Career Opportunities
Advanced technology is the driving force behind today's economy, and electrical and computer engineers (ECE's) are involved in every aspect of technology from microelectronic chips to electronic devices to communication networks and software. If it plugs into a wall or runs on a battery, ECE's are involved in its design and manufacture.
So what exactly do ECE's do? There are six major specialties in electrical and computer engineering.
One of the hottest specialties today is computer engineering. Computer engineers design and manufacture everything from computer chips (like the Pentium III) to peripheral devices like sound cards and DVD players to complete systems like PC's and Internet servers. Computer engineers also develop software from drivers for specific devices like DVD players to full blown applications and web design. There is also an increasing demand for computer engineers to embed low-cost computers in other devices such as automobiles, cell phones, and IV pumps.
Microelectronics is the driving technology behind computers, consumer electronics such as CD players and televisions, communication systems such as pagers and cellular phones. Microelectronic engineers design and manufacture digital chips for computers and analog chips such as audio amplifiers, temperature sensors, and micro-transmitters. The Auburn University Electrical and Computer Engineering Department has a state-of-the-art microelectronics design and fabrication facility on-site (called the AMSTC). More importantly, we are one of the few departments in the nation that allow undergraduates regular access to this facility. In addition to senior level courses in microelectronic design and manufacture, we also offer a course called the "Student Factory" where a group of seniors implement a mini Silicon Valley start-up company. The students come up with a product idea, design it, get startup funding, manufacture the product, and market it.
Electrical and computer engineers are involved in all aspects of communication technology from telephones and cellular networks to data compression and transmission technology used on the Internet (MPEG, JPEG, and MP3 for example). Signal processing engineers design, develop, and manufacture systems for image, video, geophysical, radar, and sonar systems. ECEs are also involved in the development of medical imaging systems such as ultrrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Electrical power engineers are primarily concerned with the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical energy for use in residential, commercial and industrial applications. Furthermore, they play a similar role for spacecraft to support our nation's goals to explore, live, and work in space. Power engineers are also involved in the conservation of energy in manufacturing facilities through computer controlled energy management systems.
ECE's are involved in all types of manufacturing from pulp and paper to aircraft. They apply automatic control technologies to automatically adjust processes or machinery. ECEs also design and develop robotic and vision systems for areas of manufacturing such as automotive and electronics.
Electromagnetics is perhaps one of the most mathematical areas of electrical engineering. In this area ECEs design radar systems for targeting in military systems and air traffic control as well as vehicle collision avoidance, terrain mapping, and motion detection for residential and commercial applications. Electromagnetics engineers also design antennas for satellite broadcasting and cellular communication systems.
