Electrical Engineering (B.S.)

ABOUT

The laws of physics govern electricity, magnetism and light, and electrical engineering students at Clemson learn how to take those laws and use them to develop systems and services. From building a battery on a cordless drill to a GPS to electric power generators, electrical engineers’ work directly affects our daily lives. Hands-on problem solving, relevant research and direct contact with major industry leaders just scratch the surface of what you’ll encounter when you step into our classrooms and labs. Whether you envision yourself working in a lab or out in the field, this profession is about creating innovative technology solutions. You could be a part of the next revolution of vehicle electronics or working for a top technology company such as Intel or IBM. 

FAST FACTS

  • We partner with the Clemson University Research Foundation and the Spiro Institute to help students turn cutting-edge research into profitable business endeavors.
  • For freshmen, we offer a robotics course where you build and program robots while competing against classmates.
  • The average starting salary for Clemson’s electrical engineering graduates is $63,400, according to self-reported survey data from 2013-14 graduates.
  • The electrical and computer engineering department is one of Clemson’s largest with 571 undergraduates and more than 180 graduate students.

WHAT YOU'LL STUDY

Freshmen who major in engineering at Clemson are initially admitted into our general engineering program, where you’ll have a year to explore many different engineering disciplines, meet faculty from each of our engineering departments and discover which major fits your personal interests and talents. On the admissions application, you will apply as a general engineering major.

Once into your core electrical engineering classes, you will build on a foundation of mathematical and physical sciences and progress into the application of these in the engineering science areas of circuits, electronics, communications, controls, electromagnetic fields, signal analysis, power and electromagnetics. Senior year, you can narrow your study focus even more by choosing one of the following technical elective tracks: communications and networks; digital signal processing; electronics; robotics; computer hardware, software and architecture; electromagnetics; power; biomedical systems; renewable energy; and electric vehicle systems.

Many of our students take their studies and concept understanding to the next level by participating in Clemson’s cooperative education program. With this program, you’ll spend alternating semesters on campus and working at an industry partner, which allows you to take what you’re learning in the classroom and apply it in the workplace, and vice versa.

Popular Minors

  • Business Administration
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Modern Languages

EXPERIENCES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Electrical engineering students have numerous outlets for gaining chances for hands-on learning, applying what they’ve already learned to real-world situations and networking with professionals already practicing in the field.

Put your classroom knowledge to work by spending alternate semesters working at an industry and studying on campus as part of Clemson’s cooperative education program.
A two-semester capstone experience gives our students hands-on experience in designing, building and programming a mechatronic system to compete against fellow students.
As an upperclassman, join the ECE Undergraduate Ambassadors and be a cheerleader for our department. Conduct recruiting events for prospective students, direct study halls and network with faculty, alumni and fellow students.
Design, build and program robots to accomplish given tasks using MathWorks MATLAB software during this semester-long class specifically for freshmen.
Form mentorships with electrical and computer engineering alumni or strong advocates. Mentors stay in touch with their mentee students throughout the academic year to motivate and excite them about the field.

CONNECT WITH OTHER STUDENTS

AFTER GRADUATION

Your college decision isn't really about the next four years. We get it. It's about what doors are opened by your degree and whether those opportunities are what you had envisioned for yourself. Here's a snapshot of what life after graduation looks like for some of our most recent students.

RECENT EMPLOYERS

  • Associate Design Engineer

    Itron

  • Facilities Engineer

    Boeing

  • Instrumentation and Electrical Engineer

    ExxonMobil

  • Nuclear Operator Tech

    Duke Energy

  • Associate Engineer

    Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

  • PDE Engineer

    General Electric

  • Engineer

    SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic

RECENT POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

  • Ph.D. Electrical Engineering

    Virginia Tech

  • Ph.D. Public Policy

    Georgia Institute of Technology

  • M.S. Electrical Engineering

    Auburn University

COMMON CAREER AREAS

  • Electrical / Computer Engineering
    • Power Electronics
    • Power Systems
    • Communications
    • Electronics
    • Control Systems
    • Digital Signal Processing
    • Microelectronics
    • Image Processing and Robotics
    • Computer Engineering
    • Plasma Engineering
    • Computer Vision
  • Any Engineering Discipline
    • Production
    • Sales and Marketing
    • Management
    • Consulting
    • Research and Development
    • Teaching
    • Law

Used with permission from the University of Tennessee.

FIND OUT MORE

Have more questions or want more information? Fill out the form below, which goes directly to the following department contact. If you’d also like to receive general University information from Clemson’s admissions office, please follow the link to the right and sign up to join our mailing list.

Christopher Porter

CECAS Undergraduate Recruitment Director
864-656-7870
cporter@clemson.edu

Department Website College Website Join The University's Mailing List
College: