Student Resources

ECE offers a variety of academic support services, encourages students to approach learning in new and innovative ways, and provides extensive academic advising services.

You're assigned an academic advisor in Academic Advising as a freshmen, and work with that advisor until declaring or being admitted into a major.

Once you've declared a major within the College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering, you will receive advisement through the CNSE Advisement Office.

Academic Advising: Please contact Academic Advising to speak with an academic advisor.

CNSE Advising: Please contact the CNSE Advisement Office at [email protected] and schedule an appointment today to speak with an advisor.

Meet Your Advisor: Todd Schnitzer

• Undergraduate Program Requirements
• Undergraduate Courses

The undergraduate program planning checklists allows students to plan and stay on track for graduation. These checklists include all of the required courses needed to complete the degree, course prerequisites, and general education and ECE program requirements. Please work with your academic advisor each semester to go over your plan.

• Electrical and Computer Engineering, BS
• Electrical and Computer Engineering: Alternate, BS

Laptops are required for in-class instruction in many College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering (CNSE) courses. Students will use their laptops to solve problems, collaborate with classmates, explore engineering applications and complete projects. 

To support student success, CNSE has partnered with UAlbany Information Technology Services (ITS) and Dell to offer laptops at academic discounts through the Dell University Laptop Program. We recommend purchasing a Windows PC that meets or exceeds the minimum specifications listed below.  

Since laptops are required in many CNSE courses, please factor the cost into your total educational expenses. For questions about financial assistance, contact the Office of Financial Aid. For questions about the laptop program, contact your department. 

• Technology Discounts for Computers: To access discounted computers:
  • Log in to your MyUAlbany portal.
  • Click on the Resources folder on the left side of the screen.
  • Look for the Dell University Laptop Program 

• Recommended Dell Laptop Lines: 

  We recommend the following Dell models, available with student discounts.  Other models may also be suitable, provided they meet or exceed the minimum specifications listed below:

  • Dell 14 / 16
  • Dell 14 / 16 Plus
  • Dell 14 / 16 Pro

• Minimum Recommended Specifications:

  • Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7, Intel i7, or better
  • RAM: 16 GB or more
  • Storage: 1 TB SSD or higher
  • Operating System: Windows 11 Home or Pro (some required engineering software does not run on macOS. A Windows PC is strongly recommended).
• Accidental Damage Protection: 

We recommend purchasing Accidental Damage Service (Dell) for at least 3 years to protect your investment. 

Software Access for Students

UAlbany provides access to a variety of free or discounted software for students, including Microsoft Office 365 and MATLAB Simulink, both commonly used in CNSE courses. 

• Visit the Resources section of your MyUAlbany portal to download software.
• For help or more information, contact the ITS Help Desk at 518-442-3700 or visit the Technology Resources page. 

• How to Read Your Degree Audit
• Tutoring

Undergraduate Course Requirements for Admission to ECE Graduate Program

Students who wish to pursue graduate study within ECE typically hold an accredited bachelor’s degree in an appropriate discipline of engineering. In instances where a student does not meet the background requirements to pursue graduate studies, they may take courses in preparation for the degree. The background course requirements, as set by the ECE Department Graduate Curriculum Committee are as follows:

• Calculus through Differential Equations
• ECE 141 Programming for Engineers (or equivalent)
• ECE 231 Digital Systems (or equivalent)
• ECE 202 Introduction to Circuits (or equivalent)
• ECE 371 Signals and Systems (or equivalent)

Additional courses may be needed as prerequisites to take courses within the following program concentration areas

Signal Processing, Communications and Control:

• MAT 370 Probability and Statistics for Engineering and the Sciences (or equivalent)
• ECE 471 Communication Systems (or equivalent) 

Electronic Circuits and Systems:

• ECE 300 Introduction to Electronics (or equivalent)
• ECE 310 Engineering Electromagnetics (or equivalent)

Computing Systems:

• ECE 213 Data Structures (or equivalent)
• ECE 233 The Hardware/Software Interface (or equivalent) 

• Graduate Program Requirements
• Graduate Courses
• Graduate Courses by Concentration Area
• MS Course Recommendations

• Advisor Selection and Change Form
• MS Student Plan of Study
• MS Project Proposal
• MS Thesis Committee Nomination 

Note: These forms are intended to be completed online. Please open the form in SharePoint and select download to open the form in the PDF view to complete.

• Research Advisor Change Form
• Doctoral Dissertation Defense Examination Form
• Doctoral Thesis Committee Nomination
• Doctoral Student Plan of Study
• Doctoral Qualifying Examination Application
• Doctoral Qualifying Examination Results
• Doctoral Candidacy Examination Application
• Doctoral Candidacy Examination Results

Note: These forms are intended to be completed online. Please open the form in SharePoint and select download to open the form in the PDF view to complete.

The Graduate Handbook contains information about departmental policies, procedures and requirements as a reference for students in the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department.