Electrical Engineering
College of Engineering
Emphases: Circuits & Systems, Signals & Systems, Power/Control/Robotics, E&M/Optics, MEMS/Solid State, Digital Design/Computer Engineering
Capstones
Program
LEAP
Office of
Undergraduate Research
Courses
Getting Started
- Meet with an ECE advisor to create a course plan
- Explore the major in ECE 1900
- Get started with Calculus I & II, Circuits & Systems I + Labs, and Intro to Computer Programming
Making Progress
- Meet with your advisor often to discuss your course plan & stay on track of degree requirements (refer to major flowcharts)
- Take GE courses (spread these out)
- Continue major courses including differential equations, probability & statistics, circuits II & III, and physics I & II
- Explore ECE tracks to identify technical electives you'd like to take
- Begin crafting your senior capstone in ECE 3900: Junior Seminar
Finishing Up
- Enroll in senior capstone courses
- Finish remaining math & science classes
- Complete advanced technical electives
- Review degree audit & meet with advisor
- Apply for graduation
Community
Getting Started
- Join a learning community like LEAP or the Honors College
- Attend the Get Involved Fair & Engineering Club Rush to explore student clubs/organizations
- Follow ECE on social media
Making Progress
- Build relationships with students in your ECE courses as you move through the program together
- Organize study groups with your peers
- Find a job on campus
- Get involved with ECE student groups & honor societies
- Become a LEAP peer mentor or orientation leader
- Consider getting involved in ASUU or talk to your advisor about joining the Student Advisory Council (SAC)
Finishing Up
- Network with your fellow classmates & professors
- Take on a leadership role in your student group(s)
- Get involved with the Alumni Association and Forever Utah
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- Utilize tutoring resources in ECE, the Math Center, & Learning Center
- Research careers that interest you & identify skills they require
- Explore ECE research areas & learn about OUR resources
Making Progress
- Apply to be a TA or tutor
- Explore the ECE major tracks & determine which area best fits your future career goals
- Engage in undergraduate research - check out UROP, SPUR, REU & talk to your advisor about other opportunities
- Find an internship that allows you to apply your knowledge & skills
- Check out Lassonde+X or the Engineering Entrepreneurship Certificate
Finishing Up
- Demonstrate & apply your knowledge in your senior capstone
- Take technical electives to gain skills for your desired career
- Present at the Undergraduate Research Symposium
Transformation
Getting Started
- Develop a solid foundation in math, circuits, & science classes
- Apply for scholarships & other financial aid options
- Attend professors' office hours to learn more about their research
Making Progress
- Use your experience in math & science courses to consider which ECE track you may want to follow
- Meet with an internship coordinator or career coach to develop an internship plan
- Consider a learning abroad experience
- Request a learning consultation in the Learning Center to evaluate & improve your study habits
- Develop foundations of your senior project & practice presentation skills in junior seminar
Finishing Up
- Showcase your technical skills through your senior capstone
- Reflect on what you've learned in the program & extracurricular experiences
- Participate in graduation events
Impact
Getting Started
- Volunteer & engage in service projects in the Bennion Center
- Consider participating in the Grand Challenges Scholars Program
- Meet with an advisor to set goals for your time in college
Making Progress
- Apply to go on an Alternative Break trip
- Get involved with Engineers Without Borders at the U
- Grow your teamwork & communication skills in lab classes
- Consider taking a community-engaged learning course
- Apply to be an Engineering Ambassador
- Contribute to a project in the Sorenson Impact Center
- Participate in a workshop in the Counseling Center or Center for Student Wellness
Finishing Up
- Complete an internship or undergraduate research experience
- Share research at a local, national, or global conference
- Explore graduate programs, if interested
Careers
Getting Started
- Draft a resume & sample cover letter
- Meet with a career coach in the CPDC to explore your strengths & career interests
- Research possible companies & teams that interest you
Making Progress
- Create & customize accounts on Handshake and LinkedIn
- Apply for internships - browse the COE's Jobs Board & attend the STEM career fair in the fall to connect with employers
- Meet with your advisor or a career coach to discuss your goals post-graduation & explore ways to build your resume
- Conduct informational interviews or job shadow with professionals in fields that interest you
Finishing Up
- Update your resume & online career profiles
- Meet with a career coach to create a job search plan and practice interviewing & salary negotiation
- Apply for jobs or grad school
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
Electrical Engineering is a discipline involving the study, design, and application of equipment, devices, and systems which use electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. Electrical engineers design computers, robots, wireless communications, medical devices, lasers, fiber optics, new electronic materials, sensors, and so much more. The Electrical Engineering program at the U offers foundational electrical engineering courses in circuits and systems as well as math, physics, and other sciences. You will develop a strong foundation in our core electronics classes and labs, and our flexible curriculum allows you the freedom to pursue your interests in upper-level classes by following our cohesive tracks in circuits & systems, signals & systems, power/control/robotics, E&M/optics, MEMS/solid state, and digital design/computer engineering. In your final year you will apply and synthesize what you’ve learned in the program by completing a senior capstone project. Beyond coursework, you can find many opportunities to engage in research, access tutoring resources, gain experience through internships, and/or get involved with a number of student clubs and engineering honors societies. With an Electrical Engineering degree, you can pursue graduate school programs in electrical engineering or related sciences. Our graduates also experience high job placement rates, working as electrical engineers as well as hardware engineers, optical engineers, test engineers, controls engineers, RF engineers, and even software developers.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences; and function effectively on a team to provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
- Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
- Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.