Electricians are the unsung heroes of any construction project. Their role is to ensure that all electrical systems are safe, efficient, and properly installed.
This involves completing detailed drawings and analyses of the system before it is installed. These experts are also responsible for inspecting all aspects of a project's electrical systems at various stages throughout its life cycle.
A master's in Electrical Engineering will prepare you to work in these roles and more, with the knowledge and skills required to design, install and maintain electrical systems. It will also provide you with the hands-on experience needed to run your own business or join one of the many organizations dedicated to this industry.
The Masters in Electrical Engineering(MEE) program is offered by various institutes and universities across the world, including Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and U.S.A.
If you are looking to pursue a career in the engineering field then Electrical engineering is a top choice, with an amazing demand for electrical engineers in the market, and really good pay if you have the right education and knowledge.
In this blog, we'll learn about a master's in electrical engineering, the skills required to be successful in this field, and how it is a good choice for you.
Why Do Masters in Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering is one of the most sought-after subjects in the engineering department. It provides an opportunity to work on real-life projects in the field of electrical engineering.
Engineers can get more general knowledge and delve deeper into technological expertise by earning a master's degree. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of graduate students who have received a master's degree has more than quadrupled only in the previous two decades.
If you have a degree in electrical engineering, you will be able to get jobs at companies that make products for the electrical industry. This can include companies such as Tesla Motors or GE. Also, if you completed your masters in electrical engineering, you will be able to get jobs at companies that make products for the electrical industry. These types of companies are often called auto manufacturers or electronics manufacturers.
Some other additional advantages of doing a master's in electrical engineering are:
- You will gain valuable skills in both theory and practice which are essential for any engineering career.
- You will be able to work with clients on projects that range from small home improvements to large commercial projects.
- There are many job opportunities in this field so you can easily find one that suits your interests and skills.
Although you can be an electrical engineer without any master's degree, a master's degree will help you develop your leadership skills and provide the foundation for a career as an engineer in one of the many fields within this field. It also allows you to specialize in one of the many subdomains under the field of electrical engineering.
Key Skills required for Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineers are responsible for the design and operation of electrical power systems and control systems. They also design, test, maintain and repair electrical equipment, such as power plants and telecommunications networks.
The skills demanded by electrical engineers include:
Problem-solving-
Electrical engineers must be able to analyze problems effectively, investigate solutions thoroughly and make decisions on what should be done next.
Communication-
Electrical engineers must be able to communicate clearly with other people about the technical details of their work and how that work relates to overall projects or business goals.
Analytical skills-
An electrical engineer must have good analytical skills to determine what is needed for a specific project or problem, such as determining how much current can safely be applied without damaging equipment or causing an injury, setting up equipment properly so that it operates correctly, etc.
Physics & Mathematics Knowledge-
You should have good knowledge of physics and mathematics along with basic calculus skills. You should be able to build simple circuits using transistors or diodes on breadboards or perfboards (electronic circuit boards). You should be able to understand how a power supply works along with its benefits and disadvantages.
Programming Language-
Electrical engineers need to be proficient in programming languages such as C++ or MATLAB as well as the ability to use computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Attention to Detail-
The work of an electrical engineer is highly detail oriented, to be a good electrical engineer you need to be very specific with details. A very minor cut might hamper the working of the whole circuit, this is a very crucial skill if you want to work in the role of an electrical engineer.
Teamwork Skills-
Working as an electrical engineer you must be ready to work in teams most of the time. Almost all the job profiles in this field are team role jobs. You must have skills to work in a team, motivate your team to do better, and learn to cooperate.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for electrical engineering programs vary by university and by country. The admission requirements for the M.S. degree program in electrical engineering are outlined below.
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science or a related field with proficiency in English.
A minimum score of 700 (on the verbal) and 700 (on the quantitative) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or its equivalent.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 In addition to these requirements, applicants must submit:
- A written statement describing previous experience and/or research interests in their intended area of study; The names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of two referees who have personal knowledge of your academic performance.
Three letters of recommendation from professors from outside your current institution; and
An SOP describing your interest in pursuing graduate studies in Electrical Engineering and why you believe that you would be successful in this program.
You should also have with you your previous academic transcripts.
Best universities for Masters in Electrical Engineering
Stanford University:
The Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSE) program at Stanford University is designed to provide students with a broad knowledge base and practical skills needed to pursue careers in the electrical engineering field.
The program emphasizes hands-on experience and offers opportunities for students to engage with industry practitioners. The program has been accredited by ABET since 2011.
The MSE program is offered through the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at Stanford University, one of only a handful of universities in the United States offering this degree.
The department has been recognized as one of the most innovative in the country by Insidehighered.com, among other publications.
The curriculum includes courses on power systems, power generation, and conversion, renewable energy sources and infrastructure technology, semiconductor devices, microelectronics devices and circuits, digital signal processing, robotics, and instrumentation systems design.
The curriculum also includes research opportunities that allow students to gain hands-on experience working on real-world applications.
