As a classical discipline, electrical engineering can be defined simply as the theories and methods to generate, transmit, receive, modulate, control, and utilise electromagnetic waves and energy. However electrical and electronic engineering has evolved into an exciting high technology discipline which covers a wide spectrum of modern technologies such as analogue and digital circuits, semiconductor devices and materials, optoelectronics, microelectronics, microprocessor and electronic memory devices, signal processing and communication, control and expert systems, computer networks, electromagnetic waves and telecommunication, energy systems and power distribution. It is fair to say that advances in electrical and electronic engineering in the past decade have influenced every aspect of our lives, and will continue to do so in this decade and into the next century. In particular, for young people entering the work force, electrical and electronic engineering provides new and exciting employment opportunities.
The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at HKUST aims to provide its students with a sound and practical education, thus equipping them to become highly effective and productive electrical and electronic engineers in a high technology society. The Department offers a full range of courses to meet the needs of its students in programmes leading to BEng, MSc, MPhil and PhD degrees, as well as those of students from other departments.
The Department provides modern equipment and laboratories to facilitate the research activities of faculty and students including ample microcomputers and computer workstations. These microcomputers and computer workstations are connected to a state-of-the-art computer network on the HKUST campus so that all users can access the resources of the central network computing resources of the University. The Department also houses teaching and research laboratories for semiconductor device characterisation, ICCAD design and VLSl test, microprocessor and microcomputer applications, digital signal processing, optics and photonics, power systems, and information systems. In addition, faculty and students may also utilise the extensive central facilities of the University. In particular, students in microelectronics will be major users of the Microelectronics Fabrication Centre, which will be equipped with a full line of processing equipment for the fabrication of semiconductor devices and integrated circuits. Similarly, students interested in IC design and CAD/CAM will be able to utilise the CAD/CAM Laboratory, equipped with the latest computing workstations, graphics input and output devices and application software to conduct research in this area.
Faculty
Professor and Head of Department :
Peter W. CHEUNG, BS Oregon State Univ; MS Puget Sound; PhD Univ of Washington
Professor :
Donald A. GEORGE, BEng McGiII; MS Stanford; ScD Massachusetts lnst of Tech (Associate Pro-Vice-chancellor for Academic Affairs) Reader :
PhilipC. H.CHAN, BS UnivofCalif, Davis; MS, PhD Univoflllinois, Urbana- Champaign
Senior Lecturer :
Tai-Chin LO, BS National Taiwan; MS, PhD Univ of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign
Lecturers :
Kwan-Fai CHEUNG, BS, MS, PhD Univof Washington
Ho-Chi HUANG, BS, MS National Taiwan; PhD Univof Washington Vincent M. C. POON, BSc, MPhil, PhD Chinese Univ of Hong Kong Assistant Lecturer :
Jack K. C. LAU, BS, MS Univ of Calif, Berkeley
Undergraduate Programme
First year students take courses in introductory electronics; semiconductor device physics; circuits, signals and systems; and electromagnetic waves. In addition to the engineering subjects, there are basic science, language and mathematics requirements in the first year. In the second year, courses in analogue and digital electronics, microprocessors, communication theory, computer engineering and VLSl circuit design form the common core in the Electrical and Electronic Engineering curriculum, and provide basic introductions to these subjects.
In the final year, students may specialize in a major subject area. Possibilities include integrated circuits, telecommunications, power engineering, solid-state de- vices, digital signal processing and computer-aided engineering. A general pro- gramme is also available for those who elect not to specialize in one subject area. All students are required to complete a final-year project under the supervision of an academic advisers, and submit a written report.
Acceptable grades in the following Hong Kong A-level subjects are required for entrance into the programme : Physics, Chemistry and Pure Mathematics.
The following semester-by-semester description of the undergraduate pro- grammedefines which courses are required and when they should be taken. Courses designated C in the first-year curriculum are core courses which must be taken in the semester indicated. In certain circumstances, and with the permission of the Head of the Department, those courses designated as R (required) and E (elective) may be taken at othertimes. When a specific course is not identified, the course vector shown defines the minimum credit required. Second- and third-year programmes are provisional.
First Year Fall Semester
COMP 105 R Pascal Programming [O-1-2:1]
ELEC 101 C Electronics & Instrumentations [3-1-3:4]
ELEC 103 R How Things Work 10-1-3:1]
ELEC 121 C Semiconductor Materials & Devices [3-1-0:3]
H&SS E Humanities and Social Science [3-0-0131 (1)
LANG
001 Language Skills Enhancement I [0-3-2:0]MATH 101 C Multivariable Calculus [3-1-0141 16 credits
(1) Students excusedfrom this course by the Language Centrewill replace itwith a Humanities and Social Science course.
