Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Electrical Engineering Students in a Power Plant.

The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) is a 5-year degree program which centers on the generation and utilization of electricity for industrial, commercial, and residential purposes. Apart from the production of electricity, BS in Electrical Engineering also deals with the development and real-life applications of electrical circuitry, digital systems, electrical equipments, and machine control. 

Its curriculum was designed in a way that it will equip students with a solid grasp of mathematical, scientific, and engineering concepts, through classroom education and laboratory exercises. 
Some of the subjects covered include:

• Algebra (College and Advanced)
• Trigonometry
• Analytical Geometry
• Calculus (Differential and Integral)
• General Chemistry
• Physics Subjects
• Basic Engineering Subjects (e.g., Dynamics of Rigid Bodies; Engineering Management; Computer Fundamentals and Programming)
• Core Electrical Engineering Subjects (e.g., Electrical Circuits; Electrical System Design; Power Plant Engineering)
• Non-Technical Subjects (e.g., English; Social Sciences; Humanities; Physical Education)

The laboratory experience will familiarize students with the different devices and methodical techniques that are essential in the practice of this field. In addition, their theoretical knowledge will further be enhanced, made relevant, and practiced, through the On-the-Job Training period that they are required to go through at the latter part of the degree program. 

Is Electrical Engineering a profession?
Electrical Engineering is a profession. 
A graduate of BS in Electrical Engineering who passed the Electrical Engineer Licensure Examination is called an Electrical Engineer. An Electrical Engineers job includes the design of electrical and digital systems, creation of models and prototypes of electronic products and systems, installation and testing of electrical equipments, operation and maintenance of these machines and devices, as well as coming up with economical and safer ways of accomplishing various electrical engineering projects. 

What are the admission requirements for BSEE?
Requirements at each school may differ, but these are the common requirements:

• Must be a high school graduate. 
  Those who did not complete high school education may opt to first attend Alternative Learning System (ALS) and pass the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) to qualify for college. However, some universities only offer selected courses for PEPT passers admission.
• Must pass the college entrance examination
• Must pass the qualifying test implemented by the Engineering Department of the school
• Must pass the interview conducted by the college/university admission officer
• Medical laboratory results and health certificate
• Good Moral certificate from the previous school (sometimes from enrollees Barangay)
• Some schools require a particular rating in the National Secondary Assessment Test (NSAT)
• Some schools require a particular grade in Math and Science

What skills will help you succeed in this course?
Some of the necessary skills that you should possess in order to excel in this course are the following:

• Mathematical Skills – you need to have advanced computational skills and be equipped with a strong foundation of mathematical concepts in order for you to solve problems
• Analytical Skills – the ability to identify the kinds of data that are actually important and figure out how to solve problems
• Critical Thinking – the ability to think logically and make use of reasoning in evaluating the different solutions or approaches to a problem
• Technical Skills – the ability to perform various tasks related to engineering, mathematics, science, and technology. Moreover, this can also refer to the ability to operate various equipments and software.
• English Skills – the ability to read, write, and communicate well in English is necessary because most of the technical literature and required reading materials are in this language.
• Communication Skills – the ability to present information both in verbal and written form. You will be required to accomplish written reports on assigned projects and present them orally to your professors and classmates
• Creativity – the ability to come up with unique concepts and designs for electrical systems, digital systems, and electrical equipments. This skill is also needed in creating the models and prototypes of the conceptualized designs that are usually presented in class.
• Interpersonal Skills – the ability to communicate and interact harmoniously with other people will definitely help you work on group projects and activities with your classmates.

How difficult is this course?
BS in Electrical Engineering is one of the most difficult courses. This is probably because most of the subjects are highly technical and scientific in nature. Furthermore, this degree program involves a lot of computations, analyses, and abstract and logical thinking. 

There are many students who shift to other degree programs because they find it too difficult or some are even advised by the school administration because of their inability to meet the cutoff grades or course requirements. BSEE is made even more difficult because of the licensure examination that graduates are required to pass in order to be a registered electrical engineer. 

How long does it take to complete BS in Electrical Engineering in the Philippines?
Normally, the BSEE program takes 5 years to complete. Some schools who apply the trimester system do the program in a shorter time. 

On the job training takes a minimum of 240 hours to complete. 

Reviews for the board exam may require an additional 4-12 months, depending on whether you pass the board exam on your first try. 

On The Job Training / Internship
As stated in the 2008 Memorandum Order (No. 34) of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), electrical engineering students are required to undergo a minimum of 240 hours of On-the-Job Training. 

However, schools offering BS in Electrical Engineering can also opt to substitute OJT with projects or additional school requirements that will enhance the students understanding of this field and somehow prepare them for real-life applications of the various electrical engineering concepts that they learned. 

