Electrical Engineering (E ENG)

Click here for program requirements as listed in Penn State's Undergraduate Degree Programs Bulletin.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering is designed to provide a solid background in electrical engineering sciences. It also provides an opportunity for students to pursue interests in electrical and electronic circuits, including digital circuits and VLSI and its fabrication, microprocessors and their applications, electromagnetics, communications, control systems, and digital image processing and computer vision. Through a senior capstone design project, the curriculum emphasizes written as well as verbal communication and a teamwork approach among students to attain a common goal.

This program helps its graduates develop capabilities to analyze and design a variety of electrical and electronic systems found in many industrial and government settings as well as providing a foundation for further graduate studies. A strong background in the fundamentals is built through a broad-based core in basic sciences (physics and chemistry) and mathematics as well as engineering sciences.

For a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, a minimum of 134 credits is required.

Mission, Objectives, and Outcomes

Please click here for detailed information on the Electrical Engineering program’s Mission, Objectives, and Outcomes.

Opportunities in Electrical Engineering

Career Opportunities

Electrical Engineering is characterized by its diversity. Graduates of the program have gained positions in a number of specialty areas including digital circuits and VSLI and its fabrication, microprocessors and their applications, electromagnetics, communications, control systems, digital image processing, and computer engineering. Career opportunities for these specialties are available in a multitude of industries including computers, automobile, power, communications, manufacturing, pure and applied research, and biomedical and environmental fields. Within these areas, electrical engineers may work in laboratories where they design and test electronic systems or devices. Others may work in manufacturing plants where their major responsibility is the interfacing of electronic equipment with the rest of the plant. Electrical Engineering graduates are also found in areas where they serve as technical consultants, such as government, education, law, sales, or technical writing.

Accreditation and Licensure

This program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology; 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, telephone 410-347-7700, or on the Web at www.abet.org.

Electrical Engineering graduates are encouraged to continue their professional development by taking the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination in Pennsylvania at the end of their senior year, a prerequisite for taking the Professional Engineering Examination.

Student Organizations

The School of Science, Engineering, and Technology encourages student involvement in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Job Titles

The following list provides examples of the opportunities available for graduates: Circuit Designer, Communications Engineer, Control Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Electronics Engineer, Engineering Manager, Computer Engineer, Power Systems Engineer, Robotics Engineer, Technical Writer, Technical Sales Associate, Industrial Technologist, and Aerospace Engineer.

Job Outlook

Employment of electrical and electronics engineers is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through 2012. Although rising demand for electrical and electronic goods, including advanced communications equipment, defense-related electronic equipment, and consumer electronics products should increase, foreign competition for electronic products and increasing use of engineering services performed in other countries will act to limit employment growth. Job growth is expected to be fastest in services industries – particularly consulting firms that provide electronic engineering expertise. Continuing education is important for electrical and electronics engineers. Engineers who fail to keep up with the rapid changes in technology risk becoming more susceptible to layoffs or, at a minimum, more likely to be passed over for advancement.

Selection of Major in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology

Excellent guidance for students, parents, friends and others regarding the similarities and differences between Electrical Engineering and Electrical Engineering Technology is provided at the following IEEE and ASEE web sites:
http://www.ieeeusa.org/careers/yourcareer.html
http://www.engineeringk12.org/students/What_Is_Engineering/default.php