Electrical and Computer Engineering

Specialization Areas

The available Electrical and Computer Engineering specialization areas within the Klipsch School are described below:

• COMMUNICATIONS, TELEMETRY, AND SIGNAL PROCESSING Students study space communication systems, wireless systems, data transmission, and audio & video signal compression, decompression, and transformation. Students working in this area could possibly work on cell phone design, satellites, sensor design and monitoring, imaging and pattern recognition (from security to medical applications), music (filtering signals, processing signals), any type of transmission (communication) from one place to another, noise reduction, analysis of signals. Department faculty members are:
• Deva Borah, Assistant Professor, PhD (Australian National University)
• Charles Creusere, Assistant Professor, PhD (University of California at Santa Barbara)
• Phillip De Leon, Associate Professor, PhD (University of Colorado)
• Sheila Horan, College Associate Professor, PhD (New Mexico State University)
• Joerg Kliewer, Assistant Professor, PhD (University of Kiel, Germany )


• COMPUTERS The Klipsch School offers a special program for students interested in computer engineering. Students wishing to become involved in this rapidly growing field will find courses in digital logic and system design, computer architecture, data networking, integrated circuits and applications, high performance computer design, digital control and instrumentation systems, digital signal processing, operating systems, and software engineering.  These courses offer the student an opportunity to obtain an in-depth knowledge of digital systems and practical experience in the design, operation, programming, and applications of digital computers. Students could expect to continue on in these areas to develop better and faster computers and interfaces. Department faculty members are:
• Jeanine Cook, Associate Professor, PhD (New Mexico State University)
• Hong Huang, Assistant Professor, PhD (Georgia Institute of Technology)
• Eric Johnson, Professor, PhD (New Mexico State University)
• Krist Petersen, Associate Dean of Engineering, PhD (New Mexico State University)
• Steven Stochaj, Professor, PhD (University of Maryland)


• CONTROL SYSTEMS Work in the systems area provides the student with a background in modeling, analysis, design, simulation, and control of complex systems. These systems may be associated with engineering, ecology, transportation, natural resources, environment, or other areas. Students in this area could expect to model physical systems, and work on controlling various processes. Department faculty members are:
• Robert Paz, Associate Professor, PhD (University of Illinois)
• Nadipuram Prasad, Associate Professor, PhD (New Mexico State University)


• ELECTRIC ENERGY Elective courses in power systems acquaint the student with the design, analysis, and operation of power systems. Courses are offered in high voltage transmission lines, distribution systems, rotating machines, and digital computer analysis of the steady state operation and short circuit conditions of a power system.  Students in this area could expect to work in the generation, distribution and monitoring of systems which deliver power to consumers. Department faculty members are:
• Sukumar Brahma, Assistant Professor, PhD (Clemson)
• Wenxin Liu, Assistant Professor. PhD (Missouri University of Science and Technology)
• Satish Ranade, PNM Chair for Utility Management, PhD (University of Florida)


• ELECTROMAGNETICS AND MICROWAVE ENGINEERING Students study electromagnetic fields, wave propagation, antennas, waveguides, transmission lines, lasers, and optics. Practical experience is available in the high-frequency and antenna laboratories and anechoic chamber. Students in this area could expect to work in the design and use of antennas, microwaves and the sending and receiving of signals. Department faculty members are:
• Muhammad Dawood, Assistant Professor, PhD (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
• Kwong Ng, Paul W. and Valerie Klipsch Distinguished Professor, PhD (Ohio State University)


• MICRO-ELECTRONICS Students study discrete analog as well as digital and analog VLSI electronics, preparing them for design, analysis, and testing of complex circuits. During the senior year, VLSI students will design a chip to be fabricated. Students in this area could expect to design chips to be used in various devices (cars, homes, computers, almost any electrical device). Department faculty members are:
• Paul Furth, Associate Professor, PhD (Johns Hopkins University)
• Jaime Ramirez-Angulo, Paul W. and Valerie Klipsch Distinguished Professor, DSc (Stuttgart University)


• PHOTONICS Students may concentrate in the fields of fiber optics, lasers, optical communications, imaging, and optical signal processing.  Students could expect to work with lasers and laser applications including communications, imaging systems, and optical sensors. This could include medical and astronomical applications. Department faculty members are:
• Sang-Yeon Cho, Assistant Professor, PhD (Georgia Inst. of Tech)
• David Voelz, Associate Professor, PhD (University of Illinois)


• SPACE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING  Elective courses prepare the student for employment opportunities in the aerospace industry. Students are introduced to the complexities of a space systems life cycle and the disciplines required to design, integrate, and operate large systems. Department faculty members are:
• Charles Boehmer, College Assistant Professor, MSAE (U.S. Naval Postgraduate School)
• Gary Geyer, College Assistant Professor, MSEE (University of Southern California)