Electrical Engineering (B.S.)

FAST FACTS ›

  • For freshmen, we offer a robotics course in which you build and program robots while competing against fellow classmates.
  • Our graduates have found positions with companies such as Intel, IBM, Duke Energy, Microsoft, Texas Instruments and SPAWAR.
  • The electrical and computer engineering department is one of Clemson’s largest with 370 undergraduate and more than 150 graduate students.
  • In 2009, the average starting salary for all new bachelor’s electrical engineering graduates was $60,125.
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. 

CLASSES.

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.

Your electrical engineering classes 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.

Curriculum:

Popular Minors:

  • Business Administration
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Modern Languages

Similar Majors:

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.

Internships and Research Projects:

CO-OP:
Put your classwork knowledge to work by spending alternate semesters working at an industry and studying on campus as part of Clemson’s cooperative education program.
DEVELOP:
Learn how to program and develop applications for the iPhone, iTouch and iPad in our iDevice Laboratory.
AMBASSADOR:
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.
ROBOTICS:
Design, build and program robots to accomplish given tasks using MathWorks MATLAB software during this semester-long class.
CONNECTIONS:
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:

CAREERS.

What are students doing at graduation?*

55%

Employed

25%

Grad School

20%

Seeking Employment

0%

Other

Where are students headed at graduation?*

Recent employers and job titles*

  • Duke Energy — System Protection Engineer
  • Techtronic Industries Inc. — Quality Engineer
  • ABB Inc. — Power and Automation Engineer

Recent graduate schools and sought degree types*

  • Georgia Tech — Master’s
  • Johns Hopkins University — Master’s
  • University of California, Berkeley — Ph.D.

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
*Represents only Clemson University graduates who completed Michelin® Career Center surveys from 2009 to 2011.
**Used w/permission from Univ. 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 as well as our admissions office.

Christopher Porter, CES Undergraduate Recruitment Director
864-656-7870 — cporter@clemson.edu