Skip to main content Skip to secondary navigation

Electrical Engineering Program

Main content start

2023-24 Electrical Engineering Major Program

The mission of the Department of Electrical Engineering is to augment the liberal education expected of all Stanford undergraduates, to impart a basic understanding of electrical engineering, and to develop skills in the design and building of systems that directly impact societal needs.

The program includes a balanced foundation in the physical sciences, mathematics and computing; presents core courses in electronics, information systems and digital systems; and develops specific skills in the analysis and design of systems. Students in the major have broad flexibility to select from disciplinary areas beyond the core, including hardware and software, information systems and science, and physical technology and science, as well as electives in multidisciplinary areas, including bio-electronics and bio-imaging, energy and environment, and music.

The program prepares students for a broad range of careers—both industrial and governmental — as well as for professional and academic graduate education. The educational objectives and student outcomes for the Department of Electrical Engineering are shown below in the Objectives section.

EE Program Sheet (Excel)

EE 4-Year & Flex Quarter Plans

EE Flowchart

Degree Requirements

Current requirements for this and all other School of Engineering major programs may also be found at Explore Degrees

Math and Science Requirements

Minimum 40 units combined; 9 courses

It is a School of Engineering requirement that all courses counting toward the major must be taken for a letter grade if the instructor offers that option. Students with multiple degrees should be aware that math, science, and fundamentals courses can be used to fulfill breadth requirements for more than one degree program, but a depth course can be counted toward only one major or minor program; any course can be double counted in a secondary major.

Math (minimum 28 units)

CourseTitleUnits
MATH 19/20/21Calculus  (or 10 units AP/IB Calculus credit)10

Select one 2-course sequence:

CME 100 and CME 102 can be substituted for MATH 51 and MATH 53. MATH 52 can be substituted for MATH 51. MATH 51 and MATH 53 are recommended, in part, for providing substantial early exposure to linear algebra

  CME 100/ENGR 154

  and

  CME 102/ENGR 155A

Vector Calculus for Engineers

and

Ordinary Differential Equations for Engineers

5

 

5

  MATH 51 (or 52)

  and

  MATH 53

Linear Algebra and Differential Calculus of Several Variables

and

Ordinary Differential Equations with Linear Algebra

5

 

5

EE Math: One additional 100-level Math course:
CS 103Mathematical Foundations of Computing5
 ENGR 108Introduction to Matrix Methods (Preferred)(Formerly EE 103/CME 103)5
  MATH 113Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory3
Statistics/Probability:
  EE 178Probabilistic Systems Analysis (Students are strongly encouraged to take EE 178 to learn key EE topics, especially those specializing in the Info Systems and Science disciplinary area)4

Science (minimum 12 units, 3 courses)

Select one sequence:
CourseTitleUnits

  PHYSICS 41

   and

  EE 65*

Mechanics

and

Modern Physics for Engineers

4

 

4

or  

  PHYSICS 61

   and

  EE 65*

Mechanics

and

Modern Physics for Engineers

4

 

4

*Students may petition to have either PHYSICS 71 or the combination of PHYSICS 45 and PHYSICS 70 (last offered Aut 2022) count as an alternative to EE 65.
Science Elective: One additional 4-5 unit science course from Approved List in UGHB, Figure 4-2

Technology in Society (1 course, minimum 3-5 units)
See the Approved Courses page for courses that fulfill the Technology in Society requirement. To fulfill the requirement, the TiS course must be on the SoE-Approved Courses list the year it is taken.

Engineering Topics

Minimum 57 units comprised of:

  • Engineering Fundamentals (minimum 8 units),
  • Core EE Courses (minimum 18 units)
  • Disciplinary Area (minimum 15 units)
  • Electives (minimum 16 units, restrictions apply)

Engineering Fundamentals (2 courses required; minimum 8 units)

  • CS 106B Programming Abstractions; required, 5 units
  • Choose one or more Fundamentals course from the Approved List; ENGR 40M (preferably before EE 101A) or ENGR 76 (preferably before EE 102A); a second ENGR40-series course is not allowed for the Fundamentals elective. Choose from Approved Courses page. 

Core* EE Courses

CourseTitleUnits
EE 42**Introduction to Electromagnetics and Its Applications (ENGR 42)5
EE 100***The Electrical Engineering Profession1
EE 101ACircuits4
EE 102ASignal and Systems I4
EE 108Digital Systems Design5

*Students preparing for advanced graduate study or wanting additional depth in the core are encouraged to take some of the disciplinary area requirements (EE101B, EE102B, CS107E or CS107, EE180) beyond those required for their chosen disciplinary area. These may be counted toward Electives.

