[Introduction] From the creation of air traffic control systems, safer power stations, to advanced medical equipment, electrical engineering has countless practical contributions to our modern society. This article analyzes the courses, admission requirements, employment prospects, rankings of the top schools and views of our netizens in the electronic engineering major. Description
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Introduction to the Canadian Electrical Engineering Major
From creating air traffic control systems, safer power stations, to advanced medical equipment, electrical engineering has countless practical contributions in our modern society. The electronic engineering major first provides an understanding of the working principles, important concepts, and in-depth knowledge of these electrical instruments (such as analog electronics, signal processors, auxiliary medical equipment, etc.).
Secondly, theoretical knowledge combined with practical knowledge can be learned through a variety of experimental projects.
Furthermore, many schools require students take co-op course or an internship. This will help you adjust your skills and gain some good professional experience.
Some of the courses generally required courses are:
- Analog Electronics
- Circuits and Equipment
- Digital Logic Design
- Embedded Systems
- IC Design
- Communication Network Programming
- Introduction to Power Systems
- Medical Equipment
Note: If you are in high school and are interested in becoming an electrical engineer, it is recommended that you take courses in physics and mathematics, including algebra, trigonometry, and calculus. Drafting courses are also helpful for the career of electrical engineers, because they often need to prepare technical drawings.
Related articles of the engineering major:
- Majoring in Civil Engineering in Canada
- Majoring in Mechanical Engineering in Canada
- Majoring in Chemical Engineering in Canada
- Majoring in Electrical Engineering in Canada
- Majoring in Geological Engineering in Canada
- Majoring in Environmental Engineering in Canada
- Majoring in Computer Science in Canada
What do students learn in Canadian electrical engineering majors?
Electrical engineering courses usually allow students to learn through a wide range of disciplines and practices.
》Electrical Engineering Theory Courses
Generally, the courses of the Electrical Engineering degree emphasize the basic principles of important electronic equipment, such as circuit theory, control system principles, and instrumentation and telecommunications principles. The course also enables students to master more advanced engineering concepts and designs. It is the mastery of these advanced stages that enables electrical engineering graduates to make breakthroughs in electrical, electronic products and system technology.
You can also choose to focus on specific areas of electronic engineering before graduation, such as computer applications, communication networks, industrial control, or power distribution. After all, many people gain interest in specific segments, such as solar panels.
As a graduate of the electrical engineering major, you would possess skills and knowledge in the following fields:
- Calculus for Electronics
- Circuit Analysis
- Communication Networks
- Power System Analysis and Design
- Basics of Electromagnetism
- Electronic Manufacturing Processes
- Electronic Engineering Materials
- Engineering Statistics
- Feedback Control
- Engineer Marketing and Communication
- Microcontroller Systems
- Electronic Physics
- Power System Components
- Sensor and Signal Conditioning
- Signal Processing and Filters
- Electronic Engineering Technology Exchange
- Electronic Technology Mathematics
- Wireless System Design
Employment prospects of Canadian electrical engineering graduates
As the name implies, people who have completed the program in electrical engineering are naturally eager to become electrical engineers. Electrical engineers are engineering professionals responsible for designing, developing, testing, evaluating and supervising the safe operations of electrical components and systems. Within each field of work of an electronic engineer, there is an opportunity to specialize in certain functions and subdivided fields.
The work of an electronic engineer includes:
- Maintain and troubleshoot systems
- Conduct electrical engineering research
- Specify, design, implement and test products and systems
- Design and simulate electronic product prototypes
- Design electronic product manufacturing process
- Establish testing and quality control procedures
- Ensure products meet quality specifications and safety standards
- Review electrical engineering project design recommendations
- Make recommendations on products, system specifications, design, development, testing or application
- Prepare drawings and specifications for project construction
- Design electronic product prototypes
- Implement, develop and test products and systems
- Design manufacturing processes related to products
- Develop testing and quality control procedures to meet safety standards and quality specifications
Working environments for electronic engineers are likely to be:
- Designing in a network of computer terminals;
- In a manufacturing plant to design and manufacture communication equipment and other products;
- Working with power grids or circuit parts in an electrical engineering project;
- In a laboratory as a research and development expert;
- In a university or university as a lecturer in electrical engineering;
- In the office as a salesperson and marketing specialist for electrical and electronic equipment;
》Jobs available for graduates of electronic engineering
In fact, the skills, knowledge and abilities you acquire by studying electrical engineering majors can also be applied to occupations that are indirectly related to electrical engineering or even occupations that are not related to electrical engineering. In the following, we have selected some of the occupations that we believe are relevant to this degree or those that require similar skills.
- Aerospace Engineer
- Automation Engineer
- Circuit Designer
- Electrical Engineer
- Electrical System Engineer
- Electrician
- Electrical Engineer
- Energy Efficiency Engineer
- Energy Engineer
- Hardware Engineer
- Nuclear Engineer
- Product Development Engineer
- Robotics Expert
- Technical Writer
- Telecom Engineer
- Telecom Technician
- University Professor
Please note: Some occupations listed above require additional education, training and/or experience. For example, to take on government projects in Canada, you must obtain permission from a professional engineer (P. Eng).
Salary of electrical engineering graduates: Average salary earned per year & the determinant of income
The level of salary that can be obtained as a graduate in electrical engineering may vary widely and usually depends on the following factors:
- Education level (Bachelor, Graduate, etc.)
