Electrical engineering

Electrical engineering is an engineering discipline that deals with the study and application of electricity and electromagnetism. Its practitioners are called electrical engineers. Electrical engineering is a broad field that encompasses many subfields including those that deal with power, control systems, electronics and telecommunications.

Training and certification

Electrical engineers typically possess an academic degree with a major in electrical engineering. The length of study for such a degree is usually three or four years and the completed degree may be designated as a Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Applied Science depending upon the university.

Related Topics:
Academic degree - Bachelor of Engineering - Bachelor of Science - Bachelor of Applied Science

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The degree generally includes units covering physics, mathematics, project management and specific topics in electrical engineering. Initially such topics cover most, if not all, of the subfields of electrical engineering. Students then choose to specialize in one or more subfields towards the end of the degree.

Related Topics:
Physics - Mathematics - Project management

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Some electrical engineers also choose to pursue a postgraduate degree such as a Master of Engineering, a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering or an Engineer's degree. The Master and Engineer's degree may consist of either research, coursework or a mixture of the two. The Doctor of Philosophy consists of a significant research component and is often viewed as the entry point to academia. In the United Kingdom, the Master of Engineering is often considered an undegraduate degree of slightly longer duration than the Bachelor of Engineering.

Related Topics:
Master of Engineering - Doctor of Philosophy - Engineer's degree - Research - Coursework - Academia - Bachelor of Engineering

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In most countries, a Bachelor's degree in engineering represents the first step towards certification and the degree program itself is certified by a professional body. After completing a certified degree program the engineer must satisfy a range of requirements (including work experience requirements) before being certified. Once certified the engineer is designated the title of Professional Engineer (in the United States and Canada), Chartered Engineer (in the United Kingdom, Ireland, India, South Africa and Zimbabwe), Chartered Professional Engineer (in Australia) or European Engineer (in much of the European Union).

Related Topics:
Certification - Professional body - Professional Engineer - United States - Canada - Chartered Engineer - United Kingdom - Ireland - India - South Africa - Zimbabwe - Chartered Professional Engineer - Australia - European Engineer - European Union

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The advantages of certification vary depending upon location. For example, in the United States and Canada "only a licensed engineer may...seal engineering work for public and private clients". {{ref|nspe}} This requirement is enforced by state and provincial legislation such as Quebec's Engineers Act. {{ref|qea}} In other countries, such as Australia, no such legislation exists. Practically all certifying bodies maintain a code of ethics that they expect all members to abide by or risk expulsion. {{ref|ethics}} In this way these organizations play an important role in maintaining ethical standards for the profession. Even in jurisdictions where certification has little or no legal bearing on work, engineers are subject to the law. For example, much engineering work is done by contract and is therefore covered by contract law. In cases where an engineer's work fails he or she may be subject to the tort of negligence and, in extreme cases, the charge of criminal negligence. {{ref|shuman}} An engineer's work must also comply with numerous other rules and regulations such as building codes and legislation pertaining to environmental law.

Related Topics:
Quebec's - Code of ethics - Contract law - Tort of negligence - Criminal negligence - Building codes - Environmental law

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Professional bodies of note for electrical engineers include the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE). The IEEE claims to produce 30 percent of the world's literature in electrical engineering, has over 360,000 members worldwide and holds over 300 conferences anually. {{ref|IEEE}} The IEE publishes 14 journals, has a worldwide membership of 120,000, certifies Chartered Engineers in the United Kingdom and claims to be the largest professional engineering society in Europe. {{ref|IEE1}} {{ref|IEE2}}

Related Topics:
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers - Institution of Electrical Engineers

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