Electrical Engineering at the
University of Kentucky
Dr. Kevin D. Donohue
Databeam Professor of Electrical and
Computer Engineering
Engineering
… the art of directing the great sources of power
in nature for the use and the convenience of people.
In its modern form engineering involves people,
money, materials, machines, and energy. …
Engineering therefore requires above all the creative
imagination to innovate useful applications of
natural phenomena. It seeks newer, cheaper, better
means of using natural sources of energy and
materials.
From McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, 5th edition, published by
The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Engineers of pre-modern times
http://www.feebleminds-gifs.com/wizard-flames.jpg
Engineering Profession
The typical modern engineer goes through several phases of
career activity. Formal education must be broad and deep in
the sciences and humanities. Then comes an increasing
degree of specialization in the intricacies of a particular
discipline, also involving continued postscholastic
education. Normal promotion thus brings interdisciplinary
activity as the engineer supervises a variety of specialists.
Finally, the engineer enters into the management function,
weaving people, money, materials, machines, and energy
sources into completed processes for the use of society.
From McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, 5th edition,
published by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Engineers in modern times:
http://www.starpulse.com/Television/Dilbert/gallery/Dilbert-01/
/
http://www.inklingmagazine.com/articles/comments/shes-such-a-geek-photo-contest
Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineers design computers and incorporate them into devices
and systems. They design two-way communications systems such as
telephones and fiber-optic systems, and one-way communications
systems such as radio and television, including satellite systems. They
design control systems, such as aircraft collision-avoidance systems, and
a variety of systems used in medical electronics. Electrical engineers are
involved with generation, control, and delivery of electric power to
homes, offices, and industry …. Electrical engineers analyze and
interpret computer-aided tomography data (CAT scans), seismic data
from earthquakes and well drilling, and data from space probes, voice
synthesizers, and handwriting recognition. They design systems that
educate and entertain, such as computers and computer networks,
compact-disk players, and multimedia systems
From McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, 5th
edition, published by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Electrical Engineering Profession
Over the last 100 years electrical engineers have responded to
the needs and desires of society and have changed the way we
live and work more so than any other profession.
Society
Impact of EE Profession
http://www.greatachievements.org/
Great Web Sites
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http://www.careercornerstone.org/eleceng/elecengsectors.htm
http://www.ieee.org/portal/site
http://www.eetimes.com/
http://www.greatachievements.org/
http://www.dol.gov/
Curriculum
Foundations in science, math, and computer science:
Required courses
Calculus (15 hrs)
Physics (8 hrs)
Probability (3 hrs)
Computer Science (3 hrs)
Chemistry (3 hrs)
Elective courses:
 Engineering/Science electives (9 hours)
 Math/Statistics elective (3 hours)
 Technical electives (6 credit hours)
 EE Laboratory Elective (any 3) (Digital Logic, Electronics,
Power, Signals and Systems)
Curriculum
Foundations in Electrical Engineering:
Required EE courses
 EE Circuits and Digital Logic (200 level) (12 hrs)
 EE Technical Area Courses (300 and 400 level) (23 hrs)
 Power, Electronics, Electromagnetics, Computer, Signals and Systems
 EE Senior Design Project (EE499) (3 hrs)
Senior Elective courses:
 EE Technical Electives (500-level) (12 hrs)
Student Organizations and Clubs
IEEE, HKN, Solar Car, UAV, Satellite …
Student Organizations and Clubs
IEEE, HKN, Solar Car, UAV, Satellite …
Student Organizations and Clubs
IEEE, HKN, Solar Car, UAV, Satellite …
ECE Advantage
 Broadest foundation to prepare for
interdisciplinary work and for leadership.
 ECE Faculty have ranked the highest in student
satisfaction for almost every year for last 10 years.
 Among the highest starting salary (~$52,000)
 Opportunities to work in research labs and pursue
independent projects while in the program.
Median Starting Salary Comparison
Curriculum
Bachelor's
Master's
Ph.D.
$50,993
$62,930
$72,529
Agricultural
46,172
53,022
—
Bioengineering and biomedical
48,503
59,667
—
Chemical
53,813
57,260
79,591
Civil
43,679
48,050
59,625
Computer
52,464
60,354
69,625
Electrical/electronics and communications
51,888
64,416
80,206
Environmental/environmental health
47,384
—
—
Industrial/manufacturing
49,567
56,561
85,000
Materials
50,982
—
—
Mechanical
50,236
59,880
68,299
Mining & mineral
48,643
—
—
Nuclear
51,182
58,814
—
Petroleum
61,516
58,000
—
Aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical
According to a 2005 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
Salaries Overall
Specialty
Percentile
10%
25%
50%
75%
90%
$52,820
$64,380
$79,100
$94,900
$113,520
Agricultural
37,680
43,270
56,520
77,740
90,410
Biomedical
41,260
51,620
67,690
86,400
107,530
Chemical
49,030
60,920
76,770
94,740
115,180
Civil
42,610
51,430
64,230
79,920
94,660
Computer hardware
50,490
63,730
81,150
102,100
123,560
Electrical
47,310
57,540
71,610
88,400
108,070
Electronics, except computer
49,120
60,280
75,770
92,870
112,200
Environmental
40,620
50,740
66,480
83,690
100,050
Health and safety, except mining safety
39,930
49,900
63,730
79,500
92,870
Industrial
42,450
52,210
65,020
79,830
93,950
Marine engineers and naval architects
43,790
54,530
72,040
89,900
109,190
Materials
44,130
53,510
67,110
83,830
101,120
Mechanical
43,900
53,070
66,320
82,380
97,850
Mining and geological, including mining
safety
39,700
50,500
64,690
83,050
103,790
Nuclear
61,790
73,340
84,880
100,220
118,870
Petroleum
48,260
65,350
88,500
113,180
140,800
Aerospace
Earning distribution by percentile in May 2004.
Specialty Distribution
Engineering and Human
Environment
7%
Other
6%
Circuits and Devices
13%
Industrial Applications
7%
Computers
23%
Electromagnetics and
Radiation
6%
Energy and Pow er
Engineering
12%
Communications
Technology
10%
Systems and Control
7%
Signals and Applications
9%
(IEEE-USA Salary and Fringe Benefit Survey 1999-2000 Edition).
Industry Sector Distribution
Metals
0%
Petrochemicals
Transportation
1%
1%
Electrical/Electronic
Services
2%
Other
10%
Communications
15%
Automotive
2%
Electrical/Electronic
Manufacturing
12%
Medical
4%
Education
7%
Computers
10%
Ultilities
8%
Defense
9%
Consulting
9%
Aerospace
10%