials science, and biomedical sciences. Covers synthesis, nanocrystals characterization, biofunctionalization, biomedical nanosensors, FRET-based nanosensing, molecular-level sensing/imaging, and applications in cell biology, cancer diagnostics and therapy, neuroscience, and drug delivery.
ECE 585. Modern Manufacturing Methods. (3)
(Also offered as ME 585)
Study of business of manufacturing, emphasizing modern approaches. Topics include: U.S. manufacturing dilemma; JIT, kanban, pull manufacturing, quality; modeling; design for production; manufacturing economics; management issues; DIM; case studies.
ECE 586 / 486. Design for Manufacturability. (3)
(Also offered as ME 586)
Introduction to methods of design for manufacturability (DFM). Emphasis is on teamwork and designing your customers needs. This is achieved through statistical methods and computer based systems.
ECE 590. Graduate Seminar. (1 to a maximum of 2 Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
ECE 591. Integrating Nanotechnology with Cell Biology and Neuroscience Seminar. (1, no limit Δ)
Graduate seminar on Integrating Nanotechnology with Cell Biology and Neuroscience. Grades based on active participation, including oral presentation.
ECE 594. Complex Systems Theory. (3)
Advanced topics in complex systems including but not limited to biological systems social and technological networks, and complex dynamics.
Prerequisite: graduate standing
ECE 595 / 495. Special Topics. (1-4 to a maximum of 15, 1-4 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
ECE 599. Master’s Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
ECE 609. Advanced Parallel Algorithms. (3)
(Also offered as CS 609)
Design and analysis of advanced parallel algorithms, parallel complexity theory, ideal and realistic models of parallel computation, and experimental parallel algorithmics; emphasis on combinatorial problems.
Prerequisite: 509 or CS 509
ECE 620. Topics in Interdisciplinary Biological and Biomedical Sciences. (3, unlimited Δ)
(Also offered as ANTH 620, BIOL 520, CS 520, STAT 520)
Varying interdisciplinary topics taught by collaborative scientists from UNM, SFI, and LANL.
ECE 637. Topics in Algorithms. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
Advanced topics including advanced computer architecture, networks, distributed computing, large-scale resource management, high-performance computing and grid-based computing.
Prerequisite: 537
ECE 638. Topics in Architecture and Systems. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
Advanced topics including advanced computer architecture, networks, distributed computing, large-scale resource management, high-performance computing and grid-based computing.
Prerequisite: 538
ECE 642. Detection and Estimation Theory. (3)
Hypothesis testing; Karhunen-Loeve representation; optimal detection of discrete- and continuous-time signals; ML, MMSE, and MAP estimation; sufficient statistics, estimation error bounds; Wiener and Kalman-Bucy filtering; detection/receivers for multiuser and multipath fading channels.
Prerequisite: 541
ECE 649. Topics in Control Systems. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
Prerequisite: 546
ECE 651. Problems. (1-6 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
ECE 661. Topics in Electromagnetics. (3)
Topics include advanced antenna theory, electromagnetic scattering and propagation, electromagnetic compatibility, low temperature plasma science, advanced plasma physics, and other subjects in applied electromagnetics.
Prerequisite: 561
ECE 699. Dissertation. (3-12, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
