Bachelor in Electrical Engineering
University of Nevada, Reno
Key Information
Campus location
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
Request info
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
Request info
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
A degree in electrical engineering prepares students to develop solutions to urgent problems in areas such as power, communications, computing, and networking.
Electrical engineers work with electromagnetic fields and electricity for use in communications, biotechnology applications, and electronic circuits. The core of electrical engineering is the ability to work with sensors, acquire data, communicate electronically, process signals and information, model complex systems, and integrate various sources of energy in distributed systems.
Areas of emphasis
You have the option of choosing to pursue your electrical engineering degree with an emphasis in either renewable energy or biomedical engineering.
Renewable energy: Students pursuing this emphasis take the same required courses as all other electrical engineering majors, but they focus on energy-related topics for their senior year technical electives.
Biomedical engineering: Students pursuing this emphasis are required to take three additional introductory courses in biology and chemistry, but they have fewer technical elective requirements, which must include coursework in biochemistry and biomedical engineering.
The bachelor's degree program focuses on giving students depth of knowledge, breadth of knowledge, and professionalism.
Our graduates are able to apply specialized knowledge in the practice of the advanced study of electrical engineering, including scientific principles, rigorous analysis, and creative design.
Additionally, graduates develop a broad range of knowledge, including information on the most important current issues in electrical engineering, for productive careers in the public or private sector, or for the pursuit of graduate education.
Finally, our graduates are able to communicate clearly and work ethically in teams in a complex modern environment. Graduates will engage in life-long learning to adapt to changes in the requirements of their profession.
Areas of emphasis
If you choose to complete an area of emphasis in either biomedical engineering or renewable energy, you may have alternate technical elective requirements. See the Course Catalog for specific elective classes.
Capstone requirement
As seniors, all electrical engineering majors take two capstone classes where they apply knowledge gained during their degree program toward the design and creation of an industry-relevant electrical engineering project.
Credit for internships
Up to three units of internship credit may also be applied toward the degree.
Admissions
Career Opportunities
Career Options
Electrical engineers wear many hats today, thanks to the wide range of fields that call on their expertise. With communications, computers, networking, and systems playing key roles in the operations of virtually all businesses, electrical engineers are critical to maintaining and developing the systems that support our society.
Career opportunities for electrical engineers include jobs such as the following:
- Communications equipment design
- Electric power generation and distribution
- Electronics
- Image and signal processing systems
- Instrumentation design
- Design and development of renewable energy sources
- Optical and laser system design
- Robotics design
- Sensor design
Additionally, electrical engineers generally enjoy solid earning potential. Electrical engineering majors had median earnings of $85,000 in 2011, according to a report from Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce, making them one of the top-earning majors for bachelor's degree holders.