In the sub-area of microelectronics, electrical engineers design and fabricate electronic materials such as semiconductors, conductors and superconductors used in the manufacture of electronic devices. As a natural progression, electrical engineers design and fabricate electronic devices such as transistors, which control or modulate the flow of energy; sensors of light, mechanical force, chemicals, etc.; electromagnetic radiation sources such as lasers, light emitting diodes and microwave power sources. Following this progression, we find electrical engineers designing and fabricating integrated circuits such as microprocessors and memory elements; flat-panel displays, etc., which are found in applications ranging from supercomputers to watches, clocks and toys. Further in this progression we find electrical engineers designing and fabricating today’s and tomorrow’s computers.
Computer systems and application-specific integrated circuits are the elements that enable the existence of today’s communication systems, such as the Internet, satellite systems, telemedicine, wired and wireless (cellular) telephones, along with standard and high definition television. Additionally, along with sensors, microwave power sources and actuators, they permit our present and future automated manufacturing lines, air and traffic control systems, and automotive safety and traffic control through collision avoidance radar systems, antilocking brake systems, air bag actuators, automatic traffic routing and the “smart highway” of the future.
Electrical engineers play an ever increasing role in the design and building of major facets of today’s and tomorrow’s health care systems and medical research through the application of microelectronic instrumentation and diagnostic tools such as MRI and CAT scan systems. The field of electrical engineering truly permeates every facet of our lives and thus provides excellent employment opportunities to the general practitioner or specialist in more than 35 different subspecialties.
Learning outcomes:
- Apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering
- Design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
- Design a system, component or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability and sustainability
- Function on multidisciplinary teams
- Identify, formulate and solve engineering problems
- Gain an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
- Communicate effectively
- Complete the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental and societal context
- Recognize the need for, and an ability to engage in, lifelong learning
- Gain knowledge of contemporary issues
- Use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
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