Trystan Casey
The Electrical Engineering Department at UC Santa Cruz offers an undergraduate program that provides a balance of engineering science and design. Students interested in declaring an electrical engineering major should be aware of the following information. Firstly, there are specific course prerequisites and GPA requirements that must be met. Additionally, the program offers two areas of concentration: electronics and optics or communications, signals, systems, and controls. The department's mission is to inspire and educate students in the theory and practice of electrical engineering, serving industry, science, and government. The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET and provides students with opportunities for internships, research, and honours recognition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Admission requirements | First-year applicants may receive direct admission based on their high school record and test scores. Students not directly admitted may still apply during their first year and their acceptance will be based on their School of Engineering GPA, high school GPA, courses completed in mathematics and sciences, and scores on standardized tests. |
| Curriculum | The electrical engineering curriculum provides a balance of engineering science and design, covering topics such as mathematics, physical science, engineering, electronics, optics, communications, signals, systems, and controls. |
| Accreditation | The electrical engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. |
| Honors and recognition | Electrical engineering majors are considered for "Honors in the Major" and "Highest Honors in the Major" based on their School of Engineering GPA, undergraduate research contributions, and other significant contributions to the School of Engineering. |
| Internships and fieldwork | Students are encouraged to pursue internships and fieldwork to gain valuable academic and industry experience. UCSC has partnerships with local companies and nearby Silicon Valley. |
| Career prospects | The major is designed to attract motivated students who will be sought by employers in the high-tech industry upon graduation. According to the Wall Street Journal, UCSC is ranked as the number two public university in the nation for high-paying jobs in engineering. |
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What You'll Learn
Admission requirements
For first-year applicants, direct admission to UCSC may be offered based on high school records and test scores. Students who are not directly admitted can still apply during their first year, and their acceptance will be based on their School of Engineering GPA, high school GPA, completed mathematics and science courses, and standardized test scores.
After the first year, students can apply to declare an electrical engineering major upon successful completion of foundation courses with a School of Engineering GPA of 2.8 or higher. The required foundation courses are Mathematics 19A-B (Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics), Applied Mathematics and Statistics 10 and 20 (Linear Algebra and Differential Equations), and Physics 5A/L, 5B/M, and 5C/N (Introduction to Physics I and subsequent calculus-based physics courses).
Transfer students should seek advisement as their plans will vary depending on their lower-division courses. It is recommended that applicants take and excel in courses equivalent to the department's foundation courses. Starting in the fall of 2026, Computer Systems and Assembly Language and Lab (CSE 12) will also be required for transfer students.
The electrical engineering curriculum at UCSC provides a balance between engineering science and design. In their first two years, students are expected to take a basic set of lower-division mathematics, physical science, and engineering courses. After this foundation, students can specialize in either electronics and optics or communications, signals, systems, and controls.
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Curriculum and specialisations
The electrical engineering curriculum at UCSC provides a balance of engineering science and design. Students are expected to have a mathematical background in Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics (Math 19A) and Introduction to Physics I (Physics 5A) during their first quarter. In their first two years, electrical engineering students take a basic set of lower-division mathematics, physical science, and engineering courses.
After the first two years, students focus on topics within the discipline and specialize in one of two options: electronics/optics, including digital and analog circuits and devices, VLSI design, optoelectronics, electromagnetics, and biomedical device engineering; or communications, signals, systems, and control, including optical, wireless communication, signal and image processing, networks signal processing, instrumentation, and control.
Students can also participate in research activities and must complete a senior design capstone course, choosing either a corporate-sponsored project or their own. The electrical engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Electrical engineering majors are considered for "Honors in the Major" and "Highest Honors in the Major" based on the School of Engineering GPA and the results of undergraduate research and other significant contributions to the School of Engineering. Students with an SoE GPA of 3.7 or higher will, in most cases, receive highest honors, while students with a GPA of 3.3 or higher will receive honors.
Many students at UCSC find internships and fieldwork to be a valuable part of their academic experience. They work closely with faculty and career advisors to identify existing opportunities or create their own internships with local companies or in nearby Silicon Valley.
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Internships and fieldwork
Internships
Students can pursue off-campus part-time internships during the academic year, with a maximum of 20 hours per week, or full-time internships during the summer, with a minimum duration of 8 weeks. The Electrical Engineering Department at UCSC offers students the opportunity to receive academic credit for their internships, provided they meet certain requirements and gain approval from the faculty. The internship must complement the student's Master's course curriculum and offer relevant educational value. The Career Placement Officer is responsible for reviewing and approving internship applications, and students must adhere to the rules specified by the ISSO and F-1 CPT (Curricular Practical Training).
Fieldwork
Fieldwork courses are available for both undergraduate (ELEN E3990) and graduate (ELEN E6999) students in the Electrical Engineering Department. These courses allow students to receive academic credit for their internships, provided the internships are directly relevant to the EE/CE curriculum and have been approved by the department. International students must submit additional applications to ISSO to receive authorization for employment and qualify for academic credit.
