Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering

Power Our World Through Innovation

In today's digital age, electricity keeps the world running. Electrical engineers design everything from the nation’s power grid to the microchips inside our cellphones. Graduates of Clarkson University's Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering program can find work in virtually every industry. You'll find competitive salaries, the chance to work in a variety of sectors and the opportunity to be at the forefront of today's innovations.

Why Major in Electrical Engineering at Clarkson?

Clarkson's low student-to-faculty ratio allows our professors to get to know you as an individual while you engage together in research. This unique relationship between faculty and students is the hallmark of the Clarkson educational experience.

The electrical engineering program's team-based, collaborative approach encourages you to apply your knowledge and skills to solve practical, real-world problems. These skills, combined with Clarkson's in-depth curriculum, provide you with a strong foundation for a successful career.

Beyond the classroom, you can choose to get involved in research, study abroad, take on extracurricular projects or participate in professional development activities.

And, our Electrical Engineering Class of 2024 had a 100 percent placement rate.

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

Clarkson’s Electrical Engineering program prepares you to design, build and optimize the technologies that power and connect our world, combining strong foundations in circuits, electronics and systems with hands-on experience in areas like power systems, signal processing, robotics and control systems. Through labs, undergraduate research opportunities and a culminating capstone experience, you’ll apply what you learn to real-world engineering challenges while working closely with faculty mentors. As emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning continue to transform how we manage energy grids, automate robotics and process complex signals, Clarkson students gain exposure to these rapidly evolving fields through coursework, research opportunities and the Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning minor. You’ll graduate ready to innovate in a changing technological landscape while bringing the critical thinking, creativity and engineering judgment that technology alone cannot replace.

Learn more about how Clarkson is at the forefront of AI & Machine Learning

What You'll Learn

From the start, you'll be immersed in real-world problems, learning from expert faculty in both classroom and lab experiences using sophisticated equipment that meets or exceeds industry standards.

You'll take such courses as:

Advanced Digital Circuit Design
Alternate Energy Systems
Computer and Network Security
Electromagnetic Fields and Waves
Embedded Systems
Fundamentals of Software Engineering
High-Voltage Techniques and Measurements
Intro to Biometrics
Intro to Digital Design
Intro to Programming and Software Design
Microelectronics
Object-Oriented Languages
Power Systems Engineering
Software Design for Visual Environments
Software System Architecture
Systems and Signal Processing

For more information, view the course catalog for current program requirements, course numbers and credit hours

Course Catalog

Curriculum

The electrical engineering program consists of 36 credit hours in electrical engineering and 27 credit hours of first year engineering curriculum. 6 credit hours are in free electives.

All courses are 3 credits unless noted.

Clarkson Common Experience

The following courses are required for all students, irrespective of their program of study. These courses are offered during the fall semester, with FY100 First-Year Seminar being required of only first-year students. Both FY100 and UNIV190 are typically taken during the fall semester of the first year at Clarkson.
FY100 First-Year Seminar (1 credit)
UNIV190 The Clarkson Seminar (3 credits)

Electrical Engineering Core Requirements

Students are required to complete the following courses:

Electrical Engineering

Laboratory I
Linear Circuits
Embedded Systems
Intro to Object-Oriented Programming and Software Design
Introduction to Digital Design
Electrical Engineering Laboratory II
Systems & Signal Processing
Dynamical Systems
Energy Conversion
Microelectronics
Electromagnetic Fields & Waves
Senior Design

Professional Experience

Students are required to complete the following Professional Experience:
ES499 Professional Experience (0 credits)

Engineering Common First Year

Students must complete the following courses in their first year:

General Chemistry I
Introduction to Computer Science
Introduction to Engineering Use of the Computer
Engineering & Society
Calculus I
Calculus II
Physics I
Physics II

Electrical Engineering Core Electives

Students must complete the following courses:

Mathematics/Electrical Science

Electrical Science
Calculus III
Elementary Differential Equations
Probability & Statistics

Area Electives

Students must take 5 EE courses 300-level or above. BR400 can substitute an EE course.

Additional Electives

Students are also required to take one Math Elective outside of the Core Requirements, as well as one Electrical Science Elective and one Electrical Science or Science Elective.

Knowledge Area/University Course Electives

Students will have at least 15 credit hours available to use toward Knowledge Area and/or University Course electives to satisfy the Clarkson Common Experience requirements.

Free Electives

Students will have approximately 6 credit hours available to use toward courses of their choice.

Research

Our engineering professors are also active researchers. As a result, enriching opportunities are available to all engineering undergraduate majors, including projects sponsored by agencies like the National Science Foundation and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, as well as by private companies. In addition, students engage in research to complete their senior capstone design projects and to gain professional, hands-on experience.

Learn more about research at Clarkson.

Co-ops and Internships

As an electrical engineering major, you'll have access to internships and co-op opportunities, including with companies, government offices and other organizations. Twice a year, nearly 200 employers come to campus to recruit undergraduate Clarkson students for these experiences, including many looking for electrical engineers. Stop by Clarkson's Career Fairs to make connections; apply for internships, co-ops and full-time positions; attend informational sessions and interview for open positions.

Learn more about co-ops and internships.

Student Clubs

Electrical engineering students can get involved outside the classroom through over 200 clubs and organizations on campus, including several related to electrical engineering. These include:

American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
Autonomous Robotics Club
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
Order of Omega
Power and Energy Society
Robotics Living-Learning Community
Sigma Xi - The Scientific Research Society
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE)
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Tau Beta Pi - National Engineering Honor Society

Learn more about student clubs and activities at Clarkson.

Electrical Engineering Minor

A minor in electrical engineering is available to students in any degree program. An electrical engineering program minor provides you with a foundation in learning energy systems, basic electrical science and digital design. Why choose to minor in electrical engineering? It is and will continue to be key to a future that balances energy resources and production with human quality of life. Many engineering students can complete the minor in four years.

All courses are 3 credits unless noted.

Electrical Engineering Minor Core Requirements

Students are required to complete the following courses:

ES250 Electrical Science
EE264 Introduction to Digital Design
EE331 Energy Conversion
EE381 Electromagnetic Fields and Waves

Electrical Engineering Minor Core Electives

Students must complete two of the following courses:

EE221 Linear Circuits
EE321 Systems and Signal Processing
EE324 (ME324) Dynamical Systems
EE333 Power System Engineering
EE341 Microelectronic Circuits

We Want to Invest in You

Become a Solinsky Engineer.

The Solinsky Engineers Program is designed to give future engineers a community, a $20,000 scholarship to attend Clarkson for four years, and a variety of incredible benefits to enhance their educational and co-curricular college experience.

We are transforming and elevating our industry-driven engineering education. How? Through scholarship offerings, game-changing facility upgrades and unmatched hands-on learning opportunities. Clarkson will give you the skills, confidence and experience to lead the future of engineering and manufacturing.

Being a Solinsky Engineer opens doors to real experience, camaraderie, and accelerated career growth. We'll choose up to 100 first-year engineering majors annually to be a part of this exciting initiative. Find out how to apply.

Career Possibilities

Growth for electrical engineers is predicted to be steady over the next decade. Opportunities exist in all sectors of the economy, such as:

Automotive industries
Aviation
Defense
Embedded systems
Energy and power
Entertainment
Social media
Telecommunication

Class of 2023 graduates in Electrical Engineering started their careers with an average salary of more than $81K. For those entering the workforce, common job titles include: