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Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering
Electrical and Computer Engineering
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Welcome to Electrical and Computer Engineering

We are happy to have you in our department!

What is the difference between electrical engineering and mechanical engineering?

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Electrical engineering focuses on electricity, electronics, and systems such as circuits, signals, computers, and communication technologies, while mechanical engineering focuses on physical systems like machines, structures, energy, and motion. In simple terms, mechanical engineers design and build the physical components of a system, whereas electrical engineers give devices their “brain” by designing the electrical systems and using sensors, data, and programming to control, automate, and add intelligence to how those systems operate.

What is the difference between computer engineering and computer science?

Students on computers
Computer engineering focuses on the design and integration of computer hardware—along with networking and system-level connections—and the software that runs closely with it, including processors, embedded systems, and low-level/system software. Computer science, on the other hand, focuses more on software, algorithms, programming languages, and data processing at a higher level of abstraction. In simple terms, computer engineers work on both hardware and the software that directly controls and connects systems, while computer scientists primarily focus on creating software systems and computational methods.

What kind of jobs can I get with a degree in electrical or computer engineering?

Microsoft's Project Natick
Because electrical and computer engineers help design both the “brains” and the systems behind modern technology, their skills are in high demand. They can lead to diverse and well-paying career paths. With a degree in electrical engineering you can perform core engineering roles (control systems, power systems, radio frequency, electrical and electronics-focused), specialized tech & computing roles (hardware, embedded systems, robotics and networks), multi-disciplinary roles (aerospace, automotive, biomedical and renewable energy) as well as management and business roles (like project management, sales, tech or patent law) and more! A degree in computer engineering prepares you for roles in hardware and semi-conductor (silicon/ASIC, firmware, verification and testing), software and systems (embedded systems, cloud infrastructure and programming) and advanced tech and interdisciplinary engineering (robotics and AI).

Why should women choose engineering as a profession?

Kayla Lyman
Engineering skills are transferable and are in high demand. Engineering professionals enjoy a wide range of career paths which makes it easier to transition across industries or move into leadership roles. As an engineer, you’ll solve real-world problems in creative ways and enjoy unparalleled job stability and high earning potential as engineering is one of the highest-paying undergraduate fields. Women in engineering gain the opportunity to drive inclusive innovation—ensuring that technology, healthcare devices, and infrastructure are designed safely and effectively for everyone and you’ll leave a tangible, positive impact on society.
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Getting Started in Electrical and Computer Engineering

  • Getting Started at BYU

    How do I submit my transcripts to BYU?

    Official transcripts must be sent directly from your school to BYU Admissions. Make sure your high school transcripts show your degree before you send them over. This can often take 2-3 weeks after you graduate from high school.

    https://enrollment.byu.edu/admissions/submitting-transcripts-to-byu
    When should I register for classes?

    Your registration date is assigned based on credit hours—check your MyMAP under the registration tab. https://enrollment.byu.edu/registrar/register-for-classes
    How do I register for classes at BYU?

    Use the registration cart before class registration opens to plan and add classes. The cart will lock at 6 pm MST the night before your registration date. Log in right at midnight on the day of your registration, see which classes you got into, and enroll in additional courses.

    https://enrollment.byu.edu/registrar/registration-cart
    Can I defer my enrollment to serve a mission?

    Yes, BYU allows students to defer their enrollment for missionary service. Visit this page (or scan the QR code) for instructions and deadlines: https://enrollment.byu.edu/missionaries

  • Transfer Credit, AP, and General Education Requirements

    What are the general education (GE) requirements at BYU?

    GE requirements ensure a well-rounded education and are required for all undergraduate students.

    https://ge.byu.edu/faq
    https://catalog.byu.edu/generaleducation
    Can I finish my GE and religion classes first and then focus on my major?
    No. The Electrical and Computer Engineering programs are designed as eight-semester (four-year) programs beginning with your major coursework. To stay on track, you should start your major classes early and spread your GE and religion courses throughout your time at BYU. Delaying major classes or front-loading GE courses can make it difficult to meet prerequisites and graduate on time.
    I took dual-enrollment classes in high school—how can I find out what credits they transfer to at BYU?
    You can use the Transfer Equivalency tool to see how your courses may apply: https://commtech.byu.edu/noauth/transferEquivalency/.
    The university determines how courses apply to general education requirements, while individual departments determine how they count toward your major. The university may tag some major classes as electives because they need to be evaluated by the department. If you have questions, contact your academic advisor.
    Instructions for sending AP Scores to BYU and what classes will be awarded can be found HERE.

    https://enrollment.byu.edu/registrar/ap-and-ib-exam-guides
    You can view the BYU classes awarded based on the year you took the test and your scores.
    I took the AP tests, but I don’t have my scores yet. What should I do?