Spring Semester
COMP 101 R Computing Tools and Techniques ELEC 112 C Signals, Circuits & Systems H&SS E Humanities and Social Science MECH 182 R Experimental Methods PHYS 121 C Electricity and Magnetism
17 credits
Second Year Fall Semester
Spring Semester
COMP 191 Computer Organization [3-0-1:3]
COMP 106 C Programming [0-1-2:1]
ELEC 251 Digital Circuits & Systems [3-1-3141 H&SS Humanities and Social Science [3-0-0:3]
MATH 231 Numerical Analysis [3-1-0:4]
ELEC 213 Introduction to Communication Theory [3-1-0:3]
18 credits
Spring Semester
ELEC 252 Microprocessors & Systems [3-1-6:5]
ELEC 202 Analogue Circuit Analysis & Design [3-0-3141 H&SS Humanities and Social Science [3-0-0:3]
MECH 172 Seminar on Design and Manufacturing [O-2-0:2]
(1) SClE Science Elective [3-0-0:3]
17 credits
(1) This course may be in physics, chemistry or biology only.
Third Year Fall Semester
COMP Computing Science Elective [3-0-0:3]
ELEC 390 Senior Project [0-0-913)
ELEC Electrical and Electronic Engineering [3-0-0:3]
ELEC Electrical and Electronic Engineering [3-0-0:3]
SB&M Business and Management [3-0-0:3]
LANG 103 Technical Communication [0-3-2121
17 credits
ELEC 390 Senior Project [0-0-9131
ELEC Electrical and Electronic Engineering [3-0-0:3]
ELEC Electrical and Electronic Engineering [3-0-0:3]
MATH 244 Applied Statistics [3-1-0:4]
FREE Open Elective [3-0-0131
16 credits A minimum of 101 credits is required for the BEng programme in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. A student's choice of electives may result in this minimum being exceeded.
Postgraduate Programmes and Research
The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering emphasises several research areas according to the expertise of the founding faculty in the Department and the projected manpower and technology needs in Hong Kong.
Microelectronics and semiconductor devices will become an increasingly important research area in Hong Kong. With the establishment of the Microelectron- ics Fabrication Centre (MFC), the Department places major emphasis on the area of semiconductor devices and microelectronics, in particular advanced semiconductor materials preparation and characterisation; microwave and high frequency semicon- ductor devices; custom integrated circuits fabrication technology; integrated sensor technology; and optoelectronic devices and integrated optics. Results from this research programme will spawn novel electronic devices and stimulate the creation of products that are not restricted only to the electronics industry. For example, optoelectronic devices influence the communication industry, and integrated sensor technology have impacts on medical electronics, automotive electronics, industrial control, and automated manufacturing.
Research in integrated circuits (IC's), electronics, microprocessors, and instrumentation covers basic digital and analogue IC design and applications.
Particular emphasis is placed on analogue IC design which is important for Hong Kong's electronic industry. Other emphases are on application of modern electronics and signal processing, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC's) for medical electronics, speech processing, and telecommunications. Another important area is the application of microprocessors in modern electronics and instrumentation.
Research in computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufactur- ing (CAM) covers the various fundamental and general issues in CAD including the generation of tools for specific applications. In IC design, CAD tools for analogue IC design, and for mixed analogue and digital design are both needed. In the rapidly advancing and also increasingly important areaof microsensors, there are also needs for CAD tools to aid in the overall research and development in this field. CAD tools using the integrated framework environment concept for large scale multi-user engineering design projects are topics of particular interest. There is also a need to develop multi-media graphic user interfaces and integrate multi-media technology with CAD. In the future, these will have significant industrial and commercial applications.
Rapid advances in computer and communication technologies are bringing these two fields closer. Merging and evolving technologies, coupled with increasing demands for efficient and timely collection, processing, and dissemination of infor- mation, are creating the need for an integrated information and telecommunication system that transmits and processes all types of data. Research projects are being initiated under the sponsorship of the Information Technology Institute which is funded by a generous grant from Hong Kong Telecom.
