Electrical Engineering Degree

Spark of ingenuity

Electrical Engineering Degree

You've got it, that natural curiosity about how things work. Electrical engineering is a field made for innovators and problem-solvers. Groundbreaking inventions – like smartphones, digital cameras, electric cars, medical imaging equipment and roller coasters – wouldn't exist if not for the creativity of electrical engineers.

Type of Offering

Major

College

Engineering

As an electrical engineering major in the T.J. Smull College of Engineering, you’ll gain a strong foundation in the field of electrical engineering. You’ll take courses in electronics, embedded systems, control systems, telecommunications, signal processing and electric power. If you’re passionate about a particular subject – like biomedical devices, image processing, renewable energy, or robotics – you can choose from a variety of upper-level elective courses in these areas.

Your electrical engineering education will blend foundational principles with hands-on, real-world learning experiences. We offer integrated lab and design experience in every course. You’ll apply the knowledge you learn in class, and have the opportunity to hone skills in leadership, teamwork, creativity and entrepreneurship. These skills will help you find a job and land that promotion.

Our program emphasizes getting to know the individual student for personalized mentorship and academic advising in a supportive and collaborative environment. Your professors and fellow students in the college will become part of your academic support network, working for your success. You will have the opportunity to connect with �鶹��ý alumni and they will also help you succeed and open doors for you.

Upon graduation, you’ll be ready for whatever the future holds, whether it’s working in robotics, automation, the electric grid, electronic design, or launching your own company!

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ABET Accredited

ABET is a nonprofit, ISO 9001 certified organization that accredits college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology. The electrical engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

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12th in the Nation, by U.S. News & World Report 2024 Badge

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ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING COURSES, CURRICULUM & PROGRAM RESOURCES

You’ll need 128 credit hours to earn your Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE). We encourage you to use your elective hours to pursue a minor of your choice or a concentration in advanced energy or robotics that will align with your interests and passions.

Concentrations

Concentrations are a great addition to your major allowing for a deeper exposure to a specific area of interest. Learn about the different major/concentration combos for Electrical Engineering below.

- Why Choose This?��If you’re passionate about powering the future and solving the world’s energy challenges, this combination is perfect for you. From renewable energy systems to the electric grid and even the petrochemical industry, you'll learn how to design, optimize, and innovate in a variety of energy sectors.
- Experiential Learning: Get hands-on experience in Electric Machines & Power Electronics labs and Controls & Automation, applying what you learn to real-world energy systems.
- Career Path: Work as an energy systems engineer, power electronics engineer, or in roles focused on renewable energy solutions. This path prepares you for careers in utility companies, renewable energy firms, and even traditional energy sectors.
- Advanced Energy academic page
- Why Choose This?��Are you excited by the idea of building the next generation of robots and automation systems? This concentration allows you to dive deep into robotics, industrial automation, and control systems, preparing you for a rapidly growing industry.
- Experiential Learning: Engage in Controls & Automation labs and embedded systems projects, where you'll program and build robots that interact with their environment.
- Career Path: Step into roles such as robotics engineer, automation engineer, or industrial controls specialist. You’ll find opportunities in manufacturing, automotive, and tech industries where robotics is key.
- Robotics academic page
- Why Choose This?��Protecting critical infrastructure from cyber threats is more important than ever. By combining EE with cybersecurity, you’ll gain the skills needed to secure the hardware and networks that power our modern world.
- Experiential Learning: Work in the Computer Security lab to understand how to defend systems from attacks, then dive deeper with electives like Hardware Security or Advanced Network Security, preparing you to safeguard complex systems.
- Career Path: Become a cybersecurity engineer, network security analyst, or work in roles focused on securing industrial control systems. Opportunities abound in defense, energy, and tech companies.
- Cybersecurity academic page
- Why Choose This?��If you’re interested in how engineering can improve healthcare, this combination is ideal. You’ll work on cutting-edge biomedical devices and systems that enhance patient care and medical research.
- Experiential Learning: Dive into labs like Electric Circuits, Electronics, and Signals and Systems, where you'll apply engineering principles that apply to medical devices and healthcare solutions.
- Career Path: Pursue a career as a biomedical engineer, medical device engineer, or work in research and development for healthcare technology companies.
- Biomedical Engineering academic page

The ultimate learning environment

We were overjoyed to open the brand new James Lehr Kennedy Engineering Building in 2019. The 105,000-square-foot facility is��able to accommodate 600 students and��includes more than 10,000 square feet of large-scale project and design space for capstone projects, competitive design projects and other direct industry engagement. Further, it��provides flexible space that can be adjusted to various projects and��features more than 2,000 square feet for research labs that can exist on their own or can be combined into larger spaces for bigger projects.

The new home of the College of Engineering

A look inside the new James Lehr Kennedy Engineering Building

Get a high-impact head start

We boast a 100 percent placement rate for students in co-op employment opportunities, which begin in the second semester of the junior year and continue for one year. Our electrical engineering students co-op at well-known companies like Marathon Petroleum, American Electric Power, RoviSys, Timken and Rockwell Automation.

Over the last five years, 100 percent of our electrical engineering majors found full-time engineering jobs or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation.

Student Organizations

In the College of Engineering, we have a variety of active and award-winning student organizations. Through participation in one or more of these groups, you’ll have the opportunity to network, be a leader, make lifelong friends, gain knowledge about your chosen profession, volunteer, travel to regional and national conferences, and more.

This group represents the study body of the College of Engineering. Members work closely with the dean of the College of Engineering, the faculty and our student organizations. Its purpose is to cultivate greater cooperation and communication between all groups.
This group of students designs and builds multiple robotic football players (quarterbacks, centers, linemen, running backs, wide receivers and a kicker) to compete in an annual robotics football match up against undergraduate engineering students from the University of Notre Dame.
This international, nonprofit professional organization is devoted to the advancement of technology and education related to electricity. IEEE hosts the Micromouse competition every year.
This professional organization is open to male and female engineers who are dedicated to making known the need for more female engineers and for encouraging young women to consider majoring in engineering. �鶹��ý’s chapter provides support for its female students and hosts social activities.
This national honorary engineering association is for juniors who are in the upper 12.5 percent of their class and seniors who are in the upper 20 percent of their class.
This group is a social sorority for women in engineering or engineering technology. Sisters develop the highest standard of personal integrity, strive for academic excellence and build friendships that last a lifetime.
Theta Tau is the oldest, largest and foremost coed fraternity for engineers. �鶹��ý’s chapter helps members develop and maintain a high standard of professionalism while forming lasting friendships. All engineering majors are encouraged to join.

Electrical engineering offers countless opportunities, and there is a great need for creative, smart young people who want to design the future.

Courtney Schkurko, BSEE ’13

Sumo Robot Challenge

The Sumo Bot Challenge pits student steams in an intense battle of sumo wrestling with robots! The competition is sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Held once a year, the competition pits �鶹��ý’s team against teams from other engineering schools across the region. In case you’re wondering, the Polar Bears usually capture one of the top competition awards.

Learn More About Competition Teams

End game: A fulfilling electrical engineering career

Our graduates make a difference all over the world.

Whether our graduates enter the workforce right after graduation, or continue their education in graduate school, the T.J. Smull College of Engineering prepares them for success.

Careers in Electrical Engineering:
- Power engineer
- Control systems engineer
- Telecommunications engineer
- Verification and test engineer
- Digital and analog design engineer
- Project management
- Robotics and automation engineer

Take the first step toward living the Polar Bear life

We would love to meet you and show you around!
Your health, safety and future are in good hands at Northern. We offer a host of services to keep you informed and meet your needs while you are on campus.

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