Electrical engineering

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Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2019-2020

College of Engineering

Program description

The profession of electrical engineering touches all aspects of our lives in that electrical engineers design and fabricate devices and systems critical in applications such as computing, communications, health care, manufacturing and automation, power generation and utilization, transportation, and entertainment. An element very important to these and many other applications is the microelectronic device or system.

Electrical engineers play an ever increasing role in the design and building of major facets of today’s and tomorrow’s health care systems and medical research through the application of microelectronic instrumentation and diagnostic tools such as MRI and CAT scan systems. The field of electrical engineering truly permeates every facet of our lives and thus provides excellent employment opportunities to the general practitioner or specialist in more than 35 different subspecialties.

Career opportunities

Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment. Some of this equipment includes electric motors; machinery controls, lighting, and wiring in buildings; radar and navigation systems; communications systems; and power generation, control, and transmission devices used by electric utilities. Electrical engineers specialize in areas such as communications, signal processing, and control systems or have a specialty within one of these areas—control systems or aviation electronics, for example.

Change of major requirements

VCU GPA of 3.0 or greater, with a minimum of 12 VCU credit hours earned. Completion of MATH 200, MATH 201, and any of PHYS 207, EGRE 101, or ENGR 101, all with grades of "B" or higher. If attempted, MATH 200, MATH 201, MATH 211, MATH 301, MATH 307, PHYS 207, PHYS 208, CHEM 101, and/or CHEM 102 must be completed with a GPA of 3.0 or greater. GPA for all attempted engineering and computer science courses must be 3.0 or greater. The historical repeat course option does not apply to these averages.

Bachelor-level job titles

Automation Engineer
Automotive Engineer
Control Systems Engineer
Design Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Mechatronics Engineer
Photonics Engineer
Power Systems Engineer
Robotics Engineer
Solar Energy Systems Engineer

Graduate and professional level job titles

College Professor
Firmware Engineer
Research & Development Engineer
Systems Engineer/Manager

Professional associations and resources

IEEE

Degree requirements in Bulletin

Electrical engineering

Plan of study in Bulletin

Electrical engineering

Requirements

Highest level of math required

MATH 201 or higher

Science required

5+ additional science courses

Foreign language requirements

Additional tuition/fees

GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)

Contact information

Department name:

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Building/room location:

601 West Main Street, Room 203

Phone:

(804) 828-0181

Email:

electricalengr@vcu.edu

https://egr.vcu.edu/departments/electrical/

Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):

Monroe Park

Major map

Year 1

Explore

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and to discuss tutoring, electives, & degree progression.
Take a tour to learn about library spaces, services, & how to get research help.
Map out a 4-year course plan in Degree Works' Student Educational Planner.
Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.
Register for EGRE 101 and 245.
Register for the highest level math you can.
Attend all SI sessions and seek tutoring.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Apply to join the Honors College.
Get involved and meet new friends through VCU Student Government or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations.
Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
Apply to live in one of VCU's four Living-Learning Programs.
Meet peers and make new friends/study buddies at the Weeks of Welcome cookout.
Join an Engineering student org like IEEE or VINE.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Visit a study abroad fair and complete Rams Abroad 101 online to learn about study abroad options.
Review the OMSA website. Follow them on social media for events, resources & other ways to engage.
Consider Peace Corps Prep through VCU Globe to expand skills in global leadership and intercultural communication.
Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore study abroad and national scholarship opportunities.
Explore membership in NSBE, SHPE, SWE, VINE, or oSTEM.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
Consider applying for a federal work-study (FWS) job on- or off-campus through Handshake.
Create a draft resume and have it reviewed by VCU Career Services, Business Career Services, or Engineering Career Services, depending on your course of study.
Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation with the da Vinci Center.
Learn about research opportunities through V.I.P Teams, UROP and DURI.
Volunteer to do research with a professor.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
Build a LinkedIn profile, connect to at least 10 people, and check out the VCU alumni page.
Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) to connect to VCU traditions, networking opportunities, and fellow Rams.
Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
Attend Engineering Internship/Career Fairs.

