Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science
Named in honor of one of the three founders of Texas Instruments, Inc. and of The University of Texas at Dallas, the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science provides undergraduate degree preparation for professional practice as an engineer or computer scientist. Particular emphasis is placed on developing strong analytical and problem solving abilities as a foundation for graduate study in these fields.
The school's curricula emphasize electronic information processing devices and technologies that are involved with the acquisition, interpretation, transmission, and utilization of information. The school offers seven degree programs: Biomedical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering and Telecommunications Engineering; a minor in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology is offered by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The Biomedical Engineering program offers students the opportunity to combine engineering with biology and physiology. The Computer Science program emphasizes the design and analysis of efficient parallel and sequential algorithms with applications in VLSI layout and routing, distributed networks and operating systems, image processing, computational geometry, automation and robotics. The Software Engineering program concentrates on all aspects of software development including requirements engineering, software architecture and design, program testing, validation, and quality assurance. The Electrical Engineering program offers students an opportunity to acquire a solid foundation in the broad areas of electrical engineering and emphasizes advanced study in digital systems, telecommunications, and microelectronics. The Mechanical Engineering program focuses on the analysis, design, manufacturing of mechanical and thermal systems with particular emphasis on energy conversion, harvesting, and utilization, micro- and nano-technology devices and processes, and robotics. The Computer Engineering and Telecommunications Engineering programs are interdisciplinary, as they require a blend of knowledge from the areas of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
All programs are based on a solid foundation of science and mathematics coursework. Students in these programs are given an opportunity to learn to extend their abilities to analyze and solve complex problems and to design new uses of technology to serve today's society. The Engineering programs provide an integrated educational experience directed toward the development of the ability to apply pertinent knowledge to the identification and solution of practical problems in engineering. These programs ensure that the design experience is developed and integrated throughout the curriculum in a sequential development leading to advanced work and includes both analytical and experimental studies. Established cooperative education programs with area industry serve to further supplement design experiences
The University of Texas at Dallas is located at the heart of a high concentration of companies that specialize in the areas of microelectronics, telecommunications, signal processing and optics. The Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science maintains close relationships with these companies and has established cooperative programs through which students can obtain industrial experience to complement their classroom instruction. Details of specific cooperative programs between Computer Science and Engineering students and local companies are available in the respective program offices.
Industrial Practice Programs
The Industrial Practice Programs (IP Programs or IPP) of the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science include the school's Cooperative Education, Internship, and Curricular Practical Training Programs. These programs combine classroom learning with paid work experience. Qualified students are referred to participating employers seeking candidates for career-related, pre-professional work assignments. The programs enhance a student's education and career preparation by integrating classroom theory with on-the-job performance, providing an understanding of work environments and professional requirements, testing career and professional goals, developing confidence, maturity and skills in human relations, and establishing contacts and interests.
Students are expected to register with and follow the rules of the IP Programs when working in any position titled by the employer as an Internship or a Cooperative Education assignment. Also, the Jonsson School offers one credit hour ECSC courses (may be used towards free elective requirements), and a three-hour course (may be used towards advanced free elective requirements) that provide students the opportunity to evaluate their work experience
For more information about the IP programs, call (972) 883-4363. The IP Programs Office is located in the Student Services suite (ECS South 2.502).
Prefixes
In the 2010 catalog, the prefixes ECS and ENGR were used for classes that are major degree requirements in multiple programs in the Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. These classes were cross-listed in previous catalogs and most of them are again cross-listed in this catalog update. For example: ECS 4348 was used in place of the set {CE 4348, CS 4348, SE 4348, and TE 4348}; ENGR 3301 was used in place of the set {CE 3301, EE 3301, TE 3301}. ENGR 2300 continues to replace {CE 2300, EE 2300, and MECH 2300}; similarly, ENGR 3300, ENGR 3341, ENGR 4334 continue to replace CE/EE/MECH 3300, 3341, 4334 respectively.
