Engineering

School of Engineering

Baskin School of Engineering
335 Baskin Engineering Building
(831) 459-2158
http://www.soe.ucsc.edu

Dean’s office
335 Baskin Engineering
(831) 459-2158

Undergraduate office
227 Baskin Engineering
(831) 459-5840

Graduate office
398H Engineering 2
(831) 459-2576

Professor Sung-Mo (Steve) Kang, Dean

Professor Charles E. McDowell, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Affairs

Professor Darrell Long, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research

Baskin School of Engineering

The Baskin School of Engineering has a high-technology focus incorporating programs and curricula that educate students to meet the changing demands of society and a high-technology global marketplace. The school offers a stimulating academic environment that provides a foundation for professional growth as well as a lifetime of learning. The Baskin School's programs and courses prepare students for the human aspects, as well as the technical challenges, of careers in engineering, computer science, and bioinformatics. The Baskin School of Engineering includes the Department of Biomolecular Engineering, the Department of Computer Engineering, the Department of Computer Science, and the Department of Electrical Engineering. The Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics and the Department of Technology and Information Management are awaiting approval.

Graduate Study

The Baskin School of Engineering offers 10 graduate programs designed to prepare students for advanced study and research in major areas of biomolecular, computer, and electrical engineering, as well as computer science and statistics and stochastic modeling:

• Statistics and stochastic modeling M.S. and Ph.D. (graduate study is available; degrees await approval)

• Bioinformatics M.S. and Ph.D.

• Computer engineering M.S. and Ph.D.

• Computer science M.S. and Ph.D.

• Electrical engineering M.S. and Ph.D.

These programs are described in subsequent sections. The aim of these programs is to develop professionals who can address the complex scientific and technological problems of today and tomorrow.

Undergraduate Study

The School of Engineering offers 14 undergraduate degree programs. Students may choose from the following options:

Bioinformatics B.S. or combined B.S./Graduate

Bioinformatics minor

Computer engineering B.S. or combined B.S./M.S.

Computer engineering minor

Computer science B.A. and B.S.

Computer science: computer game design B.S.

Computer science minor

Computer technology minor

Electrical engineering B.S.

Information systems management B.S.

Statistics minor

Also available is a dual degree engineering program that allows a student to obtain a B.A. in the social sciences, humanities, or arts from UCSC and a B.S. degree in engineering from UC Berkeley [excluding EECS] by attending UCSC for three years followed by UC Berkeley for two years.

Bioinformatics. The bioinformatics curriculum combines mathematics, the physical sciences, computer science, and engineering to explore and understand biological data from high-throughput experiments, such as genome sequencing and gene expression chips. The immense growth of biological information stored in computerized databases has led to a critical need for people who can understand the languages, tools, and techniques of mathematics, science, and engineering. The undergraduate bioinformatics degree program prepares students for graduate school or a career in the fast-paced pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries.

Computer Engineering. The computer engineering curriculum focuses on making digital systems that work. It overlaps with computer science on one end (software systems) and with electrical engineering on the other (digital hardware). The emphasis of our program is on design rather than analysis-on making things work, rather than on explaining the abstract theory of computation or electronics. The program's emphasis on problem solving provides both excellent training for future engineers and a strong foundation for graduate study. The computer engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The combined B.S./M.S. program provides an opportunity for outstanding undergraduates to begin advanced study and earn both degrees in five years.

Computer Science. The computer science curriculum has options that include topics in hardware and software, giving students a solid grounding in both theoretical and practical aspects of computer technology and computer usage. Students become proficient in many areas, with a good academic foundation for various careers in the software industry, as well as preparation for graduate school.

Computer Science: Computer Game Design. The computer game design curriculum is a four-year interdisciplinary program that focuses on the technical, dramatic, and artistic elements of computer games. The program provides a rigorous education in computer science, in concert with a broad introduction to those aspects of art, music, narrative, digital media, and computer engineering most relevant to games. An intensive year-long game design studio sequence permits students to create substantial video games as part of a multi-student team. Students receive proficiency in many aspects of computer science, a good academic foundation for careers in the computer game industry or information technology industry, or for the pursuit of graduate studies in computer science, or computer game design.

