Electrical Engineering Technology, B.S. (Engineering)

Program Code: EETEN_BS

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science graduate with a major in Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) is an engineering technologist who can bridge the gap between scientific advancement and practical electrical devices and systems. Research in all fields of electrical engineering has produced an abundance of new knowledge in recent years. Many of these advanced scientific achievements have been unused due to the shortage of engineering technologists specifically educated to convert scientific information into practical devices and systems.

The EET major helps equip students with the various skills necessary to adapt new scientific knowledge to new products. Technical selections are offered in the senior year to provide some degree of specialization, but all graduates receive a well-rounded basic education in electrical and electronic design principles. The strengths of the program include: an applied hands-on program; extensive laboratory experience; promising job placement; and accreditation by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, telephone 410-347-7700, Web at https://www.abet.org.

EET graduates who wish to continue their professional development can take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination in Pennsylvania, a prerequisite for taking the Professional Engineering examination.

What is Electrical Engineering Technology?

Electrical engineering technology (EET) is an engineering technology field that implements and applies the principles of electrical engineering. Like electrical engineering, EET deals with the design, application, installation, manufacturing, operation or maintenance of electrical/electronic systems. However, EET is a specialized discipline that has more focus on application, theory, and applied design, and implementation, while electrical engineering may have more of a generalized emphasis on theory and conceptual design.

You Might Like This Program If...

  • You enjoy problem-solving and math.
  • You prefer practical rather than theoretical solutions, and application and implementation over conceptual modeling.
  • You enjoy working on multidisciplinary teams on complex problems.
  • You want to acquire knowledge to get a good job in industry.
  • You want to pursue a career as a technologist in sectors such as manufacturing, product design, testing, or technical services and sales.

Direct Admission to the Major

Incoming first-year students who meet the program admission requirements are admitted directly into the major. Admission restrictions may apply for change-of-major and/or change-of-campus students.

For more information about the admission process for this major, please send a request to the college, campus, or program contact (listed in the Contact tab).

Degree Requirements

For the Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, a minimum of 128 credits is required:

Requirement Credits
General Education 45
Electives 5-18
Requirements for the Major 86-96

18-21 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. For the General Electrical Engineering Technology Option, this includes: 3 credits of GWS courses; 9 credits of GN courses; 6 credits of GQ courses; 3 credits of GS. For the Power and Automation Option, this includes: 3 credits of GWS coures; 9 credits of GN courses; 6 credits of GQ courses.

Requirements for the Major

To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.

Common Requirements for the Major (All Options)

Prescribed Courses
CHEM 110Chemical Principles I Keystone/General Education Course3
CHEM 111Experimental Chemistry I Keystone/General Education Course1
EET 419Capstone Proposal Preparation1
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EET 312Electric Transients4
EET 331Electronic Design4
EET 420WElectrical Engineering Technology Capstone Design3
ENGL 202CEffective Writing: Technical Writing Keystone/General Education Course3
MATH 140Calculus With Analytic Geometry I Keystone/General Education Course4
MATH 141Calculus with Analytic Geometry II Keystone/General Education Course4
Additional Courses
CMPEH 472Microprocessors3-4
or CMPET 211 Embedded Processors and DSP
EE 310Electronic Circuit Design I4
or EET 212W Op Amp and Integrated Circuit Electronics
Select 2-3 credits from the following:2-3
Cornerstone Engineering Design
Introduction to Engineering Design
Introduction to CAD for Electrical and Computer Engineering
Select 3 credits from the following:3
Introduction to Programming Keystone/General Education Course
Introduction to Programming Techniques
Programming and Computation I: Fundamentals
Programming for Engineers with C++ Keystone/General Education Course
Select 3-4 credits from the following:3-4
Technical Physics I Keystone/General Education Course
General Physics: Mechanics Keystone/General Education Course
Introductory Physics I Keystone/General Education Course
Select 3-4 credits from the following:3-4
Technical Physics II Keystone/General Education Course
General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism Keystone/General Education Course
Introductory Physics II Keystone/General Education Course
Select 3-4 credits from the following:3-4
Process Quality Engineering
Matrices Keystone/General Education Course
Calculus and Vector Analysis
Ordinary Differential Equations
Introduction to Probability Theory
Introduction to Probability and Stochastic Processes for Engineering
Elementary Statistics Keystone/General Education Course
Experimental Methods
Select 4 credits from the following:4
Digital Design: Theory and Practice
Introduction to Digital Systems
and Digital Design Laboratory
Digital Electronics
and Digital Electronics Laboratory
Select 3-5 credits from the following:3-5
Energy Systems and Conversion
Fundamentals of Electrical Machines Using Writing Skills
Electric Machines and Energy Conversion
and Electric Machines and Energy Conversion Laboratory
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
Select 5-8 credits from the following:5-8
Circuits and Devices
and Circuits II and Data Acquisition
Direct and Alternating Current Circuits
Alternating Current Circuits
and Electrical Circuits II 1
Requirements for the Option
Select an option26
1

EET 114 does not require a grade of C or better.

Requirements for the Option

General Electrical Engineering Technology Option (26 credits)

Available at the following campuses: Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre

Prescribed Courses
ENGR 320YDesign for Global Society Keystone/General Education Course3
Additional Courses
System Elective
Select 8 credits of technical electives from the following:8
Communication System Design
Power System Analysis I
Control System Analysis and Design
Electronics Elective
Select 4 credits from the following:4
Power Electronics
High-Frequency Circuit Design
Advanced Electronic Design
Power Electronics
Independent Studies
GEET Technical Electives
Select 8 credits of GEET technical electives from the following:8
Introduction to Computer Architecture
Data Communication and Networking
Data Communication and Networking Laboratory
Switching Circuit Design
CMPET 412
Power Electronics
Solid State Devices
Fundamentals of Digital Signal Processing
Introduction to Neural Networks
Digital Image Processing and Computer Vision
High-Frequency Circuit Design
Communication System Design
Power System Analysis I
Power System Analysis II
Optoelectronics
Biomedical Instrumentation
Advanced Electronic Design
Control System Analysis and Design
Automation and Robotics
Power Electronics
Digital Communication Systems
Independent Studies
Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET Electives)
Select 3 credits from the following:3
Introduction to Human Physiology Keystone/General Education Course
Chemical Principles II Keystone/General Education Course
Experimental Chemistry II Keystone/General Education Course
Intermediate Programming
Programming and Computation II: Data Structures
Programming for Engineers with MATLAB Keystone/General Education Course
Programming for Engineers with C++ Keystone/General Education Course
Computer Organization and Architecture
Engineering Electromagnetics
Semiconductor Device Principles
Statics
Dynamics
Strength of Materials
Matrices Keystone/General Education Course
Calculus and Vector Analysis
Calculus of Several Variables
Integral Vector Calculus
Ordinary Differential Equations
Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations
Partial Differential Equations
Linear Algebra and Discrete Models I
Introduction to Thermal Science
Engineering Thermodynamics I
General Physics: Fluids and Thermal Physics Keystone/General Education Course
General Physics: Wave Motion and Quantum Physics Keystone/General Education Course
Introduction to Modern Physics
Applications of Physics in Medicine
Internship
Elementary Statistics Keystone/General Education Course
Power and Automation Option (26 credits)

Available at the following campuses: Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre

Additional Courses
System Electives
Select 12 credits from the following:12
Power System Analysis I
Power System Analysis II
Control System Analysis and Design
Power Electronics
Intermediate Programmable Logic Controllers
Additional Electives
Select 14 credits from the following:14
Data Communication and Networking
Data Communication and Networking Laboratory
Switching Circuit Design
Measurements and Instrumentation
High-Frequency Circuit Design
Communication System Design
Power System Analysis I
Power System Analysis II
Optoelectronics
Biomedical Instrumentation
Advanced Electronic Design
Control System Analysis and Design
Automation and Robotics
Power Electronics
Intermediate Programmable Logic Controllers
Digital Communication Systems
Internship
Independent Studies
Special Topics
Statics
Dynamics
Introduction to Thermal Science

General Education

Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.

The keystone symbol Keystone/General Education Course appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.

Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

  • Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
  • Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits

Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

  • Arts (GA): 3 credits
  • Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
  • Humanities (GH): 3 credits
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
  • Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits

Integrative Studies

  • Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits

Exploration

  • GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
  • GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits

University Degree Requirements

First Year Engagement

All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.

Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.

First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.

Cultures Requirement

6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements

  • United States Cultures: 3 credits
  • International Cultures: 3 credits

Writing Across the Curriculum

3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.

Total Minimum Credits

A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.

Quality of Work

Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.

Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition

The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.

Program Educational Objectives

The BS EET program educational objectives are to produce graduates who, during the first few years of professional practice, will be able to perform the following functions or activities at a level appropriate to their baccalaureate degree:

  1. Accomplish mastery in electronics, electrical circuit analysis, electrical machines, and microcontrollers. Accomplish mastery in the design and implementation of at least two of these systems: control systems; communication systems; power systems.
  2. Apply creativity using project-based work to design systems of processes for broadly defined and complex engineering problems.
  3. Produce lucid documents, deliver effective oral presentations with professional quality graphics. Communicate effectively in a professional manner. Include the use of appropriate technical literature.
  4. Design and conduct open-ended experiments for broadly defined and complex engineering problems. Analyze and interpret their results. This includes the use of appropriate instruments and simulation tools and the development of appropriate software code.
  5. Effectively work in technical groups including functioning as their leader.

Student Outcomes

Graduates of the Electrical Engineering Technology program should demonstrate:

  1. An ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills, and modern tools of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to solve broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline.
  2. An ability to design systems, components, or processes meeting specified needs for broadly-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline.
  3. An ability to apply written, oral, and graphical communication in broadly-defined technical and non-technical environments; and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature.
  4. An ability to conduct standard tests, measurements, and experiments and to analyze and interpret the results to improve processes.
  5. An ability to function effectively as a member as well as a leader on technical teams.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

Wilkes-Barre

Timothy Sichler
Assistant Teaching Professor
44 University Drive
Dallas, PA 18612
570-675-9135
tjs37@psu.edu

Harrisburg

AB Shafaye, M.S.
Program Chair
Olmsted Building, W256a
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6349
mes121@psu.edu

Suggested Academic Plan

The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2024-25 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.

