What is Electrical Engineering? Popular Fields, Major Courses, Scope, Jobs and Salary
Hello friends, I hope you are having a good time. In today's tutorial, I am going to discuss detailed information about what is Electrical Engineering? We will cover the following contents; Electrical Engineering fields, major & minor courses, Scope, Jobs, Salary, famous electrical engineers & their contributions and top universities that offer Electrical Engineering degrees.
Before further discussing our topic, let me ask you a question. Did you ever imagine your life without electricity? We can’t, right? That’s why, I always find electrical engineering, including its FE Electrical aspect, the most developed and broad field of engineering, provides thousands of job opportunities in different companies. For example, from smartphones to power generation houses, companies everywhere require electrical engineers. Are you also interested in the development and design of electrical devices? Then, I’m sure this tutorial is for you.
Now, let’s come to the point: what is Electrical Engineering?
What is Electrical Engineering?
- Electrical engineering (the engineering discipline) deals with the production & distribution of electricity as well as designing & developing complex electrical systems.
- Electrical engineering also involves the term electronics engineering, deals with electronic circuits (i.e. transistors, integrated circuits etc.), While the electrical engineers work with high power generation.
- Electrical engineers gets highly paid jobs in renewable energy projects, lighting & transport systems, power production & transmission etc.
Major courses of Electrical Engineering
Every university has a different curriculum but there are some major subjects, common in almost every electrical engineering syllabus. Let's discuss them out:
- Electrical Machines: This subject is all about AC and DC motors and generators.
- Power Systems: This subject teaches you about generation & distribution of electricity from Power house.
- Control System: In this subject, you will learn about how to control, manage and regulate the electrical system and devices using various control loops.
- Basic Electronics & communication subjects: This course will focus on analog & digital communications and electronic circuit.
- Network Theory/Signal: This course focuses on teaching you the basic electrical principles.
Some other major subjects are:
- Introduction to Engineering.
- Basic electronics.
- Power Engineering.
- Electrical Machines theory.
- Circuit Theory.
- Computer Architecture.
- Non-conventional energy.
- Electrical installations.
- Electrical machines drawing.
- Power Circuits and Systems.
- Electrical control system.
- Digital Systems.
- Electrical lighting..
- Microprocessor Applications.
- Electric Circuits.
- Microprocessor.
- Principles of Programming.
- Switch gears and protection.
- Electromagnetics.
- Electrical instruments & materials.
- Signals and Systems.
- Microelectronic Circuits.
- Communication Systems.
Minor courses of Electrical Engineering
Minor courses also depend on university or also the choice of students. Let’s discuss some common minor courses choose by electrical engineering students.
Minor Courses of Electrical Engineering |
Logic Design |
Dynamic System Theory |
Signals & Systems |
Introduction to Learning from Data |
Control Systems |
Stochastic Processes |
Electronics |
Wireless Communication |
Analog Electronics |
Digital Communication |
Machine Learning |
Digital Signal Processing |
Communication Systems |
Introduction to Information Theory |
Electrical Energy Systems |
Speed Processing |
Electromagnetics |
Digital Image Processing & Communication |
Physics of Semiconductor Devices |
Computational Optical Imaging |
Deep Learning |
Optical Fibers and Waveguides |
Optimization Theory and Methods |
Introduction to Subsurface Imaging |
Sustainable Power Systems |
Lasers and Applications |
Introduction to Biomedical Optics |
Computational Methods (Materials Science) |
Optical Spectroscopic Imaging |
Solar Energy Systems |
Introduction to Photonics |
Physics of Semiconductor Materials |
Engineering Optics |
Semiconductor Devices |
Electromagnetic Fundamentals |
Electronic Optical & Magnetic Properties of Materials |
Fabricating Technology for Integrated Circuits |
Analog VLSI (Circuit Design) |
Nano & Micro-Electronic Devices Technology |
Analog Design Fundamentals |
Branches of Electrical Engineering
Let’s find out some popular fields of electrical engineering and briefly discuss them.
1. Power and energy
Let me tell you, this field of electrical engineering, mainly deals with the generation and transmission of electricity on large scale. Further, this is also working on the manufacturing of electrical generators, electrical motors and transformers. They also focus on the projects under governments such as power grid.
2. Automation and control
This field is actually all about developing, controlling different complex systems as well as controllers, and is responsible for their proper functioning. To design such controllers, they take helps form electrical engineers. The control engineers have all over in the airliners as well as in the modern automobile companies.
They also work in designing robotics using control algorithms.
3. Electronics
Electronic engineers are focusing on the designing of integrated electronic circuits & their components, transistors, capacitors, resistors, diodes and many more.
4. Microelectronics and nanoelectronics
They deal with the fabrication and designing of micro size electronic circuits components; such as semiconductor transistors.
5. Signal processing
They are working on the analysis techniques and testing of communication signals. It may be analog signals or digital signals.
In the case of analog signals, the signal processing mainly relates to amplification and filtering for telecommunications. Besides, In digital signals, signal processing involves in compression, detection of error & correction of error.
6. Telecommunications
They focus on the communication channels in space through coax cable, optical fiber or free space.
Some other popular fields of electrical engineering are:
- Radio-frequency engineering.
- Electronics.
- Systems engineering.
- Computer engineering.
- Photonics.
- Telecommunications.
- Signal processing.
- Power engineering.
- Optics.
- Instrumentation.
Electrical Engineering jobs and salaries
We have already discussed the fields of electrical engineering. According to BLS, mostly electrical engineers getting hired by research & development companies and popular engineering industries. Moreover, the federal government and other manufacturing industries are also interested in young electrical engineers. Electrical engineers generally worked indoors in any company, but the experienced & senior engineers may also get the position of just visiting sites.
