³Ô¹ÏÍø

Skip to main content
People Departments Maps Buildings Rooms A-Z
University
of Victoria
Apply Library
Sign in Online tools Sign out
Students

Electrical Engineering

In this program you’ll learn about:

  • electrical power systems
  • communications systems
  • computing hardware
  • control systems
  • renewable technologies

Potential careers

What can you do with an electrical engineering degree? Here are a few jobs that relate to the program:

  • biomedical sensor designer
  • circuit designer
  • cyber-security officer
  • data-systems engineer
  • electrical motor system designer
  • embedded-system engineer
  • high-power electrical transmission system engineer
  • microprocessor designer
  • operations manager
  • product manager
  • program manager
  • research engineer
  • satellite or payload engineer
  • solar energy generation system engineer
  • systems designer
  • telecommunications engineer
  • wind or tidal energy generation system engineer

Some of these roles may require post-graduate ³Ô¹ÏÍø or training. 

Find a career that fits you

Experience & connections

Opportunities in the electrical engineering program

  • With the Co-op Program you can alternate study with paid work. 

Opportunities outside your program

  • With a work study position you can develop skills during your study term.
  • Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while you build skills.

Networks you can connect to

Here are a few professional associations related to electrical engineering:

  •  
  •  
  •  

Hands-on learning opportunities

These courses in the electrical engineering program offer extensive hands-on learning.

Co-op

Co-op work terms       
Alternate academic study with paid work terms to gain workplace experience

Creative or design project        

ECE 299 - Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering Design
Gain experience with the tools used in electrical and computer engineering design

ECE 399 Design Project I                
Engage in real-world, team-based projects proposed by external clients

ECE 441 - Design of Digital and VLSI Systems           
Learn about advanced combinational and sequential logic design through a design project      

ECE 449 - Computer Systems and Architecture
Design and use a processor based on a specification of a simple instruction set

ECE 455 - Real Time Computer Systems Design Project
Complete a project involving real-time design and implementation

ECE 498 - Honours Thesis
Do a major engineering design and research project

ECE 499 - Design Project II
Do a technical design project

ENGR 110 - Design and Communication I     
Gain skills with practical projects and engage with industry experts

ENGR 120 - Design and Communication II                 
Gain skills with practical projects and engage with industry experts

MECH 458 - Mechatronics     
Design a mechatronics system, such as a conveyor belt system

Professional and technical skill development            

ECE 299 - Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering Design
Gain experience with the tools used in electrical and computer engineering design

ENGR 110 - Design and Communication I
ENGR 120 - Design and Communication II
Develop writing and presentation skills

ENGR 130 - Introduction to Professional Practice  
Gain skills such as résumé writing and career development

Research project

ECE 498 - Honours Thesis          
Research, write and orally defend a graduating honours design or research project

MECH 458 - Mechatronics Design Project    
Design the mechanical, electrical and software components of a mechatronic system

These courses are not always offered as described.

What you'll learn

Every student at UVic builds skills all employers look for. At UVic Co-op & Career we call these  "competencies". This is what you’ll learn in the electrical engineering program.

Professional practice

  • focus on the safety, health and welfare of the public
  • focus on environmental protection
  • promote health and safety in the workplace
  • take on professional assignments only when qualified
  • maintain confidentiality and avoid conflicts of interest
  • keep informed to maintain competence
  • act with fairness, courtesy and good faith toward clients, colleagues and others
  • extend public knowledge and appreciation of engineering

Reliability, safety and failure analysis

  • understand quality assurance standards and testing procedures
  • ensure that systems or components perform their required function
  • maintain a current knowledge of safety standards
  • establish the mean time between failures when assessing reliability

Design

  • gather full requirements for a project
  • understand the client’s needs
  • model a solution using the appropriate tools
  • communicate the design process to the client
  • use safe and effective designs
  • understand how a design integrates into its environment

Engineering tools

  • design equipment and systems using a variety of software packages
  • simulate mechanical and electronic systems using the appropriate tools
  • analyze systems, equipment and data using the correct tools
  • operate mechanical equipment in a lab or workshop
  • use electronics and electrical equipment
  • develop software and scripts in a variety of environments and languages
  • use computer software and systems
  • understand and use databases
  • research and recommend new tools where existing tools are inadequate
  • choose tools based on their strengths and weaknesses

Engineering knowledge

  • understand the mathematical fundamentals of engineering
  • use the correct statistical methods to analyze and investigate data
  • understand the supporting natural sciences for their discipline of engineering
  • understand engineering fundamentals
  • understand engineering economics
  • understand how engineering specifics integrate into a larger project
  • study related subjects to help projects’ success

Power and energy systems

  • use the fundamental science associated with electricity
  • understand the generation, transmission, distribution and processing of energy
  • consider the characteristics of an energy system in requirements gathering
  • improve energy usage with alternative systems
  • outline the fault tolerant, reliable operation of power systems
  • research and develop new energy systems

Control theory and systems

  • use the fundamentals of control theory in the design of dynamic systems
  • understand feedback control systems
  • identify design specifications
  • assess system performance
  • identify the components of a dc servo system and its use in motion control
  • use a control system using feedback circuits
  • understand processors and microcontrollers

Circuits and electronics

  • use the fundamental components of electronic circuits
  • assess the electrical properties of materials
  • create test benches to verify design
  • understand semiconductor structures
  • use differential equations to analyze and design circuits
  • read and interpret electrical schematics
  • do research and development of electronic devices
  • use electronic test equipment

Networks, hardware and communications

  • understand layered network architecture
  • use different digital communication networks to send data
  • work with LANs and WANs
  • use different network protocols at different layers
  • protect networks from unauthorized access using the appropriate policies
  • identify mobile communications techniques and issues affecting multimedia quality of service
  • use different types of buses, interrupts, families of processors and instruction sets

What's next?

To explore more visit the electrical engineering site. For degree planning contact your adviser for help.