BSEE degree?

[Iusb]

Hello,

I'll keep this post simple. I recently got a BSEET from Purdue, but about halfway through the program I realized an EE seemed to be more worthwhile. Now I am working full time and really want to jump on this before I talk myself out. Math nor programming are my forte, but I have always tried to make up for that by studying hard. However, reading through the BSEE plan of study makes me cringe a bit. Any advice on whether I should go for it given my situation? If so how will I factor in my full time job?


Thank you.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Programming is something you could pick up on the job in a while, depending on what sort of work you drift into. People who can play a musical instrument seem to pick it up more easily, but it's not really math-intensive. I guess it's similar to music in that there are standard structures, and standard ways to assemble the atomic units, that you can use to assemble a practical infinity of solutions, and there's a learning curve to seeing the structure.
Programming is included in the EE sequence because a lot of modern devices let you solve problems in either hardware or software, and you may wander back and forth between the two as a project evolves.

That was the good news. The bad news is that you basically have to go back and take the 'hard' or 'university' type courses equivalent to every one of the 'easy' or 'college' type math courses you already took, in order to get the EE. You might want to do it a course at a time in night school. ... and you might want to not be in a huge hurry to start, because a lot of the hard math will make more sense after you've worked in the field for a while and done stuff by rote. ... the math will bring understanding.

If you can get a job in a related field, that's great, and you may be able to get some help with tuition for night school. If you already have one, you're damn lucky, but we can agree to say damn good.


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[calguy07]

A BSEE curriculum would probably be very tough if you don't have a firm grasp of calculus/differential equations. Although at the end of the day, advanced math is everywhere in EE, one option would be to pick the right sub-field within EE; I've found that the power systems courses had the "least" advanced math and communications/electromagnetics ones to be the most math intensive.

 

[IRstuff]

"power systems courses had the "least" advanced math"

Must have changed since I went to school, since switching power supplies often had pretty grundgy math. Least amount of calculus ought to be logic circuit design, although the underlying transistors are all operating in the analog domain.

As for the degree, yes, you should. A BSEE will ensure that you can apply to any engineering position requiring a BS; the same cannot be said with a BSEET. If you want a design engineering job, then the BSEE is probably mandatory. If not, then it's simply a bonus item.

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[calguy07]

^^^ For the power systems classes, mostly it's 3 phase calculations which to me isn't as intense as ordinary/partial differential equations which can show up in communications/electomagnetics. Like I said, there's still advanced math in ALL of it though.

 

[VTer]

If you have done any transient analysis for 3-phase power systems then you would not be saying that calculations aren't intense.

"Throughout space there is energy. Is this energy static or kinetic! If static our hopes are in vain; if kinetic — and this we know it is, for certain — then it is a mere question of time when men will succeed in attaching their machinery to the very wheelwork of nature". – Nikola Tesla

 

[Iusb]

Thanks for the responses. I'll have to see what the boss has to say about such a long term commitment, if I make it through...

 

[IRstuff]

Oh, my "power systems" class was almost all about switching power supplies, taught by Prof. Cuk himself.

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[calguy07]

@VTer,

I forgot about about Power system Transients...anyway, the transient stuff i did was in grad school for my MSEE...OP is asking about BSEE. You're lucky if you did that in undergrad (if you went to V. Tech, then you really are lucky, lol).

 

[electricpete]

I think most EE programs weed out those that aren't strong in math (even though it may not be fair or practical)

Two thirds of ee freshman in my school didn't go on to graduate as ee's, most shifted majors because they couldnt finish the hard course in first year. I think that's typical.

Then again.... you never really know unless you try. If you have opportunity to take night courses or something similar without quitting your job, it can't hurt to try. You may surprise yourself. Even of you don't finish, you'll surely learn some useful things.

=====================================
(2B)+(2B)' ?

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Iusb,

I received my Master's from Purdue and I taught in the EET dept., so one could say I speak from experience. I had quite a few EET students come to me and ask similar questions, and as much as I didn't want to appear arrogant in my reply, the hard truth of the matter was the EET and EE ciriculums were vastly different in their complexity. If you have difficulty with math, the EE program is going to tax your patience and sanity.

Take that with however large a grain of salt you need...

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[DistCoop]

I am a Purdue EET as well (5 years ago). I'll share my thoughts for what they're worth.

