BS in Electrical Engineering at Boston University

Electrical engineering is one of two BS programs offered by the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering. Electrical engineering draws on many disciplines. All of them, however, are linked by a common thread: the use and control of electromagnetic energy. Almost all information is captured using electromagnetic, electro-optical, bio-electrical, electro-chemical, or electro-mechanical transducers. The first step of developing a cellphone, a car’s parking assistance system, or a space probe is designing transducers, related electronics, and algorithms to process the captured information. With a degree in electrical engineering, you’ll learn these skills and be prepared to begin a career in a wide range of fields, from robotics to medical imaging.

As a student in this program, you will begin by learning the fundamentals of physical sciences, mathematics, and basic engineering skills. These foundations will then allow you to acquire discipline-specific knowledge and skills in electronics, electro-physics, electromagnetics, signals and systems, digital systems, and computer systems. You will also enroll in technical electives to help you gain a broader understanding of the subfields of electrical engineering, such as communications, signal processing, control systems, solid-state devices, materials, photonics, circuit design, computer systems, and software. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to explore areas of data science and machine learning through a sequence of available courses.

Design is integrated throughout the curriculum, providing an important infrastructure to the program. During your senior year as an electrical engineering student, you will join computer engineering students in a year-long, department-wide capstone design project that draws upon the skills learned in all your previous years of study. Structured to resemble a real engineering company, the capstone project class requires students to design a product to meet customer needs and specifications. Design teams are responsible for product conception, development, testing, and construction, as well as budget management, oral presentations, and documentation.