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Overview

Think MacGyver here. Red or yellow wire to deactivate (or activate) the bomb? Does the answer seem obvious to you? Perhaps you’re an electrical engineer in the rough.


Electrical engineers design, develop, and test electrical equipment. They figure out ways to generate and control electrical energy. Electrical engineers work with every kind of device imaginable, from computers to clock radios to global positioning devices. They also really know the difference between amperage (strength), voltage (force), and wattage (power) of a current, and can toss off these terms and others with ease.


A major in Electrical Engineering requires extensive work in math and science. You can expect to take several classes in physics and calculus before moving into the more detailed study of electrical systems.

SAMPLE CURRICULUM

  • Calculus I-III

  • Circuit Theory

  • Electromagnetics

  • Electronics I-II

  • Foundations of Electrical Engineering

  • General Chemistry

  • Physics I-II

  • Signals and Systems


HIGH SCHOOl PREPARATION

Electrical Engineering is a math and science-heavy field. Take physics and as many advanced math classes as you can. Additional experience in programming languages is very helpful, but certainly not required. And be sure to watch a lot of MacGyver reruns.