If you already have your BS in EET, I'd say it's not worth going back for another BS in EE. You will be somewhat limited with a EET, but not to the point that it's worth going back for another degree. If you stumble across an engineering position for your first job (which is somewhat common... maybe 1/4 of my Purdue EET friends have ended up in engineering), you should be okay for many future positions (not all... some employers will not entertain the idea of hiring someone without a EE degree).

I think it would be of more value getting a masters in EE. That's actually what I'm doing right now. You will need to take a few prerequisites (namely differential equations, linear algebra, and an engineering course or two in your specific discipline). No employer in the future will be able to say that you don't have an engineering degree. Plus, you can spin interviews and such to say that you have the advanced theory of the masters program coupled with the hands-on application of the bachelors.

Now... if you are halfway through the program and only have your associates degree, I'd give serious consideration to switching to EE. A EET will somewhat limit you depending on the company you wish to work for. It will be much harder to get your PE. Not impossible, but you have to convince the board that you're up to par. I applied to the FE exam, was accepted, passed and licensed. A fellow EET applied a year later and was not admitted because his education/experience was not considered adequate.

As mentioned above, a EE is a lot thicker on the math than EET, so prepare yourself for that. But if you wish to continue in a design engineering position and not worry about whether or not companies will hire you, I believe that either a BS or masters degree in engineering should seriously be looked at.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Rereading my post, I suppose it wasn't clear... my Master's is from the EE dept., not the EET dept. Sorry about the confusion.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[DHambley]

"Power Systems" seems to have a different definition depending on which University names the courses. At U of MO power systems referred to courses to train you for utility companies. I took the basic course as an elective while I was doing a summer job at the local power plant. The engineers I worked with rarely had to perform addition, let alone differential equations. I was over qualified.

On the other hand, power supply and motor drive design is a completely opposite animal. Let's see, the last time I ever performed calculus was . . . just yesterday morning. Setting up the equations for the losses of current sensors on a motor involved interactions of sine, exponents and non-linear loss equations. Very math-intensive.

If you worry about your skills in both programming and math but, you still want to pursue EE, a career path in a power utility may be a good plan. Sounds like you plan to study hard and I bet you'll pull a B or A in some of the harder math courses but, you'll have your BSEE which I view as a golden ticket in our society.

 

[brandonbw]

BSEET is a tech degree right? I talked to people who went to college out here near Los Angeles and they made it sound like the coursework was really similar to a BSEE degree. Were they just blowing smoke?

B+W Engineering and Design
Los Angeles Civil Engineer and Structural Engineer

http://bwengr.com

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http://bwstructuralengineer.com

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http://bwcivilengineer.com

 

[DistCoop]

brandonbw,

It really depends on where you earned it. You can earn a BSEET from a community college, and it trains you to be more of a technician. If you earn it from a university (I believe Purdue's is most well known... it isn't typically offered at universities), it trains you to be more of an application engineer rather than a design engineer.

You've heard the saying that a EE can tell you how it works but not fix it, and a EET can fix it but can't tell you how he did it. Well, a Purdue EET can tell you how it works and can fix it, but can't derive the equations, haha.

That's why I suggested to the OP that he not return to a BSEE, but a masters in EE. Then he can tell you how it works, fix it, and derive the equations. I had to take linear algebra, differential equations and a EE course in my discipline as prerequisites before I could get into a EE masters program, but once you get the math under your belt, you can keep up with the coursework.

 

[ScottyUK]

Interesting for a Brit to hear the different perception of power engineering over the Atlantic. Major topics in our power systems course were machines (calculus), lines and cables (calculus), protection (maths), switchgear (maths), system operation (calculus), converters (maths + calculus), control (calculus++)... I'm sure you get the picture. Those who were weak at maths simply didn't do power.

 

[brandonbw]

ScottyyUK: Those who are weak in math here in the States don't have an engineering degree. They were weeded out within 2 years at my University which was similar to friends I had at other schools.

B+W Engineering and Design
Los Angeles Civil Engineer and Structural Engineer

http://bwengr.com

|

http://bwstructuralengineer.com

|

http://bwcivilengineer.com

 

[IRstuff]

Power can be split into the traditional heavy machinery, cables, etc., or it could be switching power supplies with coupled coils, etc. They're very different, and those that specialized in one probably cannot laterally move into the other.

re. weeder classes, for my school it was Physics 1 for weeding out the wannabe physics majors; a typical deal was getting an 8 on a 50 point quiz and then finding out that it was a solid B. For engineers, it was junior math, Introduction to Complex Variables; legend had it that the super senior who was a senior my freshman year, graduated the same year I did, solely because of that one class.

TTFN
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