A number of urgent needs in Hong Kong provide excellent research projects in power and energy systems. For example, the industrial development in Hong Kong and Southeast China has stimulated acontinual demand for more reliable supply and inexpensive distribution, and efficient management of electrical power. One of the exciting research topics in this area is the application of computer expert systems to intelligent power management and distribution in order to improve efficiency, security, pricing strategy and distribution, and reliability. A second area which is of increasing concern is the environmental issues related to power generation.
The postgraduate programmes of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering provide advanced training in state-of-the-art analysis and design, and expose students to an environment of active engineering research and development.
Graduates of the programmes should be well equipped to meet the challenges of the rapidly developing field of electrical and electronic engineering and to contribute to the economic development needs of Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region. These programmes lead to the degrees of Master of Science (MSc), Master of Philosophy (MPhil), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Students may pursue the degrees on a full-time or part-time basis but PhD students may be required to satisfy a full-time residency requirement.
Applicants for admission to the postgraduate programmes are required to have completed, by the time they enter HKUST, a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related science or engineering field. Students must have demon-
strated knowledge in fundamental areas of electrical engineering as normally re- quired by an undergraduate programme of electrical and electronic engineering.
Deficiencies in any of the above can be made upconcurrently with postgraduate work.
Students must also demonstrate a sufficient command of English.
Applicants are required to submit academic transcripts of undergraduate studies (and beyond, if applicable), three letters of recommendation, a one-page statement of purpose for postgraduate study, and a completed application form for admission. Scores in standard examinations such as the Graduate Record Exami- nation (GRE), if available, may be submitted as supplementary information.
Master of Science (MSc) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering The MSc programme is designed for students who wish to strengthen their knowledge in electrical and electronic engineering at an advanced level in order to prepare themselves for a more demanding profession. It is best suited for students who wish to pursue an industrial career as a senior project engineer in technical design and development.
The MSc programme comprises advanced courses, some of which can be obtained from postgraduate courses offered by other Science and Engineering departments. In addition to the coursework requirements, all students are required to complete a technical project and to submit a written report on a relevant problem in electrical and electronic engineering.
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering The MPhil programme isdesigned for students who are interested in pursuing acareer in research anddevelopment in industry or in academia. It is also an excellent preparation for those interested in pursuing a PhD degree. An MPhil student must complete, under the supervision of a faculty adviser, a research project leading to a master's thesis and must pass an oral thesis defence. A programme of courses is also required.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering The PhD programme is the highest degree offered by the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. It caters to students who wish to pursue a career in advanced research and development in industry or university research and teaching.
The PhD programme emphasises training in original thinking and independ- ent research. Students design the course of study most suited to their interests and needs, which should cover a specialised area in electrical or electronic engineering and two minor areas, and which must be approved by a supervisory committee. In addition, to be eligible for the PhD degree, a student must pass qualifying and general examinations, and complete a research project leading to a thesis which must be successfully defended before a thesis examination committee.
Career Activities and Research Interests Professor Peter W.P. CHEUNG
Head of Department
Before joining the University, Professor Cheung was Professor of Electrical Engineering and Director of the Microsensor and Microelectronics Fabrication Laboratory of the University of Washington (USA). He has extensive research and consultancy experience, and has published widely in his field of expertise.
Professor Cheung has been very active in professional activities, being the principal editor or co-editor of a number of technical publications such as a Special Issue of the IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering on adaptive control and drug delivery systems. He is also a member of the Editorial Board of the International Journalon SensorsandActuators. He has served on a number of national committees in the USA and has chaired many scientific sessions at national and international workshops and conferences. He holds four US patents and has four patent applications pending.
Research interests include analogue integrated circuits design, microelec- tronics, microsensors, biosensors, medical electronics and medical instrumentation, microprocessor-based instruments design, and optoelectronics.
Professor Donald A. GEORGE
Associate Pro- Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Professor George has taught at the University of New Brunswick and Carleton University (Ottawa, Canada) and at Simon Fraser University (Vancouver, Canada). At Carleton, he developed an active research and teaching programme, was promoted to Professor, and also served as Dean of Engineering. He later joined Simon Fraser University as Professor of Engineering Science and became the Dean of Engineering Science and then the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.
Professor George has held board positions in a number of research organisations and has substantial consultancy experience. He has published widely in his field of expertise and has received many distinguished citations and honours during his professional career. His research interests are communications and control, signal and information processing systems, analysisof non-linear systems, and engineering education.