Electrical Engineering. The electrical engineering curriculum provides a balance of engineering science and design and allows students to specialize in both the traditional topics and the latest subjects in electrical engineering. Students may concentrate their electives in the areas of electronics and optics, communications, or signals and systems. The major is designed to attract motivated students who, upon graduation, will be sought by employers in the high-tech industry. The electrical engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Information Systems Management. The information systems management (ISM) curriculum is multidisciplinary and focuses on the fusion of information systems, technology, and business management for two purposes: the use of information systems to solve business problems and the management of technology, which includes new product development and enterprise management. Students must learn the mathematics, science, and technical fundamentals of computer science and engineering as well as understand the environment in which information technology (IT) solutions will be applied-through economics, business, and management of technology courses. It is a rigorous, challenging major for those students wanting to pursue careers in information systems management and the management of technology.

Dual Degree Engineering. The 3/2 program, a five-year program in association with UC Berkeley, enables students to receive two bachelor's degrees: a B.A. in a subject within the social sciences, humanities, or arts at UCSC, and a B.S. in engineering from the College of Engineering at Berkeley (excluding EECS). Many combinations of fields are possible, such as economics, environmental studies or philosophy with civil, mechanical, or industrial engineering.

Undergraduate Advising Office

The Baskin School of Engineering Undergraduate Advising office offers general advising for prospective and declared undergraduates majoring in School of Engineering programs. The office handles major declarations, transfer credits, course substitutions, articulations, and degree certifications. Undergraduate students obtain and submit all paperwork requiring departmental approval to the Undergraduate Advising office. Students may obtain additional information and assistance on the School of Engineering web site: http://www.soe.ucsc.edu/advising/undergraduate/.

Admission to School of Engineering Majors

High School Preparation for Engineering Students

It is recommended that high school students intending to apply to a School of Engineering major have completed four years of mathematics (through advanced algebra and trigonometry) and three years of science in high school. Comparable college mathematics and science courses completed at other institutions also serve to properly prepare students for these majors.

College Board Advanced Placement Credit

Prospective students are encouraged to take the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations in computer science, mathematics, economics, chemistry, or biology, because an acceptable score on these examinations may satisfy both university and major degree requirements. Students must provide verification of exam scores to the School of Engineering Undergraduate Advising office and other course-sponsoring departments to be granted credit toward course prerequisites or degree requirements as follows:

Biology: a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Biology exam can be substituted for Biology 3, Concepts in Biology, and exempt student from the biology placement exam.  A score of 5, 6, or 7 on the IBH Biology exam can be substituted for Biology 3, Concepts in Biology, and exempt student from the biology placement exam.

Chemistry: a score of 4 on the AP Chemistry exam fulfills the prerequisite for enrollment in Chemistry 1B/M in lieu of the chemistry placement exam; a score of 5 satisfies Chemistry 1A, Chemistry 1B, and Chemistry 1C.  Chemistry 1M and Chemistry 1N are still required but students may petition for credit for a lab waiver by presenting high school laboratory notebook/reports to the Chemistry Department for review.

Computer Science: a score of 4 or 5 on Exam A satisfies Computer Science 12A, Introduction to Programming, and the associated lab, Computer Science 12L; a score of 4 or 5 on Exam AB satisfies both Computer Science 12A, Introduction to Programming, and Computer Science 12B, Introduction to Data Structures, and the associated labs, Computer Science 12L, and Computer Science 12M. A score of 5 on the IBH Computer Science exam satisfies Computer Science 12A, Introduction to Programming, and the associated lab, Computer Science 12L; a score of 6 or 7 on the IBH Computer Science exam satisfies Computer Science 12A, Introduction to Programming, and Computer Science 12B, Introduction to Data Structures, and the associated labs, Computer Science 12L, and Computer Science 12M.

Economics: a score of 4 or 5 on the Microeconomics exam satisfies Economics 1, Introductory Microeconomics; a score of 4 or 5 on the Macroeconomics exam satisfies Economics 2, Introductory Macroeconomics.

Mathematics: a score of 4 or 5 on the Calculus AB exam satisfies Mathematics 19A, Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics, or Economics 11A, Mathematical Methods for Economists; a score of 4 or 5 on the Calculus BC exam satisfies both Mathematics 19A-B.

Students may check with the Office of Admissions for details about other AP examinations that also satisfy university requirements.

Admission as First-Year Students

There are two paths for students that start UCSC as freshmen to be accepted into an engineering major.  The first is Direct Acceptance, in which highly qualified students are invited to declare an engineering major during the first quarter of matriculation.  The second, and most common, path is to be admitted to UCSC, take and do well in the appropriate lower-division engineering courses, then apply to an engineering major.  In this case, the student would apply to the engineering major in their sophomore, or possibly, junior year.  These two options are explained more fully below as First-Year Direct Acceptance, and Current Students Acceptance.

