Networking & Cybersecurity Major | Virginia Tech (2024)

Program Curriculum

Credits Required for graduation: 131

Secondary Focus Requirement

Focus Areas Within ECE

The courses listed below are grouped into suggested ECE focus areas. Students are encouraged to choose 3 courses from a single focus area that is not their chosen major. Students have the flexibility to choose any 3 ECE courses (9 credits) at the 3xxx level or 4xxx level to meet the secondary focus requirement as long as at least one course (3 credits) is at the 4xxx level. None of the 3 courses can duplicate a course from the student’s major. Actual course offerings will be based on sufficient resources, including faculty availability and student demand. Refer to the University’s on-line timetable of classes for specific course availability information and prerequisite. Note: All ECE courses require a C- or better in prerequisite courses unless a C or better is noted on the checksheet.

Chip-Scale Integration

Controls, Robotics, and Autonomy

Machine Learning

Software Systems

Communications and Networking

Energy and Power Electronic Systems

Micro/Nanosystems

Photonics

Radio Frequency and Microwave

Space Systems

Other ECE Options

(Actual course offerings will be based on sufficient resources)

Independent Studies and Undergraduate Research

For purposes of satisfying the Secondary Focus requirements, the sum of the number of hours taken fromECE4974 Independent StudyandECE4994 Undergraduate Researchcannot exceed 6 credits.

Instructors and students must complete the College of Engineering Undergraduate Research/Independent Study Form (https://eng.vt.edu/academics/undergraduate-students/resources-support/undergraduate-research-independent-study.html).

Deadline to submit form is last day to add classes.

Individualized Secondary Focus

(Must be preapproved by ECE Department)

Electrical and computer engineering has applications across a wide variety of fields, such as medicine, human-computer interaction, finance, and entertainment. People with ECE degrees can be entrepreneurs, patent lawyers, policy makers, and business executives. The individualized secondary focus helps students pursue these interests. This option can be used in place of a pre-defined, in-department secondary focus.

The individualized secondary focus typically is pursued via an already defined university-approved program such as a degree, major, minor, or certificate that the student has declared. Students are encouraged to select courses from these programs, subject to the guidelines below.

1. To begin this process, students must first meet with their academic advisor.
2. The student must complete a brief proposal form describing the expected added value to their major. This includes a narrative about how these courses support the student’s career goals and ability to achieve their professional aspirations. This proposal must be approved by the Director of Undergrad Program or designee.
3. Individualized secondary focus plans must include 3 courses within the following parameters:
   1. None of the courses may duplicate the student’s ECE major requirements.
   2. None of the courses can be at the 1xxx level (1xxx courses required for university-approved programs, e.g. minors, can be used for a student’s free electives).
   3. A maximum of one course can be at the 2xxx level, and only if it is a requirement of a university approved program, or if the course is a prerequisite to one or more of the other two courses in the individualized secondary focus.
   4. A minimum of one course must be at the 4xxx level.
4. If the set of courses is part of an already defined university program, the student should attach documentation to the proposal form.
5. If the set of three courses are not part of an already defined university-approved program, the student must also obtain written approval from the department that houses the courses.
6. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the set of courses is available to be taken in a timely manner. The ECE department is not responsible for changes of programs elsewhere in the university.

Graduation Requirements

Each student must complete at least 131 semester credit hours with a minimum overall GPA of 2.00 and a minimum in-major GPA of 2.00. In determining the Networking & Cybersecurity in-major GPA, all ECE courses, including repeats, areused.

General Information about Checksheet

Course offerings are subject to change and the availability of sufficient resources. Students should confirm course offerings in advance with their department.

Pathways to General Education (Pathways)

Consult the pathways courses table:https://www.pathways.prov.vt.edu/about/table.html. Pathways courses need to be completed prior tograduation.

Electives

The Networking & Cybersecurity Major requires 9 hours of free electives. Only free electives may be taken under the P/F gradingoption. Students are encouraged to use free elective credits to provide depth in their major or secondary focus.

Secondary Focus

The Networking & Cybersecurity Major requires 9 credits for a secondary focus area. Students have the flexibility to choose any 3 ECE courses (9 credits) at the 3xxx level or 4xxx level to meet the secondary focus requirements as long as at least one course (3 credits) is at the 4xxx level and the courses do not duplicate major courses. Alternatively, students may seek an approved individualized secondaryfocus. See the requirements below for more information.

Change of Major Requirements

Please see: https://eng.vt.edu/em

Foreign Language Requirements

Students must have had 2 years of a foreign language in high school or one year at the college level(6 credit hours) of the same language. College-level credits used to meet this requirement do not count towards the degree.

Satisfactory Progress Towards Degree

University Policy 91 outlines university-wide minimum criteria to determine if students are making satisfactory progress towards the completion of their degrees. The ECE Department fully supports this policy. Specific expectations for satisfactory progress for BSCPE and BSEE majors are as follows:

• Each student must meet the minimum University-wide criteria as described in Policy 91 and summarized in the Undergraduate Catalog (under Academic Policies)
• Upon completing 2 semesters in ECE, students must have satisfactorily completed ECE2024 Circuits and Devices, ECE2514 Computational Engineering, ECE2544 Fundamentals of Digital Systems, MATH2214 Introduction to Differential Equations, and PHYS2306 Foundations of Physics
• Upon completing 3 semesters in ECE, students must have satisfactorily completed ECE2804 Integrated Design Project.
• Upon attempting 90 credits, BSCPE and BSEE students must have successfully completed 33 credits of in-major courses and have 2.0 overall and in-major GPAs. (The BSCPE and BSEE in-major GPA includes all ECE courses, including repeats).

Grade Requirement

Students must earn a C or higher in the following ECE courses: ECE1004 Introduction to ECE Concepts, ECE2024 Circuits and Devices, ECE2214 Physical Electronics, ECE2514 Computational Engineering, ECE2544 Fundamentals of Digital Systems,ECE2564 Embedded Systems, ECE2714 Signals and Systems, ECE2804 Integrated Design Project.

Statement of Prerequisites

Pre-requisites for each course are listed. In general, all ECE courses require a C- or better in prerequisite courses. Students must earn a C or higher in the ECE courses listed above. There are no hidden prerequisites in this program of study. Prerequisites may change from what is indicated. Be sure to consult the Timetable of Classes or check with youradvisor for the most current requirements.

Roadmap