View source for Electrical engineering technology

{{Globalize|article|USA|2name=the United States|date=May 2016}}
[[File:Arduino Duemilanove 2009b.jpg|thumb|A microcontroller development board ([[Arduino]] Duemilanove), which could be used for [[Embedded system|embedded systems development]].]]

'''Electrical/Electronics engineering technology''' ('''EET''') is an [[engineering technology]] field that implements and applies the principles of [[electrical engineering]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Electrical Engineering Technology|url=http://www.careercornerstone.org/engtech/disciplines/elecet.htm|work=Engineering Technology Overview|publisher=Sloan Career Cornerstone Center|access-date=20 August 2010}}</ref> Like electrical engineering, EET deals with the "design, application, installation, manufacturing, operation or maintenance of electrical/electronic(s) systems."<ref name=Program_Criteria>{{cite web | title=Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Technology Programs, 2012 - 2013  | url =http://www.abet.org/uploadedFiles/Accreditation/Accreditation_Process/Accreditation_Documents/Current/tac-criteria-2012-2013.pdf | work=Program Criteria | pages=13–14 | publisher=[[ABET]] | access-date=20 May 2012}}</ref> However, EET is a specialized discipline that has more focus on application, theory, and applied design, and implementation, while electrical engineering may focus more of a generalized emphasis on theory and conceptual design.<ref>{{cite web | title=Engineering vs. Engineering Technology | url=http://www.abet.org/engineering-vs-engineering-technology/ | work=Curricular Focus | publisher=[[ABET]] | access-date=20 May 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022034737/http://www.abet.org/engineering-vs-engineering-technology/ | archive-date=22 October 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Electrical/Electronic engineering technology is the largest branch of engineering technology and includes a diverse range of sub-disciplines, such as applied design, [[electronics]], [[embedded system]]s, [[control system]]s, [[instrumentation]], [[telecommunication]]s, and [[Power engineering|power systems]].

==Education==

===Accreditation===
The [[Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology]] (ABET) is the recognized<ref>{{cite web|title=Programmatic Accrediting Organizations|url=http://www.chea.org/pdf/2010_2011_Directory_of_CHEA_Recognized_Organizations.pdf|work=Directory of CHEA-Recognized Organizations|publisher=[[Council for Higher Education Accreditation]]|access-date=22 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122065504/http://www.chea.org/pdf/2010_2011_Directory_of_CHEA_Recognized_Organizations.pdf|archive-date=22 November 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> organization for accrediting both undergraduate engineering and engineering technology programs in the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|title=What is ABET? |work=General Information (ABET) |url=http://www.vanth.org/curriculum/curr_abet.asp#generalinfo |publisher=VaNTH ERC |access-date=22 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005031742/http://www.vanth.org/curriculum/curr_abet.asp |archive-date=October 5, 2011 }}</ref>

===Coursework===
EET curricula can vary widely by institution type, degree type, program objective, and expected student outcome. Each year after, however, ABET publishes a set of minimum criteria that a given EET program (either associate degree or bachelor's degree) must meet in order to maintain its ABET accreditation. These criteria may be classified as either general criteria, which apply to all ABET accredited programs, or as program criteria, which apply to discipline-specific criteria.<ref>{{cite web|title=Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Technology Programs, 2012 - 2013  | url =http://www.abet.org/uploadedFiles/Accreditation/Accreditation_Process/Accreditation_Documents/Current/tac-criteria-2012-2013.pdf | work=Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Technology Programs | page=1 | publisher=[[ABET]] | access-date=20 May 2012}}</ref>

====Associate degree====

Associate degree programs emphasize the practical field knowledge that is needed to maintain or troubleshoot existing electrical/electronic systems or to build and test new design prototypes.

Discipline-specific program outcomes include the application of circuit analysis and design, analog and digital electronics, computer programming, associated software, and relevant engineering standards

Coursework must be at a minimum [[algebra]] and [[trigonometry]] based.<ref name="Program_Criteria" />

====Bachelor's degree====

Bachelor's degree programs emphasize the analysis, design, and implementation of electrical/electronic systems. Some programs may focus on a specific sub-discipline, such as [[control system]]s or [[communications system]]s, while others may take a broader approach, introducing the student to several different sub-disciplines.<ref name="Program_Criteria" />

Math to [[differential equation]]s is a minimum requirement for ABET accredited bachelor's level EET degrees. In addition, graduates must demonstrate an understanding of basic project management skills.<ref name="Program_Criteria" />

