Online Electrical Engineering Degree

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What is an electrical engineer?

Electrical engineers use technology and science together with their problem solving skills to design, build and maintain information systems, services and products. They can choose to specialize in computer engineering, electrical engineering or electronics.

Working as an electrical engineer you be responsible for designing, creating, testing and overseeing the manufacture of various electrical equipment, such as: wiring and lighting in buildings and machine controls,electric motors, aircraft, automobile, power generation, transmission and control devices used by electricity utilities, as well as navigation and radar systems.

Electrical engineers tend to focus on generating and supplying power such as the manufacture of electrical equipment, engineering and power systems. Many individuals can move into management positions because of the high demand for experts in engineering, science and technology.

What type of people would enjoy an electrical engineering degree program?

If you're wondering whether you have what it takes to become an electrical engineer, then ask yourself whether the majority of the following points apply to you:

You're curious as to how things work
You're interested in math, physics and chemistry
You like to solve problems
You like to put ideas into action
You have great communication skills
You like to work with other people

A Bachelors in electrical engineering

A Bachelors in electrical engineering also gives you the necessary skill set to use as a starting point in a diverse range of other fields such as computer science, aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, as well as business, medicine and law.

A bachelors is often just the starting point for those interested in electrical engineering and students will go to earning a Masters in a specialist area or a PhD if they want to teach their chosen field at college level.

A typical electrical engineering program encompasses the world of science and math. Courses may include:

Robotics – this can mean students working with artificial intelligence, manipulating dangerous substances and developing robotic arms.

Power systems – this deals with learning how power grids are set up and how generators work. It also looks into making energy more efficient.

Computers – with computers beginning to dominate the engineering world, students will learn the intricacies of digital systems, microprocessors as well as computer manufacture and hardware design.

Communications systems – these investigate basic television, radio and telephone technology as well as more complex forms of wireless and computer transmissions.

Integrated circuits – this falls within the entertainment and consumer field and deals with the design of electronic controls for things such as home appliances, electronic games as well as navigation systems.

Later in the programme students may specialize within the field, perhaps choosing microwave engineering or power systems. These degree programs will last between 4-6 years.

Career options

Electrical engineers work in a wide range industries, including:

energy and electric power
computers
semi conductors
telecommunications
manufacturing
transportation and automative
education and research
bioengineering

Prospective salaries

In 2010 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for electrical engineers ranged between median annual earnings of $85,370 to $94,670 with top earners reaching $114,700.

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