General Option: Electrical Engineering Technology, B.S. at Wilkes-Barre Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CMPSC 1013CMPET 1173
EDSGN 1003CMPET 1201
EET 1053EET 1144
ENGL 153EET 1181
MATH 22 or higher placement on ALEKS3MATH 1404
MATH 26 or higher placement on ALEKS3PHYS 150, 250, or 2113-4
PSU 81 
 19 16-17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MATH 1414CHEM 1103
PHYS 151, 251, or 2123-4CHEM 1111
CMPET 211 (odd years)0-3EET 311*4
EET 212W (odd years)0-4ENGL 202C3
EET 213W (even years)0-5General Education Course (GH)3
General Education Course (GA)3General Education Course (Inter-Domain)3
 15-18 17
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CAS 100A3EET 331* 4
EET 312*4GEET Technical Elective CMPET 401 (odd years)30-3
CMPET 211 (odd years)0-3GEET Technical Elective CMPET 402 (odd years)30-1
EET 212W (odd years)0-4System Elective EET 433 (odd years)10-4
EET 213W (even years)0-5Electronics Elective EET 413 (even years)20-4
ENGR 320Y (even years)0-3GEET Technical Elective EET 409 (even years)30-4
SET Elective43General Education Course (GHW)3
 17-18 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
EET 4191EET 420W3
ENGR 320Y (even years)0-3GEET Technical Elective CMPET 401 (odd years)30-3
EET 400-Level Elective4GEET Technical Elective CMPET 402 (odd years)30-1
System Elective14System Elective EET 433 (odd years)10-4
MATH Requirement53-4Electronics Elective EET 413 (even years)20-4
General Education Course (Inter-Domain)3GEET Technical Elective EET 409 (even years)30-4
 General Education Course (Exploration/IL/US)3
 15-19 14
Total Credits 128-137
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

1

System Elective Course List (8 credits required): EET 408, EET 409, EET 433

2

Electronics Elective Course List (4 credits required): EE 413, EET 402, EET 431, EET 461, EET 496

3

GEET Elective Course List (8 credits required): CMPEN 431, CMPET 401, CMPET 402, CMPET 403, CMPET 412, EE 413, EE 442, EE 453, EE 456, EE 458, EET 402, EET 408, EET 409, EET 410, EET 413, EET 414, EET 431, EET 433, EET 456, EET 461, EET 478, EET 496, EGEE 456, ESC 456

4

SET Elective Course List (3 credits required): BIOL 141, CHEM 112, CHEM 113, CMPSC 122, CMPSC 132, CMPSC 200, CMPSC 201, CMPSC 312, EE 330, EE 341, EMCH 211, EMCH 212, EMCH 213, MATH 220, MATH 230, MATH 231, MATH 232, MATH 250, MATH 251, MATH 252, MATH 430, ME 201, ME 300, PHYS 213, PHYS 214, PHYS 237, PHYS 462, SSET 495, STAT 200

5

MATH Requirement Course List (3 credits required): IE 424, MATH 230, MATH 250, MATH 414, MATH 418, STAT 200, STAT 401, STAT 414, STAT 418, MATH 220

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Career Paths

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, electrical engineering technologists work closely with electrical and electronics engineers and computer hardware engineers in the computer systems design services industry. Opportunities can be found in a variety of firms engaged in electronic manufacturing, industrial control, applications engineering, and in power utilities. EET graduates are encouraged to continue their professional development by taking the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination at the end of their senior year; the FE exam is a prerequisite for taking the Professional Engineering Examination.

Careers

  • Design, maintain, troubleshoot electronic circuits and systems. These range from power electronics, fiber optics, control systems, networking technologies, electronic systems, etc.
  • Strong focus on power generation and distribution.
  • Strong introduction to embedded systems.
  • Automation of facilities: From distribution centers to manufacturing plants.
  • Experience in the use of hardware used in instrumentation laboratories.
  • This program trains students in the same software as currently used by industry.

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

Graduates of the EET program are eligible to pursue graduate studies in a variety of programs such as Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Engineering Management, etc.  In some cases prior to being accepted to these programs, graduates of the EET program may be required to take additional math courses.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology at Penn State Wilkes-Barre is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Electrical/Electronic(s) Engineering Technology and Similarly Named Programs.

Professional Licensure/Certification

Many U.S. states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.

Contact

Wilkes-Barre

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY AND COMMONWEALTH ENGINEERING
44 University Drive
Dallas, PA 18612
570-675-9135
tjs37@psu.edu

https://wilkesbarre.psu.edu/academics/bachelors/electrical-engineering-technology

Harrisburg

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY
Olmsted Building W256
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-4349
klb68@psu.edu

https://harrisburg.psu.edu/science-engineering-technology/electrical-engineering-technology-bs