**Many students take Physics 43 or Physics 81 (formerly 63) before declaring the EE major. Students (except those specializing in Physical Technology and Science) may petition to use either Physics 43 or Physics 81 (formerly 63) in place of EE 42. Nevertheless, students are strongly encouraged to take EE 42 or EE 142 to learn key EE topics, including transmission lines, waveguides, and antennas. Students specializing in Physical Technology and Science must take EE 42 or EE 142.

***For upper-division students, a 200-level seminar in their disciplinary area will be accepted, on petition

Capstone and Writing in the Major (WIM)*: One course, 3-5 units

CourseTitleUnits
EE 109Digital Systems Design Lab4
EE 133Analog Communications Design Laboratory4
EE 134Introduction to Photonics4
EE 153Power Electronics4
EE 168Introduction to Digital Image Processing4
EE 191W

Special Studies and Reports in Electrical Engineering (WIM; Departmental approval required)

May satisfy WIM only if taken as a follow-up to an REU or independent study project or as part of an Honors thesis project where a faculty member agrees to provide supervision of writing a technical paper and with suitable support from the Writing Center.

3-4

 

EE 264WDigital Signal Processing5
EE 267WVirtual Reality5
CS 194WSoftware Project3

* A single course can concurrently meet the Capstone, WIM and Design Requirements.

Design Course*: One Course, 3-5 units

EE 109Digital Systems Design Lab4
EE 133Analog Communications Design Laboratory4
EE 134Introduction to Photonics4
EE 153Power Electronics4
EE 168Introduction to Digital Image Processing3-4
EE 262Three-Dimensional Imaging (GEOPHYS 264)3
EE 264**Digital Signal Processing3-4
EE 264WDigital Signal Processing5
EE 267**Virtual Reality3-4
EE 267WVirtual Reality5
CS 194Software Project3
CS 194WSoftware Project3

*Students may select their Design course from any Disciplinary Area.

** To satisfy Design, must take EE 264 or EE 267 for 4 units and complete the laboratory project.

Disciplinary Area (minimum 15 units, 4 courses: 1 WIM/Design, and 1-3  disciplinary area electives)

Hardware and Software

Required Courses
EE 180Digital Systems Architecture4

CS 107E 

or

CS 107

Computer Systems from the Ground Up (preferred prerequisite for EE 180)

Computer Organization and Systems (prerequisite for EE 180)

5
Design Course
EE 109Digital Systems Design Lab (WIM/Design)4
EE 184Internet Principles and Protocols3
EE 185CEngineering a Smart Object - Adding Connectivity and Putting it ALL Together (Design)3
EE 264Digital Signal Processing (Design)3-4
EE 264WDigital Signal Processing (WIM/Design)5
EE 267Virtual Reality (Design)4
EE 267WVirtual Reality (WIM/Design)5
CS 194WSoftware Project (WIM/Design)3
Electives (choose 1-2):
EE 104Introduction to Machine Learning5
EE 107Embedded Networked Systems3
EE 118Introduction to Mechatronics4
EE 156Board Level Design (EE 256)4
EE 192TProject Lab: Video and Audio Technology for Live Theater in the Age of COVID (Same as CS 349T)3
EE 271Introduction to VLSI Systems3
EE 272Design Projects in VLSI Systems I3-4
EE 272BDesign Projects in VLSI Systems II3-4
EE 273Digital Systems Engineering3
EE 277Reinforcement Learning: Behaviors and Applications (MS&E 237)3
EE 282Computer Systems Architecture3
EE 285Embedded Systems Workshop2
EE 372Design Projects in VLSI Systems II5
CS 108Object-Oriented Systems Design4
CS 111Operating Systems Principles5
CS 131Computer Vision: Foundations and Applications4
CS 140Operating Systems and Systems Programming4
CS 143Compilers4
CS 144Introduction to Computer Networking4
CS 145Introduction to Databases4
CS 148Introduction to Computer Graphics and Imaging4
CS 149Parallel Computing4
CS 155Computer and Network Security3
CS 221Artificial Intelligence: Principles and Techniques4
CS 223AIntroduction to Robotics3
CS 224NNatural Language Processing with Deep Learning4
CS 225AExperimental Robotics3
CS 229Machine Learning4
CS 231AComputer Vision: From 3D Reconstruction to Recognition4
CS 231NConvolutional Neural Networks for Visual Recognition4
CS 241Embedded Systems Workshop3
CS 244Advanced Topics in Networking4

Information Systems and Science

Required Course:
EE 102BSignals and Systems II4
Design Course:
EE 133Analog Communications Design Laboratory (WIM/Design)3-4
EE 168Introduction to Digital Image Processing (WIM/Design)3-4
EE 262Three-Dimensional Imaging (Design)(GEOPHYS 264)3
EE 264Digital Signal Processing (Design)3-4
EE 264WDigital Signal Processing5
EE 267Virtual Reality (Design)3-4
EE 267WVirtual Reality (WIM/Design)5
Electives (choose 2-3):
EE 104Introduction to Machine Learning5
EE 107Embedded Networked Systems3
EE 118Introduction to Mechatronics4
EE 124Introduction to Neuroelectrical Engineering3
EE 169Introduction to Bioimaging3
EE 179Analog and Digital Communication Systems3
EE 192TProject Lab: Video and Audio Technology for Live Theater in the Age of COVID (Same as CS 349T)3
EE 259Principles of Sensing for Autonomy 3
EE 260APrinciples of Robot Autonomy I (EE 160A, AA 174A, AA 274A, CS 237A)3-5
EE 260BPrinciples of Robot Autonomy II (AA 174B, AA 274B, CS 237B)3-4
EE 261The Fourier Transform and Its Applications3
EE 263Introduction to Linear Dynamical Systems3
EE 266Introduction to Stochastic Control with Applications3
EE 269Signal Processing for Machine Learning3
EE 276Information Theory3
EE 277Reinforcement Learning: Behaviors and Applications (MS&E 237)3
EE 278Introduction to Statistical Signal Processing3
EE 279Introduction to Digital Communication3
CS 107Computer Organization and Systems3-5
CS 107EComputer Systems from the Ground Up3-5
CS 229Machine Learning3-4
ENGR 105Feedback Control Design3
ENGR 205Introduction to Control Design Techniques3

Physical Technology and Science

Required Course:
EE 101BCircuits II 4
Design Course:
EE 133Analog Communications Design Laboratory (WIM/Design)3-4
EE 134Introduction to Photonics (WIM/Design)4
EE 153Power Electronics (WIM/Design)3-4
EE 267Virtual Reality (Design)3-4
EE 267WVirtual Reality (WIM/Design)5
Electives (choose 2-3):
EE 107Embedded Networked Systems3
EE 114Fundamentals of Analog Integrated Circuit Design3-4
EE 116Semiconductor Devices for Energy and Electronics3
EE 118Introduction to Mechatronics4
EE 124Introduction to Neuroelectrical Engineering3
EE 142Engineering Electromagnetics3
EE 156Board Level Design (EE 256)3-4
EE 157Electric Motors for Renewable Energy, Robotics, and Electric Vehicles3
EE 212Integrated Circuit Fabrication Processes3
EE 213Digital MOS Integrated Circuits3
EE 214BAdvanced Analog Integrated Circuit Design3
EE 216Principles and Models of Semiconductor Devices3
EE 222Applied Quantum Mechanics I3
EE 223Applied Quantum Mechanics II3
EE 228Basic Physics for Solid State Electronics3
EE 236AModern Optics3
EE 236BGuided Waves3
EE 242Electromagnetic Waves3
EE 247Introduction to Optical Fiber Communications3
EE 259Principles of Sensing for Autonomy3
EE 271Introduction to VLSI Systems3
EE 272Design Projects in VLSI Systems I3-4
EE 372Design Projects in VLSI Systems II3-4
EE 273Digital Systems Engineering3
EE 282Computer Systems Architecture3
ENGR 105Feedback Control Design3
ENGR 205Introduction to Control Design Techniques3
CS 107Computer Organization and Systems3-5
CS 107EComputer Systems from the Ground Up3-5

 

Electives (3 courses; minimum 16 units)

Students may select electives from the disciplinary areas; from the multidisciplinary elective areas; or any combination of disciplinary and multidisciplinary areas. Electives may include up to two additional Engineering Fundamentals, and any letter graded EE courses. Freshman and Sophomore seminars and EE 191 do not count toward the 57 units. Students may have fewer elective units if they have more units in their disciplinary area.