The manufacturing industries hired electrical engineers are:
- Defense.
- Marine.
- Commercial construction.
- Computers & components.
- Automotive.
- Lighting.
- Aerospace.
- Consumer electronics.
- Telecommunications & traffic control.
- Railroad.
There are also government departments, offer employments to electrical engineers in national laboratories, transportation departments as well as in the military.
As you are well aware, each company has its own qualification criteria for job. Some firms need bachelor degree in electrical engineering. But a master degree will enhance the chance of promotion and salary. Most importantly, most famous companies require the certificate from good institutes such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers or Institution of Engineering and Technology.
Let’s talk about the estimated salary of an electrical engineer. In 2014, the estimate salary range of a bachelor degree holding electrical engineer was $55,570 to $73,908 according to research. The electrical engineers holding master degree with 5-10 years experience were paid with $$74,007 to $108,640. Additionally, a senior engineer with 15 years of experience with a doctorate degree was getting $97,434 to $138,296 salary.
This is amazing; isn’t it?
What are the Key Skills of Electrical Engineering?
Common skills gained with an electrical engineering degree include:
- Develop a strong numeracy.
- Provides basic IT skills.
- Technical expertise.
- Self-management (such as planning & meeting deadlines).
- Allow to design and analyze technical diagrams.
- Teach how to do Team work & communication skills.
- Allow the flexibility.
- Make you able to identify and solve problems.
- Budgeting.
- Professional communication, spoken and written.
- Data analysis.
- Deeply understanding about how to deal with high electrical power systems & safety regulations.
- Provide awareness of other stuff; such as business and environmental issues.
Top reasons why you should choose Electrical Engineering?
1. Job opportunities
The famous companies all over the world are hiring young electrical engineers, give then good training with a great salary package. That’s why I think, this is one the most valued profession.
2. Bright job offers from abroad
Getting an electrical engineering degree, means you have a lot of job opportunities all around the world. A lot of technical firms are willing to hire people from other countries. Well! I must say, you will have a bright future ahead.
3. Other specialized fields
It may seem like doing an electrical engineering means you are just going to deal with electricity. But, the truth is, you will definitely have chances to learn about other specialization fields such as;
- Signal Processing.
- Power Engineering.
- Telecommunications.
- Microelectronics.
- Control Systems.
- Radio-Frequency Engineering.
4. Get chance to study top universities
Getting a degree from a well-known university has a strong impact on your future. Many companies also hire stud nets graduates from good universities. There are so many famous universities offering this degree bachelor as well as master throughout the world. These universities not only provide you high level engineering skills but also groom your personality. Let me enlist some top universities of 2021.
- University of Portsmouth; U.K.
- Chalmers University of Technology; Sweden
- University of Birmingham; U.K.
- University of Leeds; U.K.
- University of Colorado Denver; U.S.
- University of Twente (UT); Netherlands
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- University of California; Berkeley.
- California Institute of Technology.
- Georgia Institute of Technology.
- Stanford University.
- University of California; Berkeley.
- California Institute of Technology.
- University of Illinois; Urbana, Champaign.
- Georgia Institute of Technology.
- University of Texas; Austin (Cockrell)
- Carnegie Mellon University.
- University of Michigan; Ann Arbor.
- Tsinghua University; China
- Harbin Institute of Technology; China
- Aalborg University; Denmark
- Nanyang Technological University; Singapore
- Southeast University; China
- National University of Singapore; Singapore
- University of Technology Sydney; Australia
- Zhejiang University; China
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China; China
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology; China
Popular Electrical Engineers and their Contributions
There are so many great electrical engineers who contributed in this field. Let's discuss a few of them for your better understanding with electrical engineering.
Popular Electrical Engineers of all Times
|
No.
|
Name |
Contributions
|
1 |
Otto A. Knopp |
He is the founder of standard transformers testing as well as compensation winding. |
2 |
A. K. Erlang |
He worked on communication signals and queuing. |
3 |
Alan Blumlein |
He was one of the greatest electrical engineer invented telecommunications, radar system, stereo, television and sound recording. |
4 |
Albert H. Taylor |
Was the first engineers, demonstrated the radar. |
5 |
Alec Reeves |
He was the inventor of pulse coding & modulation. |
6 |
Alfred Rosling Bennett |
He discovered the electric lighting & telephones. |
7 |
Alessandro Volta |
He invented electrical battery. |
8 |
André Blondel |
He worked on oscillography and give electrical machine theory. |
9 |
Andy Bechtolsheim |
He has contribution in the invention of sun Microsystems |
10 |
Arnold Orville Beckman |
Discovered pH meter, Beckman Instruments and Silicon Valley. |
11 |
Hugo Hirst |
He was the co-founder of General Electric Company plc. |
12 |
Bern Dibner |
He is the founder of Burndy Co., electrical connectors, |
I want to enlist some more famous electrical engineers.
Charles Frederick Burgess |
William Duddell |
Alan Archibald Campbell-Swinton |
Allen B. DuMont |
John Renshaw Carson |
J. Presper Eckert |
James Kilton Clapp |
Thomas Edison |
Edith Clarke |
Cyril Frank Elwell |
Lynn Conway |
Douglas Engelbart |
Seymour Cray |
Justus B. Entz |
Sidney Darlington |
Lloyd Espenschied |
Lee de Forest |
Federico Faggin |
Jack Dennis |
Michael Faraday |
Popular books of Electrical Engineering
There are a vide variety of books about electrical engineering. A good book about this field will better help you to understand it. Here are some book, I want to recommended.
- Automation and Robotics.