First-Year Direct Acceptance to School of Engineering Majors

First-year applicants to UCSC may apply for direct acceptance to a School of Engineering major by indicating the major as their first or second choice on the application. Applicants will be granted direct acceptance based on their high school grade point average, courses completed in mathematics and sciences, scores on standardized tests, and/or their personal statement.

To take advantage of direct acceptance, first-year students must declare the major in their first term at UCSC or forfeit their direct acceptance status. First-year students who are admitted to UCSC but do not receive direct acceptance to the major, or who forfeit their direct acceptance status, may still petition for admission to the major after completing the required foundation courses (see Current Students Acceptance to Majors below).

Current Students Acceptance to Majors

Any student admitted to UCSC as a freshman can apply to declare a School of Engineering major upon completion (with a grade of C or better) of all the foundation courses for that major. Applications can be found at http://www.soe.ucsc.edu/advising/undergraduate/pdf/application_to_declare.pdf and are accepted only during the first seven days of each fall, winter, or spring quarter. For all School of Engineering majors, other than bioinformatics and computer engineering, approval is based upon the student's "declaration GPA" in the foundation courses taken at UCSC (see below). The course requirements for acceptance into bioinformatics and computer engineering can be found in the Bioinformatics and Computer Engineering sections of this catalog. Departmental acceptance decisions for all School of Engineering departments can be picked up at the Undergraduate Advising office seven calendar days after the application deadline. Students who have been accepted into the major are then cleared to declare the major.

Declaration GPA Calculation

The declaration GPA is calculated on grades received for all attempted foundation courses at UCSC. Students are advised not to request Pass/No Pass grading in any foundation courses since a grade of P is treated as a C for calculating the declaration GPA regardless of the content of the evaluation. No Pass and Withdraw grades are treated as an F.

All students who have a declaration GPA of 2.8 or better will be admitted to the requested major. Students with a declaration GPA below 2.8 may be admitted at the discretion of the department.

Foundation Courses

The foundation courses for each School of Engineering major are as follows:

Bioinformatics: See Bioinformatics section.

Computer Engineering: See Computer Engineering section.

Computer Science: Computer Science 12A and 12B (or 13H); Computer Engineering 16; and Mathematics 19A-B, or 20A-B

Computer Game Design: Computer science 12A and 12B, Computer Engineering 16 or Mathematics 19A-B.

Electrical Engineering: Mathematics 19A-B; Applied Mathematics and Statistics 27; Physics 5A, 5B, and 5C

Information Systems Management: Computer Science 12A or 13H; Computer Engineering 16; Mathematics 19A-B (or Applied Mathematics and Statistics 11A and 11B or Economics 11A and 11B); Information Systems Management 50 (or Economics 1 and 2)

Declaration Process

After a student has been accepted into a School of Engineering major, the student should complete the declaration of major process. UCSC requires that students declare a major before earning 90 credits. Once a student has been accepted to an engineering major (see above), an appointment is made with their college to review general education requirements and to obtain a Declaration of Major form. Thereafter the student attends one of the declaration of major workshops offered each quarter by the Undergraduate Advising office (see www.soe.ucsc.edu/advising/undergraduate/). The major declaration process includes the development of a study plan that allows the student to complete the degree without undue extension of enrollment. Students interested in more than one major should submit one petition listing both their major preferences.

Junior Transfer Acceptance to Majors

The School of Engineering strongly encourages applications from transfer students. Due to the prerequisite structure for upper-division courses, prospective transfer students should have completed as many of the lower-division requirements for the respective majors as possible to complete the degree within a reasonable time. Students must plan carefully because many courses must be taken sequentially.

Transfer students should not follow the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) because it will not provide transfer students with enough mathematics and engineering courses to allow them to complete School of Engineering programs at UCSC in two years.

Students who apply as transfer students with junior status (90 quarter credits or more of transfer credit) who wish to earn a degree from the School of Engineering must indicate a School of Engineering major as their first choice on their UC application. (Students may also indicate an alternative School of Engineering major as their second choice.)

Junior transfers who do not list a School of Engineering major on their application to UCSC will not be considered for admission to such majors after the first day of their first quarter on campus.

Acceptance into the major is based on the student's academic college record. Applicants are encouraged to take and excel in as many courses that are equivalent to the department's foundation courses (see above) as possible. For many School of Engineering majors, completion of a year of calculus (accepted as equivalent to Mathematics 19A-B), linear algebra, differential equations, a year of calculus-based physics courses (accepted as equivalent to Physics 5A, 5B, 5C), and two programming courses (accepted as equivalent to Computer Science 12A Computer Science 12B, or Computer Engineering 12/L) are strongly recommended. An applicant will be approved, conditionally approved, or declined. Only students who have completed most or all of the foundation courses will be approved or conditionally approved for the major.