Opportunities
UCSC students work closely with faculty and career advisers in the BSOE and the UC Santa Cruz Career Center to identify existing internship and fieldwork opportunities. Students are also supported in creating their own internships with local companies or in nearby Silicon Valley. According to the Wall Street Journal, UCSC ranks second among public universities in the nation for high-paying jobs in engineering, highlighting the quality of its career services and the reputation of its engineering program.
Research
In addition to internships and fieldwork, UCSC electrical engineering students are encouraged to work within a faculty member's research group as part of their educational experience. The university also offers internship programs with local industry partners, providing students with diverse avenues to gain hands-on experience and apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
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Academic honours
To declare for electrical engineering at UCSC, students are expected to have a mathematical background in calculus, linear algebra, and physics during their first quarter. Students must complete the following courses, or their equivalents, with a GPA of 2.8 or better to be considered for acceptance into the major: Math 19A, Math 19B, Physics 5A/L, Physics 5B/M, Physics 5C/N, AM 10 or Math 21, and AM 20 or Math 24.
First-year applicants may receive direct admission based on their high school record and test scores. Students not directly admitted may still apply during their first year, and their acceptance will be based on their School of Engineering GPA, high school GPA, courses completed in mathematics and sciences, and scores on standardized tests.
Electrical engineering majors at UCSC are considered for "Honors in the Major" and "Highest Honors in the Major" based on their GPA and the results of undergraduate research and other significant contributions to the School of Engineering. Students with a GPA of 3.7 receive the highest honors, while students with a GPA of 3.3 receive honors. Electrical engineering juniors and seniors may also be eligible for election to the UCSC chapter of Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honour society founded in 1885.
Many students find internships and fieldwork to be a valuable part of their academic experience. They work closely with faculty and career advisors to identify existing opportunities or create their own internships with local companies or in nearby Silicon Valley.
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Transferring into the major
Transferring into the Electrical Engineering major at UCSC involves a few key steps and considerations. Firstly, it's important to note that UCSC's Electrical Engineering program is a screening major, which means that certain courses and GPA requirements must be met for admission into the major. Students interested in transferring into the Electrical Engineering major should ideally have completed the following minimum courses with a GPA of 2.8 or higher: Math 19A, Math 19B, Physics 5A/L, Physics 5B/M, Physics 5C/N, Applied Mathematics 10 or Mathematics 21, and Applied Mathematics 20 or Mathematics 24. These courses include First-Year Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, and a year of calculus-based physics. Transfer students should also seek academic advising to discuss their lower-division courses and plan their academic path accordingly.
It is beneficial for transfer students to have a strong mathematical and scientific foundation, as the Electrical Engineering curriculum at UCSC builds on this knowledge. In the first two years, students are expected to take a basic set of lower-division mathematics, physical science, and engineering courses. During the first quarter, students are expected to have the mathematical background for Math 19A, Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics, as well as Physics 5A, Introduction to Physics I.
After the first two years, electrical engineering students can specialize in one of two options: electronics/optics or communications, signals, systems, and controls. The electronics/optics specialization covers digital and analog circuits, VLSI design, optoelectronics, electromagnetics, and biomedical device engineering. The communications, signals, systems, and controls specialization includes optical and wireless communication, signal and image processing, networks, signal processing, instrumentation, and control.
UCSC's Electrical Engineering program offers a balance of engineering science and design, providing students with a well-rounded education. The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET and is highly regarded, with The Wall Street Journal ranking UCSC as the second-best public university for high-paying jobs in engineering. Students interested in transferring into the Electrical Engineering major at UCSC should contact the Baskin School of Engineering Undergraduate Advising office for specific guidance and to ensure they are on the right path to meet the major requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
To declare for Electrical Engineering at UCSC, students must complete the following foundation courses with a School of Engineering GPA of 2.8 or better: Mathematics 19A-B, Applied Mathematics and Statistics 10 and 20, Physics 5A/L, 5B/M, and 5C/N.
After the first two years, students can specialize in one of two options: electronics/optics, including digital and analog circuits and devices, VLSI design, optoelectronics, electromagnetics, and biomedical device engineering; or communications, signals, systems, and control, covering optical and wireless communication, signal and image processing, networks signal processing, instrumentation, and control.
Electrical Engineering majors are considered for "Honors in the Major" and "Highest Honors in the Major" based on their School of Engineering GPA and their contributions to undergraduate research and the School of Engineering. Students with a GPA of 3.3 or above typically receive honors, and those with a GPA of 3.7 or above receive highest honors.
The Electrical Engineering program at UCSC is designed to attract motivated students who will be sought after by employers in the high-tech industry upon graduation. The Wall Street Journal ranked UCSC as the second-best public university in the nation for high-paying jobs in engineering. Additionally, students can gain industry experience through internships and fieldwork during their academic career.
