Electrical Engineering

Electrical Engineering is the largest and most diverse technological field in the world. With more than 370,000 members in over 160 countries, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers “is the world's leading association for the advancement of technology.” The IEEE publishes more than 130 transactions, journals, and magazines; the Institute is composed of 39 professional societies concerned with such topics as computers {networking, hardware, software}, communications {mobile, wireless, land line, satellite, internet, broadcast, sonar & radar}; consumer electronics {radio, tv, pda, digital cameras, hi fi, mp3, cd, dvd players}; energy, power generation and transmission; illumination; transportation {anti-lock brakes, auto-pilots, electronic suspension, cruise & stability control} instrumentation & sensors {gps}, biomedical technology {diagnostics and imaging}; and robotics. Information technology is an electrical engineering enterprise and every day terms such as “802.11b” {Wi Fi} and “1394'” {Firewire} are IEEE standards. Electrical engineers successfully pursue careers not only in practice and applied scientific research, but also in a wide range of non-technical areas such as corporate management, finance, and commerce.

The Department of Electrical Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate educational programs and research opportunities in three of the field's broadest areas:

1. Microelectronics, Photonics and Nanotechnology

2. Computers, Sensors, and Networking

3. Signal & Image Processing, Communications and Control

It is possible for undergraduates to undertake studies leading to an ABET-accredited B. S. degree. For those who wish to become familiar with basic electrical engineering but anticipate non-technical careers, there are also flexible electrical engineering majors leading to B.A. or B.S. degrees. There is also a joint major with the Department of Computer Science.

The Department has active research projects in each of the three programs mentioned above. Many of these projects are cross-disciplinary and involve collaborations with faculty and students in other departments such as Computer Science, Applied Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, the Medical School, and Applied Mathematics. Graduate students can pursue course work and research leading to both MS and Ph.D. degrees.

A. Stephen Morse
Chair
Department of Electrical Engineering