WHAT-IS . NET
Information and answers to all your common and special questions.
Copyright©2006-2007 What-is.Net  All rights reserved.
Last Updated: June 6, 2007
What is Electrical Engineering?
Electrical engineers typically possess an academic degree with a major in electrical engineering. The length of study for  such a degree is usually four or five years and the completed degree may be designated as a Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor  of Science, Bachelor of Technology or Bachelor of Applied Science depending upon the university. The degree generally  includes units covering physics, mathematics, computer science, project management and specific topics in electrical  engineering. Initially such topics cover most, if not all, of the sub-disciplines of electrical engineering. Students then  choose to specialize in one or more sub-disciplines towards the end of the degree.

Some electrical engineers also choose to pursue a postgraduate degree such as a Master of Engineering/Master of Science, a  Master of Engineering Management, a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering or an Engineer's degree. The Master and Engineer's  degree may consist of either research, coursework or a mixture of the two. The Doctor of Philosophy consists of a significant  research component and is often viewed as the entry point to academia. In the United Kingdom and various other European  countries, the Master of Engineering is often considered an undergraduate degree of slightly longer duration than the  Bachelor of Engineering.

From the Global Positioning System to electric power generation, electrical engineers have contributed to the development of  a wide range of technologies. They design, develop, test and supervise the deployment of electrical systems and electronic  devices. For example, they may work on the design of telecommunication systems, the operation of electric power stations, the  lighting and wiring of buildings, the design of household appliances or the electrical control of industrial machinery.
Electrical engineering (sometimes referred to as electrical and electronic engineering) is a semi-professional and  professional engineering discipline that deals with the study and/or application of electricity, electronics and  electromagnetism. The field first became an identifiable occupation in the late nineteenth century after commercialization of  the electric telegraph and electrical power supply. The field now covers a range of sub-studies including those that deal  with power, electronics, control systems, signal processing and telecommunications.

The term electrical engineering may or may not encompass electronic engineering. Where a distinction is made, electrical  engineering is considered to deal with the problems associated with large-scale electrical systems such as power transmission  and motor control, whereas electronic engineering deals with the study of small-scale electronic systems including computers  and integrated circuits. Another way of looking at the distinction is that electrical engineers are usually concerned with  using electricity to transmit energy, while electronics engineers are concerned with using electricity to transmit  information.
Online Electrical Engineering Degree
Return to HOME Page