- Introduction to Electronic Engineering.
- Essential Engineering Mathematics.
- Introduction to Power Electronics.
- Electronic Measurements: Exercises and Assignments.
- Electrical Power.
- Control Engineering Problems with Solutions.
- Concepts in Electric Circuits.
- Nuclear Powered Generation of Electricity.
- Three Phase Electrical Circuit Analysis.
- Essential Electromagnetism: Solutions.
- Electromagnetism for Electronic Engineers.
- Advanced Topics in Electrodynamics.
- Fundamental Engineering Optimization Methods.
- Essential Electromagnetism.
- An Introduction to Nonlinearity in Control Systems.
- CMOS Integrated Circuit Simulation with LTspice.
- Electric Drive Dimensioning and Tuning.
- Essential Electrodynamics: Solutions.
- Introduction to Digital Signal and System Analysis.
- Thermal Modelling of Electric Machines.
- Essential Electrodynamics.
I hope this article helps you to better understand electrical engineering, its scope, fields, popular books and top electrical engineers & their contribution.
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
Hello friends! I hope you are doing well. In today's tutorial, I am going to discuss what is the
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering? The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering is a five-year academic degree program. It focuses mainly on planning, developing, and designing a sustainable, safe, and economical use of electrical energy. This degree enables students to design, develop and maintain electrical devices, electrical equipment, digital devices, and machinery control. Here, in this post, I will discuss the main branches of Electrical Engineering, major subjects, minor subjects, its scope, job opportunities, duration, cost, types of jobs, top universities offering this degree and top companies offering jobs for electrical engineers.
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
Electronic engineering
Electronic engineering's purpose is to design and evaluate the electronic circuits, electric devices, and components use in them such as capacitors, diodes, inductors, resistors, and transistors to get proper functions. They also work on tuned circuits. They also involve in the development of electronic devices such as television, computer, mobile, and microprocessors. Due to these electronic engineers, we are able to see novel technology such as high quality smart computers and phones.
Power engineering
Power engineering deal with the production, transmission, and proper distribution of electricity. They also design a large range of devices use in this field such as electric generators, transformers, power electronics, and motors. In many areas all over the world, governments also hire electronic engineers to control the electrical network like the power grid to produce electricity. Power engineers also focus on the maintenance and working of the power grid. The future involves satellite control by power systems.
Control engineering
Control engineering concentrates on modeling a different range of electrical system, also design the controllers so that systems work properly. To achieve such controllers, electrical engineers use microcontroller, digital processors, electronic circuits, and programmable logic controller. This field has a broad range of applications from the propulsion systems and flight of commercial airliners. They also plays an important role in industrial computerization and automation. Such as they work on robotics to perform independent systems with the use of control algorithms.
Telecommunications engineering
The main aim of telecommunications engineering branch is to transmit information through different channels such as optical fibers, cables, or space. They have to build a transmitter that can effectively transmit signals in space a well. They work on popular analog techniques such as frequency modulation and amplitude modulation. A key concern in the design of transmitters is power dissipation. So they also focus on such concerns.
Computer engineering
Computer engineering field deal with the design and building of computers and its systems. This also involves the design of novel hardware, PDAs, new tablets, and supercomputers. Computer engineers also focus on complex software systems. Desktop computers serve as a tiny fraction of the devices and computer engineers work on, their jobs also including DVD players and video game controllers. Computer engineers are highly in demand and hired by famous companies like Apple.
Instrumentation engineering
Instrumentation engineering mainly focuses on the design of devices that use to measure physical quantities like flow, temp, and pressure. They must have good physics knowledge to design such instruments. Such as the flight instruments used to measure the wind speed and height so that the pilot can control the plane analytically.
Some other branches are:
- Electro-Optical Engineering.
- Signal processing.
- Distribution engineering.
- Microelectronics.
Major subjects of BSC in Electrical Engineering
The major subjects taught in this degree are:
The basic electrical engineering first-year courses are listed here. These courses can vary from university to university. But these are the basic course that students have to cover by most of the universities.
The students also have to pass other minor courses including humanities, management to become great personalities. And in the final year, they have to complete a project or design in which they have knowledge and skills. Then they submit this project with a written thesis or report with written all information about that project. They have to pretend their project to pass the degree.
The first year course work that students have to study listed below:
- the basic of electrical engineering such as AC and DC circuit analysis.
- Transmission and Distribution.
- Electro-magnetism.
- Practical implementation of fundamental theory concepts.
- Instrumentation.
- Microprocessor interfacing.
- Circuit Analysis, Electronics.
- Electrodynamics.
- Microelectronic fabrication techniques.
- Electrical Engineering Material.
- Electricity Technology and Machines.
- Control systems.
- Digital circuit logic.
Students get to familiarize themselves with circuit fabrication, the use of electrical equipment, and many other tools related to this field.
Today, the world is mainly relying on technology and electrical power. Therefore there is a need for professional electrical engineers who are cable of managing all tasks. Such as designing and creating electrical products, maintaining, and repairing them. After graduation as an expert electrical engineer, you can get great opportunities of getting a job in many areas of the world.
Minor subjects of BSC in Electrical Engineering
Minor subjects varied form university to university. In some universities, students can select the minor subjects according to their choice.
- Logic Design.
- Signals & Systems.
- Communication Systems.
- Stochastic Processes.
- Wireless Communication.
- Introduction to Learning from Data.
- Electronics.
- Fabrication Technology for Integrated Circuits.
- Power Electronics.
- Analog Electronics.
- Electromagnetics I.
- Electromagnetics II.
- Machine Learning.
- Control Systems.
- Digital Image Processing & Communication.
- Analog VLSI Circuit Design.
