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Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology

Overview

Do you like computers? Would you like to learn how computers work and then build your own computer as a class project? Students in Electronics Engineering Technology will learn to build and control electronic devices through exciting hands-on applications of engineering theory. ECET combines engineering knowledge and methods with technical skills to support engineering activities, emphasizing practical application rather than theory and design.

Students will learn to design, build, and test a wide range of electronic and computer systems. These systems include machine controllers, instrumentation, computer security, and networking. With various programming languages like Java and C, students will be able to participate in hands-on labs and use programming in electronic design.

Students are required to take a renewable energy course which exposes them to responsible global citizenship. In their senior year the students are required to take the senior capstone course that will showcase their technical knowledge in a variety of applications, such as product development or NASA competitions. The capstone includes community outreach, budget planning, reports and presentations to a panel of faculty and clients.

Students must complete all University degree requirements, which can see be seen with full details on the ECET Catalogs Page. Degree requirements include: General Education requirements, Viewing a Wider World requirements, and elective credits to total at least 120 credits with 48 credits in courses numbered 300 or above. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework. A typical 4-year graduation plan can be seen below.

View Areas
See the General Education section of this catalog for a full list of courses
  • Area I: Communications
  • Area II: Mathematics
  • Area III: Laboratory Sciences
  • Area IV: Social/Behavioral Science
  • Area V: Humanities
  • Area VI: Fine Arts
  • TE: See the Technical Electives section for a full list of courses
  • VWW: See the Viewing Wider World section for a full list of courses
  • Elective: Credit may vary based on prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, double majors, and/or minor coursework. Students should discuss elective requirements with their advisor.

To get individualized reports and reflect on the academic progress toward the degree, use the STAR Audit Report. This tool can be used to show what credits are missing by using a checklist. This can calculate the GPA and show what kind of courses still need to taken.

 

The Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) are aligned with the Institution’s mission to serve the educational needs of New Mexico’s diverse population through comprehensive programs of education, research, extension education, and public service. As the state’s land grant university, it is the responsibility of educational programs, especially those in engineering technology, to prepare students to enter the local and regional workforce and engage them in community service along the way. And are further defined below:

1. Student graduates are competent in the following, areas:

  • Computer Hardware
  • Digital and Analog Circuits
  • Electronic Instrumentation
  • Infrastructure
  • Power Technology
  • Programming Languages
  • Software

2. Student graduates will continue their professional training and adapt to changes in the workplace though additional education, formal or informal.

3. Student graduates will show an awareness of ethical, societal and professional responsibilities.

Student graduates in the NMSU Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology program will have an an appropriate master of the knowledge, techniques, skills, and modern tools of ECET, including:

  • Digital circuit analysis and design techniques, analysis of analog and digital electronics, architecture and applications of computer systems, network infrastructures, and the building, testing, operation and maintenance of electronic, instrumentation, communications, control, power systems, and computer systems (both hardware and software).
  • The use of application software and operating systems; and the analysis, design, testing, development, and documentation of computer programs in support of electronic, instrumentation, communications, control, power and computer systems.
  • The applications of physics and natural sciences to electrical/electronic(s) circuits and computer systems in a rigorous mathematical environment. The ability to utilize statistics, probability, transform methods, discrete mathematics, applied differential equations and integral calculus in support of electrical/electronic(s) and computer systems.
  • Project management techniques and teamwork necessary for successful electronic and computer system designs and implementations, and the effective use of communication skills to prepare and present technical documentation.
 

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology with an ECET emphasis will exhibit the skills and characteristics specified under the Department’s Program Outcomes. These Outcomes will be evaluated via the following Assessment Tools:

1. Senior capstone courses

A senior capstone courses is an assessment tools for the ECET, being ET 435. Class Assessment Forms for these classes are the assessment tools.

2. Performance in specific components of student work

This measure includes extracting specific categories of student work from several classes in order to measure an outcome. For example, the lab portion from several classes is used to measure outcome laboratory and field testing, working in teams, communication and evaluating engineering materials. Class Assessment Forms for specific classes are the assessment tools. 3. Performance in activity or service based learning (club functions/competitions/conferences/projects)Students in the ECET program are active in several regional and national engineering organizations and competitions. These include: Associated Schools of Construction Students Bidding Competition and Aggies Without Limits.

4. Fundamentals of Engineering Exam

This national exam is used to measure those outcomes dealing with basic knowledge, skills, analysis and design. ECET students are compared to their peers on each of the topics covered in the exam.

5. Senior competency exam

The ECET Senior Competency Exam (similar to the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam) covers topics from classes up through, but not including, the senior year. The exam is primarily conceptual with calculations needed on 15% of the problems.

6. Certification Tests

Several certification opportunities present themselves to students during their time in the ECET Program. Results from these certification tests are used to measure outcomes which deal with field testing, laboratory skills, quality and lifelong learning.

7. FE Practice Exam

As suggested in the 2016 assessment meeting, FE practice exam became one of the measures for outcome. Intermediate exams are given in specific subject areas: Math, Statics, Ethics, Dynamics, Fluids, Materials, Structures, Geo-tech, and Transportation. Added lifelong learning questions to the practice exam are now being used as measures for outcomes.

Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring
ENGR 100 (3) ET 182 (3) ET 246 (4) ET 362 (3) E T 324(4) E T 381 (3) E T 444 (3) E T 410 (1)
E T 190 (4) ENGL 218G (3) E T 262 (3) E T 314 (3) E T 377 (3) E T 344 (3) I E 451 (3) E T 435 (3)
ENGL 111G (4) COMM 265G (3) E T 282 (4) E T 272(4) Elective (2) A ST 311 (3) E T 402 (3) E T 456 (4)
Choose one (3-4)
Choose one (3-4)
Choose one (4)
E T 398(3) TE (3) TE (3) VWW (3)
(See Above)
TE (3)
 
Choose one (3)
Area IV
or
Area V
or
Area VI
(See Above)
 
Choose one (3)
Choose one (3)
Area IV
or
Area V
or
Area VI
(See Above)
Choose one (3)
Area IV
or
Area V
or
Area VI
(See Above)
VWW (3)
(See Above)
TE (3)
               
14-15 15-16 15 17 15 15 15 14
              GRAND TOTAL: 120-122

Career Paths

Automotive
Defense
Electronics
Government
Research Labs
Power Utilities

Job Placement Rate is above 90% at graduation. The Median Starting Salary is $70,000.

  • Computer Engineer
  • Electrical Design Engineer
  • Electronics Engineer
  • Electronics Technologist
  • Power Engineer
 

Check Out The Program in Action!