FAU Department of Electrical Engineering FAQs

Q- What is electrical engineering?
A- Electrical Engineering is the design and analysis of any device or system that uses electricity or electromagnetic radiation, including computers and the networks that connect them, consumer electronic goods like MP3 players, satellite radio and HDTV, power generation and transmission systems, wireless cellular and wireline telephone networks, integrated circuits and electronic devices, electric motors and actuators, MRI and other medical instruments, and more. Much of our modern way of life depends on Electrical Engineering. For example, lasers, tools that doctors use, devices for listening to and recording music, components of cell phones, security alarms, cars, or even devices used for signaling in space, air, or in ocean exploration are created by Electrical Engineers. Electrical Engineers are the masters of electricity. They know how to manipulate electricity and use it for useful purposes including: how to produce and measure currents and voltages, how to produce and manipulate electric fields, magnetic fields and electromagnetic waves, how electricity flows in metals and semiconductors, and how to use this knowledge to produce components, circuits and devices. Electrical Engineers know how to integrate devices into complex electrical systems.
Q- Are we an accredited program?
A- Yes, we are accredited by ABET (Association Board for Engineering and Technology).
Q- When I graduate, what are the chances of me getting a job as an electrical engineer in industry?
A- Historically it has been good, but it does fluctuate. There is no way to predict what will happen several years from now.
Q- What is the starting salary for an electrical engineer?
A- According to a fall 2005 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers in Bethlehem, PA the average starting salary is $51, 773.
Q- What are the class sizes for EE courses?
A- An average class size is approximately 25-35 students.
Q- Are my professors available to answer questions?
A- Absolutely, we take pride in our teaching skills and our availability.
Q- Are the classes taught by professors or graduate students?
A- More than 90% of our classes are taught by full-time professors all of whom have Ph.D.'s.
Q- Are there night classes or weekend classes available?
A- At this time no. We are primarily a day school.
Q- Are there classes available online?
A- We have a few but project more in the future. We do have a program called FEEDS available to graduate majors where they can get DVDs sent to them twice a week providing an option of distance learning.
Q- Are tutoring services available? If so, in what areas?
A- Yes, tutoring services are available through our Engineering Student Services Office. We have tutors in all areas of engineering.
Q- What are possible careers in electrical engineering?
A- Some examples would be:
- Circuit Designer - play a key role in all kinds of products that depend on circuits: cars, audio systems, computers, televisions, the space station and controls for an artificial heart.
- Communications Engineer - develop the next-generation cell phone or design a radar-based ship tracking system.
- Power Engineer - design modern, high efficiency power plants, develop fuel cell, photovoltaic, and other alternative energy sources, design specialized motor drives for applications such as transportation, computer data storage and medicine. Systems Engineer - Utilize a diverse set of components to develop a complex system. Use a power source, motors, several microcomputers and a variety of sensors to build a mobile robot that operates in a hazardous environment.
- Signal Processing Engineer - Design products for consumers or applications like space communications or medical imaging by using adaptive signal processing, speech processing, video encoding and computer vision.
- Computer Design Engineer - Design the microelectronic systems-on-a-chip that are at the heart of modern personal computer systems as well as the specialized embedded computers that control building systems, consumer products and advanced surgical instrumentation.
- Bioengineer - With additional training, such as the Bioengineering Graduate Certificate offered by the Department of Electrical Engineering (see www.bioeng.fau.edu), work alongside life scientists in the areas of Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, and Biosystems modeling and control.
Q- Why FAU for electrical engineering?
A- The Department of Electrical Engineering at FAU offers the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) degree. The objective of the BSEE degree program is to provide students with an interest in Electrical Engineering and closely related fields a foundation for a flexible future, whether that future is in a traditional engineering career, in a masters or doctoral-level research program, or in other careers which require quantitative problem-solving skills and a working knowledge of modern technology, such as medicine and law. The keys to this foundation are a breadth of knowledge in Electrical Engineering, a depth of knowledge in a particular area, and preparation for life-long learning. Breadth of knowledge is ensured through basic courses in the conceptual foundations of Electrical Engineering, fundamental tools of modern practice, well-equipped advanced laboratories, and a significant design experience. Depth of knowledge is made possible by selection of upper-level electives associated withe BSEE program tracks such as telecommunications and digital signal processing, systems and robotics, electromagnetics and RF, and bioengineering. This allows students to focus on a particular area. Finally students are prepared for lifelong learning through courses in technical communication, laboratory and project team activities and courses in the humanities and social sciences.
Q- Is there an accelerated degree program in electrical engineering?
A- Yes, FAU offers a joint BS/MS program that allows eligible students to use nine credits of graduate course work to count for the BSEE as well as for the MSEE degree.

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