- Electrical Energy Systems.
- Photonics Laboratory
- Physics of Semiconductor Devices.
- Dynamic System Theory.
- Nano and Micro-Electronic Devices Technology.
- Digital Communication.
- Digital Signal Processing.
- Introduction to Information Theory.
- Sustainable Power Systems.
- Introduction of Biomedical Optics.
- Analog IC Design Fundamentals.
- Speed Processing.
- Computational Optical Imaging.
- Deep Learning.
- Optimization Theory and Methods.
- Optical Spectroscopic Imaging.
- Computational Methods in Materials Science.
- Solar Energy Systems.
- Semiconductor Devices.
Scope of Electrical Engineering
After getting the bachelor in electrical engineering degree, you will get many great opportunities of jobs all over the world. There are many International companies that required expert electrical engineers and willing to hire people from all over the world. They pay a very good salary. The highest estimate salary is $254000 per year.
According to the survey, this is among the top industries due to the activities like mining, business support services, oil & gas extraction, aerospace products, and parts manufacturing. The highest salary jobs for electrical engineers include scientific research and development positions.
It also has been shown that the salary of central electrical engineering salary is $102,694. Another highest engineering salary is $100,642 for a chemical engineer, and next is $ 95,857 for a mechanical engineer.
The average salary for electrical engineers who have more than 10 years of experience is $125,945.
Moreover, electrical engineering is a great career with many advantages. The salaries of electrical engineers also higher in many other professions. It can increase further if you have a PE license or graduate degree. It has many excellent benefits, such as education compensation, insurance, retirement, vacation pay, and sick leave.
Different divisions hire electrical engineers such as mining, chemical processing, aerospace, power generation, manufacturing, and transmission. They can also have the possibility to work in green and sustainable industries all over the world. Further, It is considered as one of the highest paid career among all. In short, it is the most profitable job.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for bachelor in EE is mainly requires the SSC or the equivalent certificate with more than 60% scores. FSc degree or equivalent result card with 60% marks. Some universities also have their own entry test. Students have to pass this test too for admission.
Top universities offer EE degree
Stanford university
It is very popular university and hardly needs its introduction. Stanford is among the best universities. Located in the beautiful Area of California, and consistently ranks in the top 5 universities on national level. The school of Engineering with the electrical engineering at number 2 nationally according to world report and US News. As a student, you will get a chance to live in beautiful campus. This university offers BSc in EE which enable students to give their contribution in science. with a major in Electrical Engineering that will prepare you to contribute to the scientific community. They prepare students for research and to complete experimental projects. Moreover, Stanford Engineering graduates have bright future and are getting jobs in various sectors like government, corporate, or further academic study. The students can choose one of three disciplinary fields to focus according to their choice.
- Hardware and Software Systems.
- Physical Technology and Science.
- Information Systems and Science.
Harvard university
This is located in Cambridge- the most iconic and research university. It established in 1636. The Harvard university is famous worldwide for its excellence in study and research. It is considered as one of the oldest universities in the world. Consists of thirteen institutes and schools. Harvard has a top ranked school of Engineering that produces excellent work in Electrical Engineering. This program will expose a number of research areas range from devices ( like robotics and lasers) to systems ( human brain and computer architecture). This university focus on all the sub-discipline of electrical engineering. The students get specialization in electronic devices and circuits, and get the opportunity to explore many other areas. For example;
- Robotics.
- Control systems.
- Signals and systems theory.
Georgia Institute and Technology
This institute has ranked in the top 35 national universities. Located in the beautiful area Atlanta, Georgia. The school is the part of the university System of Georgia. This university offer the Electrical Engineering programs which rank in top 10 according to World reports and U.S. It contributes in the research and innovation field. It enable students to perform well in the field of innovation, and aims to produce graduates that can design, innovate, and complete complex projects. The top research opportunities are
- Opportunity Research Scholars Program.
- Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
- The Vertically Integrated Projects Program.
Columbia university
Are you dreaming to study in New York city? Then this is the best choice for you. Columbia university located in Upper Manhattan. This is a best research university that considered in top echelon of national universities. Columbia Engineering offer the top Electrical Engineering programs, and provides a comprehensive knowledge in electrical engineering with elective coursework to understand the topics in which they are interested. This program enables students to work on complex electrical engineering task, and get a bright careers in related fields. The Courses include:
- Electromagnetics.
- Signals and Systems.
Cost of EE degree
The cost of this program usually varies from school to school. It depends on the location of the school around the world. So if you are interested in this degree, then you can contact directly to the school or search their website to get all information. It may include the tuition fee and other costs.
The scope of BSc in Electrical Engineering has become really higher due to the advancement of technology. Pakistan is also making progress in this field.
As an electrical engineer, you can have a lot of career opportunities and jobs after the bachelor's degree. Markets and industries have a high demand for skilled engineers.
Types of jobs in Electrical Engineering
As an Electrical Engineer you can select your careers in many sub-disciplines according top your skills. The most popular types of disciplines in EE are:
Electronic Engineers
They are mainly deal with electronic circuits and devices such as capacitors, diodes, resistors, inductors, and transistors.
Microelectronic Engineers
They are skilled in designing and fabrication of micro circuit parts and components.
Signal Processing Engineers
They work on signals, for example digital and analog signals.
Power Engineers
They deal with electricity problems and the design of electrical devices. For example generators, motors, transformers and power electronics.
Control Engineers
They propose the design of controllers, to perform well using micro-controllers, programmable logic controllers, digital signal processors, and electrical circuits.
Telecommunication Engineers
They focus on the transmission of information signals through optical fibers or cable.
Instrumentation Engineers
They deal with the design of devices for measuring flow, pressure and temperature. This also involves a deep knowledge of physics.
Computer Engineers
They specialized in the design of computer hardware and computers.
There are a lot of other options:
- Acoustic consultant.
- Design engineer.
- Sound engineer.
- Special effects technician.
- CAD technician.
- Nuclear engineer.
- Electronics engineer.
- Control and instrumentation engineer.
- Electrical engineer.
- Aerospace engineer.
- Broadcast engineer.
Top Companies hiring Electrical Engineers
Being an electrical engineer is a challenging task theses days. Due to the advancement in technology, the need of expert and professional electrical engineer has increased. Here is some top companies listed below.
The Boeing Company
This is the oldest and highly recommended firm. The Boeing Company is always among the top provider of jetliners for travelers or other commercials transportation purposes. Therefore, this company always needs expert electrical engineers who can perform well in their field. So working for this company will bring prestige as well as also give you the chance of growing further in this field with a good salary.
Lockheed Martin Corporation
This company is among the leading US providers and manufacturers of advances military purposes. Electrical engineers who are talented enough in developing military applications have a higher chance of getting a job in this esteemed company. This firm also collaborates with other country's electrical engineers, innovators, scientists to work on aircraft, surveillance systems, radars for military use.
International Business Machines Corporation
This is one of the popular names in the computational advancement world and also known as IBM. The main aim of this firm is to develop hardware for new-generation for commercial, consumer, and industrial use. They hire professional electrical engineer who is able to fulfill their requirements. This will give you the experience to learn new skills as well with a good salary.
Apple
Apple is also a well-known company for its strong and unique research and development. This company is developing constantly and dominates in the consumer technology sector. It has long been praised by customers and employees and is considered as one of the most reputable firms to work. Moreover, it is the most productive workplace to enhance your skills as well as the most attractive and great salary package. Other than this, working for an Apple firm give potential and skills to design, develop, and test the quality of the product.
Some other top companies are:
- General Electric.
- Shell oil company.
- BMW group.
- Google.
- Texas instruments.
- Intel.
- Tesla.
Future opportunities for Electrical Engineers
Electrical Engineering is considered an internationally recognized academic program at undergraduate and graduate levels with different specializations. The electrical engineering department was first established in 1905 and started providing a degree in Communication Systems Engineering. Further, in 1909, due to its popularity, the department name was changed to Electrical Engineering Department. This department in every university has experienced staff, well-equipped classrooms, and lab facilities. It provides academic improvement continuously through discussion with faculty, industry, electronics, and communication engineering professionals.
The students enable to solve real-world problems and open possibilities of the students as potential applicants for private or public sector organizations, entrepreneurs, and freelance developers.
Graduates often enjoy careers as analyzing electrical systems, engineers, or working in the fields such as energy conservation, space exploration, and magnetics. They can also choose to work with the basic systems including the technology accessible and usable development. Also, work with semiconductors, building computer hips, and manipulating materials. In short, the graduates find a great career in modern high-tech industrial and laboratories.
Further, the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering enhances your ability to design and manufacture heavy machines and systems. It completely guides you to handle the most difficult and challenging task in the engineering field.
Under the excellent supervision of great professionals, you learn to practically develop electrical circuits, complex computer systems, and control power systems.
Also, in the program, the professors enable you to get core skills and knowledge about physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, communication, mechanics, materials, and fluids. The program is intended to give you the practical and problem-solving skills to become an electrical engineer.
Thus, the aim of this program is to make students experts in electrical engineering as well as in many other areas that you can decide as minor subjects. The universities provide lab work and industry experience to enhance your professional growth. This degree makes you an expert about the foundations and gives you the confidence to work across any area in engineering.
I hope you find this article helpful to understand the basic concepts of Electrical Engineering as well as the future career of this program. Thanks for reading. Have a good day. :)
Bachelor's degree in Engineering
Hello friends! I hope you are doing well. Today, I am going to discuss the Bachelor degree in Engineering (B.Eng.). It is an academic degree of three to four years, and the start of your careers like designing the highways, machinery, building communities, working on technologies, innovative technologies, and creating new mechanical devices or tools. However, I will discuss the main branches of Engineering and their major subjects, scope of this degree, and top universities offer this degree programs.
Bachelor's degree in Engineering
Further, this degree is academically equal to the BSc ( Bachelor in Science) degree. It mainly aimed to provide technical skills to students. Universities also give many technical programs of applied sciences. But regular Engg. programs are awarded as BSc degree.
Moreover, during bachelor in Engineering, the students learn about the solution to complex math problems, basic scientific principles, and new technologies and methods. However, the expert professors will develop problem-solving skills, deep paper research, and analytical approach in students.
At last, the graduate students have to write and publish research papers in the final year of the degree.
Branches of Engineering
The Bachelor of Engineering is divided into different fields, that students can select the field area according to their interest. The common fields for the B.Eng. degree are listed below.
Aerospace Engineering
It deals with the construction and maintenance of large aircraft, and their parts, missiles, and weapons. They are responsible for flight safety, operating cost, fuel efficiency, and environmental effect.
Major subjects of Aerospace Engineering are:
- Aerodynamics.
- Heat transfer.
- Management and business.
- Mechanics of flight.
- Aircraft design.
- Space systems.
- Space mission design and analysis.
- flight dynamics and Airframe design.
Agricultural Engineering
It focuses on the development of agricultural machinery and equipment to enhance crop cultivation. They design new technology in the field of agriculture.
Major subjects of Agriculture Engineering are:
- Farm Machinery and Power.
- Structures & Environmental Engineering.
- Food Engineering.
- Irrigation & Drainage.
