Becoming an Electrical Engineer

Good for you. I will reserve further comments until I know which country you are in as it will make a big difference for comparison purposes. Also, your current age would also help.

I am in Canada planning on either U of T or Ryerson University. I am 36 have an honours degree in Geography(graduated in 93) and will receive a 3 year Technologists diploma next year. I also have about 1 year experience as an industrial electrician. I have heard that electrical engineering is known for the hardest math of all the engineering fields. I need an honest opinion about what to expect. The more information the better. Thanks.

Yes, some of the maths is hard, especially when compared to most other degrees (my final year modeling maths book was about 100mm thick and could be classsified as a weapon (both thru blunt force trauma, and thru cruel and unusual torture if the person on the recieving end was forced to read it). However I am not very good with maths (yes I can admit that). I failed every engineering maths paper I did the first time around. But, the second time I re-sat each paper I got B's. I also did a engineering certificate first, worked in the industry (a glorified technician, wopey)for three years and then went back and got my engineering degree. Yes there was a bit of a struggle in some areas at times, but in the end I got the degree and the opportunities just opened up for me. If I had to do it all again BUT this time it was twice as hard, I would do it, no doubt, no question.

Go for it!

Dear Sir,

Maths good background is very useful in electrical engineering degree programme, although it is not pure maths, it is applied maths. We use mathematics to solve engineering problems, thus maths alone is not enough but use of maths in engineering is what is mostly required. Expect to meet normal challenges, always if you committed to be somebody you will meet no matter how difficult it is.

All the best in your Carrier

Mtonyole [Electrical Engineer]

In the US, college and university are the same thing. But yes, there is a lot of math. When I graduated with my BSEE, I lacked just two courses to have a math minor. Graduate school was even more intensive. EE math starts at calculus and goes on up from there, differential equations, fourier and laplace transforms, boolean logic, and I'm sure a lot more that I have forgotten.

It is applied math, but it's still math and you need to be able to be taught how to do it. But, if you've had a calculus class, and did OK, you should have no problem. If not, you should take one and see how you do in it.

As for workload - yeah there's a lot of homework and (if you're lucky) a lot of hands-on lab and project work. But it sounds like you're used to it. It's not more than most people can do - otherwise we wouldn't graduate many engineers. But it's not trivial.

The main difference between engineering and the technologist degree is the math. If you're comfortable learning and applying math, don't short change yourself by going the tech route.

One more point, most EE's don't use much of the math we had to learn to get through school - it's the understanding of engineering that the math gives you that you need on a daily basis, not the math itself.

Good luck!

The math itself isn't hard. It's the learning when to apply certain physical principles and then using the math to solve the problem. If you are good at understanding the principles of physics and electronics you are better suited to be an EE than a mathmetics whiz who can't master the principles of electronics.

The mathematics involved in Electrical Engineering is probably only surpassed in complexity by theoretical cosmological physics but it not impossible to do. You may need to do some subjects twice and this is not an uncommon occurrence so if you do need to sit a subject again don't let it get you down. Depending on how quickly you pick complex concepts up it will take you between 1 and 3 yours self study to every 1 hour in the class room or laboratory. For starters expect the spend 2 hours self study to 1 in the class room, you can adjust this figure when you know where you fit in after the first semester. Don't forget you can always take a semester or two more to get your degree than it says in the book. Ultimately you will have a better understanding and that's what makes a good engineer.

So in the end I would recommend going for it and don't let them push you just take your time, don't get flustered or bust a gut, just move at your own pace and enjoy the experience.

Hi,

I have gotten an A.S. degree in Electricial Engineering Technology, as well as my BSEE degree. Speaking from my own experience, I can tell you that 4 years degree in Electricial Engineering is much harder. The Technology degree teach and use more "hands on" approach, while the Electrical engineering degree is more theory and less hand on, as well as more higher level math. But if you are good and math and can "see the problems" in your mind, then it shouldn't be a problem for you. Good luck.

MidniteFigther

One thing for sure, expect about a 10% difference (or more) in salary between the two degrees, even if both are BS (four year). Expect even more difference if the Diploma is only 2-year. I am not a EE, but my experience might be comparable.

When I graduated, I received a job offer from a Fortune 50 company. My degree program, by name, was not on their list of engineering programs, and they said they might have to reduce the offer. Same job, lower salary, and different title! At my prospective boss's suggestion I wrote a letter to the corporate HR department, enclosing a brochure from my department at school which outlined my degree program and described the ABET accreditation. The Corporate HR department then notified the local plant of their acceptance of my "proof", and "blessed" the original higher offer and my job title as "Engineer", not "Technologist". Interestingly, I had managed to interview with the company on campus as a backup only, when another student failed to show up. They had not actually requested my major. The next year, I found out they added my major to those they requested to interview!

Also, without a BS in an ABET-accredited engineering program, you can almost never become a registered Professional Engineer, which would become important if you wanted to work for a consulting firm or as an independent consulting engineer.

My experience in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Management would be comparable to EE. My Engineering School (A) is considered by many to be quite tough, especially in contrast to the larger (main) campus (B) of the same state university which has smaller engineering enrollment and not much research in comparison. I took some graduate courses at the larger campus and compared how transfer students did at the two schools.

In general, "A" students at "reputable" Community College could be "B" students at larger school (B) with same amount of work. A litttle more effort (20%?) and they could be "A" students again.

"A" students at CC were usually "C" students at our school (A) if they did the same amount of work. Usually, they had to put in about 50% more study time to get to the "B" level and 100% more (double) to get to "A" level. This is not an exact calculation, but rather a general observation from students I remember talking to. Of course there were variations. Some flunked out, no matter how hard they tried. Some "Aced" all their courses no matter how little they tried! Your mileage may vary.

You said your Math skills are quite good, but if you are talking mainly Algebra, Trigonometry, and Geometry, better think again. Engineering schools require typically 3 semesters of Calculus, then Differential Equations (this is NOT simply Differential Calculus, but an advanced branch of Mathematics beyond Calculus) and usually one or more "elective" Math courses beyond or parallel to these. I took a course in Engineering Statistics and another in Operations Research as my Math electives. Euclidean Geometry, Algebra, and Trigonometry were considered pre-requisites and you were required to take a placement test before starting the freshman year. If you took these course for college credit, they only counted as "free" electives, not as "Math" or "Technical" electives. Usually, transfer students ended up with way more "free" electives than they needed anyway.

You mentioned putting in about 20 hours of study per week, presumably with an average "full" load of 16-18 credit hours per semester. I believe the recommended ratio at our school was 2/1 weekly study hours per credit hour, MINIMUM. Many students averaged 3/1 ratio or better. Of course, quite often the semester load would be lower (13-15 cr. hours) and the AVERAGE time to complete a "4-year program" at our school was about 4.5 years, with many going over 5 (Super-seniors!). You should probably plan on putting in 3 more years beyond CC (unless you take Summer School).

Now, there are "easier" engineering schools, but if you go there, most employers know their reps and you would need that higher GPA to be competitive with graduates from the "better" schools. But employment is pretty much a crapshoot anyway, and grades are only one factor in getting the job and setting the salary. If you can get some relevant engineering experience during summer (internships, co-op, etc.) you will be WAY ahead of others. Undergraduate research and participation on project teams outside of class looks good also.

Thanks for all the great info. I am on a 3 month work placement, working as an industrial electrician. I have decided to take one of the university math courses that is a requirement for Electrical Engineering. It is linear algebra. It is quite difficult, a step up from the college math that I have been taking for the last 2 years. However I am doing well and getting through it with about 10 hours of week worth of homework. Actually college math was a great intro to the university level math. Should I do well I may enroll at Ryerson in 18 months after my third year of college. I have one other 3 month work term left I will try to complet first year physics and chemistry. I am hoping to get credit for about 2 years. During my next trip to Toronto I will schedual a visit to Ryerson and a metting with an academic advisor. Thanks again

What a whole course on linear algebra? We must be talking about two separate subjects because the university maths I remember devoted about 1 hour of one lecture to it then got on with the hard stuff.

