The E E T major aims to equip students with the various skills necessary to adapt new scientific knowledge to new products. Technical selections are offered in the senior year to provide some degree of specialization, but all graduates receive a well-rounded basic education in electrical and electronic design principles. The strengths of the program include: an applied, hands-on program; extensive laboratory experience; and promising job placement.

This program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission under the General Criteria and the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technology Program Criteria.

Areas of Interest

By selecting your electives appropriately, you may tailor your Electrical Engineering Technology degree toward any of several optional areas of interest:

Biomedical Devices and Systems

We offer several technical electives in topics such as Image Processing and Computer Vision, Biomedical Instrumentation, and Medical Imaging.

Communication Circuits and Systems

Combining the required course in Communications together with technical electives in Communication System Design, Optoelectronics, and/or High Frequency Circuit Design will prepare you well for jobs working with Communications Systems.

Control Systems and Robotics

Some students choose to complete a Mechatronics Minor as they complete their degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. If you choose not to, you can gain valuable experience in that field by taking courses described on that page and in Control System Analysis and Design, Automation and Robotics, Microcomputers, and/or Power System Analysis.

Electronic Circuit Design

If you're seeking experience in designing electronic circuits, choose electives in Linear Electronic Design, Power Electronics, Digital Integrated Circuit Design, and/or Linear Electronic Design.

Electric Drives, Power, and Energy Systems Design

Many employers are actively seeking workers with expertise in electronic power systems. At Penn State Harrisburg, you may choose electives in Energy Systems and Conversion and/or Power System Analysis.

Electives

In addition to the general education requirements, the Electrical Engineering Technology program includes several different types of electives. These provide very flexible program requirements for those who have already completed an associates' degree program; are transferring from another campus, college, or university; or who are changing majors. Or, if you intend to pursue this program from the start of your academic career, you may select courses that suit your interests. They also allow you to follow any of several optional areas of interest.

There are several types of electives:

System Electives

Students must take 8 credits of System Electives, among the list in the University Bulletin. Typically taken in your senior year, these ensure that you are skilled in integrating and managing systems that involve multiple components working together - an essential skill for any engineer. You may choose to focus on communication systems, power systems, and/or control systems. (In the Bulletin, look under "Requirements for the Major" > "Requirements for the Option" > "System Elective". The following elective types are listed below that section.)

Electronics Elective

Students select a 4 credit Electronics Elective course, among the list in the University Bulletin. Also typically taken in the senior year, this course deepens your understanding of electronics courses taken earlier in your university career.

GEET Technical Electives

Students select 8 credits of GEET Technical Electives (listed as "Technical Electives" in the Suggested Academic Plan), among the list in the University Bulletin. These are considered "General Electrical Engineering Technology" electives, which includes each of the courses in the System Electives and Electronics Electives, and many more. Also typically taken in the senior year, these courses allow you to choose the fields in which you want to extend and refine your skills in the fields of electrical and computer engineering technology.

SET Electives

Students select at least 3 credits of electives among the fields of Science, Engineering, and Technology. As long as they are not at too basic a level (i.e. below the 100 level), they are likely to be accepted for your degree. You should refer to the list in the University Bulletin for those that have already been approved. You are encouraged to consider additional courses; be sure to discuss with your academic advisor any courses you want to take that are not in this list.

General Electives

Students select an additional 13-16 credits to meet the 128-credit graduation requirement. These credits may come from any university-level course. We encourage students to explore their interests.

These flexible credits are especially helpful for those who have chosen to change their major, or whose credits from another institution don't transfer as equivalent to any Penn State course.

This page is not a part of the official Penn State University Bulletin.