The [[United States Department of Commerce]] classifies the bachelor of science in electrical engineering technology (BSEET) as a [[STEM fields|STEM]] undergraduate engineering degree field.<ref>{{cite web|title=Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Technology Programs, 2012 - 2013  | url =http://www.esa.doc.gov/sites/default/files/reports/documents/stemfinalyjuly14_1.pdf | work=STEM: Good Jobs Now and for the Future | page=2,9 | author=Langdon | publisher=[[U.S. Department of Commerce]] | access-date=20 May 2012|display-authors=etal}}</ref>

In many states, recent graduates and students who are close to finishing an undergraduate BSEET degree are qualified to sit-in for the [[Fundamentals of Engineering exam]]<ref>{{cite web|title=FE Requirements | url=http://ncees.org/exams/fe-exam/| publisher=NCEES | access-date=28 November 2014}}</ref> while those BSEETs who have already gained at least four years’ post-college experience are qualified to sit-in for the [[Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam|Professional Engineer exam]]<ref>{{cite web|title=PE Requirements | url=http://ncees.org/exams/pe-exam/| publisher=NCEES | access-date=28 November 2014}}</ref> for their [[licensure]] in the United States. The importance of the licensing board requirements<ref>{{cite web|title=Exam Requirements |url=http://www.ncees.org/Licensing_boards.php?boardID=1004&show=examRequirements |publisher=NCEES |access-date=20 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523093147/http://www.ncees.org/Licensing_boards.php?boardID=1004&show=examRequirements |archive-date=May 23, 2012 }}</ref> depend upon location, level of education, required years of experience, and the BSEETs sub-discipline are the passageways for becoming a licensed engineer. The knowledge obtained by a TAC/ABET accredited program is one pathway that may help students prepare for and pass the [[Fundamentals of Engineering exam|FE]]/[[Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam|PE]] exam. For example, in the United States and Canada, "only a licensed engineer may seal engineering work for public and private clients".<ref>{{cite web | title = Why Should You Get Licensed? | work = National Society of Professional Engineers | url = http://www.nspe.org/lc1-why.asp | access-date = 11 July 2005 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050604085233/http://www.nspe.org/lc1-why.asp| archive-date = June 4, 2005}}</ref>

==Career==
{{Main|Occupations in Electrical/Electronics Engineering}}

Graduates of electrical/electronics engineering technology programs work in a wide range of career fields. Some examples include:
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}

*[[Engineering management]]
*[[Telecommunication]]s
*[[Signal processing]]
*[[Medical technology]] and [[Medical device|devices]]
*[[Instrumentation engineering|Instrumentation]]
*[[Integration Engineer]]
*[[Control engineering|Control]]
*[[Aerospace]] and [[avionics]]
*[[Computers]]
*[[Electrical power industry]] and [[Electrical power distribution|power distribution]]
*[[Optics]] and [[Optoelectronics]]
*[[Manufacturing]] and [[Test engineer|manufacturing test engineer]]
*[[Marine Engineering]]
*[[Research and development]]
*[[Project management]] and [[Operations research]]
*[[Supervisor|Supervision/Management]]
*[[Systems analyst]]
*[[Technology management]]

{{div col end}}

=== Associate degree ===

Electrical/electronic [[Technician|engineering technicians]] may have a two-year associate degree <ref name=BLS2>{{cite web|title=Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians|url=http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/electrical-and-electronic-engineering-technicians.htm#tab-2|work=Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition|publisher=Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor|access-date=August 18, 2012}}</ref> and considered [[skilled worker|craftsman technicians]]. Eventually, with additional experience and certifications obtained then the craftsman technicians may advance to [[master craftsman|master craftsman technicians]].

=== Bachelor degree ===

Electrical/electronic engineering technologists are broad specialists, rather than central technicians. EETs have a bachelor's degree and are considered applied electrical or electronic engineers because they have electrical engineering concepts to use in their work.<ref name=BLS2/> Entry-level jobs in electrical or electronics engineering generally require a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, or <u>electrical engineering technology</u>.<ref name=BLS3>{{cite web|title=Electrical and Electronic Engineer|url=http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/electrical-and-electronics-engineers.htm#tab-4|work=Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition|publisher=Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor|access-date=November 15, 2014}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Outline of engineering]]
*[[Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers|IEEE]]
*[[Applied science]]
*[[Mechanical engineering technology]]
*[[Computer engineering]]
*[[Manufacturing engineering]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081201121822/http://www.ieeeghn.org/ IEEE Global History Network] A wiki-based site with many resources about the history of IEEE, its members, their professions and electrical and informational technologies and sciences.

{{Academic degrees}}

[[Category:Technology by type]]
[[Category:Electrical engineering]]