Electrical engineering is the most mathematical of the engineering disciplines and it gets way, way, way, way more complex than linear equations. However if you are enjoying the maths so far you will probably enjoy the rest of the course.

I was having a discussion the other day and it got onto the topic of training and which subjects were the most useful. Strangely enough I chose computer programming, typing and flying an aeroplane two of which were never even discussed at university.

The programming was a subject that was covered at university but back when I was at school computers were huge things that few had access to. A local museum in conjunction with IBM ran a course in the school holidays on computer programming and successful completion of the course entitled you to the use of the museum's main frame for two hours ever other Sunday. As a result I was the only student in high school that had access to a computer.

The keyboard has nearly replaced the pen and pencil so knowing how to use it correctly is going to be the most used skill of all. It should be taught at primary school alongside reading and writing and will probably save you years of time over your life. I can guarantee that you are going to type many thousands of times as many words as you will write. Learning to type correctly will not only save you many thousands of hours over your lifetime but it will minimize the risk of injuries like RSI.

Finally learning to fly is not only a tool but a way of thinking as it teaches you the responsibility for the consequences of your actions lies squarely with you. Its also a lot of fun and by the time I was 25 I had convinced my employer that flying myself to distant engineering jobs was a good idea. They ended up organizing to have an aircraft with copilot on standby for my exclusive use so I not only had a company car but use of a company aircraft as well.

All these are additional skills that were never covered at school or university yet I use them more frequently than any other. The mention of them in job applications and interviews shows the prospective employer that you are willing to go that little bit further than most.

Masu,

I know this is a little confusing, so follow closely. "Linear equations", as you remember is indeed a short subject within a course in Algebra, often taught at the high school level or at University as "College Algebra". On the other hand, "Linear Algebra" is a subject often taught within a larger course in "Operations Research" or "Scientific Management", which might be within a Mathematics, Computers Science, or even Business School course offerings. Linear Algebra could be a stand-alone semester course if some make-up or review math skills were required, or if studied in depth and/or with more problems or even possibly as a project course. Advanced Linear Algebra might even be a graduate course. In any event, a college course in Linear Algebra usually requires Calculus 1 as a prerequisite, since it usually involves doing proofs.

For more information, and if you want to download a FREE (no kidding!) college text in Linear Algebra, it is offered by a Math professor in Vermont on his webpage. He also explains what is involved in various traditional approaches to learning Linear Algebra and offers his text as an alternative. Check it out!

The linear algebra that I am taking involves; the Gauss Jordan elimination method, multiplication, subtraction and addition of matrices, linear independence, linear independence, determining span, basis, rank, dimension, normalizing sets of vectors, dot product, cross product, projections, determining if a vector is a subspace of another, orthogonal sets, orthonormal sets of vectors, a variety of methods for calculating the determinant of a matrix, permutations, cofactors, minors, the transpose of a matrix, the inverse of a matrix, identity matrices, eginvalues, eginvectors, linear equations, the Gram Schmidt Orthogonalization method, along with some trigonometry, calculus and much more. I am enjoying the challenge and truly feel that I am really understanding the majority of the material. I hope that this is a step above what you say was covered in an hour. The funny thing for me was that I was terrible at math in high school. Now 20 years later I am obsessed with it and excelling at it. Funny how things change. Thanks.

This is yet another example of regional interpretation of terminology. I was pretty sure that what was referred to as linear algebra by my maths people was not the same thing. When they referred to linear algebra they were talking about simple straight line equations like y = ax + b. The topics you referred to were mostly covered under the title of "Analytic Geometry".

Mind you this was all a long time ago and the interpretation may have changed considerably since then.