Electrical Engineering Overview
What is Electrical Engineering?
Electrical Engineering spans an enormous range of science and technology arising from the capability of electric currents and electromagnetic fields to perform work and transmit information. Electrical engineers design much of what underpins modern civilization: from the electrical power grid, to ubiquitous electric motors, to microelectronic technology that provides us with modern computing and communications, and to various bioelectronic sensors and medical tools. An electrical engineer is trained in the physical and mathematical foundations, engineering problem solving, product design and optimization, and software skills.
Our Philosophy
The Division of Engineering at Brown has existed for over 150 years. Our Engineering curriculum takes a rigorous mathematical approach to Engineering and problem solving in the setting of a world-class liberal-arts environment. The Department is small enough that all undergraduates may interact closely with professors. At the same time, the Division is large enough to support a wide variety of leading-edge research into which undergraduates are involved. There is a wide variety of classes to satiate any student's appetite to learn.
Electrical Engineering Program at Brown
Brown offers a number of specialized Electrical Engineering tracks corresponding to areas of student demand and faculty expertise. Building on the broad scientific foundation provided by the core curriculum and fundamental courses in linear systems, analog, and digital design, these specialties focus a range of upper courses to bear on a particular specialty. There is considerable overlap between the knowledge and skills conferred by different Electrical Engineering specialties, making it possible to switch between different specialties as late as senior year.
Electrical Engineering Specialties at Brown
- Bioelectrical Engineering: a study of fundamental Electrical Engineering principles in biology and medicine, including, for example, bio-instrumentation, control of eye movements, and medical imaging.
- Communications Systems: a study of encoding, transmission, and decoding of information and messages. Material ranges from digital and analog hardware to digital signal processing algorithms and software, and ultimately to abstract statistical communication and information theories.
- Computer Systems: a study of the design of computers and computer systems and architectures, including both hardware and software aspects. [Students with a greater interest in software design might also be interested in the separate Computer Engineering program at Brown].
- Multimedia Signal Processing: the application of computing and digital signal processing to multimedia data.
- Control Systems: a study and application of feedback principles that underpin many man-made and natural systems, including industrial automation, robotics, avionics, and economic regulation.
- Microelectronic Systems: a study of physical aspects of microelectronic technology, including devices, integrated circuit design, layout, large scale integration.
- Solid State Electronics and Optoelectronics: a study of the microelectronic and optoelectronic devices, such as transistors and lasers. The most physics oriented of the specialties. [Students with a strong interest in applied physics might also be interested in the Engineering Physics Sc.B. program at Brown].
Degree designation
Graduating students receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering. Click here for the DEGREE PLAN.
Click here for ABET accreditation information.
Click here for Undergraduate Research Opportunities.
Click here for Career Information.
