Old Main
College of Arts & Sciences

Electrical Engineering, B.S.

Watch Video
▶
 Request Info

Why pursue an Electrical Engineering, B.S. degree at North Central College? 

Electrical engineers design, develop, test and supervise electrical equipment. They work on computer circuits and architecture, FPGA design, censors, actuators, embedded processors, power electronics and motors. Our Electrical Engineering B.S. degree program is rooted in hands-on learning using the engineering method, the latest engineering design and simulation software, making parts on 3D printers and programming in Python. You will also learn the communication skills necessary to be successful in the profession. At North Central, our focus is on automation and robotics, with emphasis on sustainability, access and enhancing quality of life. A career in electrical engineering is one of tinkering and testing. By practicing problem-solving, team projects and reporting your findings, you’ll be ready to take on the technology industry.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN

  • Operating electrical and electronic systems
  • Designing circuits from cell phone chips to the nation’s power grid
  • Developing electrical power solutions

then a degree in ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING might be for you.

Why study electrical engineering at North Central College?

In the Classroom

Coursework topics:

  • Analog and digital signals
  • Applied statistics
  • Basic electronics
  • Calculus
  • Circuit analysis
  • Classical physics
  • Computer science
  • Computer systems
  • Differential equations & linear algebra
  • Digital logic
  • Electrical simulations
  • Electromechanics
  • Electronic controls
  • Engineering design
  • Engineering finance
  • Embedded processors
  • Failure analysis
  • FPGA design
  • Independent projects
  • Modern physics
  • Motors and actuators
  • Professional ethics
  • Python
  • Power electronics
  • Solid state physics
  • Technical writing

Beyond the Classroom

As an electrical engineer major, you can: 

  • Complete internships at nearby research labs such as Argonne National Laboratory or Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.
  • Study in state-of-the-art facilities equipped to accommodate the most sophisticated hardware, software and other sustainable technology.
  • Pursue your research interests anywhere in the world by applying for a Richter Grant.
  • Present your original research findings at local, regional and national conferences such as the National Conferences on Undergraduate Research or North Central’s own Rall Symposium.

Accreditation

Our engineering programs have been designed to satisfy the requirements for ABET accreditation. However, because an engineering program cannot apply for ABET accreditation until after the program has graduated its first engineering students, which in our case is Spring 2022, we will start the process for ABET accreditation in January 2022. The process normally takes over a year, and we anticipate being accredited in August 2023. Any program that earns ABET accreditation has the accreditation applied retroactively to the previous graduates.

Program Educational Objectives

Program educational objectives as defined by ABET are “broad statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years after graduation. Program educational objectives are based on the needs of the program’s constituencies.” The Program Educational Objectives of the North Central College Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering degree aims to support our graduates’ ability to:

  • Program Education Objective 1: Demonstrate competence and creativity in applying engineering knowledge to improve living conditions for humanity.
  • Program Education Objective 2: Driven by ethical decision making, and integrating professional communication, and teamwork, develop solutions to provide opportunities for diverse individuals and groups worldwide.
  • Program Education Objective 3: Motivate students to engage in lifelong learning to enhance their quality of life and professional success as well as better serving society.

Student Outcomes

Student outcomes describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. These relate to the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that students acquire as they progress through the program. The Student Outcomes of the North Central College Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering degree describe the abilities of our graduates:

  • Student Outcome 1: an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  • Student Outcome 2: an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
  • Student Outcome 3: an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  • Student Outcome 4: an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  • Student Outcome 5: an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  • Student Outcome 6: an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze, and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  • Student Outcome 7: an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Program Enrollment and Graduation Data

Electrical Engineering

What careers can I have as an electrical engineering major?

Our engineering program offers a mix of circuit design, software development, communication systems and power electronics course. We offer a multitude of various courses that allow electrical engineering students to specialize in an area that lines up most with their career interests. Our graduates are well prepared for employment in a wide range of companies and research labs. Some common careers include civil engineering, computer engineering and mechanical engineering. 

