The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Ben Gurion University of the Negev was established in 1971. The Department offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of subjects that encompass practical and theoretical aspects of electrical and computer engineering.
The department has currently about 800 undergraduate and 200 graduate students towards the B.Sc. and the MSc. or Ph.D. degrees, respectively. The Department is equipped with enhanced laboratory, computer, teaching, and research facilities. The first two years of the four-year B.Sc. program are devoted to introductory courses in electrical engineering and fundamental studies in mathematics and physics. Each student selects two specialization areas in the second semester of the third year. The fourth year is devoted to specialization in the two selected areas and to carry out a two-semester Engineering Project. Areas of specialization to choose from include: Computers, Communication theory, Signal and image processing, System and control theory, Electro-Optics, Electromagnetic radiation, Power systems, and Electronic-devices and Circuits. The senior project usually deals with engineering design and development, or basic research. It enables students to gain valuable experience in applying principles and concepts which were introduced during their studies.
A large number of these projects are offered and/or supported by Israeli electronics and high-tech industries and thereby provide an excellent application-oriented experience for future work in industry. Highly qualified students may apply to participate in one of the two special collaboration programs the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department offers with either the Mathematics or the Physics Departments. Students admitted to these programs study towards a dual degree, in Electrical and Computer Engineering and in either Mathematics or Physics. Admittance to the programs involves a personal interview with the respective committees.
The major objective of the program for graduate studies is to provide qualified engineers opportunities to expand their research skills and specialize in specific subjects within the comprehensive field of electrical and computer engineering. Students graduating with an MSc degree with thesis are well equipped for research and development industrial managerial positions. A substantial number of these students are qualified for PhD studies. The teaching and research fields for graduate studies include: Communications, Energy Conversion, Medical Systems, Micro-Electronics, Control and Robotics, Signal and Image Processing, Computer Engineering, Electromagnetics and wave theory, Electro-Optics, Magnetic Instrumentation and Non-Linear Electronics, Bio-Engineering Systems, Neural Networks, Target Acquisition, Infrared Systems, and Engineering Power Electronics.
