Minor Programs

Enrich your undergraduate experience.

A student pursuing a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado may also receive a minor in one of the following areas.

Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering Quantum Engineering Systems & Signals
Computer Engineering

Computer Engineering Minor

The minor in computer engineering provides training in computer engineering beyond the training usually received by scienceÌýand mathematics majors. It can also broaden the training of students majoring in other engineering and applied science fields to provide more depth in computer engineering. The goal is to introduce students to the fundamentals of computer engineering and introduce them to a more advanced field. Such skills are important to students who expect to participate in real world situations that increasingly involve computer engineering solutions. ThisÌýminor is not available to students earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or Electrical & Computer Engineering.

Admissions Requirements

  • Programming: ASEN 1320, ECEN 1310, CSCI 1300, APPM 3050, PHYS 2600 or similarÌý(C- or higher)
    • Can be completed orÌýcurrently in-progress to be eligible to apply for the minor.

Students who meet admissions requirements can apply to the minor using the form on the right.Ìý

Course Requirements (19 credits)

  • CSCI 2270 Data Structures (or CSCI 2275)
  • ECEN 2350 Digital LogicÌý
  • ECEN 2360 Programming Digital Systems or CSCI 2400 Computer SystemsÌý
  • ECEN 2370 Embedded Software EngineeringÌý
  • CSCI or ECEN 3593 Computer OrganizationÌýÌý
  • One Emphasis Area course (3 credits)Ìý
    • ECEN 3250 Microelectronics
    • ECEN 3300 Linear Systems or ECEN 3301 Biomedical Signals & Systems
    • ECEN 3303 or CSCI 3302 Introduction to Robotics
    • ECEN 3320 Semiconductor Devices
    • ECEN 3400 Electromagnetic Fields and Waves
    • ECEN 3730 Practical Printed Circuit Board Design and Manufacture
    • ECEN 3753 Real-Time Operating Systems or CSCI 3753ÌýDesign and Analysis of Operating Systems
    • ECEN 3763 FPGA Design and HDL
    • ECEN 4111 Engineering Applications in Biomedicine: Cardiovascular Devices and Systems
    • ECEN 4133 Fundamentals of Computer Security
    • ECEN 4138 Control Systems Analysis or MCEN 4138 Special Topics: Feedback Control
    • ECEN 4224 High Speed Digital Design
    • ECEN 4313 Concurrent Programming
    • ECEN 4322 Data and Network Science
    • ECEN 4341 Bioelectromagnetics
    • ECEN 4395 Organic Electronic Materials and Devices
    • ECEN 4553 Compiler Construction
    • ECEN 4693 Advanced Computer Architecture
    • ECEN 4763 Embedded Software Algorithms
    • ECEN 4915 Foundations of Quantum Engineering
    • ECEN 4925 Foundations of Quantum Hardware
    • ECEN 4933 Engineering Genetic Circuits
    • ECEN 5139 Computer-Aided Verification

Students with questions about the minor can reach out to ecee-advising@colorado.edu. Ìý

Electrical Engineering MinorÌý

The minor in electrical engineering provides training in electrical engineering beyond the training usually received by science, mathematics and applied mathematics majors. It can also broaden the training of students majoring in other engineering fields to provide more depth in electrical engineering. The goal is to teach students the fundamentals of electrical engineering and introduce them to at least one of its many advanced application areas. Such skills are important to students who expect to participate in real world situations that increasingly involve electrical engineering applications.ÌýThis minor is not available to students earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or Electrical & Computer Engineering.

Admissions Requirements

  • Calculus 1 (C- or higher)
  • Calculus 2 (C- or higher)
  • Linear Algebra & Differential Equations: APPM 2360 or MATH 2130+3430 (C- or higher)Ìý

Students who have completed all above courses are encouraged to apply for the minor. Additionally, students who have completed all but one of the above courses, with the last required course currentlyÌýin-progress, are also eligible to apply for the minor. Please use the linkÌýon the right side of the webpage to access the minor application form.

Course Requirements (18Ìýcredits)

    • ECEN 2250 Intro to Circuits and Electronics
      • MCEN 3017 or ECEN 3010 or GEEN 3010 if student is in Mechanical EngineeringÌý
    • ECEN 2260 Circuits as Systems
    • ECEN 2270 Electronics Design Lab
    • (9 credits)Ìý

    Students with questions about the minor can reach out to ecee-advising@colorado.edu. Ìý

    Quantum Engineering Minor

    The quantum engineering minor is open to students from diverse STEM backgrounds, regardless of major or college. If you have completed a programming course, calculus 2 and linear algebra, this minor demystifies quantum physics and will teach you how to approach quantum science and engineering problems.

    The minor in quantum engineering provides training and a solid foundation in quantum technologies. Quantum technologies have applications in quantum-enhanced sensors, quantum communicationsÌýand quantum computing. The goal is to introduce students to the fundamentals of quantum theory and explore all of the major hardware platforms. This will allow graduates to easily adapt to the variety of technologies seen in industry. The skills obtained in this minor are important to students who expect to participate in real-world situations that increasingly involve quantum technologies.

