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At the intersection between healthcare and technology rests electrical engineering with a biomedical focus. Electrical engineers who specialize in biomedical technology are responsible for developing the technology needed for efficient, accurate, and effective healthcare, including instrumentation technology, diagnostic technology, bioinstrumentation and informatics, biometric data and readout systems, signal and image analysis, computing devices, display devices, and more.
Many electrical engineering programs offer a biomedical specialization at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, much like the University of Illinois. There are several sub-specializations within this track, so the courses that electrical engineering students take throughout their education vary but include a core set of electrical and computer engineering courses followed by subspecialty courses.
The university offers several programs such as an MEng in bioengineering (available online as well as on-campus), an MS in bioengineering, and a Ph.D. in bioengineering.
The MEng program comprises 32 credits including courses in biological measurement; innovation & introduction to financial decision-making; managing business operations; and seminars in bioinstrumentation. The MS program includes courses such as computational bioengineering; analytical methods in bioengineering; bioengineering professionalism; and computational mathematics for machine learning and imaging, among others.
For admission to the MEng program, students will require at least a bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, or related discipline, a minimum grade point average of 3.0, and proof of English language proficiency for international students.
While there are no official certifications in biomedical engineering, those hoping to practice independently or be principal engineers in research can become professional engineers (PEs) by taking the National Council of Examiners for Engineering (NCEES) PE exam in electrical and computer engineering.
Careers for electrical engineers with a biomedical focus include those in research and development, analysis, field service engineering, validation engineering, and consulting.
Electrical engineers who specialize in communications are responsible for determining how to transfer data at high speeds. Electrical engineers with a specialty in communications can work with wired and wireless telephone systems, satellite systems, email, internet, broadband technology, and more.
Electrical engineering students hoping to specialize in communications can find a variety of programs available at all academic levels, both on-campus and online. Some programs offer communications as a specialization or concentration of an electrical engineering degree, while others offer telecommunications as a part of the degree title.
Wayne State University offers a master of science in electrical engineering program that has nine areas of specialization. The program includes convenient online and on-campus hybrid courses offering a part-time study option for working professionals. Among the several specializations, one specialization is in signal processing and communications.
Students in this specialization will learn the tools of modern signal processing, sharpen their applied mathematical and statistical intuition, and apply their skills to practical problems that will prepare them for careers in signal sensing and processing, machine learning, and digital communication.
This 30-credit program includes courses such as digital communications; statistical communication theory; stochastic processes in engineering; digital signal processing; introduction to digital image processing; telematics; computer networks and programming; and optical communication networks.
In addition to becoming a PE in electrical engineering, telecommunications engineers can find a wide variety of telecommunications certifications available. Some certifications are based on specific companies or technologies, while others are general telecommunications engineering certifications. Examples of telecommunications engineering certifications can be found on the following websites:
Telecommunications engineers can find careers working with telecommunication service providers, communications software developers, governmental agencies, public center agencies, equipment manufacturers, infrastructure manufacturers, and transportation organizations.
A highly multidisciplinary specialty of electrical engineering, those pursuing work in computations, data, and informatics work to use the power of computers to collect and analyze large amounts of data and information in an attempt to understand real-life phenomena and engineer their solutions. Electrical engineers with a focus on computations, data, and informatics work with advanced-level computers to create algorithms, modeling software, and more.
Those hoping to pursue higher education in computations, data, and informatics can find bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and post-graduate certificate programs available. Some programs have a specific focus on computations, data, or informatics, while others provide an educational blend of all three.
Some universities also offer a degree in electrical engineering with a choice to focus on these disciplines as a subspecialty, while others (e.g., City College of New York) offer degrees where electrical and data, computational, and informatics are in the title of the degree.
City College of New York’s master’s degree in data science and engineering provides students with a strong foundation in core engineering and data science skills, which allows them to apply, analyze, visualize, and process computational statistics and machine learning to problems in science, engineering, and other related disciplines.
The major admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, science, or engineering from an accredited institution of higher education with a minimum GPA of 3.0, two letters of recommendation, and TOEFL or IELTS test scores for students who have earned their baccalaureate degrees from non-English-speaking countries. GRE scores are optional.
The program is made up of 30 credits. Examples of coursework include an introduction to data science; applied statistics; applied machine learning & data mining; big data & scalable computation; computer-aided VLSI circuits design; fundamental algorithms; image processing; and an introduction to mobile robotics.
Because computations, data, and informatics make up such a multidisciplinary field, electrical engineers with one of these specialties can pursue a range of professional certifications. Examples of certifications can be found at the Data Science Council of America (DASCA), the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS), and IBM.
Those pursuing a career in electrical engineering with a focus on computations, data, and informatics can work in virtually any industry that uses big data to make decisions, including healthcare, space, transportation, logistics, government, and more.
Electrical engineers who specialize in energy and power are responsible for determining how to make power and energy systems efficient, effective, and environmentally responsible. Concerned with the generation, transmission, and distribution of electric power, energy, and power engineers can work with devices, processes, and analysis, as well as the design of systems, technologies, and infrastructure.
Similar to other disciplines in electrical engineering, power and energy tracks can be found at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Programs are offered online, on-campus, or as a hybrid. Some programs offer power and energy as a subspecialty of an electrical engineering degree, while other institutions offer energy-specific titles like the master of science in energy systems.
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Houston offers an online master of science program in electrical engineering with a specialization in power and energy systems providing advanced instruction to give students the level of business and technical expertise needed to meet the increased industry demand for highly skilled professionals. This program is available in both thesis and non-thesis options.