Bio-Electronics and Bio-Imaging

EE 101BCircuits II 4
EE 102BSignal and Systems II4
EE 107Embedded Networked Systems3
EE 124Introduction to Neuroelectrical Engineering3
EE 134Introduction to Photonics (WIM/Design)4
EE 168Introduction to Digital Image Processing (WIM/Design)3-4
EE 169Introduction to Bioimaging3
EE 225Biochips and Medical Imaging3
EE 235AAnalytical Methods in Biotechnology (BIOS 212, RAD 236)(formerly EE 235)3
EE 235BAnalytical Methods in Biotechnology II3
EE 267Virtual Reality (Design)4
EE 267WVirtual Reality (WIM/Design)5
BIOE 131Ethics in Bioengineering3
BIOE 248Neuroengineering Laboratory3
MED 275BBiodesign: Medical Technology Innovation4
RAD 206Mixed-Reality in Medicine3
RAD 220Introduction to Imaging and Image-Based Human Anatomy 

Energy and Environment

EE 101B Circuits II4
EE 116Semiconductor Devices for Energy and Electronics3
EE 134Introduction to Photonics (WIM/Design)4
EE 151Sustainable Energy Systems (no longer offered, starting 20-21)3
EE 153Power Electronics (WIM/Design)3-4
EE 157Electric Motors for Renewable Energy, Robotics, and Electric Vehicles3
EE 168Introduction to Digital Image Processing (WIM/Design)3-4
EE 180Digital Systems Architecture4
EE 263Introduction to Linear Dynamical Systems3
EE 293Fundamentals of Energy Processes (ENERGY 293B)3
CEE 107AUnderstanding Energy (Formerly CEE 173A)3-5
CEE 155Introduction to Sensing Networks for CEE3-4
CEE 176AEnergy Efficient Buildings3-4
CEE 176BElectric Power: Renewables and Efficiency3-4
ENGR 105Feedback Control Design3
ENGR 205Introduction to Control Design Techniques3
MATSCI 142Quantum Mechanics of Nanoscale Materials (Formerly MATSCI 157)4
MATSCI 152Electronic Materials Engineering4
MATSCI 156Solar Cells, Fuel Cells, and Batteries: Materials for the Energy Solution3-4
MATSCI 164Electronic and Photonic Materials and Devices Laboratory4

Music

EE 102BSignal Processing and Linear Systems II4
EE 109Digital Systems Design Lab (WIM/Design)4
EE 264Digital Signal Processing (Design)4
EE 264WDigital Signal Processing (WIM/Design)5
MUSIC 250APhysical Interaction Design for Music3-4
MUSIC 253Symbolic Musical Information (CS 275A)4
MUSIC 254Computational Music Analysis (CS 275B)4
MUSIC 256AMusic, Computing, Design I: Art of Design for Computer Music3-4
MUSIC 257Neuroplasticity and Musical Gaming3-5
MUSIC 320Introduction to Audio Signal Processing (no longer offered starting 20-21)2-4
MUSIC 320AIntroduction to Audio Signal Processing Part I: Spectrum Analysis3
MUSIC 320BIntroduction to Audio Signal Processing Part II: Digital Filters3-4
MUSIC 356Music and AI3-4
MUSIC 422*Perceptual Audio Coding3
MUSIC 424*Signal Processing Techniques for Digital Audio Effects3-4

* Best taken as a coterm student.

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)

The Electrical Engineering Department at Stanford University invites undergraduates majoring in EE to participate in its REU Summer Program from June through August. The program is designed to give undergraduates an opportunity to work with members of the EE Faculty and their research groups on advanced research topics.

Program Structure: The program is designed to give both an in-depth research experience on a particular topic, as well as a broad hands-on exposure to various areas within EE. Bi-weekly seminars are offered to cover a wide range of topics. The seminar series lecturers are comprised of EE faculty and industry guests. Discussions will include topics such as graduate education, internships and career opportunities. Each student receives a summer stipend. Students must secure their own housing for the summer and they have the option to live on or off campus.
Presentations: The last week of the summer program will be devoted to preparing a final presentation and creating a poster on the research project. The students will have an oral presentation and a poster session, to which the EE community will be invited.

Application Procedure: For information about our application process, please go to the REU website.

REU Requirements: Available to enrolled Stanford undergraduate students only. Students must be declared EE majors by the start of the program. With the exception of coterm students, students may not be seniors when they apply. In the event the number of applicants exceeds the number of spaces available, preference is given to first time participants. All REU program inquiries can be directed to reu@ee.stanford.edu.

EE Bachelor of Science with Honors

The Electrical Engineering Department offers a program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with Honors. This program offers a unique opportunity for qualified undergraduate majors to conduct independent study and research at an advanced level with a faculty mentor, graduate students, and fellow undergraduates.