    Admissions Requirements

    • Programming: ASEN 1320, ECEN 1310, CSCI 1300, APPM 3050, PHYS 2600 or similarÌý(C- or higher)Ìý
    • Calculus 2 (C- or higher): MATH 2300 or APPM 1360Ìý
    • Linear Algebra (C- or higher): MATH 3135 OR MATH 2130 OR MATH 2135 OR APPM 2360 OR APPM 3310 OR CSCI 2820
    • ¸é±ð³¦´Ç³¾³¾±ð²Ô»å±ð»å:Ìý
      • Calculus 3Ìý
      • ±Ê°ù´Ç²ú²¹²ú¾±±ô¾±³Ù²âÌý
      • PHYS 2130 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and Its Applications

    Students who have completed all above courses are encouraged to apply for the minor. Additionally, students who have completed all but one of the above courses, with the last required course currentlyÌýin-progress, are also eligible to apply for the minor. Please use the linkÌýon the right side of the webpage to access the minor application form.

    Course Requirements (18Ìýcredits)

    Required Courses (9 credits)

    • ECEN 3915/5915 Foundations of Quantum Engineering (3 credits), offered in fall semesters only
      • Can be substituted byÌýÌýQuantum Mechanics 1Ìý²¹²Ô»åÌýÌýQuantum Mechanics 2
    • ECEN 4925/5925* Foundations of Quantum Hardware (3 credits), offered in spring semesters only
    • CSCI/PHYS 3090 Introduction to Quantum Computing (3 credits), offered in spring semesters only

    *For Spring 2023, the course was listed as ECEN 4005/5005-001

    Students earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or Electrical & Computer Engineering are eligible for this minor, butÌýthe three required courses (ECEN 3915, ECEN 4925, CSCI/PHYS 3090) may only apply toward Free Electives for yourÌýbachelor's degree.

    Elective Courses (9 credits)

    • Aerospace Engineering:ÌýASEN 3000+Ìýexcluding the following:Ìý
      • ASEN 3036 Introduction to Human SpaceflightÌý
      • ASEN 3046 Introduction to Humans in AviationÌý
    • Applied Math: APPM 3000+Ìý
    • Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences:ÌýASTR 3000+Ìý
    • ATLAS:ÌýATLS 3000+Ìý
    • Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences:ÌýATOC 3000+Ìý
    • Biomedical Engineering:ÌýBMEN 3000+Ìý
    • Chemical Engineering:ÌýCHEN 3000+Ìý
    • Chemistry:ÌýCHEM 3000+Ìý
    • Civil Engineering:ÌýCVEN 3000+Ìý
    • Computer Science CSCI 3000+Ìýexcluding the following:Ìý
      • CSCI 4250/5250 Computer Science: The CanonÌý
    • Electrical Engineering ECEN 3000+Ìýexcluding the following:Ìý
      • ECEN 3070 Edges of ScienceÌý
    • Energy Engineering:ÌýENEN 3000+Ìý
    • Engineering Plus:ÌýGEEN 3000+ÌýÌý
    • Environmental Engineering:ÌýEVEN 3000+Ìý
    • Geological Sciences:ÌýGEOL 3000+Ìý
    • Mathematics:ÌýMATH 3000+Ìý
    • Mechanical Engineering:ÌýMCEN 3000+Ìý
    • Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology:ÌýMCDB 3000+Ìý
    • Physics PHYS 3000+Ìýexcluding the following:Ìý
      • PHYS 3000 Science and Public PolicyÌý
      • PHYS 3050 Writing in PhysicsÌý
      • PHYS 3221 Tutorial Practicum for Quantum Mechanics 1Ìý
    • Statistics:ÌýSTAT 3000+Ìý

    Students with questions about the minor can reach out to ecee-advising@colorado.edu. Ìý

    Systems & Signals Minor

    The minor in signals and systems provides training in control systems, digital signal processing or communications beyond the training usually received by science, mathematics and applied mathematics majors. It can also broaden the training of students majoring in other engineering fields to provide depth in signals and systems.ÌýThe goal is to teach students the fundamentals of signals and systems and introduce them to laboratory applications.ÌýThis minor is not available to students earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or Electrical & Computer Engineering.

    Admissions Requirements

    • PHYS 1120 General Physics 2Ìý
      • Can be completed orÌýcurrently in-progress to be eligible to apply for the minor.
    • Solid mathematics background in Fourier series, Laplace transforms, transfer functions and sinusoidal responseÌý

    Students who meet admissions requirements can apply to the minor using the form on the right.

    Course Requirements (18Ìýcredits)

      • ECEN 2250 Intro to Circuits & ElectronicsÌý
      • ECEN 2260 Circuits as SystemsÌý
      • ECEN 3300 Linear SystemsÌý
      • Ìý(9 credits)Ìý

      Students with questions about the minor can reach out to ecee-advising@colorado.edu. Ìý