Electrical and Computer Engineering at Union
Overview
The ECE department offers programs in electrical engineering (EE) and computer engineering (CpE). Within the framework of a liberal arts education, both EE and CpE programs provide students with a solid basis in engineering and its underlying mathematics and science. We prepare students for immediate professional employment, graduate study and entry into related professions.
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The EE program blends study in cutting-edge areas such as audio and image processing, wireless communications and nanotechnology with traditional areas such as electronic design, electric circuits, electromagnetics, optics, solid state devices, control systems, and communication systems.
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The CpE program is a multi-disciplinary program which integrates aspects from computer science and electrical engineering. Students take courses in compilers, operating systems, network protocols, embedded systems and robotics. In addition, they study software design principles and are exposed to more programming than in the EE program. This understanding of both software and hardware allows the student to view the design and development of hardware and software as two intimately linked parts of one activity.
Well-rounded Education
We believe that the rigor and depth of an EE or CpE education combined with a broad study of the liberal arts provides an excellent background for students who wish to enter professions such as medicine, law, business administration as well as engineering itself. Through our international component, emphasis on undergraduate research, flexible curriculum, and personal attention given to each student, we educate well-rounded members of society who are prepared to excel in an increasingly multicultural and technological world.
- All EE and CpE students take a sequence of required core courses in math, science, and engineering with weekly hands-on laboratories.
- Technical electives are offered in a vast array of topics such as nanotechnology, medical imaging systems, signal processing, embedded systems, computer networking, and neural networks
- The Capstone Design Project in the senior year enables students to work on a project in small teams (or on their own) and alongside a faculty member.
- EE and CpE students with interests in the arts, history, languages or social sciences are encouraged to pursue a minor or take free electives in these areas.
- Most students participate in one of the many term abroad opportunities that are offered at Union College.
- Undergraduate research is strongly encouraged, where students can make important contributions to cutting-edge research projects conducted by Union faculty.
- The EE and CpE programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (http://www.abet.org/).
Strong Faculty-Student Interaction
Our focus solely on undergraduate education differentiates us from larger research institutions and close faculty-student interaction is paramount to the success of our programs. All courses are taught by Union College faculty members and most classes have fewer than twenty students. In addition, faculty work closely with students in laboratories and supervise individual senior projects where students apply their skills and creativity to their own design project.
Future Leaders
Alumni of the EE and CpE programs have been very successful in a wide range of areas and many have pursued advanced technical and professional degrees. Their broad education, problem solving ability, and technical skills make them attractive to a large variety of employers, fields, and career paths. Their discontent with the status quo continues to inspire them throughout their careers and to achieve success in their chosen field.
History 
The Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department at Union traces its history back to 1902 when the department was founded by Charles Proteus Steinmetz. He hoped to imbue in students, "the spirit of divine discontent, for without it the world would stand still." Union College fosters an educational environment where students from engineering also have the flexibility to study subjects in the liberal arts which has led to its reputation as one of the finest engineering schools in the country. This standard of excellence is maintained to this day, and U.S. News & World Report ranks Union Engineering in the top 15 undergraduate colleges.