Electrical Engineering Undergraduate Program

Channel resources into uses for society

Electrical engineers are involved in channeling natural resources into uses for society such as heating, lighting, home appliances, consumer products, computing, sensing, control, and communication. They contribute to systems and devices for power, instrumentation, measurement, communication, management, manufacturing, transportation, etc. They are primarily concerned with the processes of generation, transmission, transformation, control, and utilization of energy or information.

Students who are interested in electrical engineering begin in the Freshman Engineering Curriculum before entering the main program. Once in the program, students gain knowledge in the main areas of electrical engineering, learn to use hardware and software tools in numerous laboratories, and apply engineering concepts in both freshman and capstone design experiences. They may supplement their education with participation in design competitions, professional societies, work internships, research experiences, etc.

Areas of study

The curriculum exposes students to the breadth of electrical engineering and allows them to pursue electives in several areas or to emphasize a specialty. The areas are defined as circuits, electronics, power, communications-signal processing, controls, electromagnetics, optic/devices, and computer engineering.

Circuits and electronics

In circuits and electronics, courses provide study of basic electrical devices - energy sources, resistors, inductors, capacitors, diodes, and transistors - and their interconnection in operational networks. Circuits design and analysis techniques are covered with both analog and digital applications.

Power

In power, courses emphasize the design and applications of motors, generators, transformers, distribution systems, high-voltage devices, and power electronics.

Communications-signal processing

In communications-signal processing, courses include concepts required for the characterization and manipulation of information-bearing signals, modulation systems, wireless networks, image processing, and detection hardware.

Controls

In controls, courses emphasize the design and application of circuits and systems to automatically monitor and regulate devices, machines, and processes. Advanced technologies using digital control, intelligent processing, neural networks, and programmable logic controllers are included.

Electromagnetics

In electromagnetics, courses provide instruction in the interaction, propagation, and transmission high-frequency waves and signals through space and in conductors. Topics include grounding and shielding, antennas, microwaves, and systems.

Optics/devices

In optics/devices, courses provide study of solid-state materials, electronic devices, and optoelectronics. Applications are microfabrication, telecommunications, computing, instrumentation, lasers and fiber optics, sensing, and smart technologies.

Computer engineering

In computer engineering, courses are offered in digital logic, digital hardware, and microprocessor systems. Other studies are available for embedded computer systems, computer architecture, integrated circuits, computational intelligence, networks and software engineering, and software security and reliability.