Admission to the honors program is by application. Declared EE majors with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.5 in Electrical Engineering are eligible to submit an application. Applications must be submitted by the beginning of Autumn quarter of the senior year, be signed by the thesis adviser and second reader (at least one must be a member of the EE Faculty), and include an honors proposal. Students need to declare honors on Axess.

In order to receive departmental honors, students admitted to the honors program must:

  1. Submit an application, including the thesis proposal, by the beginning of Autumn quarter of senior year signed by the thesis adviser and second reader (at least one must be a member of the Electrical Engineering faculty).
  2. Declare the EE Honors major in Axess before the end of Autumn quarter of senior year.
  3. Maintain a grade point average of at least 3.5 in Electrical Engineering courses.
  4. Complete at least 10 units of EE 191 or EE 191W with thesis advisor for a letter grade. EE 191 units do not count toward the required 57 units, with the exception of EE 191W if approved to satisfy WIM.
  5. Submit one final copy of the honors thesis approved by the adviser and second reader to the EE Degree Progress Officer by May 15.
  6. Attend poster and/or oral presentation held by May 15 of Spring quarter senior year or present in another suitable forum approved by the faculty advisor. If no forums are available to present the paper, organize an oral presentation with the primary advisor, second reader, and the EE Associate Chair of Undergraduate Education, to be held prior to May 15 to fulfill this requirement.

The EE department is participating in the Bing Honors College (BHC) in Summer Quarter. If students would like to participate in this program, please sign up on the BHC site

Study Abroad Program

Stanford’s Overseas Studies Program is a great opportunity for students to build their language and cultural skills abroad. Some of the most popular programs with Electrical Engineering students are in China, Japan and Germany. In many cases there are summer job opportunities as well. Each program has different and specific language requirement that may require early and careful planning. For example, the core classes may be offered during quarters that conflict with the study abroad. For more information, see the the  BOSP Overseas website and Global Engineering Programs.

Objectives and Outcomes For Electrical Engineering

Objectives:

  1. Technical Knowledge: Provide a basic knowledge of electrical engineering principles along with the required supporting knowledge of mathematics, science, computing, and engineering fundamentals. The program must include depth in at least one specialty area, currently including Bio-electronics and Bio-imaging; Circuits and Devices; Computer Hardware; Computer Software; Energy and Environment; Music; Photonics, Solid State, and Electromagnetics; and Signal Processing, Communications and Control.
  2. Laboratory and Design Skills: Develop the basic skills needed to perform and design experimental projects. Develop the ability to formulate problems and projects and to plan a process for solutions taking advantage of diverse technical knowledge and skills.
  3. Communications Skills: Develop the ability to organize and present information, and to write and speak effective English.
  4. Preparation for Further Study: Provide sufficient breadth and depth for successful subsequent graduate study, post-graduate study, or lifelong learning programs.
  5. Preparation for the Profession: Provide an appreciation for the broad spectrum of issues arising in professional practice, including teamwork, leadership, safety, ethics, service, economics, and professional organizations.

Outcomes:

(a) An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
(b) An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
(c) An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
(d) An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
(e) An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
(f) An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
(g) An ability to communicate effectively
(h) The broad education necessary to understand he impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
(i) A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, life-long learning
(j) A knowledge of contemporary issues
(k) An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
(l) Background for admission to engineering or other professional graduate programs

Coterm Deadlines and Contact

Go to the EE Admission page for deadlines and information

How to Declare a Major in Electrical Engineering

1. Log into Axess and choose the EE major to declare. Do not choose the Honors option in Axess unless you have already submitted an Honors application and Honors thesis proposal to the department.
2. Fill out a copy of the Undergraduate Declaring a Major in EE form, which can be found on the EE Academics page. The "Area(s) of Interest" is particularly important to assist in the choice of a faculty advisor. It can always be changed.
3. Meet with the Associate Chair of Undergraduate Education: Please send an email to Professor John Pauly, pauly@stanford.edu, to make an appointment. Make sure to scan your Undergraduate Sign-up Sheet, unofficial transcript, and academic file (if available from your previous advisor) to him prior to the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to go over the basics of getting a BS in EE, and to assign an EE faculty member to be your major advisor.
4. After the meeting, scan your Declaring a Major in EE form to the EE Degree Progress Officer, who will approve your major declaration and enter your advisor’s name in Axess. The Degree Progress Officer will also add your email to the EE undergraduate email list (also part of the department-wide student email list. These lists are used for announcements about academic requirements, seminars, research opportunities and other events).