Electrical Engineering

• Develop more reliable power systems.
• Measure winds on the planet Jupiter.
• Design more efficient bullet trains.
• Build the next-generation minicomputer.

The career opportunities are unlimited with a bachelor of science (B.S.) in electrical engineering from the University of Idaho.

As a student in the program, you learn to research, design and develop complex electrical circuits and systems for computers, instruments, communication devices and power conversion equipment. Through both classroom learning and hands-on research, you explore:

• Electronics: Analyze, design and build electronic circuits for use in systems such as cell phones, iPods and MP3 players.
• Power: Learn to model, analyze and design electrical power systems, including generators, transmission and distribution systems and electric machines.
• Electromagnetics: Examine the propagation of electromagnetic waves, antennas and radio frequency circuits.
• Digital systems: Design and analyze digital logic systems such as microcontrollers, microprocessors and random access memories (RAM).
• Control systems: Learn to design automatic feedback control systems found in chemical processing plants, automobiles and airplanes.
• Digital signal processing: Study how to extract information from digital images and noise signals using computers used in video imaging and communication links.
• Communication systems: Learn to analyze and design modern communication systems such as computer modems, cellular telephones and satellite communication links.

Prepare for Success

Electrical engineering requires a strong work ethic and a natural curiosity. It also demands a solid background in both math and basic science.

To prepare for the program, hone your skills in math and basic science, along with courses such as advanced algebra, trigonometry, chemistry, physics, computer programming and calculus.

Your First Year

During your first year in the electrical engineering program, you take courses that strengthen your foundation in physics, chemistry, mathematics and writing. You may take:

• Computer Science I
• Analytic Geometry & Calculus I/II
• Foundations of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Principles of Chemistry
• Engineering Physics

You will also take courses in the humanities, social sciences and English as part of the University of Idaho core curriculum.

What You Can Do

The broad field of electrical engineering offers many diverse career opportunities. Potential job titles include:

• Design engineer
• Project engineer
• Engineering specialist
• Chief engineer
• Quality control engineer
• Hardware engineer
• Development engineer
• Reliability engineer
• Research engineer
• Systems design engineer
• Field engineer
• Test engineer
• Sales engineer

You may also pursue master degrees and/or doctoral degree in electrical engineering.

Opportunities

Our graduates are highly sought after by top firms in the region and nation. In fact, most of our recent graduates received at least one job offer before graduation. Electrical engineering alumni are working for companies such as:

• Idaho Power
• Avista Utilities
• Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
• Hewlett-Packard Company
• Intel
• Micron
• Boeing
• NASA
• Power Engineers

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering’s research and expertise in power and energy systems uniquely positions graduates for careers in the utility industry. Many of our students go on to rewarding careers for utility companies, utility equipment suppliers, and engineering consulting firms. You may find yourself:

• Designing control systems for wind farms
• Researching and developing more efficient and reliable power relay systems
• Designing power substations and transmission line systems

Our students rank high in the country in the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, a standardized national test, with the highest passing rate of 95.6 percent, compared to the national average of 68.4 percent.

Electrical engineers receive the second highest starting salaries of all college graduates, and the earning potential is strong. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary in 2008 for electrical engineers was at $82,160.

Current Research

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Idaho is actively engaged in leading electrical engineering research, drawing more than $4.5 million in research funding during the last three years.

Our faculty members are widely recognized for their research and expertise in such areas as power/energy systems, electromagnetic radiowave propagation, electronic packaging and microelectronics. In fact, two of our faculty members – Jeff Young and Aicha Elshabini – have been named distinguished Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Fellows for their contributions toward the advancement of the field. And Fred Barlow III was elected the 2009 Fellow of the International Microelectronics And Packaging Society (IMAPS).

Research Programs:

The National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technologies (NIATT): Develops technologies to improve the design and operation of transportation vehicles and systems. Projects include traffic control, electric and hybrid vehicles, clean vehicle technology, and Smart Traffic signals.

The Power Applications Research Group (PARG): Explores new applications in the fields of power systems control and communications and also smart grid.

Hands-On Experience

Undergraduate research: Electrical engineering students at Idaho have rare opportunities for hands-on research alongside leading faculty. You’ll spend a significant amount of time in the laboratory and gain extensive experience designing and conducting research projects. 

As an undergraduate electrical engineering student, you may:

• Work with the U.S. Navy designing autonomous submarines.
• Fabricate microelectronics that could be used in the newest minicomputer.
• Spend summers at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Senior Capstone: Students work in teams to develop proof of concept designs that address real-life engineering problems. Projects are frequently sponsored by industry partners, such as Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Advanced Input Systems, NASA, Naval Surface Warfare Center, and Office of Naval Research (ONR).

Engineering Design EXPO: Present your senior capstone project at the University of Idaho Engineering Design EXPO, the Pacific Northwest's largest interdisciplinary event showcasing the world of engineering and technological innovation.

Internships: Our close ties with the industry create many exceptional internship opportunities. The University of Idaho is among one of the top universities in the country placing interns at NASA labs. These internships often translate into outstanding job opportunities.