Guest editorial a vision for ece education in 2013 and beyond

LECTRICAL and computer engineering (ECE) education is rapidly evolving as the pace of technological innovation in society accelerates. The information revolution has focused considerable attention on educational needs relative to information science and engineering, while blurring traditional engineering subdisciplines. Semiconductors continue to advance rapidly while nanotechnology, and its associated miniaturization of components and systems, is rapidly stretching the boundaries of ECE toward chemistry, physics, and the life sciences. Bioengineering and biomedical applications are rapidly emerging as technology drivers, fields that have flourished because of the remarkable advances provided by electronics and computer technology. Software engineering is the engine that is driving our new range of electronic/semiconductor devices, systems, and products. At the same time, information technology itself is rapidly redefining the nature of engineering pedagogy, which is advancing in unforeseen directions. The challenges for education in ECE disciplines are immense, and a road map is needed to navigate this complex and ever-changing landscape. This special issue of the IEEE TRANSACTIONS ONEDUCATION is devoted to providing a vision of the undergraduate curriculum for ECE in the year 2013 and beyond, i.e., ten years into the future. Contributions were invited from ECE departments, as well as industry, government, and other interested professionals, to present their vision of what ECE departments should be offering in the year 2013 and beyond in order to prepare students ad