Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science

Interdisciplinary Programs

Telecommunications (B.S.T.E.)

TE Undergraduate Program Educational Objectives (PEOs)
The focus of the UTD's Telecommunications Engineering degree is to provide excellent education in modern communications networks and systems. Our graduates shall be uniquely qualified to apply traditional engineering design and problem solving skills in modern telecommunications.

Additional Program Educational Objectives

• Preparation for a successful, long-lived, engineering career
• Perform, review and assess sophisticated engineering design and manufacturing
• Further the necessities of innovation, functionality, safety, and economy in engineering
• Critical thinking, decision making and communicating
• Ability to contribute and to lead engineering teams
• Place engineering design and decision making in a market and societal context.
• Growing and maintaining an outstanding faculty that remains motivated and empowers
• Excellent facilities, including teaching laboratories, computing facilities and classrooms with advanced presentation capabilities.

High School Preparation

Engineering education requires a strong high school preparation. Pre-engineering students should have high school preparation of at least one-half year in trigonometry and at least one year each in elementary algebra, intermediate and advanced algebra, plane geometry, chemistry, and physics, thus developing their competencies to the highest possible levels and preparing to move immediately into demanding college courses in calculus, calculus-based physics, and chemistry for science majors. It is also essential that pre-engineering students have the competence to read rapidly and with comprehension, and to write clearly and correctly.

Lower-Division Study

All lower-division students in either Electrical Engineering or Telecommunications Engineering concentrate on mathematics, science and introductory engineering courses, building competence in these cornerstone areas for future application in upper-division engineering courses. The following requirements apply both to students seeking to transfer to U.T. Dallas from other institutions as well as to those currently enrolled at U.T. Dallas, whether in another school or in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science.

ABET Requirements

All engineering degree plans must satisfy the requirements specified by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The course work must include at least:
1) One year (32 SCH) of an appropriate combination of mathematics and basic sciences,
2) One and one-half years (48 SCH) of engineering topics.
3) A general education component that complements the technical content.

Although the electrical engineering and telecommunications engineering curricula that follow have been designed to meet these criteria, students have the responsibility, in consultation with an advisor, to monitor their own choice of courses carefully to be certain that all academic requirements for graduation are being satisfied. Students are strongly encouraged to take courses in such subjects as accounting, industrial management, finance, personnel administration, and engineering economy.

Academic Progress in Telecommunications Engineering

In order to make satisfactory academic progress as a Telecommunications Engineering major, a student must meet all University requirements for academic progress, and must earn a grade of C- or better in each of the major core courses. No "Major Requirement" course (as listed under Section II of the B.S.T.E. degree requirement) may be taken until the student has obtained a grade of C- or better in each of the prerequisites (if a higher grade requirement is stated for a specific class, the higher requirement applies).

Fast Track Baccalaureate/Master's Degrees

In response to the need for advanced education in electrical engineering, a Fast Track program is available to exceptionally well-qualified UT Dallas undergraduate students who meet the requirements for admission to the graduate school. The Fast Track program is designed to accelerate a student's education so that both a B.S.E.E. and an M.S.E.E. degree can be earned in five years of full-time study. This is accomplished by (1) taking courses (typically electives) during one or more summer semesters, and (2) beginning graduate course work during the senior year. Details of the requirements for admission to this program are available from the Associate Dean's Office.

Honors Program

The Telecommunications Engineering Program offers upper-division Honors for outstanding students in the B.S. Telecommunications Engineering degree program. This program offers special sections of designated classes and other activities designed to enhance the educational experience of exceptional students. Admission to the Honors programs requires a 3.50 GPA in at least 30 hours of coursework. Graduation with Honors requires a 3.50 or better GPA and completion of at least 6 honors classes. These honors classes must include either Senior Honors (TE 4399) ot Undergraduate Research in Telecommunications Engineering (TE 4V98) and a Senior Honors Thesis must be completed within one of those two classes. (While the topics may be related, the Senior Thesis does not replace the need for the student to complete a regular Senior Design Project.) The other 5 honors classes can come from a mixture of Graduate level (up to a count of 4) classes and special honor sections of regular undergraduate TE classes (up to a count of 2). Current undergraduate honors courses include but are not limited to: TE 2310(H), TE 3350(H), TE 4399 and TE 4V98. Course grades in the 6 honor classes used to determine Honors status must be B- or higher to qualify.

Departmental Honors with Distinction may be awarded to students whose Senior Honors Thesis is judged by a faculty committee to be of exemplary quality. Only students graduating with Departmental Honors are eligible. Thesis/projects must be submitted by the deadline that applies to M.S. Theses in the graduating semester to allow for proper evaluation. Students interested in Honors with Distinction are encouraged to start working on their thesis/project a year prior to graduation.

Minors

The School of Engineering and Computer Science does not offer minors in Telecommunications Engineering at this time.

The University of Texas at Dallas 2008-2010 Undergraduate Catalog - 2009 Supplement
Volume 32, Number 2
Copyright © The University of Texas at Dallas

This catalog is a general information publication only. It is not intended to nor does it contain all regulations that relate to students. The provisions of this catalog do not constitute a contract, express or implied, between any applicant, student or faculty member and The University of Texas at Dallas or The University of Texas System. The University of Texas at Dallas reserves the right to withdraw courses at any time, to change fees or tuition, calendar, curriculum, degree requirements, graduation procedures, and any other requirements affecting students. Changes will become effective whenever the proper authorities so determine and will apply to both prospective students and those already enrolled.