Year 2

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide. Ask questions about how to use the library.
Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.
Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes, and strategies for success in your program.
Continue progression in engineering and mathematics coursework.
Consider double majoring in ELE and Physics.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Meet with a faculty member to discuss your personal and professional interests.
Take a service-learning class or volunteer to address a social issue (Hands on Greater Richmond).
Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for the New Leaders Retreat or Alternative Spring Break.
Participate in RamHacks or other VCU Hackathons.
Consider working for the College of Engineering as a tutor in your strongest subjects.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Consider short-term, semester and year-long Study Abroad opportunities.
Get to know other VCU students and meet new friends from all over the world at a monthly Global Café.
Join a cultural or identity-related organization.
Identify ways in which you are culturally uninformed. Begin to learn the historical and current events that have shaped cultures to which you have been underexposed.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
Gain practical experience related to career goals through internships, shadowing, part-time work, or independent skill building.
Create an ePortfolio to document academic/professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections.
Attend Career & Internship Fairs and other professional development events.
Take ENGR 395 Professional Development: gain key skills for finding internships, co-op’s, or research opportunities.
Apply for internships, co-ops, & VIP Teams.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Get plugged into VCULink to connect with students and alumni.
Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
Consider who you would ask to serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
Attend Engineering Internship/Career Fairs.
Consider attending a national career fair (SWE, SHPE, NSBE) to gain exposure.

Year 3

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

See your academic and career advisors regularly to discuss your progress towards graduation and career planning.
Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
Deepen your expertise at finding information in your discipline by working with your subject expert librarian & using research guides.
Begin selecting Technical Electives, be mindful of prerequisites.
Work with your advisor: identify what 3rd year courses are prereqs for the ECE capstones.
Investigate the accelerated Master’s degree in ECE.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Create a community-engaged research project.
Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship.
Work as a tutor in your strongest subjects.
Joining VINE or another in-major mentoring network.
Attend lectures, meetings, and conferences. Consider applying to present a poster.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Apply to be a Diversity Ambassador with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.
Richmond is known for hosting a wide array of festivals! Learn about new cultures, food, and music by attending one of these events.
Update your resume to include how you have developed your communication and interpersonal skills for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
Practice professional communication and interpersonal skills that embrace cultural differences.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Seek research opportunities and apply for funding through VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
Update your ePortfolio.
Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
Work on developing your professional online presence (LinkedIn, Handshake, Github).
Attend the Senior Capstone Expo in April.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Talk to advisors, faculty, and Career Services about graduate school versus a job.
Research graduate/professional schools at least 1 year in advance of deadlines. Study for and complete any exams the summer before senior year.
Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
Attend the Engineering Internship & Career Fair.

Year 4

Excel

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met.
Choose courses teaching content and skills most relevant to your preferred post-graduation opportunities.
Declare any possible outstanding minors for which you may already have credit (Math, Physics, Computer Science, others).

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Serve in a leadership role on campus or as a board member of a local community organization.
Apply for a year-long service or fellowship opportunity after graduation through programs like Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Literacy Lab, Richmond Teacher Residency, or AmeriCorps.
Attend professional conferences that offer student rates or scholarships (see professional organizations listed above).
Volunteer at an organization devoted to the arts, environment, education, or policy.
Work as a tutor in your strongest subjects.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations.
Continue to explore cultures beyond your own through scholarly and recreational avenues.
Visit the Museum District’s many offerings, such as the VMFA and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far, and discuss with current or potential mentors (peers, faculty, advisors, alumni, professionals).
Continue to engage in research to create more content for your ePortfolio.
Present your research at conference/meeting such as UROP Undergraduate Research Symposium or other conferences.
Gain practical experience through internships, externships and skill building.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Complete exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for after graduation.
Consider training to become an educator through programs like RTR, which prepares graduates from a variety of majors to become effective teachers in high-need schools.
Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed and do a mock interview with your Career Services office.
Engage with the VCU Alumni Association at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and by joining a VCULink Industry Network and alumni chapter as you prepare to graduate.
Attend Engineering Internship/Career Fairs.

Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2019-2020

Electrical engineering

College of Engineering

Concentration(s):