Learn more on The 21st Century Engineer blog

Electrical Engineering, B.S.

Electrical Engineering offers a mix of circuit design, software development, communication systems and power electronics. Our graduates are well prepared for employment in a wide range of companies and research labs.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.

A minimum of 45 credit hours of Engineering coursework to include:

Core Courses

A minimum of 30 credit hours of Mathematics and Science coursework to include:

  • MATH 151 - Calculus I

    MATH 151 - Calculus I

    4.00 credit hours

    An exploration of the fundamental concepts of single-variable calculus including limits, continuity, differentiation and integration with applications.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MATH 152 - Calculus II

    MATH 152 - Calculus II

    4.00 credit hours

    A continuation of single-variable calculus with emphasis on advanced integration techniques and applications, parametric equations, polar coordinates, and infinite series.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MATH 253 - Calculus III

    MATH 253 - Calculus III

    4.00 credit hours

    A continuation of calculus with an emphasis on vectors, vector-valued and multiple-variable functions, partial derivatives, line and multiple integrals, vector analysis, Green's, divergence and Stokes' theorems.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • MATH 255 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equation

    MATH 255 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equation

    4.00 credit hours

    First and second order differential equations, systems of differential equations, matrix and vector algebra, systems of linear equations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Students may not receive credit for both MATH 255 and either MATH 300 or MATH 315.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHYS 161 - Physics I: Mechanics and Heat

    PHYS 161 - Physics I: Mechanics and Heat

    4.00 credit hours

    Newton's Laws of motion, energy conservation, rotational motion, thermodynamics. Laboratory required, includes experimental physics and an introduction to computational modeling. Credit may be earned for only one of PHYS 131 and PHYS 161.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHYS 162 - Physics II: Electromagnetism, Waves and Optics

    PHYS 162 - Physics II: Electromagnetism, Waves and Optics

    4.00 credit hours

    Oscillations, waves, electricity, magnetism, optics. Laboratory required, includes experimental physics and computational modeling. Credit may be earned for only one of PHYS 132 and PHYS 162.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHYS 263 - Physics III: Quantum Physics

    PHYS 263 - Physics III: Quantum Physics

    4.00 credit hours

    An introduction to quantum physics. Quantum phenomena, the Schrodinger equation, analysis of one-dimensional potentials, the hydrogen atom and the electronic structure of multi-electron atoms, spin-orbit coupling.

    Schedule Of Classes

  • PHYS 320 - Physics of Solids

    PHYS 320 - Physics of Solids

    2.00 credit hours

    Properties of crystalline solids. Crystal structure, reciprocal lattice, x-ray diffraction, electrical conduction, band theory, semiconductors and semiconductor devices. Other topics may include thermal properties, magnetic properties of solids.

    Schedule Of Classes

Notes:

If students do not meet the minimum Mathematics and Science requirements, additional coursework may need to be taken.

Courses below MATH 151 do not apply to the required credit hours in Mathematics and Science.

* Students who do not place into MATH 151 must successfully complete the course prerequisite, MATH 140.

Invest in your future

Choosing the right university is a big decision. Don’t make it alone. North Central’s admission and financial aid team is here to help you design a financial aid solution that works best for you and your family.

Merit scholarship opportunities, grants, loans, campus employment - these are just some of the resources available to you to assist with your higher education. Over 95 percent of undergraduate students and 100 percent of all eligible students receive aid. Let our faculty partner with you in finding the best value for your education.

Learn more about financial aid and costs for North Central College

Apply to North Central College

Interested in earning your undergraduate electrical engineering degree? Check out our college today and discover all of the bachelor's degree programs and student organizations available to help you on your journey through higher education. The first step to becoming a North Central student is reading the application instructions specific to you. Find out everything you need to know about applying to our education program by selecting the group you belong to below.