University General Course Catalog 2024-2025 
    
    Dec 11, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2024-2025

Electrical Engineering (Renewable Energy Emphasis), B.S. in E.E.


Trained to be an expert thinker and problem solver, today’s electrical engineer is as much in demand as ever. Our mission is to serve society through excellence in education, research, and public service. We provide for our students an education in electrical engineering, and we aspire to instill in them the attitudes, values, and vision that will prepare them for lifetimes of continued learning and leadership in their chosen careers. Through scholarship the Department strives to generate new knowledge and technology for the benefit of the State of Nevada, the nation and beyond. Aware of the dynamic nature of the discipline, while at the same time cognizant of that body of knowledge which appears to be timeless, the Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering is continually in the process of evaluating and updating its curriculum. The Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering also cooperates with local industry to offer a number of summer internships for qualified undergraduate electrical engineering students. The curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree is listed below.

NOTE: The professional FE examination, administered by the state board of engineering registration, must be taken by all electrical engineering students before graduation during the senior year of study.

Accreditation information is available at https://www.unr.edu/ebme/about/assessment/ee

Program Learning Outcomes


Students will be able to:

  • identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  • apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
  • communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  • recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  • function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  • develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  • acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Contact Information


Electrical and Biomedical Engineering Department 
332 Scrugham Engineering-Mines
(775) 784-6927
Website: http://www.unr.edu/ebme

For advising contact: College of Engineering Advising Center
Scrugham Engineering and Mines, Suite 131
(775) 682-7721
​​​​​​​coenadvising@unr.edu  

Transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno


Use the transfer agreement  and the degree planner (available by clicking Icon Capture42Active-Hidden2021-10-21 20:24:062021-10-21 20:24:06 at the top right of this page) to build your plan for graduation with your advisor. Course substitutions not identified on the transfer agreement require UNR advisor approval.

If a major-to-major transfer agreement is not available for your transfer institution, please check the General Core agreement  if available. If neither is available, access Transferology to assist in your planning.

Admission Requirements


Admission requirements and procedures are available at http://www.unr.edu/admissions#requirements. Only students who are eligible to enroll in MATH 181 (as demonstrated through placement tests) may enter specific major programs within the College of Engineering. Others may enter the undeclared engineering program. Undeclared engineering students must be admissible to a specific major program within four regular semesters (fall and spring).

NOTE: Students must earn a C or higher in courses marked with (*).

Graduation Requirements


  • Total Units | 129
  • Cumulative GPA | 2.0
  • University GPA | 2.0
  • Major GPA | 2.0
  • Residency Requirement | 30 Upper-Division Units at UNR
  • Major Residency Requirement | 15 Upper-Division units in the major at UNR including ENGR 301  and EE 491  
  • Upper-Division Requirement | 40 Upper-Division Units
  • As per engineering accreditation requirements, students are required to have the following:
    • a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of a combination of college-level mathematics and basic sciences with experimental experience appropriate to the program
    • a minimum of 45 semester credit hours of engineering topics appropriate to the program, consisting of engineering and computer sciences and engineering design, and utilizing modern engineering tools

I. Core General Education Requirements (27-30 units)


NOTE: Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter of this catalog for information regarding the “Core English and Math Completion Policy  .”

Students in this major must meet all  Core Objectives (CO1 through CO14). Courses satisfying Core Objectives are designated (e.g., CO9) in General Catalog curricula and course descriptions.

A. Composition & Communication; Critical Analysis & Use of Information (3-6 units) - CO1, CO3


B. Quantitative Reasoning (4 units) - CO2


  • (4 units) CO2 *
  • NOTE: Engineering students are expected to place in MATH 181 or higher. Students who do not place in MATH 181 may be required to take additional credits before declaring their major.

D. Cultures, Societies, & Individuals (3 units) - CO6


E. Artistic Composition, Interpretation, & Expression (3 units) - CO7


F. History & Culture; Constitution (6 units) - CO5, CO8


Refer to the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

II. Additional Core Requirements (3 units maximum)


Students must take courses that satisfy the following Core Objectives. Some or all of these Core Objectives may be satisfied in the Major Requirements (Section IV).  Refer to the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

A. Science, Technology & Society - CO9


B. Diversity & Equity - CO10


The following recommended courses can also be used in the General Education Requirement:

C. Global Context - CO11


D. Ethics - CO12


E. Capstone Integration & Synthesis - CO13


F. Application - CO14


III. Additional College Requirements (0 units)


IV. Major Requirements (96 units)


C. Senior Year Technical Electives (24-27 units) (27 credits if CO7 and CO10 are satisfied with one course)


This emphasis, administered by the EBME Department, leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. The program is designed for the student seeking a degree in electrical engineering with an emphasis on renewable energy. The required courses are identical to those for a regular BS in EE degree. The senior year technical electives consist of 24-27 units.

NOTE: Additional technical courses pre-approved by the department.

ii. Six units 400 level Electrical Engineering


Any 400 level Electrical Engineering courses. If CO7 and CO10 are satisfied with one course, 9 credits must be taken.

Internship or High Tech Entrepreneurship

V. Minor Requirements (0 units)


VI. Electives (0-3 units)


VII. Recommended Schedule


First Year


Second Year


Third Year


Fourth Year


Spring Semester (16 units)


Note(s):


* In addition to the general university requirements of at least a “C” (2.0) average for graduation, engineering students must earn at least a “C” in those courses designated with an asterisk (*) and must also maintain at least a “C” average in the Core Curriculum Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and the major requirements courses.

ENGR 301   and EE 491  must be taken in residence (no substitutions or waivers).

NOTEEE 220L EE 220 EE 221 CPE 201  and CPE 301  are offered every Fall and Spring semester EE 320L EE 320 EE 362  and EE 490  are offered during the Fall semester; EE 120 , EE 291 EE 330 EE 340 EE 370L EE 370  and EE 491  are offered during the Spring semester.