What courses will I have to take to become an electrical engineer in Kansas?
To become an electrical engineer in Kansas, you will typically need to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field. The curriculum for this degree will typically include a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory experience. Some of the courses you may take as part of your electrical engineering program include:
- Circuit Analysis
This course covers the fundamentals of circuit analysis, including Ohm’s Law, Kirchhoff’s laws, and basic circuit elements such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors.
- Electromagnetics
This course covers the principles of electromagnetic fields and waves, including Maxwell’s equations and their applications to electrical engineering problems.
- Control Systems
This course covers the principles of control systems, including feedback control, system stability, and control system design.
- Digital Systems
This course covers the fundamentals of digital systems, including digital logic, digital circuits, and computer systems.
- Computer Systems
This course covers the fundamentals of computer systems, including computer architecture, programming, and software development.
- Power Systems
This course covers the fundamentals of power systems, including power generation, transmission, and distribution.
- Communications Systems
This course covers the fundamentals of communications systems, including modulation, encoding, and error control.
Elective classes in specialized areas such as embedded systems, microcontrollers, power electronics, renewable energy, and so on.
In addition to these technical courses, you may also take classes in other subjects such as mathematics, physics, and computer science to provide a strong foundation for your electrical engineering education.
Job prospects and career advancement opportunities for electrical engineers in Kansas
Job prospects for electrical engineers in Kansas are generally good. According to O*Net OnLine, the employment of electrical engineers in Kansas is expected to grow by 8% from 2020 to 2030. This growth is faster than the national average for all occupations.
There are many career advancement opportunities for electrical engineers in Kansas. Some electrical engineers may choose to work in research and development, designing new products and technologies. Others may work in manufacturing, designing and testing electrical systems and equipment. Other electrical engineers may choose to work in the power industry, designing and maintaining power generation, transmission, and distribution systems.
Electrical engineers may also choose to work in the aerospace industry, designing and testing electrical systems for aircraft and spacecraft. Many electrical engineers also work in consulting, providing technical expertise to businesses and organizations.
As electrical engineers gain experience and skills, they may advance to supervisory or management positions, such as team leader, project manager, or department head. With additional education and experience, electrical engineers may also advance to positions such as chief engineer or engineering manager.
Kansas has a strong tradition in the aerospace industry, and many companies like Bombardier, Honeywell, Spirit AeroSystems and Textron Aviation have their facilities in Kansas. These companies have a strong need for Electrical engineers for the design and development of aircraft electrical systems, avionics and navigation systems. Additionally, Kansas has a robust energy sector and many energy companies such as Westar Energy, KCP&L, and Evergy are based in Kansas which are also in need of Electrical engineers to design and maintain power generation, transmission and distribution systems.
How to get into electrical engineering in Kansas
To get into electrical engineering in Kansas, you will typically need to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field from an accredited university or college. Here are some steps you can take to pursue a career in electrical engineering in Kansas:
- Start by researching different electrical engineering programs offered in Kansas. Look for universities and colleges that are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
- Meet the admission requirements for the program you’re interested in. This typically includes a high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum GPA, as well as standardized test scores such as the SAT or ACT.
- Take the required classes in high school such as mathematics (algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus) and sciences (physics and chemistry) as they will be the foundation to your electrical engineering studies.
- Complete your Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field. The curriculum will typically include courses in circuit analysis, electromagnetics, control systems, digital systems, computer systems, power systems, and communications systems.
- Gain some experience through internships, co-op programs, or other hands-on opportunities while you are in college. This will give you an insight into the industry and increase your chances of finding a job after graduation.
- After graduation, you can pursue a professional license through the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) to become a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). This is not a mandatory requirement for all jobs but it is often preferred by employers and can open up more opportunities.
- Look for job opportunities in Kansas and apply to them. You may want to start by looking at job listings from companies in the aerospace and energy sectors, as well as consulting firms, as they have a strong need for electrical engineers.
- If you are interested in advancing your career, consider pursuing a Master’s or Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering or a related field, or earning additional certifications in specialized areas of electrical engineering.
- Keep in mind that the path to becoming an electrical engineer can vary depending on the individual’s background, experience, and career goals. It’s important to research and understand the different options available to you, and to plan your education and career accordingly.
Best electrical engineering schools in Kansas
There are several universities and colleges in Kansas that offer electrical engineering programs. Some of the best electrical engineering schools in Kansas are:
- University of Kansas
The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Kansas offers undergraduate and graduate programs in electrical engineering. The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
- Kansas State University
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Kansas State University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in electrical engineering. The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
- Wichita State University
The Electrical Engineering program at Wichita State University offers undergraduate and graduate programs in electrical engineering. The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
- Pittsburg State University
The Electrical Engineering program at Pittsburg State University offers undergraduate program in electrical engineering. The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
- Fort Hays State University
The Electrical Engineering program at Fort Hays State University offers undergraduate program in electrical engineering. The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
These schools are known for their excellent electrical engineering programs and have a good reputation in the industry. However, it is important to research and compare different programs to find the one that best meets your needs and goals.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that some of the schools in Kansas have strong emphasis on specific areas of Electrical engineering such as Aerospace, power systems or renewable energy, so it’s important to check the curriculum and the focus of the program before making a decision.