WHAT IS ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING?

Electrical and electronic engineering aims to improve systems in our day to day lives. This article provides an overview of this engineering field.   

The high demand for electrical and electronic engineers reflects the need for individuals who can create, understand and modify electrical systems. 

What Do Electrical and Electronic Engineers Do?

Both electrical engineers and electronic engineers have different sets of responsibilities. Electrical engineers design and manufacture electrical equipment in a variety of industry such as building and services, transportation, manufacturing, construction and power distribution.  

Some daily tasks of an electrical engineer are reading design specifications, preparing technical drawings and making models and prototypes of products using computer-aided software. 

Electronics engineers design and develop components and devices which need electricity to function. The most common electrical components are capacitors, resistors and transistors. They work in industries such as defence, telecommunications and manufacturing. Daily tasks of an electronics engineer include testing new systems and circuits, preparing technical reports and specifications, and modifying existing technology. 

Subjects in an Electrical and Electronic Engineering Course

A number of higher education institutions in Malaysia offer a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The course typically takes three to four years to complete. Students in this course will learn about computer modelling, electrical machines, electronic design, instrumentation, microelectronics, power generation and distribution, signal processing, software engineering and renewable energy systems.

All subjects are delivered through lectures, practical laboratory sessions, workshops and tutorials. Some programmes require students to go for work placements or internships. Examples of subjects in an Electrical and Electronic Engineering course are Engineering Mathematics, Electronic Processing and Communications, and Integrated Circuits and Systems.

To become a professional engineer, individuals need to be registered as a Graduate Engineer with the Board of Engineers, obtain the necessary work experience, professional training, and pass the Professional Assessment Examination conducted by the Board. For information on how to become a professional engineer in Malaysia, visit http://www.bem.org.my/

The Skills You Need

Electrical and electronic engineers need to have strong technical knowledge and constantly update themselves with the latest industrial developments. They need strong IT skills as computer-aided software programmes are used for design. Other useful skills are project management, ability to multitask, commercial awareness, analytical thinking and problem-solving. Communication skills are also important when it comes to translating technical information into simple terms for non-technical people. As engineers usually work in a team, they need to be able to work with other people effectively. 

Job Opportunities 

Positions in the electrical and electronic engineering field are acoustic consultant, aerospace engineer, broadcast engineer, electrical engineer, electronics engineer, network engineer and systems analyst, among others. Electrical engineers are mainly employed by power and renewable energy companies, industrial production organisations and transport organisations. On the other hand, electronic engineers can find work in robotics, digital technology, automotive, telecommunications, electronics consultancies and electronic equipment manufacturers. Other relevant fields include aerospace, energy, chemical and marine industries.

There are many technical aspects to electrical and electronic engineering but the basis of the profession is to help communities around the world improve daily activities which use electricity.