Some schools facilitate their students in their search for internship opportunities, while some give their students the freedom to choose any private company, organization, or government agency which accepts trainees or interns that are under the BS in Electrical Engineering program. 

Specializations

• Electronic Design – this focuses on the assembly of basic electronic components to accomplish essential and complex tasks. This field of specialization can range from the creation of simple designs to the construction of more advanced circuits.
• Control Systems – provides students with a comprehensive background in computer programming in order for them to analyze and fabricate both digital control and analog systems. Aside from that, this field also focuses on the design and development of automation systems that will enable electrical equipments to function based on the requirements of the user.
• Communications Engineering – this field of specialization centers on the analysis and development of various information transmission systems. Some areas under this field include, computer networking, digital communications, and wireless communication systems.
• Power Systems – this specialization focuses on the production or generation of electricity (large scale and small scale). Power plants, motors, generators, conversions of energy, and distribution of electrical power, are just some of the things that are discussed exhaustively in this field of study.
• Microelectronics – this area involves the study, production, and use of small electrical designs and components. Some specific examples of microelectronic components are capacitors, transistors, resistors, microchips, inductors, and diodes.

The Board Exam
An Electrical Engineering graduate needs to take the Registered Electrical Engineer Licensure Examination before he/she can practice as an electrical engineer. The examination is conducted by the Board of Electrical Engineering under the supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). It is scheduled twice a year in the months of April and September.

Career opportunities for BSEE graduates

• Jobs for Licensed Electrical Engineers (Board Exam Passers)
  • Entry Level jobs
    Jobs requiring no prior to minimal level of experience:
    • Technical Support Engineer – provides assistance to customers of technology products such as computers and mobile phones. The job includes installation, repair, and solving of specific problems with a purchased product.
    • Electrical Installer – installs or repairs a variety of electrical equipment in different industries.
    • Electrical Field Service Engineer – troubleshoots and repairs a full line of electrical equipment, performs maintenance routines, and determine if there are electrical discrepancies.
    • Junior Programmer – an intern programmer who uses different programming languages to help develop a software or computer application. Some of the tasks of a junior programmer include testing, debugging, and modifications.
  • Mid-Level Positions
    Require trainings and prior job experience of a few years:
    • Electrical Design Draftsman – creates layout and wiring diagrams that are used by installers in setting up electrical systems and equipment
    • Junior Electrical Engineer – a mid-level position which involves aiding in the design, development, and operation of electrical systems
    • Electrical Foreman – supervises daily paid electrical workers, maintains discipline and order in the workplace, and ensures that work schedules and deadlines are met.
    • Computer Systems Engineer – modifies an old computer system or develops a new one such that it will meet the operational needs and requirements of an organization in a specific field
    • Optics Engineer – helps develop imaging tools, optical devices, and other electronic products such as liquid crystal displays (LCD), TVs, and computers
  • Advanced Positions
    Require years of extensive experience and practice:
    • Senior Electrical Engineer – provides technical expertise in the design, development, coordination, and operation of electrical systems and equipment
    • Systems and Storage Administrator – reports, analyzes, identifies problems, and troubleshoots with the use of different system tools and diagnostic utilities
    • Project Engineer – involves the usual technical engineering tasks (design, development, implementation, and maintenance of electrical systems and equipment) and project management duties, such as the preparation of work schedules, leading the subordinate technical workers, and management of resources.
    • Satellite Communications Engineer – the job involves the design and development of satellite networks, monitoring the performance of the system, and troubleshooting of network problems
    • Academician – an instructor or a professor in a particular academic institution which provides Electrical Engineering education
• Jobs for Non Board Passers:
  • Electrical Technician – troubleshoots and performs minor electrical repairs, installs electrical systems, and maintains them.
  • Engineering Technician – assists engineers in the design, development, installation, testing, and maintenance of electrical systems and equipments.
• Jobs not related to electrical engineering that graduates can apply to
  • Call center agent – answers phone calls and inquiries of clients and provides customer support, usually to people from other countries
  • Administrative Staff – personnel responsible for the organization and management of office duties and tasks; positions that include office secretary, personal assistant and office clerk
  • Freelancer working online – doing online jobs for clients abroad, such as data entry, article writing, SEO, customer support, administrative support etc., which mainly depends on your skills
• Career Opportunities AbroadThere are a lot of job opportunities abroad for graduates of BS in Electrical Engineering. Entry-level, mid-level, and advanced positions are open to Filipino electrical engineers in countries such as Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Brunei, Malaysia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.
• Salary LevelsIn the Philippines, the salary range for Electrical Engineers with 1-4 year experience is between PhP 14,000 to PhP 18,000 per month. Electrical engineers who are more experienced and are qualified for advanced positions, can earn between PhP 20,000 to PhP 27,000 per month

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