FAIRFIELD, Conn.—Sacred Heart University’s School of Computer Science and Engineering has established a new bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, beginning in the fall semester.
Technological innovation likely will drive demand for electrical engineers in research and development, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. New developments in solar arrays, semiconductors and communications technologies require the expertise of electrical engineers, who earned a median pay of $97,970 in 2017, the labor bureau reports. A bachelor’s degree is adequate for a typical entry-level position, and employment is projected to increase 7 percent in the next 10 years.
“There are currently hundreds of electrical engineering positions in the Northeast that are unfilled,” said Tolga Kaya, associate professor and director of engineering at SHU’s School of Computer Science and Engineering. “And we know from our industry contacts that they are looking for local talent.”
Graduates with Sacred Heart’s new bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering will be prepared for careers as electronics engineers, power systems engineers, electronic device designers, systems engineers, microelectronic circuit designers and other related fields.
The curriculum provides a balanced treatment of engineering mathematics and electrical engineering principles, with a broad foundation in electronics and computer engineering of analog and digital electrical systems, as well as support for various areas of specialization. Students will develop skills progressively, culminating in the capstone design experience, which complements the analytical part of the curriculum.
The program requires 121 credits, and students can complete the degree within four years, with an opportunity to pursue industry internships.
The program has been developed in accordance with learning objectives prescribed by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET). In the planning stages, the University consulted experts in ABET accreditation and curriculum development and expects to receive ABET accreditation. The curriculum also conforms to the latest recommendations from the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers and will be in line with the cutting edge of technology.
“We believe our innovative curriculum with embedded internships and potential co-op opportunities will give an edge to our students. Our brand new, 11,000-square-foot makerspace with the most relevant equipment for engineering students will also provide a platform for interaction, collaboration and numerous opportunities to realize ideas into prototypes,” Kaya said.
For more information on the new electrical engineering bachelor’s degree, visit https://www.sacredheart.edu/academics/schoolofcomputerscienceengineering/undergraduateprograms/engineering/electricalengineering/
###
As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 80 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus, which is located about an hour from Manhattan and 2.5 hours from Boston. Sacred Heart also has satellites in Connecticut, Luxembourg and Ireland. More than 8,500 students attend the University’s eight colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences; Communication, Media & the Arts; Computer Science & Engineering; Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education; the Jack Welch College of Business; Nursing; and St. Vincent’s College. Sacred Heart is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, yet at the same time develops students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives and professions and in their communities. A spirit of service, entrepreneurship and social justice is the essence of who we are and can be seen inside and outside the classroom as students learn how to make a difference far beyond Fairfield. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 384 Colleges–2019 Edition, “Best in the Northeast” and Best 267 Business Schools–2018 Edition. It also placed SHU on its lists for “Happiest Students” and “Most Engaged in Community Service,” each of which comprises only 20 U.S. schools. Sacred Heart has a Division I athletics program. www.sacredheart.edu