Majors, minors & more
Electrical Engineering
Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
- Offered as:
- Major
- Minor
- Graduate program
Overview
Electrical engineering applies mathematical and physical principles to a wide variety of electrical, electronic, or computer-based devices and systems.
The major in electrical engineering has several areas of special emphasis, including:
- Computer engineering
- Energy and power systems
- General
- Microelectronics
- Systems engineering (communications, controls, and signal processing)
In addition to on its Pullman campus, WSU offers electrical engineering degrees at WSU Tri-Cities, WSU Vancouver, WSU North Puget Sound at Everett, and WSU Olympic College at Bremerton.
- Strengths of the program
-
- Join other science, math, and engineering students in WSU Pullman's Stephenson residence hall—share classes with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s computer lab.
- Solid theory foundations and hands-on learning experiences make WSU graduates highly sought by employers.
- Receive assistance on career goals with the engineering school's industrial advisory board and numerous internship and career contacts.
- Assist faculty in research on microelectronics, electromagnetics, communications and signal processing, power systems, integrated circuit design, and computer engineering.
- Use state-of-the-art laboratories to study computer systems, high-voltage systems, wireless communications, signal processing, circuits, protective power relay systems, and electrophysics.
- Requirements and featured courses
-
The bachelor of science in electrical engineering curriculum includes a solid foundation in mathematics and sciences, 38 credits of required core electrical engineering courses, and 15 credits of elective courses that allow a student to specialize in one area of electrical engineering or take various courses for breadth of knowledge.
Certifying into the major
Students join the program in their freshman year pre-certified. Certification into the electrical engineering degree program is a formal acceptance to pursue a professional academic training program. Students who have completed 30 semester hours, including the prerequisite courses that are listed in the WSU catalog, may apply for certification, which is based on cumulative grade point average and courses taken.
Featured Courses
Here are some of the courses that electrical engineering majors can expect to complete during their time at WSU:
- Design of Logic Circuits
- Microprocessor Systems
- Electrical Circuits I and II
- Electronics
- Electromagnetic Fields and Waves
- Electrical Engineering Laboratory
- Power systems
- Signals and systems
For more information on current course offerings, approved electives, and requirements, see the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) website.
Graduation requirements
See the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and talk with your academic advisor about planning and scheduling your courses. All students must meet requirements as outlined in the catalog in order to graduate.
- Transfer information
-
Plan ahead
To certify your major in the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture, you will need to complete specific prerequisite courses. Use our list of transfer equivalencies to make sure you take the right transfer courses at your current college.
Also check out the University's transfer student guide for more information on transferring to WSU.
- Scholarships and financial aid
-
For electrical engineering students
The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science awards more than $50,000 in scholarships each academic year. Incoming freshman and transfer students have the opportunity to receive scholarship money from the college that will be continued by the school.
For all students
A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs. Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.
Students should complete the Washington State University general scholarship application and the FAFSA to ensure their eligibility for the widest range of scholarships and need-based financial aid.
For information or to apply for financial aid and scholarships from WSU, see the Scholarships and Finances section of the WSU website.
- Campus organizations and activities
-
Join the active Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) student chapter, which organizes a career fair each spring featuring more than 60 industry representatives. You can also join the student chapter of the ACM (Association of Computing Machinery).
WSU offers a wide variety of student organizations for engineering and computer science students. See more.
- Suggested strengths, interests, and preparation
-
• Strong aptitude in mathematics and logical thinking
• Enjoy riddles, puzzles, and problem solving
• Curious about how electrical energy can be used to transmit and store information
• Interest in how electrical power can be generated, distributed, or used
• Interest in applying imagination to design and build new things
- Careers in electrical engineering
-
A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering prepares students for careers in the design, analysis, and improvement of electrical, electronic, or computer-based systems. Specific areas include power systems, electromagnetics, systems and control, solid state electronics, communications and signal processing, and radio frequency engineering and wireless communications.
Some Northwest companies that frequently hire WSU electrical engineering students for internships and career positions are Boeing, Hewlett-Packard, Battelle, Motorola, Tektronix, Intel, and the Bonneville Power Administration.