Dr Philip C. H. CHAN Reader
Dr Chan taught at the University of Illinois as avisiting Assistant Professor for a number of years before joining lntel Corporation. Prior to joining the University, he was the Senior Project Manager and also CAD Program Manager of lntel Corporation working on integrated circuit design and simulation. His research interests include VLSl circuit design and simulation, CAEICADICAM technologies, and application of CAD to integrated microsensors.
Dr Tai-Chin LO Senior Lecturer
After completing her doctorate, Dr Lo joined Eastman Kodak as a Research Scientist working on various semiconductor materials growth and process develop- ment. She later joined Avantek to work on silicon high speed bipolar process development and other semiconductor process technology. Prior to joining HKUST, she was the General Manager of Manufacturing at Bipolarics with responsibility forthe development of bipolar MMlC technology as well as production of high-speed bipolar IC's and DMOS FET's. Dr Lo also taught as an adjunct faculty member with the Rochester Institute of Technology. She has research interests in integrated circuit technology, electronic materials, microwave bipolar transistors and integrated circuits, and semiconductor device modelling for circuit simulation.
Dr Kwan-Fai CHEUNG Lecturer
Dr Cheung hastaught as aLecturerin the Department of Electronic Engineer- ing of the City Polytechnic of Hong Kong, and later in the Department of Information Engineering at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Immediately prior to joining the University, he was a Visiting Assistant Professor of the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Washington. His research interests are digital signal processing algorithms, artificial neural networks and applications, fuzzy set theory and applications, digital image processing, and optical information processing.
Dr Ho-Chi HUANG Lecturer
Undergraduate Courses
After graduation from National Taiwan University, Dr Huang worked as a Computing Centre Manager and also taught as an Instructor in Taiwan before enroling at the University of Washington where he received his PhD degree in Electrical Engineering. His dissertation concerns the carrier-optic effect and its applications in optical probing, optical switching, and optical modulation. Dr Huang's research interests include semiconductor devices; optical probing systems for VLSl testing, optoelectronics, integrated guided-wave optics, and optically-based instrumentation.
Dr Vincent M. C. Poon Lecturer
Dr Poon received his BSc, MPhil and PhD degrees from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Prior to joining the University, he was Lecturer in the Department of Electronic Engineering of the City Polytechnic of Hong Kong.
His research interests include microelectronic devices, physics and technol- ogy, VLSl design and fabrication, advancedsemiconductor materials, opto-electronics, optical computing and integrated optics.
Mr Jack K. C. Lau Assistant Lecturer
Mr Lau's graduate thesis concerns the design and analysis of integrated pin drivers for in-circuit testing. While a student, he worked at Hewlett Packard as a technical support intern and at Schlumberger as an automatic test equipment engineer. After obtaining the MS degree, he worked as a CPU design engineer at Integrated Information Technology until joining the University. He has one patent application pending, and has research interests in analogue and digital IC design, microprocessor design, and VLSl circuits design and simulation.
Permission of the Head of Department is an alternative to the stated prerequisite, and this is a requirement for all courses for which prerequisites are not stated.
ELEC 101 Electronics and Instrumentations [3-1-3:4]
The course covers basic electronic concepts. Basic passive circuits. Kirchoff's laws. Transient and steady-state responses. Diodes and transistors.
Characteristics, modelling and applications of operational amplifiers. Digital logic. Analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters. Data acquisition.
The course also covers the IEEE-488 interface standard and its utilization in testing automation.
Prerequisite : None.
Textbook : Savant, Roden and Carpenter, Electronic Design: Circuits and Systems, Second Edition, Addison-Wesley.
ELEC 103 How Things Work [0-1-3:1]
This course consists of a variety of electronic experiments undertaken with the intention of stimulating student interest in electronics and circuits. The experiments are modular. With different combinations of modules, circuits such as amplifiers, AMlFM radios, alarms, and light controllers can be assembled. Students will also engage in exploratory investigations of the concepts and technology behind modern electronic products, such as facsimile machines, mobile telephones, video games, digital TV and printers.
Prerequisite : None.
Textbook : Handout material.
ELEC 121 Semiconductor Materials and Devices [3-1-31 Semiconductor fundamentals. Introduction to semiconductor device elec- tronics: P-N junctions, the bipolar junction transistor (BJT), the junction field- effect transistor (JFET), metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors and the MOS field-effect transistor (MOSFET).
Prerequisite : None.
Textbook : Streetman, Solid State Electronic Devices, Third Edition,
Textbook : Streetman, Solid State Electronic Devices, Third Edition,