- Fiber and Textile Technology.
- Energy Systems Engineering.
Automotive Engineering
These engineers involve in the design, building, and maintenance of automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, and so on. This is the sub-branch of vehicle engineering.
The major subjects of automotive engineering are:
- Technical English.
- Fundamentals of Computing and Programming.
- Engineering Chemistry.
- Engineering Graphics.
- Mathematics.
- Basic Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
- Engineering Physics.
- Principles of Management.
- Engineering mechanics.
- Automotive Pollution and Control.
- Composite Materials.
- Vehicle Dynamics.
- Engineering Thermodynamics.
- Robotics.
- Automotive Chassis.
- Engineering Metals and Metallurgy.
- Statistics and Numerical Methods.
- Environmental Science and Engineering.
- Automotive Transmission.
- Marketing Management.
- Automotive Engines.
- Automotive Safety.
- Production Technology.
Biological Engineering
It also involve biomedical, Biomolecular, Biochemical, Biosystems engineering. They deal with the problem in the interfacing system such as plants, microbes, animals. With the human designed machinery, processes, and instruments.
Fundamental courses are:
- Thermodynamics.
- Bio-mechanics.
- Biology.
- Genetic engineering.
- Fluid and mechanical dynamics.
- Kinetics.
- Electronics and materials properties.
Sub-disciplines of Biological Engineering
- Tissue engineering.
- Biomechanics.
- Neural engineering.
- Bioinformatics.
- Genetic engineering.
- Pharmaceutical engineering.
- Clinical engineering.
Chemical Engineering
It mainly focuses on the process of converting raw materials or chemicals to more useful and valuable forms or products. Further, they studied the chemicals and their properties and use them for the benefits.
Major subjects of Chemical Engineering
- Separation processes.
- Industrial chemistry.
- Heat, mass, and momentum.
- Cell biology.
- Fluid mechanics.
- Thermodynamics.
- Environmental management.
- Petroleum engineering.
Clean Technology
This field uses and recycles energy, raw materials, water, and other inputs more efficiently to clean the environment. And productively use recycle the products. Make less waste and toxic elements.
- The key focus of this field is to work on sustainable energy and also energy optimization to decrease dependency on fossil fuels.
- They work on providing clean water.
- Also, focus on pollution reduction.
- Recycling of waste and management of waste.
Computer Engineering
It involves in making new technology in the computer systems such as make software and hardware according to new generations. They involve in the design and working of smart computers.
The major subjects of computer engineering are:
- Microprocessor Lab.
- Image Processing Lab.
- Digital Logic Design Lab.
- VLSI Lab.
- Digital System Design Lab
- Computer Architecture Lab.
- Real-Time Embedded Systems Lab.
Civil Engineering
This is a broad range field involve building Engg., civil Engg., construction Engg., material Engg., control Engg., and industrial Engg. Additionally, they mainly deal with the design, construction, and maintenance of roads, canals, bridges, buildings, airports, sewerage systems, pipelines, and railways.
Major subjects of Civil engineering are:
- Concrete Technology.
- Surveying.
- Structural Analysis.
- Design of reinforced concrete structures.
- Geotechnical Engineering.
- Environmental Engineering.
- Strength of material.
- Fluid Mechanics.
- Waste Water Engineering.
- Project Management and construction.
- Building Planning.
- Earthquake Engineering.
- Engineering Mathematics.
- Building Materials.
- Transportation Engineering.
- Water Resources Engineering.
- Engineering Mechanics.
- Design of steel structures.
- Estimation and Cost Analysis.
- Bridge Engineering.
Electronic Engineering
This is the most diverse field, include Computer Engg., Microelectronics, Communcation Engg., Software Engineering, IT, Nanotechnology, Power Engg., and so on. They make new electrical devices and maintain the heavy machinery.
Electronic engineers are in high demand. In this profession, you will have to design logical circuits and you must be productive enough to come with new ideas regularly.
Major subjects of Electronic engineering are:
- Applied Calculus.
- Electrical Machines.
- Engineering Drawing.
- Engineering Economics.
- Computer Fundamentals.
- Applied Physics.
- Engineering Ethics.
- Instrumentation & Measurement.
- Engineering Management.
- Digital Logic Design.
- Basic Mechanical Engineering.
- Object-Oriented Programming.
- Linear Algebra.
- Electromagnetic Field Theory.
- Electronic Devices & Circuits.
- Power Electronics.
- Digital Electronics.
- Applied Thermodynamics.
- Differential Equations.
- Introduction to Power Engineering.
- Data Communication & Computer Networks.
- Electrical Network Analysis.
- Communication Systems.
- Linear Control Systems.
- Complex Variables & Transforms.
- Probability & Statistics for Engineers.
- Microwave Communication.
- Wave Propagation & Antennas.
- Numerical Analysis.
- Microprocessor-Based Systems.
- Digital Signal Processing.
- Microwave Communication.
Electrical Controls Engineering
This is a relatively new field and considered the subfield of electrical engineering. Its focus to integrate electrical control and programming systems.
Key Skills of Electrical Engineers are:
- Technical expertise.
- Strong numeracy.
- Budgeting.
- Teamwork and people skills.
- General IT skills.
- Self-management such as planning and meeting deadlines.
- Professional communication.
- The ability to make and understand technical diagrams.
- Flexibility.
- Ability to recognize and solve problems.
- Data analysis.
- Understanding the current electrical health and safety management.
- Awareness of related contents such as business and environmental issues.
Engineering Management
It is the subfield of management. It concentrates on giving the management skills to students to plan and execute the principles to manage industrial operations.
Major subjects of engineering management are:
- Engineering mathematics.
- Management Science.
- Accounting for engineers.
- Engineering statistics.
- Decision engineering.
- Operations management.
- Business statistics.
Environmental Engineering
This field includes the subfields like Geology, Mining, Geomatics, and ocean Engg. These engineers are focused on the structure and functioning of the environment and earth. They also predict environmental changes.
Course Subjects are:
- Strength of Materials.
- Basic Electrical Engineering.
- Ecology and Environmental Impact.
- Engineering Physics.
- Municipal Solid Waste Management.
- Geotechnical Engineering.
- Environmental Chemistry.
- Environmental Biotechnology.
Fire Protection Engineering
This is the combination of the knowledge of science and engineering laws and principles to protect us and the environment from fire, smoke, and other harmful effects.
Major topics are:
- Fluid mechanics.
- Thermodynamics.
- Heat transfer with an emphasis on systems and phenomena related to fire.
- Fluid technicians include applications to design, suppression systems, and smoke movement.
- Geological Engineering.
This is a hybrid discipline that includes parts of civil engineering, earth sciences, and petroleum engineering, and mining engineering. In addition, they mainly focus on geological aspects such as mining, forestry, and so on.
The main branches of Geology are earth system sciences, sedimentology, planetary geology, geological oceanography, stratigraphy and the geochemistry of natural waters.
Geomatics Engineering
This field focuses on the collection, distribution, processing, and analysis the geographical data. It also focuses on sensing Geographical, satellite positioning, wireless location, Information Systems, and land surveying.
The major subjects and elective subjects are geodesy, land cadastre, surveying, and mapping, spatial information technology satellite positioning survey, coastal engineering survey and deformation & geodynamic surveys.
Geotechnical Engineering
This is the mixer of mining and civil engineering. It mainly involves the deep analysis and earth materials and their identifications.
Major subjects are:
- Advanced Soil Mechanics.
- Theoretical Soil Mechanics.
- Geotechnical Investigation Practice.
- Advanced Foundation Engineering.
- Dynamics of Soil and Foundation.
- Geotechnical Laboratory.
- Advanced Engineering Mathematics.
- Computer Application in Engineering.
Information Engineering
This is almost similar to Information Technology. It deals with the analysis, generation, and distribution of informative data.
The major subject taught are Business Management, Data Structures and Algorithms, Databases, Statistics, Mathematics, English, Economics, Operating Systems, Philosophy, Financial Accounting, Programming and Advanced Programming, Systems Development.
Industrial Engineering
It studies the parts like planning, work measurement, plant layout, methods, job design, human factors, operational management, manufacturing processes, psychology, systems, statistical control, and primary operational management.
The major subjects are following:
Productivity enhancement, ergonomic product design,
Quality improvement, logistics, process optimization, environmental health, and safety.
Instrumentation Engineering
It is the branch of engineering that deals with the measurement of temp, pressure, and flow. It focuses on designing and making instruments that can measure these quantities.
Major subjects are:
- Engineering Mathematics.
- Analog Electronic.
- Digital Electronics.
- Control Systems and Process Control.
- Electrical and Electronic Measurements.
- Basics of Circuits and Measurement Systems.
- Transducers, Mechanical Measurement and Industrial Instrumentation.
- Analytical, Optical and Biomedical Instrumentation.
Integrated Engineering
This is basically a multi-disciplinary and design project-based field. These engineers are skilled in various aspects.
Integrated Engineers main focus is on disciplines like materials, electro-mechanical, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, and systems involving chemical, and biological components.
Leather Engineering
This field is similar to applied chemistry type program that is based on leather and its utilization.
Major subjects are:
- Mathematics.
- Leather machinery.
- Electronics engineering.
- Leather Technology.
- Introduction to leather manufacture.
- Engineering physics.
- Introduction to leather manufacture.
- Instrumental methods of analysis.
Manufacturing Engineering
It involves planning, methods engineering, tool design, manufacturing process, robotics, manufacturing management, computer integrated manufacturing, and operations management.
Major subjects are:
- Blueprint reading.
- Manufacturing process design and analysis.
- Manufacturing tool design.
- Technical writing.
- Industrial or occupational safety.
- Manufacturing engineering computer programs.
Materials Engineering
It mainly focuses on metallurgy, ceramic, and polymer engineering.
Major subjects are:
- Materials Processing, Manufacturing, and Characterization.
- Corrosion and Oxidation.
- Surface Engineering and Coating Technology.
- Ceramics, Polymers, and Composites.
- Nanotechnology and Nano Materials.
- Computational Materials Science.
Marine Engineering
This field includes the engineering of all marine vessels such as boats, ships, oil rigs, boats, ships, oil rigs. It focuses on designing their structure and oceanographic engineering. Especially, marine engineering is the system of applying engineering principles such as mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science to the construction, layout, development, and maintenance of watercraft and on-board systems.
Major subjects are:
- Marine design methods.
- Physics.
- Control circuits and electric machinery.
- Ship dynamics.
- Differential equations.
- Fluid mechanics.
Mechanical Engineering
It includes the mechanical engineering principles that apply to different objects in motion such as transportation, buildings, aerospace, energy, as well as machine design. It also focuses to explore the importance of the theoretical areas of mechanics, thermodynamics, materials science, kinematics, electricity, and structural analysis.
Major subjects are:
- Engineering Mechanics.
- Fluid Machinery and Aerodynamics.
- Instrumentation & control.
- Thermodynamics, and Heat Transfer Energy of Refrigeration or air Conditioning.
- Strength of Materials.
- Manufacturing Technology or processes.
- Design of Mechanical Systems.
Mechatronics Engineering
It is the combination of control and mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, telecommunication engineering, and computer engineering.
The main curriculum of this degree are Mathematics, Fundamentals of Mechatronics, Hydraulics and Pneumatics, Machine Design and CAD, Microcontrollers and Microprocessors, instrumentation & Measurements, and Mechatronics System.
Mining Engineering
It deals with identifying, extracting, marketing, beneficiating, and using mineral deposits.
Major subjects are:
- Ventilation.
- Mine Planning.
- Ore Reserve Analysis.
- Materials Handling.
- Rock Mechanics.
- Drilling and Blasting.
- Industrial Management.
- Minerals Processing.
Nuclear Engineering
This field usually includes nuclear fission & fusion and related subjects such as heat transport, nuclear fuel, or other related technologies, and the problems of nuclear generation. It also includes radiation protection, medical physics, and particle detectors.
The three major subjects are nuclear engineering, nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, and nuclear medicine.
Petroleum Engineering
It is a field of engineering involved with the projects related to the exploration and generation of hydrocarbons from the Earth.
The major subjects are Production Engineering, reservoir studies, rock properties, corrosion control in the petroleum industry, fluid properties, artificial lift methods, well testing, well logging, and enhanced oil recovery techniques, natural gas transmission, distribution, and petroleum economics, storage.
Plastics Engineering
It is a wide field of engineering which involves plastic processing and designing the mold.
Major subjects are:
- Engineering mathematics.
- Engineering chemistry.
- Computer application.
- Engineering graphics.
- Material science.
- Mechanics of Solids.
- Engineering physics.
- Production process.
Production Engineering
It is a term used in the Europe and UK and very similar to the Industrial Engineering field in North America. It involves the engineering of people, machines, management, and process. It explores the applicability of the theoretical field of Mechanics.
Major subjects are:
Material Science, Facility Planning, Technology, Material Handling, Industrial Management, Manufacturing, Mechanical Measurements, and Metrology, Economics & life cycle concepts, and Fluid Mechanics.
Textile Engineering
It focuses on the production of yarn from three types of fiber, then into the fabric, and finally in textiles.
Automation and Robotics Engineering
This field relates to all engineering disciplines that are involving in performing in robotics and automation
Structural Engineering
It is involved in analyzing, designing, planning, and researching the structural components, loads and systems, to reach design purposes including high-risk structures securing the security and convenience of residents in a broad range of jobs.
Software Engineering
This field involves the regular utilization of scientific and technological expertise, techniques, and knowledge to the layout, implementation, measurement, and documentation of software.
Systems Engineering
This field focuses on the study, design, advancement, and design of complex systems.
Scope of Engineering degree
Engineering is considered one of the most successful areas of study worldwide. Every year, numerous students take admission in different engineering fields. Today, the increase in the speed of unemployment made everybody consider his/her future and career seriously.
With time the engineering jobs pay has increased a lot. Now it is among the highest-paid professions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the annual salary of an engineer is about $91,010 and the projects of engineering fields have an employment increase of nearly 140,000 new jobs over the past.
Moreover, choice of the right field gives a way towards the right profession starting to a bright future. But, if you select the wrong field clearly, you will not reach your aim by experiencing a lot of obstacles and difficulties. So always choose the right field, in which you have an interest. In Pakistan, the 4 engineering fields are the highest-paid. These are Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Electrical Engineering.
These engineering fields are supposed to be one of the common choices for a good career. Because these degrees enable students to develop skills and knowledge which are essential to lead a flourishing career.
Top five universities offering engineering degrees
Harvard University
The Harvard University, School of Engineering is the new school established in 2007. Its origin is in the Lawrence Scientific School, which was established in 1847 and became a school in 2007.
The school of Engineering taught several teaching fields such as applied mathematics, environmental science, and engineering, bioengineering, computer science, applied physics, electrical engineering, and materials science and mechanical engineering.
The toppers of the school have been granted a Nobel Prize (MacArthur Fellowship Award) a Turing Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship, and many others.
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford offered specific engineering degrees which are differing from United States universities. The students are picked from different strands of engineering to graduate.
For undergraduates, this is a four-year program degree in engineering science. There are also other fields of Engineering taught such as electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, information engineering, and mechanical engineering.
To get admission, the applicants have to pass the interview round.
Many engineering graduates from Oxford have bright careers as professional engineers.
Stanford University
The School of Engineering of Stanford University is popular for the past century because of its innovation and new technology ideas.
This school consists of nine departments and additional institutes, research centres, and laboratories.
The school of engineering mainly focuses on human challenging projects such as systems design, bioengineering, information technology, climate change, network security, robotics, materials and matter, affordable accessible healthcare, urban design, and computation and data analysis.
However, this university has nine departments, and eight interdepartmental undergraduate programs in which students can choose to major in.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
The Engineering school of MIT is ranked among the top five schools at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It is the biggest of all five schools. Further, the school has eight educational departments and two interdisciplinary schools. The departments of Engineering are the following: mechanical engineering, aeronautics, and astronautics, nuclear science and Engg., biological engineering, among others.
The school allows both undergraduate and postgraduate programs and supports students at all stages to manage research.
University of California, Berkeley
The College of Engineering of the University of California is considered the top college among 14 schools and colleges. It was founded in 1931.
Students can decide to seek several different fields, such as civil mechanical engineering, environmental engineering, and nuclear engineering, and many others.
Distinguished alumni of the Engineering college are Steve Wozniack (the co-founder of Apple), Andrew Ng (co-founder and executive chairman of Coursera), Marc Tarpenning (the co-founder of Tesla), and (Peter Norvig) director of research at Google.
I hope, you will find this article helpful to understand the majors in Engineering and its scope. Have a good day. :)