An electrical engineering curriculum beginning in the first year

In 1991, a group of faculty members in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (USA) undertook a comprehensive review of the introductory courses in the electrical engineering (EE) major. The issues under review included: (1) the topics taught; (2) the method of presentation; (3) the mathematics and science prerequisites for the beginning EE courses; and (4) the timing of the introductory sequence. The authors address each of these issues explicitly as they seek to balance the need for a broad (in topical coverage) and deep (in analytical rigor) electrical engineering education with the need to make the basic program more accessible and appealing to a diverse student body.