No concentration

		MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING	GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY	DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY	EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS	PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore	Year 1	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and to discuss tutoring, electives, & degree progression. Take a tour to learn about library spaces, services, & how to get research help. Map out a 4-year course plan in Degree Works' Student Educational Planner. Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience. Register for EGRE 101 and 245. Register for the highest level math you can. Attend all SI sessions and seek tutoring.	Apply to join the Honors College. Get involved and meet new friends through VCU Student Government or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations. Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks. Apply to live in one of VCU's four Living-Learning Programs. Meet peers and make new friends/study buddies at the Weeks of Welcome cookout. Join an Engineering student org like IEEE or VINE.	Visit a study abroad fair and complete Rams Abroad 101 online to learn about study abroad options. Review the OMSA website. Follow them on social media for events, resources & other ways to engage. Consider Peace Corps Prep through VCU Globe to expand skills in global leadership and intercultural communication. Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore study abroad and national scholarship opportunities. Explore membership in NSBE, SHPE, SWE, VINE, or oSTEM.	Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists. Consider applying for a federal work-study (FWS) job on- or off-campus through Handshake. Create a draft resume and have it reviewed by VCU Career Services, Business Career Services, or Engineering Career Services, depending on your course of study. Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation with the da Vinci Center. Learn about research opportunities through V.I.P Teams, UROP and DURI. Volunteer to do research with a professor.	Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study. Build a LinkedIn profile, connect to at least 10 people, and check out the VCU alumni page. Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) to connect to VCU traditions, networking opportunities, and fellow Rams. Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future. Attend Engineering Internship/Career Fairs.
Experience	Year 2	Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide. Ask questions about how to use the library. Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses. Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes, and strategies for success in your program. Continue progression in engineering and mathematics coursework. Consider double majoring in ELE and Physics.	Meet with a faculty member to discuss your personal and professional interests. Take a service-learning class or volunteer to address a social issue (Hands on Greater Richmond). Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for the New Leaders Retreat or Alternative Spring Break. Participate in RamHacks or other VCU Hackathons. Consider working for the College of Engineering as a tutor in your strongest subjects.	Consider short-term, semester and year-long Study Abroad opportunities. Get to know other VCU students and meet new friends from all over the world at a monthly Global Café. Join a cultural or identity-related organization. Identify ways in which you are culturally uninformed. Begin to learn the historical and current events that have shaped cultures to which you have been underexposed.	Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor. Gain practical experience related to career goals through internships, shadowing, part-time work, or independent skill building. Create an ePortfolio to document academic/professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections. Attend Career & Internship Fairs and other professional development events. Take ENGR 395 Professional Development: gain key skills for finding internships, co-op’s, or research opportunities. Apply for internships, co-ops, & VIP Teams.	Get plugged into VCULink to connect with students and alumni. Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest. Consider who you would ask to serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation. Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans. Attend Engineering Internship/Career Fairs. Consider attending a national career fair (SWE, SHPE, NSBE) to gain exposure.
Experience	Year 3	See your academic and career advisors regularly to discuss your progress towards graduation and career planning. Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning. Deepen your expertise at finding information in your discipline by working with your subject expert librarian & using research guides. Begin selecting Technical Electives, be mindful of prerequisites. Work with your advisor: identify what 3rd year courses are prereqs for the ECE capstones. Investigate the accelerated Master’s degree in ECE.	Create a community-engaged research project. Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions. Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship. Work as a tutor in your strongest subjects. Joining VINE or another in-major mentoring network. Attend lectures, meetings, and conferences. Consider applying to present a poster.	Apply to be a Diversity Ambassador with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. Richmond is known for hosting a wide array of festivals! Learn about new cultures, food, and music by attending one of these events. Update your resume to include how you have developed your communication and interpersonal skills for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams. Practice professional communication and interpersonal skills that embrace cultural differences.	Seek research opportunities and apply for funding through VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. Update your ePortfolio. Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience. Work on developing your professional online presence (LinkedIn, Handshake, Github). Attend the Senior Capstone Expo in April.	Talk to advisors, faculty, and Career Services about graduate school versus a job. Research graduate/professional schools at least 1 year in advance of deadlines. Study for and complete any exams the summer before senior year. Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility. Attend the Engineering Internship & Career Fair.
Excel	Year 4	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met. Choose courses teaching content and skills most relevant to your preferred post-graduation opportunities. Declare any possible outstanding minors for which you may already have credit (Math, Physics, Computer Science, others).	Serve in a leadership role on campus or as a board member of a local community organization. Apply for a year-long service or fellowship opportunity after graduation through programs like Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Literacy Lab, Richmond Teacher Residency, or AmeriCorps. Attend professional conferences that offer student rates or scholarships (see professional organizations listed above). Volunteer at an organization devoted to the arts, environment, education, or policy. Work as a tutor in your strongest subjects.	Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field. Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations. Continue to explore cultures beyond your own through scholarly and recreational avenues. Visit the Museum District’s many offerings, such as the VMFA and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.	Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far, and discuss with current or potential mentors (peers, faculty, advisors, alumni, professionals). Continue to engage in research to create more content for your ePortfolio. Present your research at conference/meeting such as UROP Undergraduate Research Symposium or other conferences. Gain practical experience through internships, externships and skill building.	Complete exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for after graduation. Consider training to become an educator through programs like RTR, which prepares graduates from a variety of majors to become effective teachers in high-need schools. Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation. Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed and do a mock interview with your Career Services office. Engage with the VCU Alumni Association at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and by joining a VCULink Industry Network and alumni chapter as you prepare to graduate. Attend Engineering Internship/Career Fairs.