What Can You Really Do As An Electrical Engineer?

Summary

This video explores the diverse subfields of electrical engineering, highlighting key areas such as Power Engineering, Electronics, RF and Telecommunications, Controls, Computer Engineering, Optics, and Digital Signal Processing. Each subfield is described with its focus, relevant elective courses, and examples of senior projects, illustrating the wide range of career paths available. The video emphasizes that students can specialize in different areas based on their interests, offering insights into the educational journey and project opportunities in electrical engineering.

Takeaways

• 😀 Electrical engineering consists of various subfields, including Power, Electronics, RF (telecommunications), and Controls.
• 🔋 Power Engineering focuses on the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power, with careers in power plants and renewable energy.
• 📦 Electronics involves designing devices like computers and medical equipment, emphasizing circuit design and signal processing.
• 📡 RF Engineering deals with wireless communications, requiring strong math skills in calculus and electromagnetism.
• ⚙️ Control Systems monitor outputs and make adjustments, essential for applications like cruise control and HVAC systems.
• 💻 Computer Engineering allows students to focus on software and hardware integration within electrical engineering projects.
• 🌐 Optics is centered on data transfer through light, particularly using fiber optic technology for communication.
• 🎚️ Digital Signal Processing involves using computers for signal operations like filtering, which requires significant mathematical understanding.
• 🔍 Senior projects in each subfield demonstrate practical applications, such as energy-harvesting bikes, RFID locks, and audio amplifiers.
• 📚 Students will have a common foundational curriculum but can specialize in areas of interest by their third or fourth year.

Q & A

What are the main subfields of electrical engineering mentioned in the script?

The main subfields mentioned are Power Engineering, Electronics, RF (Radio Frequency) and Telecommunications, Controls, Computer Engineering, Optics, and Digital Signal Processing.

What does Power Engineering focus on?

Power Engineering focuses on the generation, transmission, and distribution of electric power, including work in power plants, solar energy, wind energy, and electric vehicles.

What is an example of a project related to Power Engineering?

Examples of projects include an energy harvesting bike that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy and a solar panel tracker that optimizes energy conversion.

How does Electronics as a subfield contribute to technology?

Electronics involves designing and improving electronic devices, including computers, phones, and medical devices, by creating circuits like amplifiers, filters, and oscillators.

What types of courses might a student take if they specialize in RF or Telecommunications?

Students might take courses like Digital Communications, Antenna Courses, and High-Frequency Circuits to learn about wireless communications and high-frequency electronics.

What is the role of Controls in electrical engineering?

Controls involve using sensors to monitor outputs and make corrections, such as in cruise control systems in cars or temperature regulation in HVAC systems.

Can you give an example of a project related to Controls?

An example of a project in Controls is an airport runway heating system that detects snow and ice buildup to ensure the safety of incoming flights.

What distinguishes Digital Signal Processing from traditional electronics?

Digital Signal Processing uses computers to perform signal processing operations on sampled signals, allowing for more advanced filtering and manipulation compared to traditional analog circuits.

What are some career paths for graduates specializing in Optics?

Graduates specializing in Optics can work with fiber optic cables for data transfer, sensors, and applications in networking and communication technologies.

How does the script suggest students might explore their interests within electrical engineering?

The script indicates that all students start with a common core curriculum and then explore their interests by choosing different electives and working on senior projects in their preferred subfields.