Electrical Engineering Technology, B.S.

Note: The Electrical Engineering Technology program is no longer accepting incoming students. Students are encouraged to apply for the AAS-EET to BSEE transfer program .

Program Director

Dr. Robert Strangeway
Office: S357
Phone: (414) 277-7311
Email: strangew@msoe.edu

The prominence of electrical and electronic products in today’s society is increasing dramatically. Wireless communications, personal computers, efficient electric vehicles and high-definition television are just a few examples of exciting high-technology areas. Electrical engineering technology graduates are prepared to join industry in these and many other areas.

2+2 Program

The electrical engineering technology (EET) program at MSOE is a +2 EET (junior/senior years) program. Based on this design, students first complete an appropriate Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program at a two-year college before enrolling in the +2 program at MSOE.

Program Goals

The goals of the electrical engineering technology program are:

to foster the personal and professional growth of its students.
to produce competent and effective contributors to engineering technology and society as a whole.
to provide a path for transfer students and working technicians to applied engineering positions.
to achieve comprehension using an inductive, experience-based learning methodology that unites theory with practice.

Program Educational Objectives

Electrical Engineering Technology program graduates will:

successfully function in applied engineering positions, demonstrating proficiencies that include problem solving and technical communications skills.
continue to advance their skills through formal and informal activities related to their profession.
exhibit conduct that is ethical and professional, including consideration of the societal and global impact of their professional endeavors.

Student Outcomes

Graduates of the electrical engineering technology program will:

be able to unite theory with practice in engineering technology.
have an ability to use modern computer tools and techniques in the solutions of applied engineering problems.
have knowledge of mathematics, the basic sciences and the elements of engineering sciences as they apply to electrical engineering technology.
be capable of developing test procedures, conducting tests, and interpreting experimental data.
be capable of design based on specified requirements and known design techniques.
possess problem-solving skills involving analysis, simulation, laboratory experimentation and teamwork, with application to electrical and electronic components, circuits, and systems.
be proficient in oral and written communication, having the ability to write technical reports and conduct technical presentations of their work.
have the preparation and an understanding of the importance to continue their education, both formally and informally, throughout their careers.
have knowledge of professional and ethical responsibilities as applied to both engineering technology and society as a whole.
have knowledge of economics, humanities, and social sciences.
have knowledge of quality and continuous improvement, and ability to manage their project involvement, demonstrating project- and time-management skills on individual and team projects.

The Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) Curriculum

The EET curriculum uses an experience-based learning methodology and, hence, most of the engineering technology and science courses have an associated laboratory. The electrical engineering technology program generally appeals to students who prefer the use of specific examples to help them learn the overall general concepts, and favor the use of physical concepts to clarify mathematics.

Students in the EET program typically enter MSOE at the junior level. As students progress through the curriculum, the mathematics and science (physics and chemistry) courses, as well as previous engineering technology courses, lead into the more advanced engineering technology courses. This curricular approach fits well with the experience-based learning style and allows the student to reach and cover many advanced electrical and electronic topics such as:

electrical and electronic circuit design.
electronic signal representation and application to electronic circuits using Fourier series, Laplace transforms, Fourier transforms and digital signal processing.
electronic communications including transmission lines and data communications.
electromagnetic fields including an introduction to electromagnetic interference and signal integrity.
control of systems using feedback.
use of contemporary software tools and programming.
digital- and microprocessor-based design.

In addition to the breadth of these electrical topics, which are an integral part of the curriculum, the student completes a technical elective and a three-course senior project sequence in the senior year. In the technical elective, students obtain a deeper understanding of the theory and applications in the topical area of the elective. Topical areas include analog and digital electronics, computer hardware and software, electronic communications, and industrial electronics and controls. In the senior project, students form teams that each define and complete a significant project. Examples of senior projects include:

design of a closed-loop feedback control system for DC remote control cars to detect and control wheel slip.
design of a solar-powered golf cart battery charging system.
design of a wireless A/V switching system for aggregating multiple game consoles.
design of an enhanced “white cane” with tactile feedback using an embedded multidimensional sensor for the visually impaired.
design of an exercise bike that generates energy, and an associated energy storage system.
design of an ice-fishing tip-up system that uses a wireless transmitter at each tip-up and a single receiver that identifies the triggered tip-up.

FAA Approval

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the MSOE EET curriculum, and has approved MSOE as a partnership institution, allowing EET students to participate in FAA internships and EET graduates to be hired through the FAA Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) program.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the electrical engineering technology program enter a variety of industries, such as:

	aerospace	electronics and controls
	automation	industrial equipment
	automotive	instrumentation
	communications	medical
	computers	power generation and distribution

Graduates of the program are inclined to enter industry in positions that involve:

developing, designing or improving components and products.
applications of engineering and technology to new and existing products, such as in applications engineering, field service or technical sales.
manufacturing, testing or quality assurance of products.

A few examples of industrial projects that program graduates have been involved with include: