Department of Technology ¨ Still Gym 203 ¨ Northern Illinois University ¨ DeKalb, IL 60115 phone: (815) 753-1349 ¨ fax: (815) 753-3702

 Department of Technology

B.S. in Technology

Emphasis in

Electrical Engineering

Technology

What is Electrical Engineering Technology?

Students who choose to pursue the area of study in electrical engineering technology under the B.S. in technology program are introduced to diverse and growing areas such as electronic circuits, digital systems, communications, electronic controls, industrial controls, and fiber optics. The field of electronics is constantly growing, and NIU graduates with an area of study in electrical engineering technology are taught the fundamental and advanced concepts, which help them to excel in industry. With the application of computers and software, electrical companies consistently require engineering technologists who are able to handle a wide range of tasks. The NIU graduates in this field have the theoretical design and development background in a broad spectrum of areas to handle complex tasks. In addition, these graduates possess a wide variety of hands-on skills, which makes them very desirable in industry, and are often employed at manufacturing companies, where they are called upon to design and implement automation components, intricate component testing procedures, and fixtures for testing complex circuitry. Some graduates are employed in the computer industry, in the design and testing of components and systems; responsibilities also include writing software for system integration. Students who graduate from the NIU technology program quickly obtain employment at both large and small companies, with outstanding compensation, in most cases, prior to graduation.

During their undergraduate course work, students in the electrical engineering technology area of study learn:

* Theoretical and experimental concepts in the areas of AC and DC electronics.

* The use of computers and computational skills in solving complex industrial problems. Students make extensive use of state-of-the-art computers and software like P-Spice, Matlab, and Electronic Workbench.

* The use of microprocessors and digital logic design in the control of electrical processes.

* Control systems, communications, and electrical machines using the latest in software and laboratory techniques. To utilize advanced systems and systems integration incorporating vision, sensors, and electronics into the workplace.

* Design skills through the inclusion of a senior design capstone course, in which the students solve an open-ended team project, similar to what they will experience on the job.

In the curriculum, students can use a variety of technical electives to achieve desired educational goals and interests. The culmination of the program is a year-long senior capstone course. The senior project course stresses teamwork, design, construction, and written and oral presentation skills. The projects which are undertaken are a collaborative effort between students and industry, with faculty guidance. To simulate industrial conditions, many of the project teams are cross-disciplinary, in which electrical engineering technology students and manufacturing engineering technology students work together.

 High School Preparation

Electrical engineering technology is a science-based curriculum; it is desirable for students entering the program to have taken at least one year of high school physics and chemistry. In addition, the curriculum is mathematical in nature; thus, it is recommended that incoming freshmen have basic algebra and trigonometry skills. All areas of technology utilize computers; thus, prior computer knowledge is beneficial in preparing for your studies.

Electrical Engineering Technology Curriculum

In addition to departmental requirements, students pursuing the electrical engineering technology area of study are required to fulfill the NIU general education requirements as outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog.

The following illustrates a suggested student schedule.

Freshman (fall)

CHEM 110 (or 210T) - General Chemistry I (3 credits)

CHEM 111 (or 212) - General Chemistry I Lab (1 credit)

MATH155 - Trigonometry (3 credits)

COMS 100 - Communications I (3 credits)

ENGL103 - Composition I (3 credits)

General Education Requirement #1 (3 credits)

        16 total semester hours 

Freshman (spring)

MATH229 - Calculus I (4 credits)

ENGL104 - Composition II (3 credits)

PHYS250 - General Physics I (4 credits)

TECH175 - Electronic Fund (3 credits)

TECH175a -  Electronic Fund Lab (1 credits)

        15 total semester hours 

Sophomore (fall)

MATH230 - Calculus II  (4 credits)

TECH211 - CAD (3 credits)

TECH270 - Elect Fund & Cir Anal. I (3 credits)

TECH265 - Basic Manufacturing Processes (3 credits)

TECH270a - Elect Fund & Cir Anal. Lab (1 credits)

General Education Requirement #2 (3 credits)

        17 total semester hours 

Sophomore (spring)

CSCI240 - Computer Programming (C) (4 credits)

TECH271 - Elect Fund & Cir Anal. II (3 credits)

TECH271a - Elect Fund & Cir Anal. II Lab (1 credits)

TECH 276 - Electronics I (3 credits)

TECH276a - Electronics I Lab (1 credits)

TECH277 - Digital Logic Design(3 credits)

TECH277a - Digital Logic Design Lab(1 credits)

        16 total semester hours 

Junior (fall)

TECH 376 - Electronics II (3 credits)

TECH 376a - Electronics II Lab (1 credits)

TECH 375 - Control Systems (3 credits)

General Education Requirement #3 (3 credits)

STAT 208 - Basic Statistics and Probability (3 credits)

EET Elective #1 (3 credits)

        16 total semester hours 

Junior (spring)

TECH 377 - Microproc. and interfacing (3 credits)

TECH 377a - Microproc. and interfacing Lab (1 credits)

TECH 379 - Electric Machines (3 credits)

TECH 379a - Electric Machines Lab (1 credits)

Engl 308 - Technical Writing (3 credits)

TECH378 - Communications (3 credits)

TECH378a - Communications Lab (1 credits)

        15 total semester hours 

Senior (fall)

TECH 477 - Senior Projects I (1 credits)

General Education Requirement #4 (3 credits)

Tech 476 - Industrial Control Electronics (3 credits)

EET elective #2 (3 credits)

TECH 443 - Engineering Economy (3 credits)

EET Elective #3 (3 credits)

        16 total semester hours 

Senior (spring)

TECH478  - Senior Projects II (3 credits)

General Education Requirement #5 (3 credits)

General Education Requirement #6 (3 credits)

EET Elective #4 (3 credits)

EET elective #5 (3 credits)

        15 total semester hours 

Electrical Engineering Technology electives include:

TECH 295  - Industrial Data Processing

TECH 425 - Programmable Electronic Controllers

TECH 430 - Microcontrollers Interfacing and Applications

TECH 470 - Fiber Optics Communications

TECH 471 - Digital and Data Communication

TECH 472 - Integrated Circuit Devices

TECH 473 - Advanced Digital Design

TECH 479 - Special Topics in Engineering Technology

An indicator of a technology program's success is its ability to place students in successful career paths upon graduation. At NIU, most of our students receive employment offers prior to graduation, working for companies in the Chicago area with high starting salaries. In addition, many of our graduates choose to obtain a master's degree either directly after graduation or while working. NIU graduates in the technology fields are employed by companies like:

Motorola, Omron, Caterpillar, Prime Automation, Ingersoll, Sundstrand, Underwriters Labs, Chrysler, AON, Siemens, General Motors, Hewlett-Packard, Greenfield Industries, Connor-Winfield, Woodward Governor.

An Open Invitation

If electrical engineering technology at Northern Illinois University sounds interesting, and you would like some additional information, or would like to see our facilities, please contact us at:

 (815) 753-1349