Electrical Engineering

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Electrical engineering (E.E.) is the largest engineering discipline in the world serving nearly every modern industry and the demand for electrical engineers continues to grow. They are the principal technologists in solving problems related to electrical systems including automation and controls, communication systems, computer design, electronics, and electric energy. Some of the problems electrical engineers solve include: designing the “brains” for automated robotic systems; designing signal-processing algorithms used in sonar, radar, and cell-phone systems; designing high-voltage transmission systems and the automation used to operate the electric power grid; and conceiving the micro-electronic circuitry used in almost all modern equipment.

Montana Tech offers both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in E.E.. The mission of the Electrical Engineering program at Montana Tech is to provide a quality education that stresses the fundamentals of engineering, mathematics, and science in order to prepare graduates to enter and continue the practice of electrical engineering at the professional level. The Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

Program Objectives

The objectives of the Electrical Engineering program are to produce graduates who achieve some of the following.

1. Successfully practice the Electrical Engineering profession as demonstrated by
   1. continued professional employment,
   2. job promotion,
   3. expanding career responsibilities.
2. Obtain professional registration.
3. Successfully complete an advanced EE degree.
4. Continued professional development as demonstrated by
   1. society membership and participation,
   2. continuing education,
   3. engineering related volunteerism.

Program Outcomes

Students graduating from the Electrical Engineering program at Montana Tech should attain:

1. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
2. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
3. an ability to 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.
4. an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.
5. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
6. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
7. an ability to communicate effectively.
8. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
9. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning.
10. a knowledge of contemporary issues.
11. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
12. the knowledge of advanced mathematics including advanced algebra, differential and integral calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, complex variables, probability and statistics, and discrete mathematics.
13. the knowledge of basic sciences, computer science, and engineering sciences necessary to analyze and design complex electrical and electronic devices, software, and systems containing hardware and software components.

Curriculum

To successfully achieve the program objectives, the BS in E.E. curriculum is arranged so students move gradually towards higher levels of calculation and design concepts that integrate a progressively broader spectrum of basic knowledge in engineering, mathematics, science, and related subjects. Students in the program begin by primarily taking basic calculus, chemistry, physics, and computer programming courses. These courses lay the foundation for engineering topics and design. At the same time, they are taking courses to develop writing skills and complete general education requirements. Students then take lower-level fundamental engineering courses in the areas of mechanics, electric circuits, electronics, digital circuits, embedded systems, electricity and magnetism, electric machines, and signals and systems. At this point, students also take advanced mathematical courses as well as supporting subjects such as engineering economics and technical communications. The curriculum is concluded with upper-division courses such as control theory, communication systems, professional electives, and a capstone design course. Engineering design involving the formulation and solution to open-ended problems is integrated throughout the curriculum beginning the freshman year.

With professional electives, students further develop advanced electrical engineering design knowledge. Several advanced course offerings are available in areas of electric energy and power, instrumentation and control systems, embedded systems, and signal processing.

Facilities

In addition to overall college facilities, Montana Tech offers excellent facilities for the E.E. program. The department maintains three instructional laboratories. The Electrical Engineering lab is equipped for circuit, electronic, and microprocessor applications. The Electric Machines and Power lab is used to conduct electric machinery and high-power experiments. The third is the Instrumentation and Controls lab which is used for I&C related experiments. In addition, the department offers a student study area and a large computer lab for E.E. students.

Faculty

All faculty in the E.E. department have significant industrial experience. All of these faculty teach in the program, advise students, and are involved in program development. The faculty’s expertise covers the fundamental areas of electrical engineering as well as advanced knowledge in automation and controls, electric machines, energy and power, instrumentation, electronic design, and communication systems and signal processing. Undergraduate research and design opportunities exist in all of these areas.

Programs

• Electrical Engineering, B.S.

Return to: School of Mines and Engineering