    Make your best guess at what score you got on the exam and register accordingly. If the score comes back different from what you thought, you can always make the needed change.

  • Planning Your Classes and Degree Progress

    What classes should I take in my first semester?
    To stay on track for the junior core in the fall of your junior year, every semester, you should be taking one of each of the following class types, and plan to take three major courses each semester.

    • ECEn 191 + 192
    • A math class (wherever you left off in high school)
    • A science class (Physics 121, Physics 220, or Chem 105)
    • A computer class (CS 110 or CS 111)
      • Make sure to register for both the lecture section (3.0 credits) and the lab section (0.0 credits)
    • A general education (GE) course (Univ 101)
    • A religion class

    This structure helps ensure steady progress in the major while completing university requirements on time.

  • No. You should not take Physical Science if you are pursuing this major. The required courses CHEM 105 and PHYS 121 will already fulfill your physical science requirements and provide the appropriate foundation for your program. Taking Physical Science would be unnecessary and could delay progress in your degree.

  • We recommend that you wait until your junior or senior year to complete your Advanced Writing requirement. By that point, you will have more experience in your major, allowing you to apply your writing skills more effectively in your junior core and capstone projects.

  • Both courses fulfill the Advanced Writing requirement for the major. However, we recommend WRTG 312 because it emphasizes persuasive and professional writing, which is especially valuable for electrical engineers when proposing projects, securing funding, and communicating technical ideas to a broader audience.
    Note: students must complete the First-Year Writing requirement before enrolling in either course.

  • A typical full-time load is about 15 credits, but it’s important to plan based on your time and commitments.

  • How do I know which math class to start with?
    This would depend on the highest-level math class you took last, and how long it has been since you took it. Our general suggestion would be to reference the department major flow chart, then look at your progress report and determine if any of them have been fulfilled by classes or AP credit that you took in High School. Then, investigate which Math class would be next in your math sequence.

    I recently returned from a mission (or have not recently taken a math course), and I am afraid that I’ve forgotten all I’ve learned. Should I retake a course to relearn the material?
    Probably not. Know that you are not alone! Many students at BYU are recently returned missionaries, feeling exactly how you feel and many professors briefly review material as needed. Each professor will have three office hours a week where they can help you review material you might need help with. Experience has shown that, for many students, a little review goes a long way toward remembering skills.

    Math Refresher Course Link: Engineering Math Refresher (byu.edu)

    • Email the College of Engineering Advisement Center to get a code to cover the $49. Instructions for this are on the website.
    • This is a free course for all engineering majors. The class will not appear on your transcript, and you will not get a grade for the class.
    • You can do as little or as much of the class as you want. You take a diagnostic test and do practice problems to help refresh your math skills.  

  • Should I start with CS 110 or CS 111?

    Your starting course depends on your prior programming experience—students with little or no experience should consider CS 110, while those with a solid foundation in programming concepts may be ready for CS 111. Please review this handout to help you decide: Should I take CS 110 or CS 111?

  • Laptop Guidance for Students

    We strongly recommend that all students have a personal laptop, as it is necessary for completing coursework remotely and offers the most flexibility. However, a laptop is not strictly required. Department computer labs are fully equipped with all the software required, so students can complete coursework using lab computers, if needed. These lab computers can also be accessed remotely (e.g., via SSH) for students who are comfortable using those tools.
    Department Lab Computers (for reference)

    • CPU: Intel i5 (or equivalent)
    • RAM: 16 GB
    • Storage: 512 GB
    • Operating System: Ubuntu or Windows 11

    Recommended Laptop Specifications

    ComponentMinimumRecommended
    Processor (CPU)Intel Core i5, AMD Ryzen 5, or Apple Silicon (M1 or newer)Intel Core i5/AMD Ryzen 5 or better, or Apple Silicon (M-series)
    Memory (RAM)8 GB16 GB
    Storage512 GB1 TB
    Operating SystemWindos 11 or macOSWindows 11 or macOS

    Linux is an option for students who are comfortable troubleshooting and configuring software, but it is not recommended for most students.

    Financial Assistance

    Students facing financial challenges may apply for a department laptop scholarship. To apply, write a brief one to two-paragraph statement describing your circumstances and submit it to your academic advisor.