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Electrical Engineering
Microelectronics. Electromagnetics. Optics and sensors. For some, these words sound like phrases from the latest sci-fi movie. But if you’re interested in electrical engineering, these words get you excited. Excited about innovation. About opportunity. And about creating a brighter future through technology.
As a student in Dordt’s Electrical Engineering program, you’ll learn to apply your passion to your profession. And you’ll learn how to glorify God in the field of electrical engineering.
Program Overview
In the electrical engineering concentration, you'll explore and improve technologies to move energy and information. Whether you’re developing microprocessors or electric power grids, you’ll be ready to do important, meaningful work.
During your time at Dordt, expert faculty and hands-on opportunities will cultivate your skills and knowledge. Career doors will open for you through great internship options. You’ll also have access to state-of-the-art engineering labs, Dordt’s high bay, and more. Be ready to enter into vigorous and exciting coursework that will challenge, change, and prepare you for a successful career.
A Top Undergraduate Engineering Program
Dordt’s engineering program was listed as a top program within the “Undergraduate Engineering Programs (No Doctorate)” list by U.S. News and World Report. To qualify, a school must have an undergraduate engineering program accredited by ABET.
What You'll Learn
You’ll explore advances in programming, circuitry, and electronic materials. You’ll work with classmates on practical, real-world projects. And you’ll apply new tools and technologies to every assignment you tackle. In the classroom, you’ll start with a strong foundation of Engineering courses. You’ll also choose from class options such as electronics, dynamic systems and process control, and embedded microcontroller systems.
What You Can Do With An Electrical Engineering Concentration
When it comes to electrical engineering, you can choose from a variety of different career options including the ones listed below. Whatever you choose to do, with your identity firmly rooted in Christ, you’ll be equipped to live out your faith every day.
Electrical Technician
Electrical Technicians install and manage different electrical components.
Automotive Engineer
Automotive Engineers design and assemble different vehicles, vehicle parts, and systems.
Energy Engineer
An Energy Engineer is tasked with work with energy systems in order to improve and manage the efficient use of energy in those systems.
Career Preparation
Dordt University's 2023 Career Outcome Rate was 99.4%! “This data point tells us that Dordt graduates are prepared for the careers of their choosing,” said Amy Westra, director of Career Development. “A Dordt education provides students with industry-relevant courses and connections that make a difference.”
Students who choose the electrical engineering concentration will complete five required engineering courses and four elective courses from a selection of engineering and physics courses. This coursework includes at least one additional credit hour of lab work.
- Introduction to Microprocessors and Digital Circuits: Digital circuits are covered, from simple logic gates through elementary microprocessor architecture. The course begins with elementary logic for binary systems, Boolean algebra, binary integer number formats and arithmetic, and combinational design. Intermediate topics include synchronous state machine design and register level concepts. The course concludes with topics in microprocessor architecture that include elementary assembly language and interfacing. Laboratory provides hands-on experience in logic design and microprocessor interfacing and includes two formal design projects. This course serves both computer science and engineering students.
- Mechatronics and Instrumentation: An introduction to engineering mechatronics with applications of engineering measurement, data acquisition, instrumentation, sensors, actuators, digital and analog signal fundamentals, automatic control, and other electro-mechanical system interfacing.
- Electronics I: A study of the flow of electricity in, and application of, semiconductor devices. Topics include basic signals and amplifier characteristics, operational amplifiers models and applications, diodes and applications, field effect transistors, bipolar junction transistors, and methods of amplification with single-transistor circuits. The laboratory includes a number of short design problems.
- Control Systems Lab: A laboratory course in the dynamic modeling and automatic control of mechanical and electrical systems.
- Embedded Microcontroller Systems: A course on the design of microcontroller-based systems and the associated software and hardware. Software issues such as modular design, interrupt-driven I/O, and design for reliability are covered. Hardware issues such as serial and parallel interfacing, bus structures, grounding and shielding, and D/A and A/D conversions are also studied. Lab exercises provide design experience using a particular microcontroller or a softprocessor foundation in an FPGA.
- Electronics II: A continuation of Engineering 322. Topics include biasing strategies for discrete and integrated circuit designs, current mirrors, differential and multistage amplifiers, frequency response, feedback, and stability. The laboratory includes construction of a kit, which introduces students to power output stages, tuned amplifiers, and demodulator circuits. The laboratory also includes a short design problem.
- Electromagnetic Fields: Review of vector calculus; divergence, curl, Gauss’ and Stoke’s theorems; electro- and magneto-statics; polarization; boundary conditions; Laplace and Poisson equations; magnetic vector potential; energy; Maxwell’s equations for time varying fields; wave propagation; and
Poynting’s theorem. - Introduction to Power System Analysis: An introduction to the design, planning, and operation of electric power utilities. Includes principles of economic dispatch and politics that impact design and operating strategies. Topics include power transmission lines, transformers, generators, system modeling, load flow analysis, faults, and system stability.
- Introduction to Communication Systems: A study of analog and digital communication systems performance and theory with applications in radio, satellite, telephone, computer networking, and radar systems. Topics include linear modulation (AM, SSB, etc.), exponential modulation (FM and PM), sampling theory, the discrete-time and discrete-frequency domains, and basic digital modulation methods such as m-ary PSK, DPSK, OFDM, etc. The topic of noise is considered at the most elementary level sufficient to distinguish the performance of various modulation methods in the presence of noise.
- Introduction to Light, Energy, and Matter: Advanced classical and introduction to modern physics topics. Optics, advanced waves, semiconductors, and modern physics topics in particle, nuclear, and quantum physics are covered.
Ready to take the next step?
Faculty
With experience in a variety of fields, our faculty members are equipped and ready to help you succeed.
Science and Technology Center
While studying electrical engineering at Dordt, you'll have the opportunity to spend time in Dordt's Science and Technology Center. Informally known as the "Science Building," the Science and Technology Center is home to labs for mechanical engineering, electronics, electrical engineering, and computer-aided design.
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Student Stories
Dordt students and alumni use their gifts to make a difference in the world. Check out their stories to see how Defender Nation lives out our mission to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.
Empathy and Mystery
Aidan BenderDealing with the constant uncertainty of what he wanted to do with his future, Aidan was able to lean on Dordt professors and mentors to help him become more open-minded and flexible, eventually finding a place where he fit in.
Aidan Bender
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