Electrical Engineer Schools and Program
The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree will put you at the forefront of a fast-growing field.
Electrical engineers create high-tech devices of all types that improve people’s lives. These devices include cell phones, power generators, valves, pumps, sensors and other electrical systems.
As Electrical Engineering majors at Houston Christian University learn, this highly technical work involves applying the laws of electrical phenomena to design, develop and improve electronics and solid-state devices. From the first day in class, HCU students in the Electrical Engineer schooling program are learning about and using technical skills to connect wiring, develop circuitry, and control, convert and distribute energy.
At HCU, earning a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering equips Electrical Engineering majors with the skills and experience to be at the forefront of professionals responsible for electrical and electronic systems and equipment throughout our world.
Electrical Engineering careers are closely focused on devices we’ve come to rely on every day. Read more about our electrical engineering program below to determine if electrical engineering is right for you.
The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree program is in HCU’s College of Science and Engineering. The College is dedicated to bringing together the principles of engineering, science and mathematics, plus modern computing and information technology, with Christian values and standards, to prepare students to serve God and mankind. The curriculum has been designed to meet all Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) criteria for Electrical Engineering programs. Learn more about ABET accreditation.
What You’ll Do After Electrical Engineer Schooling
Electrical Engineering jobs generally involve designing, developing, testing and supervising the manufacturing of electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems or power generation equipment. Electrical engineers also design the electrical systems of automobiles and aircraft.
Electrical engineers design operational technology (OT), which is used in industrial control systems in many industries and organizations. OT includes a wide variety of valves, pumps, meters, sensors, reactors, turbines, generators and other electro-mechanical devices.
Electrical Engineering professionals are also needed to accomplish business operations in many diverse settings:
- Energy industry, including chemical and petroleum processing
- Healthcare industry, which uses a wide variety of sensors, imaging devices, pumps, simulators, robots and other electro-mechanical devices
- Marine transportation industry, building construction and automation industry, and many, many others
Electrical Engineering careers are closely focused on devices we’ve come to rely on every day, including wearable devices for fitness and entertainment, and intelligent communication devices. It is estimated that by the year 2020, more than 20 billion connected devices will be in use around the world (for a population of less than 8 billion humans). In developed nations, each person may account for up to 10 devices. This Internet of Things (IoT) requires Electrical Engineers who will design and secure systems for the world to use safely.
Learn more about types of careers in the field of Electrical Engineering.
What You’ll Learn In Electrical Engineer Schooling
Build a strong career with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from HCU.
Electrical Engineering majors at HCU in the program work together with classmates and professors to design and build real electrical and electronic systems that function like those that are commercially available and used by industry. The first two years of the Electrical Engineering major provide fundamental knowledge and skills in mathematics (e.g., calculus, linear algebra), physics, basic engineering and computer programming, with the opportunity to demonstrate those skills in a sequence of Electrical Engineering projects.
Electrical Engineering majors also learn about concepts in electrical circuits and electronics, microprocessors and computer systems in the second year. This prepares Electrical Engineering majors for more advanced subjects and projects in the upper levels. HCU Electrical Engineering students are able to interact with our industry partners and learn from excellent professors who also serve as advisors and mentors for Electrical Engineering majors.
In the junior and senior year of the bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering program, students learn important concepts in embedded systems, control systems and communication systems. Electrical Engineering majors may choose from advanced elective courses in digital forensics and cybercrime, wireless and mobile security, reverse engineering, and access control logic.
Electrical Engineering Degree Requirements
The 128 credit-hour bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering includes liberal arts core courses, math and science requirements, and major requirements (59 credit hours). Review the full requirements for HCU’s Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
Electrical Engineer Schooling Internships
Every HCU Electrical Engineering major will complete at least one internship before graduation. Every student in the College of Science and Engineering also will complete a major industry-driven project during the senior year. HCU staff will assist students in finding Electrical Engineering internship opportunities from among many corporate partners.
Delve into more about Electrical Engineering and what you’ll study.
Program Distinctives of Electrical Engineer Schooling
PROJECT-BASED LEARNING
In HCU’s College of Science and Engineering, first-year Electrical Engineering projects use a versatile hardware platform (mobile electronics kit, computing kit) to provide Electrical Engineering majors with hands-on projects while learning the intricacies of engineering and computing. In this immersive learning environment, as Electrical Engineering students deal with actual problems that require physical and practical solutions, they develop problem-solving, critical thinking, communication and other non-technical skills. Also, at the very start of their first year, Electrical Engineering majors begin learning to address cyber-related issues (e.g., security, Internet of Things, embedded systems, software protection, network defense, programming and mobility).
CURRICULAR THREADS
Electrical Engineering majors benefit from HCU’s unique curricular threads, which are broad themes or topics that are part of all HCU engineering programs. Curricular threads include Cloud Computing (storage, access, security), Cyber Security, Data Analytics and AI (Big Data, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence), Mobility and Wireless Security (mobile devices, Internet of Things) and Project Management.
CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES
HCU is one of 63 Christian colleges in the United States that offers engineering programs. The mission of HCU is to provide a learning experience that instills in students a passion for academic, spiritual and professional excellence as a result of our central confession: “Jesus Christ is Lord.”
Electrical Engineer Schooling Benefits
Hands-on Learning
Electrical Engineering majors benefit from the Securing America’s Future through Engineering (SAFE) Lab courses, which provide a strong foundation in all HCU engineering degree programs. The SAFE Lab courses are taught in specially designed classrooms with tables for four students with ready-to-use fabrication equipment, including soldering irons and other tools. For Electrical Engineering majors, these real-world applications build confidence, promote retention of knowledge and provide a much-needed, hands-on context for students living in our digital age.
Industry Interaction
Electrical Engineering majors will benefit from HCU’s Science and Engineering Advisory Board, which includes many major industry executives who advise and support the College of Science and Engineering. Both chief information officers and chief information security officers participate. They represent large energy companies (Chevron, Occidental Petroleum, Shell, Schlumberger, National Oilwell Varco); healthcare systems (Memorial Hermann Health System, University of Texas Health System, Houston Methodist Health System); and maritime security organizations (American Bureau of Shipping, several regional ports). These industrial partners provide Electrical Engineering majors and other students with mentored learning and work experiences, including internships; opportunities to interview for positions; and more.
Graduate Outcomes
Electrical Engineering Career Paths
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree program will be prepared for high-demand Electrical Engineering jobs in energy, healthcare, marine transportation and other industries. Any company involved in critical infrastructure needs electrical engineers who understand both the operational technology and information technology relevant to that organization.
Graduates who go on to Electrical Engineering jobs will work in process control, network security, electrical distribution and other engineering-related positions. Some Electrical Engineering graduates will go on to design the next generation of electronic and control devices, so that better security measures can be built into the devices during design and production, before utilization and operation begins.
Electrical Engineering majors should begin their job searches with firms that specialize in electric power generation, navigational manufacturing, automobiles, telecommunications, biomedical services and computer systems. States with the highest employment levels for Electrical Engineering jobs are California, Texas, New York, Michigan and Massachusetts. Texas ranks second in the nation for employment of electrical engineers.
Explore more about salaries and job outlook for Electrical Engineering graduates.
Professional Preparation
The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is one of the largest professional organizations in the world. IEEE organizes its members in Societies, which represent a particular type of industry, or a particular type of technology. HCU encourages its Electrical Engineering faculty and students to become members in a professional organization, and IEEE is one of the best. The College of Science and Engineering will form a student chapter of IEEE to facilitate professional interactions for Electrical Engineering majors.