Students who are approved for acceptance and who have course credit for all the foundation courses for their major must declare the major in their first term of enrollment at UCSC. The status of students who are approved for acceptance but who, upon review of their transcripts, are found not to have course credit for all the foundation courses for their major will be changed to conditionally approved.

Students who are conditionally approved must complete the remaining required foundation courses for their major in their first term at UCSC and declare the major at the beginning of the following term at UCSC. Conditionally approved students will be evaluated based upon their performance in the foundation courses attempted during their first term at UCSC. Students who are conditionally approved for the major should be prepared to declare an alternative major outside of the School of Engineering in case they are unsuccessful in their attempt to complete their remaining foundation courses.

Students whose petitions are denied may still be admitted to UCSC, but they may not reapply for acceptance to engineering major(s) for which they were originally considered.

Course Substitutions: The School of Engineering Undergraduate Advising office may require that a Petition for Course Substitution be approved before credit for a course completed at another institution can be applied to any School of Engineering major requirement. The undergraduate advising staff can help determine if this petition process is necessary based on transcript information provided to them by the student. This petition is in addition to and separate from the transfer credit awarded by the university. Forms are available at the Undergraduate Advising office. Each petition must be accompanied by a course description, syllabus, and verification of the number of credits earned with a grade of C or better. To guarantee equivalency, departments may sometimes require a grade of B or better. It is very helpful if students can provide further evidence of course content, such as examples of programming assignments, homework, or examinations.

Appeal Process

Appeal of negative decisions concerning School of Engineering admission will be evaluated by the academic program to which the student applied. Appeal letters must be submitted in writing to the Undergraduate Advising office within the time frame given in the letter of denial. Late appeals will not be considered. Letters of appeal should describe any extenuating circumstances that might affect the faculty's evaluation of the record.

Students whose petitions and appeals have been turned down may not reapply for the same major.

Letter Grade Policy

The School of Engineering strongly advises students to request letter grades in all foundation courses for all engineering concentrations. Many majors in the School of Engineering have additional restrictions on the use of the Pass/No Pass option. Foundation courses should not be taken Pass/No Pass because doing so may lower students' declaration GPA and affect their admission into School of Engineering majors. Major grade requirements are as follows:

Bioinformatics major: Same as campus requirements, but foundation courses should not be taken Pass/No Pass, since doing so may lower the declaration GPA needed for admission to the major.

Computer engineering major: All courses required for the major must be taken for a letter grade. Two lower-division exceptions are allowed.

Computer engineering minor: Same as campus requirements.

Computer science major and minor: All courses required for the major and minor must be taken for letter grades. Two lower-division exceptions are allowed.

Computer game design major and minor: All courses required for the major and minor must be taken for letter grades. Two lower-division exceptions are allowed.

Electrical engineering major: All courses required for the major must be taken for letter grades. Two lower-division exceptions are allowed (not to include Electrical Engineering 70).

Information systems management major: All courses required for the major must be taken for letter grades. Two lower-division exceptions are allowed (not to include Information Systems Management 50 or 58).

Note: for admission into any School of Engineering major, a grade of Pass is treated as a C, which may adversely affect your admission to the major.

Disqualification Policy

GPA Requirement

Your cumulative School of Engineering GPA is calculated from all required and elective courses you have taken for your major. Your term School of Engineering GPA is calculated from all required and elective courses you have taken for your major in the previous quarter as a UCSC student.

If both your cumulative and term School of Engineering GPAs are 2.0 or greater, you are in good departmental standing. If either your cumulative or term GPAs are less than 2.0, you are on departmental probation. If you are on departmental probation and your cumulative School of Engineering GPA is below 2.0 at the beginning of the next quarter, you are subject to disqualification from the major. If your term School of Engineering GPA falls below 1.5 in any term, you are also subject to disqualification from the major. All students that are subject to disqualification are reviewed by their departmental faculty to determine whether to require the student to choose a different major or to be on departmental probation.

Ethics Requirement

Graduates of the Baskin School of Engineering are expected to become professionals with the highest ethical standards. Knowledge and practice of professional ethics is a requirement for the degree. Examples of professional society codes of ethics are available at http://www.ieee.org/portal/pages/about/whatis/code.html. Students of the Baskin School of Engineering are also expected to adhere to high ethical standards while pursuing their undergraduate studies.

Students found guilty of a single incident of academic dishonesty may, at the discretion of the department, be disqualified from the major. In addition, students may be subject to other possible university sanctions. A second incident of academic dishonesty will result in automatic disqualification from the major.