The curriculum prepares graduates for doctoral studies or the global industrial workplace. Each course presents the most current information on topics such as smart grids, power electronics and power systems, renewable energy systems, and adjustable speed drives.
This 30 to 36-credit program includes courses such as power electronics converters and control; renewable energy and distributed power generation; power system analysis; advanced batteries: principles, materials, and devices; adjustable speed motor drive systems; power converters: modeling and applications; dynamics of electric machines; and smart grid systems.
While a certification is not required to work as an energy and power engineer, there are many certifications available for those wishing to establish professional competence and connect to a network of highly skilled energy and power professionals.
The Association of Energy Engineers provides a large list of energy-related certifications available to power and energy engineers. Careers for energy and power engineers can be found in any field concerned with power systems, including storage, renewables, transportation, conservation, and more.
Nanoengineers and micro-engineers work to create power solutions at the size of 0.1 to 100 nanometers. Studying and applying knowledge of phenomena, processes, and materials at the nanoscale involves learning both inside and outside the standard electrical engineering canon. With disciplinary overlap with physics, chemistry, materials science, and biology, electrical engineers who focus on nano- or micro-technology can apply their knowledge to almost any industry.
Programs in electrical engineering with a nanotechnology focus exist at all levels of higher education, though nanotechnology at the bachelor’s level is still limited. Degrees in electrical engineering with a concentration in nanotechnology are available in on-campus, hybrid, and online formats. Some programs offer a broad concentration in nanotechnology, while other programs offer a specific realm of nanotechnology. University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Science has an MS in electrical engineering focusing on physical devices & nanosystems.
University of Pennsylvania’s MSE program in electrical engineering provides students with the theoretical foundation and the interdisciplinary skills required for dealing with the new ideas and applications that are the hallmarks of modern electro-science.
The program’s focus on physical devices & nanosystems requires successful completion of 10-course units. The curriculum includes courses such as electromagnetic & optical theory; nanoscale science & engineering; nanofabrication & nano-characterization; principles of quantum tech; physics of solid-state energy devices; and quantum engineering.
Applicants for this program must have obtained a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school or university. Application requirements include a current resume, a completed application, a personal statement, two official letters of recommendation, one transcript from each university or college attended, and TOEFL or IELTS scores for international students. GRE scores are optional.
Because of the novelty of the field, there is no specific PE exam for nanotechnology yet. Due to the broad range of applications, those hoping to work as a PE can take a PE exam in the engineering field most closely related to the field in which the engineer is working. Those pursuing nanotechnology can find themselves in various careers, including application engineering, research and development, product marketing, sales, and program management.
Electrical engineers who concentrate on systems and control, design complex systems that have both human and non-human inputs to ensure that they work predictably and efficiently. Another multidisciplinary engineering specialization, systems and control engineers are generalists who can work from a big-picture perspective to bring together the work output of differentiated engineers.
Electrical engineers who pursue systems and control can work anywhere where there are large, complex systems to be analyzed and optimized including biological systems, industrial systems, environmental systems, transportation systems, computer systems, and more.
Students can pursue concentrations in systems and control at all levels of higher education online and on-campus. While some programs offer systems and control as a electrical engineering specialization, other programs (e.g. Case Western Reserve University) offer a degree specifically in systems and control engineering.
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University offers an online master of science in systems & control engineering, preparing students for rewarding careers in multiple engineering fields. The program features multidisciplinary research and coursework in design, control, and systems analysis. Blending research with practical applications, this user-friendly online program enables students to connect with professors and classmates instantly.
For admission to the program, students require a bachelor’s degree, transcripts, a current resume, two letters of recommendation, and proof of English proficiency for international applicants.
The program’s structure requires students to complete 30 credits featuring coursework in leadership and interpersonal skills; digital signal processing; engineering economics & financial analysis; introduction to linear systems; digital control systems; advanced engineering analysis; and convex optimization for engineering.
For those hoping to attain status as a PE, there is an NCEES PE exam specifically in control systems engineering. Those hoping to increase credibility, expand their networks, or become more competitive in the job market can seek certification in systems and control engineering from the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE). Control engineers can find careers in a vast array of industries, including energy and power, utilities, manufacturing, healthcare, information tech, and transportation, among others.
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Meet 25 top professors of electrical engineering, and learn more about their areas of expertise, their achievements, and their contributions to both engineering and their respective programs.
Field engineering is a crucial discipline within the broader engineering landscape, focusing primarily on the on-site implementation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of engineering projects. Field engineers are tasked with applying technical knowledge in real-world settings, often collaborating with construction personnel, project managers, and clients to ensure that projects are executed according to specifications and within the allocated timelines. Their role demands high technical proficiency, adaptability, and problem-solving skills, as they must swiftly address any challenges that arise on-site.
The ability of a computer to learn and problem solve (i.e., machine learning) is what makes AI different from any other major technological advances we’ve seen in the last century. More than simply assisting people with tasks, AI allows the technology to take the reins and improve processes without any help from humans.
With 100 percent renewable energy as the ideal future state, startups and established players are racing to find the right mix of cheap, safe, and effective utility-scale energy storage. Learn more about some of the latest advances and new directions for combating climate change by making better batteries.
Engineering summer programs take place during the seasonal summer vacation, and offer aspiring engineers the chance to gain some hands-on engineering experience. They also come with networking and mentorship opportunities.
