Electrical Engineering Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is electrical engineering?

Since engineering is the application of the principles of basic science to the solving of problems within constraints, electrical engineers conceive and design a wide variety of electrical and electronic products and systems. Some examples of systems that electrical engineers might work on or design are antennas, computer components, robotic systems, integrated circuits, sensors, and power distribution.

Q2: What set of skills do I need to be an electrical engineer?

All scientists and engineers need a firm foundation in basic science and math. They also need to be able to work in teams and to communicate their ideas both verbally and in writing.

Q3: What job opportunities are there for electrical engineers?

Electrical engineers can and do work in almost any type of company. Electrical engineering also provides an excellent foundation for both patent law and medicine.

Q4: What degree plans are there for electrical engineers at the University of Houston?

At UH, the EE option provides breadth and depth in the concentration areas of electromagnetics and solid state devices, power and controls, signals and communications, and electronics. The computer option requires advanced courses in data structures and algorithms, digital and computer system design, operating systems and computer architecture.

Q5: Why are there two different electrical engineering plans?

Electrical engineering is a very broad field. The EE option allows students to concentrate their upper level electives in a particular area, such as power or electromagnetics, or to "sample" from several areas. The EE computer option is more focused in the computer area, while still resulting in a BSEE as opposed to a BS in Computer Engineering.

Q6: Which electrical engineering plan is better?

The job markets have been—and are expected to continue to be—excellent for both types of electrical engineers. Both can lead to very interesting and rewarding careers. You should choose according to your preference.

Q7: What courses does a BSEE student take?

BSEE students take one or more courses in the following areas, please see the flowchart for details.

• The University Core: English, history, political science, etc. taken by all students.
• Basic Science and Math: Calculus, differential equations, statistics, physics, chemistry, taken by all science and engineering students.
• Electrical Engineering: Circuits, electronics, electromagnetics, engineering related: programming, digital and computer systems, signal analysis, solid state devices.
  

Q8: Why is computer engineering in the same department as electrical engineering?

As long as computers are built out of electronic circuits, computer and electrical engineering will be closely related. As to why computer engineering and computer science are typically in two different departments (and often in two different colleges as here at U of H) can be attributed to accidents of history and to opinions held by some that the disciplines are broad enough that you have to separate them somewhere.

Q9: Can I get a double major with a BSCPE and a BSEE?

First of all, it is POSSIBLE do a wide variety of combinations. However, I would strongly recommend that you only do one initially, and wait until graduate school to diversify. But first, a technical point. Because of the way engineering degrees are set up, you can't double major; you have to actually get two different undergraduate degrees. A much more important point is that in the extra time it would take to get the two undergraduate degrees, you could do a single degree and a good chunk of a masters! In other words, I believe graduate school is a better use of education time, either immediately after you get your degree or after you've been working for a while and really know what you want to do.

Q10: Do I need a minor?

No, a minor is not required for the BSEE. However, UH does offer minors in a number of closely related areas, including computer science, nano-engineering, mathematics, and electrical power technology. The requirements to minor and the necessary paperwork is completed between the student and the department of the minor. It does not require approval in ECE, nor does it change the requirements for the BSEE.

Q11: What if I change my mind between the EE-EE option, the EE-Computer option, and the Computer Engineering degree?

All three of these plans are the same for the first two years, and very similar for the remainder. Students can, and do, often switch between the EE option and the computer option as late as the beginning of their senior year.

Q12: I've played around with electronics & computers, but I still really don't know what an electrical engineer does. How do I know it's for me?

This is a tough question: you really won't know until you try. However, we DO have a one credit course (ECE 1100) that provides an excellent introduction to electrical and computer engineering. Faculty give presentations about what they do, you get to meet some of your fellow students, and there are some basic projects that give you the feel for what you will be doing over the next several years.

Q13: I don't see too many women engineers. Are women successful in electrical engineering?

To be sure, women are underrepresented in most technical fields, but women certainly do choose electrical engineering.. As far as women being successful I can answer an emphatic yes! Typically, our women students get higher GPAs than men students and appear disproportionately more often on Dean's Lists, Outstanding Seniors lists and membership rolls of honor societies. Their job opportunities after graduation are usually outstanding.

Q14: I have some other concerns about being an engineer:
        -I really like people
        -I'm pretty sure I want to be an engineer now, but I can't see myself doing it
          for the next 40 years
        -What I really want to do, eventually, is to run a company.
        -Is engineering for me?

Engineers have an undeserved reputation of not being "people friendly." Nothing could be further from the truth: engineers almost always work in teams and must interact with each other constantly. People skills are essential to being a successful engineer. To expand on this idea—the internet, that ubiquitous communication mechanism, was invented by engineers and scientists so that they could discuss their work with each other cheaply and conveniently. Also, many engineers leave the day-to-day technical aspects after about five to ten years and become managers, or go into marketing and even sales, the most people-oriented of all jobs. There they find their engineering backgrounds to be a huge advantage. In fact, many CEOs and entrepreneurs began as engineers.

Q15: I see there is an electrical engineering technology program offered by the college of technology. What's the difference between their program and yours?

This is difficult to answer briefly, and you should definitely talk to people in the college of technology to get their views. Also there is some overlap in function and much overlap in training which can make the distinction confusing. A good place to start is that engineers typically work on unsolved problems while technologists work on problems that are better understood. As an example, a technician fixes or troubleshoots an electrical component, while an engineer would be the one to design a new one. Another example: technologists are typically certified to administer computer systems, networks, etc., while computer scientists/engineers are typically involved with creating computer systems, networks, etc. A consequence of this difference in functions is that technology training is directed more toward "here and now" technology, whereas engineering training involves more math, basic science and fundamental engineering principles in preparation for creating the systems of the future. Careers of technologists and engineers sometimes parallel each other in their first exposures to their jobs. However, the technologist will typically continue to gain experience in specific currently used systems, while an engineer will generally move on to a broader base dealing with design, management, planning new systems, etc. Starting salaries for technology graduates are usually slightly lower than for engineers, but in both cases experience or special expertise can command salaries well above entry level.

Q16: How do job prospects compare for the various electrical related degrees?

Let me start with a universal warning about career advice: job markets can change radically in just a few years, so there are never any guarantees. That being said, all electrical related majors are very much in demand and have been for a long time. I can't think of any other field with equally good prospects, except of course, medicine—for which the BSEE is good preparation.

Q17: What are the starting salaries for electrical engineers?

A Of the students in our department who did well (not necessarily great, just well) everyone we know of who wanted to get a job immediately did so. Many had multiple offers. Students who just squeak by often take longer to find jobs and tend to get lower salaries. But it should be noted that employers don't look only at GPA; they generally put a great deal of weight on enthusiasm and communication skills. For current information, contact the Engineering Career Center (www.egr.uh.edu/career/).

Q18: What haven't I asked?

About work experience while you are studying. Many universities, including the University of Houston, have 'co-op' programs where you spend summers or even semesters working at local companies. These tend to be fantastic opportunities. If you do reasonably well and the company is still doing OK when you graduate, they are very likely to offer you a full-time job and at a higher salary than you would have gotten otherwise. The Engineering Career Center mentioned above is the place for more information on these programs as well.