The correspondence to the previous prefixes for grade over-writes, prerequisite checks, degree audits and related uses will be implemented in the Orion, DARS systems. Contact your advisor if you have any questions.
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Faculty
Professors: Yves Chabal, K.J. Cho, Max Fischetti, Bruce Gnade, Julia W.P. Hsu, Moon Kim, Don Shaw (Emeritus), Robert M. Wallace
Associate Professors: Lev D. Gelb, Jiyoung Kim, Manuel Quevedo-Lopez, Amy Walker
Assistant Professors: Christopher Hinkle, Walter E. Voit
Research Professors: Padmakumar Nair
Minor in Nanoscience and Technology
Goals for the Minor in Nanoscience and Technology
As the field of nanotechnology develops further, particularly in the north Texas region, The University of Texas at Dallas has an important role to play in the education of knowledge workers for the industry. The Minor in Nanoscience and Technology offered by the Department of Materials Science and Technology provides a means for undergraduate students to familiarize themselves with the concepts and principles of nanotechnology.
This minor has been designed around three core NANO designated courses, the content of which is exclusively related to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. The remaining nine hours of courses may be chosen from the list of courses below.
The contents of the courses BIOL 4461, CHEM 3322, and PHYS 4301 are similar enough that only one of these three courses may count toward the minor. In addition, several lower-level electives have been included to provide streamlined access to the available upper-level electives.
Since the three core courses are all upper-level electives, only one of the remaining nine hours must be an upper-level course, although students may choose to challenge themselves by pursuing all nine hours as upper-level electives.
In concordance with the creation of this minor, the Nanoscience (NANO) course designation would be added to the course catalog for use in designating future Nanoscience-specific courses as they are created.
Educational Objectives for the Minor in Nanoscience and Technology
On completion of the Minor program, students will:
- Have a comprehensive general education background
- Have a working knowledge of nanotechnology and nanoscience principles and industry applications
- Be able to apply key concepts in materials science, chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering to the field of nanotechnology
- Understand the societal and technology issues that may impede the adoption of nanotechnology
- Have the ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively
- Be able to become successful professionals and, if they desire, be able to pursue graduate study
- Be able to identify career paths and requisite knowledge and skills for career change towards nanotechnology
Requirements for the Minor in Nanoscience and Technology
A total of 18 hours are required, consisting of three core classes (9 hours) and 9 additional hours of electives.
I. Core Requirements: 9 hours
NANO 3301 Introduction to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
NANO 3302 Microscopy, Spectroscopy, and Nanotech Instrumentation
NANO 4V95 Undergraduate Research in Nanotechnology
II. Elective Requirements: 9 hours
Students must complete at least nine hours chosen from the following courses. At least one of the courses must be upper-level (3000 or 4000):
Nano-designated courses:
NANO 3310 Introduction to Materials Science
NANO 4391/EE 4391 Technology of Plasma
NANO 4V95 Undergraduate Research in Nanotechnology
Any other upper-level NANO-designated course
Lower-level courses:
CHEM 2323 Introductory Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 2325 Introductory Organic Chemistry II
MATH 2451 Multivariable Calculus with Problem Section
PHYS 2303 Contemporary Physics
MECH 2320 Strength of Materials
Upper-level courses:
PHYS 4352 Concepts of Modern Physics
PHYS 4383 Plasma Physics
MECH 4360 Introduction to Nanostructured Materials
MECH 4370 Introduction to MEMS
MECH 3301 Mechanics of Materials
EE 4392 Introduction to Optical Systems
EE 3310 Electronic Devices
EE 3311 Electronic Circuits
CHEM 4335 Polymer Chemistry
CHEM 3472 Instrumental Analysis
CHEM 4473 Physical Measurements Laboratory
CHEM 3321 Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 4355 Computational Modeling
Only one of the following courses may be used to count toward the Minor:
BIOL 4461 Biophysical Chemistry
CHEM 3322 Physical Chemistry II
PHYS 4301 Quantum Mechanics I