Undergraduate

Math and physics are the foundation and tools of engineering, and high school preparation for the B.S. degree in E.E. should emphasize math, physics, and chemistry. High school students should also have experience in using a personal computer, preferably a PC which runs Windows^TM;. It is highly recommended that students own a PC when they begin their E.E. degree since most engineering courses require numerous computer assignments. All laboratory reports and formal assignments must be prepared on computer with a word processor, and students are provided specialized design software for some of their E.E. courses. The convenience of owning their own personal computer gives students a definite academic advantage over students who don't own one.

A student may apply for admission into the Electrical Engineering program after completing a one-year pre-engineering program. Selection for the three-year professional program in Electrical Engineering is competitive and the control is based on quality. A student’s acceptance into the Electrical Engineering program is based on prerequisite preparation, the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and class standing after completion of the one-year pre-engineering program. The number of students accepted into Electrical Engineering will also depend on regional and national needs and the resources of the College of Engineering. To remain in the Electrical Engineering program, the student must maintain a high level of academic performance. A student initially enrolls as a pre-engineering major in the College of Engineering.

The E.E. curriculum provides students the opportunity to obtain a broad, practical education which includes the flexibility of 30 credits of elective courses which can be picked to meet the needs and interests of the student. The required core courses include 11 instructional laboratory courses which provide substantial hands-on practical experience. A 2-semester sequence taken in the senior year, Senior Design I/II, places every student on a design team which then designs, builds, tests, and demonstrates a significant design project. The design projects are solicited from industry and provide students with valuable real world team design experience. After completing the Junior year, students can strengthen their education in a particular career area of electrical engineering by taking up to 13 technical electives in an area of their choice. The department offers advanced courses for the following career areas of electrical engineering:

• Biomedical Engineering--design, research and development of products for the medical profession.
• Communications--analog, digital, and fiber optics systems design, modeling, and computer simulation.
• Computers--primarily hardware design. Many students will also earn a minor in computer science.
• Electronic Materials and Sensor Devices--design and fabrication of microelectronic integrated circuits,sensors and transducers.
• Image/Signal Processing--computer-based analysis and conditioning of signals and images for numerous applications in communications, computers, space, and medicine.
• Power Engineering-design and analysis of power generation, renewable energy systems, distribution, load management, and control systems.

Students in electrical engineering have numerous special opportunities to gain part time employment and technical experience while completing their degree. Faculty in the department typically employ 5-10 undergraduate students per semester to work as research assistants. Students gain valuable technical experience while earning spending money. Local industries, such as Daktronics, also provide numerous part-time employment opportunities with work hours that are flexible for the student. Many of these outside employment opportunities begin at the end of the Freshman year and often lead to offers for permanent employment with the company following the student's graduation.

SDSU has been very effective in placing its E.E. graduates in exciting engineering positions after graduation. While SDSU graduates are working all over the world, many choose to work right here in South Dakota and the Midwest. SDSU has an on-campus placement office to assist students in finding jobs. The success of our E.E. graduates has been tremendous, with many graduates achieving distinction in every area of electrical engineering.

Tours of the E.E. Department are encouraged for all students interested in electrical engineering and these can be arranged by contacting the Admissions Office at (605) 688-4121.