Electrical Engineering (B.S.)
Why Study Electrical Engineering at NIU?
When you pursue your electrical engineering degree, you can expect to gain a solid background in mathematics, science and engineering fundamentals that will make it possible for you to learn and use contemporary knowledge and tools to practice electrical engineering —ethically and successfully. You'll develop problem-solving skills to design and build systems, and you'll learn to communicate effectively with others inside and outside the profession.
As a profession, electrical engineering demands working with others in supporting disciplines to achieve common goals. Design is central to this profession, and is integrated throughout your course work. You'll be encouraged to approach central technical issues with increased awareness of logistical, ethical and social implications.
As an electrical engineering major, you'll have the choice to specialize in one of five areas: microelectronics, power/controls, signal processing and communications, electromagnetics, and computer engineering. The design experience is supported by concepts related to reliability, maintainability, and product value and will be culminated in a unique senior design experience.
Careers with an Electrical Engineering Degree
Electrical, computer and biochemical engineers are in demand in both the public and private sectors. With your engineering degree, you can pursue careers in many areas including:
- Colleges and universities
- Communication companies
- Construction companies
- Electronic companies
- Engineering firms
- Hospitals
- Industrial firms
- Manufacturing firms
- Power plants
- Satellite companies
- Transportation companies
- The U.S. military and utility companies
Visit our career services page for more.
Electrical Engineering Faculty
Our award-winning faculty hold Ph.D. degrees and have a wide variety of research interests including:
- Electromechanical energy conversion
- Computational electromagnetics
- Nanotechnology
- Digital design with FPAGs
- Microprocessor architecture
- Chemical/biological sensors
- Adaptive noise control
- Advancement of women in engineering
Hands-on Learning Opportunities
There are more than 18 organizations for you in the college of engineering and engineering technology to get involved. From professional fraternities to national societies for engineers, to clubs; there's something for everyone. Internships are plentiful as well, and the college of engineering and engineering technology hosts two job and internship fairs every year.
Facilities
Our electrical engineering department has extensive laboratory facilities, equipped with a state-of-the-art robotics and sensor lab, a microelectronics design lab, a class-100 clean room, an application-oriented DSP lab with an anechoic chamber, an RF communications lab with a walk-in shielded enclosure, an out-of-doors antenna testing tower, a dedicated computer lab, an image processing lab, and a biomedical signal analysis lab.