- Whether you are ultimately engaged in electrical engineering
- Whether you have a professional title (such as P.Eng)
- Amount of work experience accumulated
- The size and type of company
- Industry
- Employment location
Examples:
- In Alberta, the average salary as an electrical engineer is $94,843 per year.
- According to employment statistics from the Government of British Columbia (BC), the overall average salary of people in BC working in the electrical engineering field is $85,548 per year.
- According toPayScale statisticsin Canada, the average annual salary for entry-level electrical engineers is $60,714.
Three electrical engineering qualifications: college diploma, undergraduate degree, graduate degree
Salary of Canadian Electrical Engineers
- Specialist diploma:Usually completed in 2-3 years. Generally subdivided into a specific field, such as automotive, etc.
- Bachelor’s Degree: Usually completed in 4 years
- Master’s Degree: usually completed in 2-3 years. Electrical engineering graduates research, design, develop and test machinery that drives generators, engines, gearboxes, turbines, refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, machine tools, material handling systems, computers, prosthetics, biomechanical implants, pumps and industrial production equipment devices.
Three courses including mathematics and physics or three BTEC courses are typical admission requirements for undergraduate degree courses.
The Best Schools for Electrical Engineering
According toMacLean's latest program rankings of Canadian universities结果显示，
1、University of Toronto (Engineering major)
2、University of Waterloo(Engineering major)
3、UBC(Engineering major)
4、University of Alberta(Engineering major)
5、McGill University(Engineering major)
6、University of Ottawa(Engineering major)
7、 Queen’s University(Engineering major)
8、Université de Montréal(University of Montreal Engineering major)
9、McMaster University(Engineering major)
10、University of Calgary （Engineering major )
11、University of Victoria (Engineering major)
12、Université Laval (Laval University - French institution)
13、Ryerson University（Ryerson UniversityEngineering major)
14、 University of Saskatchewan（University of SaskatchewanEngineering major)
15、Western University （Engineering major )
16、York University （Engineering major)
17、Dalhousie University （Dalhousie UniversityEngineering major)
18、Lakehead University （Engineering major)
19、Simon Fraser University（Engineering major)
20、Concordia University（Engineering major)
Summary: UtoCanada’s view’s on the electrical engineering major
Electronic engineering is the third largest engineering industry in Canada where there is a high demand for talent. Currently, there are more than 1,800 vacant positions for electrical engineers. However, in the international student community, career transitions are very common, especially for electrical engineering graduates to become programmers. So, what does that mean? For many international students in Canada, it is much easier for programmers to find jobs than other engineering graduates. If there is data to support this, I will show it here.
However, when choosing a major, personal interest is the most important. If you still think you're cut out to be an electrical engineer, here are some tips that might help you land a better job.We recommend that you prepare the following during your academic years:
- Learn the skills in your major and earn a good-looking transcript
- Develop necessary soft skills (including, improve your English through various methods before graduation)
- Create your own portfolio
- Establish a social network in electrical engineering
"Learn the skills within the profession," your parents will constantly say this to you. So, we won't need to say much here. Let’s focus on a few other things.
》“Soft skills” to be acquired during the university
If you're going to be an electrical engineer, you'll need a lot of the necessary soft skills in the workplace in addition to your professional skills. Without these soft skills, performing the job’s key functions would be a struggle.
Some soft skills are:
- English language proficiency
- Ability to analyze large amounts of data
- Ability to make decisions with confidence
- Ability to explain design ideas and plans clearly and verbally
- Good teamwork ability
- Excellent logical thinking and problem solving skills
- Ability to balance the overall situation and details
》Establish a portfolio
The portfolio can help display the areas you really have experience in. The portfolio is actually more detailed than your resume, and it shows your skills and potential to employers. At present, there are many portfolio-building platforms (such as WordPress or Mix) and tutorials on the market. You can easily build your own personal portfolio website.
So, what should you include in your engineering portfolio to best reflect your ability?
- A brief self-introduction:focus on your strengths, educational background and qualifications
- A resume with a focus on engineering:remove irrelevant work experience
- Detailed information about your coursework, internships and the projects you are working on
- Letter of recommendation:or reference letter from the institution where you worked/interned (if you have just left school, a letter of recommendation from your internship employer or your professor is the best choice for establishing credibility)
- Examples of projects you have participated in or other skill demonstrations:this is an opportunity for you to be creative.
》Build your electrical engineering network
Sometimes, what matters is not what you know, but who you know. In North America, the workplace is also very particular about personal referrals. When someone mentions you at the right time and place, it is better than you submitting a hundreds of resumes.
You may be thinking: How can I effectively expand my network in this field while still studying at school? You can refer to the following ideas:
- Alumni Association:Your alumni association is a good place to start establishing engineering contacts. Most universities and colleges will have an alumni association that you can join. The benefit of joining the alumni association is that you connect with people who have worked in your industry
- Professors and classmates:Don't underestimate the value of building relationships through your school years. Professors often work on-site before or outside of their teaching hours and may provide you with advice on where to find work. They also see countless other students graduating and know well about how previous students found employment after graduation. They are also very informative, just like your classmates who work withyou on projects.
- Professional association for Electrical Engineering:In Canada, each province has a professional association to which engineers can join. In addition to government-regulated associations, there are other associations worth joining in many areas. For example, as an electronics engineer, you may find that the local association in your field is more focused on your interests and career goals. These associations often have resources to help members network or find jobs.
Engineering Institute of Canada (EIC)