Additional Notes on Disqualification

Please note the Repeating Courses policy in the School of Engineering section of this catalog. Two failed attempts in a class will endanger your opportunity to continue in a School of Engineering major.

Bioinformatics, Computer Engineering, and Computer Science have additional disqualification criteria. Please see those sections of this catalog for details.

Repeating Courses

Due to its impacted status and the need to identify students having difficulty in School of Engineering courses, no School of Engineering course may be attempted more than twice without prior approval from the chair of the department offering the course. A class in which a W is given is counted as an attempt.

Courses Taken Elsewhere After Enrollment

It is the intent of the faculty of the Baskin School of Engineering that all degree requirements be completed at UCSC or prior to first enrollment at UCSC. Course substitutions, such as taking a course at another UC campus, in the Education Abroad Program, or at a community college, require approval prior to taking the class. Applications and procedures for pre-approval are obtained from and given to the School of Engineering Undergraduate Advising office.

Articulation agreements do not apply to enrolled students. You must get pre-approval before taking a class at a community college.

When a student declares their major, minor, or proposed major in a School of Engineering program, the decision as to whether a course taken elsewhere is accepted for this School of Engineering major or minor is made by the major department at that point. (Note: There is no guarantee that a course will be applicable toward a School of Engineering major, minor, or proposed major even if the student has completed more advanced courses in that department.)

School-Wide Information and Policies

Computing Facilities

The Baskin School of Engineering houses research facilities and teaching laboratories in the Baskin Engineering Building for courses in programming, software design, circuits, electronics, graphics, digital design, and computer and system architecture. Emphasis in these laboratories is on state-of-the-art equipment, including personal computers, engineering workstations, a 1000-processor Linux cluster, logic analyzers, microprocessor development systems, a wireless network for mobile computers, and network support at 100MB/sec.

All Unix computers and workstations and most personal computers on campus are networked together, allowing students to access the School of Engineering and the Information Technology Services (ITS) facilities from any computer account on campus. For a more complete description of the computing facilities on campus, see http://its.ucsc.edu/.

Prerequisites

Because of the sequential nature of the School of Engineering curricula, most courses have prerequisites, which are listed in the course descriptions. Students should carefully review these descriptions in the catalog and the quarterly Schedule of Classes. Students must have passed all prerequisites of a course for which they are enrolling. Pre-enrolled students who then fail a prerequisite are no longer eligible to be enrolled in the course and will be dropped.

For example, to enroll in Computer Science 101, a prerequisite to many upper-division courses, the prerequisite courses that must be completed or in progress are Computer Science 12B (or 13H), Computer Engineering 16, Mathematics 19B, and one of the following: Mathematics 21, 22, 23A, 24, or Applied Mathematics and Statistics 27.

Students who have transferable course work from another institution that appears to satisfy a UCSC course prerequisite should promptly consult with the School of Engineering's staff advisers. Students will be asked to present records from the other institution to document the course equivalency. Until such evidence has been verified by the department, students attempting to enroll in a course using a prerequisite course that was not completed at UCSC will be informed that they have not satisfied the course prerequisite. (See the Course Substitutions section under Admission to School of Engineering Majors.)

Permission Numbers

Students not meeting the regular prerequisite requirements for courses sponsored by the Baskin School of Engineering may petition the course instructor to receive a permission number to enroll. Students requesting a permission number must submit the form found at www.soe.ucsc.edu/advising/undergraduate/pdf/prereq_waiver.pdf to the instructor. The instructor may ask a student to demonstrate the ability and/or potential to succeed in the course or may request additional information to formulate a decision. If no instructor has been assigned to the course, please contact the Undergraduate Advising office for direction.

Materials Fee

Students should be aware that some laboratory courses require each student to purchase miscellaneous parts or a material kit for completion of the laboratory work. Some laboratory courses may include consumable (one-time use) parts and materials that are distributed to the entire class. Some laboratory kits include parts that the student will assemble into a project and keep. Please refer to the Baskin Engineering Lab Support web page for specific course material fee amounts: www.soe.ucsc.edu/administration/labs/.

Miscellaneous Fees

Miscellaneous breakage or loss of equipment fees are assessed to address the cost of damaged laboratory equipment and loss of laboratory materials due to abuse or negligence. This fee is only charged if a student breaks or loses laboratory equipment or materials and is not a mandatory fee charged to all students taking the course. Please refer to the Baskin Engineering Laboratory Support web page for more information: www.soe.ucsc.edu/administration/labs/.