Georgia Institute of Technology:
Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the top schools for electrical engineering. The school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and has over 9,000 students enrolled.
Georgia Tech offers a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering that can be completed full-time or part-time. There are many different concentrations available, including power systems and electric power systems, transmission and distribution technologies, power electronics and control systems, electric machines and drives, and renewable energy systems.
The curriculum includes courses in circuits and devices, power electronics engineering, power system analysis/design, digital signal processing, and control theory as well as computer science. Students also have the opportunity to specialize in some areas such as electromagnetic fields or AC circuits using MATLAB and Simulink software tools.
Georgia Tech is accredited by ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology), so graduates will have an advantage when seeking employment outside of Georgia Tech.
University of California:
The Electrical Engineering department at the University of California offers several different Masters in Electrical Engineering programs. The program has been approved by the American Council of Engineering Education (ACEEE) and is accredited by ABET.
The Masters in Electrical Engineering program consists of a minimum of 15 credits, which are offered over two years. Students can choose to complete their program at the University of California or online through eCampus.
The program has a strong emphasis on hands-on experience with practical applications that are frequently used in the industry.
Students are encouraged to work on teams throughout their studies. In addition, they have access to state-of-the-art laboratories where they can experiment with new technology before it is installed in commercial products.
Students should expect to take classes in both theory and laboratory work. They will also be required to complete a thesis or project that provides them with valuable experience in writing computer programs or conducting experiments on projects related to their major field of study.
Johns Hopkins University:
Johns Hopkins University is one of the top universities in the world and offers a wide range of programs. These include engineering, business, finance, health care, science, and more.
The Johns Hopkins University Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering program provides students with an opportunity to pursue a degree in electrical engineering that combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience.
The curriculum includes courses on circuit analysis and design, power systems and control systems, machine controls, and digital circuits. Students who complete this program will be prepared for careers as teaching assistants or research engineers in industry or government laboratories.
The Johns Hopkins University Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering program provides students with an opportunity to pursue a degree in electrical engineering that combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience.
Columbia University:
Columbia University has been offering M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering since the 1930s. The program is designed to provide a thorough grounding in both electrical engineering and the physical sciences, with a strong emphasis on mathematics and other quantitative tools that are essential for designing and analyzing electrical circuits and systems.
The program also provides extensive training in computer modeling, simulation, and analysis techniques to help students develop an understanding of the principles underlying their chosen field of study.
Students will complete a comprehensive program of study that includes:
- A broad foundation in the physical sciences, including introductory courses in chemistry, microbiology, and physics;
- An introduction to the fundamentals of electrical engineering;
- A substantial core of advanced course work in circuit theory, transmission lines, circuits with finite resistances, power flow through electrical circuits, computer-aided design (CAD) techniques for circuit board layout, electromagnetics, and electromagnetic waves;
- An elective course in digital signal processing for analog-to-digital conversion;
- A capstone project involving the application of theoretical knowledge gained during the degree program to solve practical problems encountered by industry or government agencies.
This program also offers many different specializations, some of which are:
- Electrical Power Engineering – This concentration provides students with an understanding of the principles of electricity and electronics, including circuits, devices, and systems that control energy delivery for homes and businesses. Students learn how to use these principles to analyze power systems and develop solutions for problems faced by electric utilities today.
- Electrical Circuits & Systems – This concentration focuses on circuit elements such as transformers, capacitors, and inductors; voltage sources, currents sources, and power supplies; transmission lines; antennas; and communication systems including radio frequency (RF), microwave, and optical technologies. Students learn how these elements work together within larger systems such as electronic equipment or electromechanical devices (elevators, trains, etc.)
- Electromagnetic Fields & Waves – This concentration focuses on electromagnetic waves such as light waves (visible light), x-rays, and gamma rays. A very rare specialization, if you master this field then you'll be amongst the high paid professionals as there are not many who can claim to be good at this field of engineering.
University of Illinois:
The electrical engineering program at Illinois has been ranked No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report since 1994, and its graduates are highly sought after by employers.
The curriculum includes core classes in mathematics and physics that are required for all students. The program also offers a variety of elective courses to satisfy your specific interests, allowing you to tailor your education to your career plans.
The Master of Science in Electrical Engineering is designed for students seeking a professional degree in electrical engineering but also serves as preparation for doctoral studies in the field.
Their graduates have gone on to successful careers as engineers at major companies such as General Motors, Caterpillar, Rockwell International, and Motorola.
The curriculum features a blend of theoretical and hands-on laboratory experience that prepares students for careers in industry or academia.
Their faculty members are recognized experts in their fields and have won numerous awards for their research from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and other organizations.
Conclusion
Electrical engineering is a really promising career path. With correct guidance and education in the subject, there's a lot to do in this field.
You will have a major advantage over other contenders in your industry and will be given preference by companies if you obtain the correct master's degree in electrical engineering.
For assistance with your master's in electrical engineering abroad, give a call to our experts today!