Electrical/Electronic Engineering

stereo_steve

I'll be sitting the leaving in june and I just filled out my CAO form. I want to study electrical/electronic engineering. I was just wondering if any has or is studying it? Is there much of a difference between the different colleges? And also I've heard that the course is VERY tough. Is This true? I don't mind putting in lots of work, I just want to to make sure that I'll be able to mange it! Thanks!

Raskolnikov

I sent you a mail i got from Daveirl that might explain what the degree is about, it's worth the read

stereo_steve

thanks a million for the email. It was really interesting and a great help! I'm definately going to go for it. Thanks again!

irishguy

could you email me that 2 plez

stereo_steve

I'll forward it to you now. Are you interested too? What college are applying to?

irishguy

elec and comp engeneering in LIT i have the place from last year deffered and am wondering wheather or not to do that or applied computing

Boston

could you send that my way as well

irishguy

i didnt think there was lots of £££ in this area taught there was more in programming ??? anyone know how much money we are talking about ??

stereo_steve

Hey boston, your current sttings won't allow for anyone to send you an email! So here it is below. Are you sitting the leaving this year? What college are you thinking of doing this in?



This is the message:

Anyway OK I'll tell you about Elec. Eng. As you know I'm currently in first year and I really love it. Its quite difficult in places but its still great. The subjects you do in first year are: Digital Systems, Circuit Analysis, Engineering Maths, Mechanics for Elec. Engineers, Physics,Chemistry, Computer Systems, Programming In C.

Digital Systems:

This is one of the main subjects. Its basically the Electronic section
of Electronic & Electrical engineering. Its basically designing Digital
systems. Examples - My project is to design, simulate and build a digital clock - which thankfully is coming along nicely. Its not too hard and is completely new. I don't think what you'd have done in school would have much impact here!

Circuit Analysis:

This is the Analysis of different electrical circuits. Like Leaving Cert
but much harder. What you're given in questions generally are circuit diagrams and you are asked what is the total resistance, power ouput etc..
It can be tough on the maths in points and to be honest I would't like to attempt it without at least a B grade!

Engineering Maths:

Exactly like leaving cert and no matter what grade you got this
shouldn't be a problem.

Mechanics

Almost the same as Applied Maths not a problem if you've done it before

Physics

Rock Hard - The hardest subject by a mile - Quantum Mechanics etc.. This is the subject with the highest failure rate and is unlike Leaving Cert physics in anyway. It is doable though but takes a bit of work!

Chemistry

Like Leaving Cert so not too tricky

Computer Systems

Really easy. Just loads of learning about the different parts of
Computers. You do a little Assembly programming which is very easy too.

Programming in C
Check out http://www.cs.ucc.ie/~dongen/cs1061/01-02/cs1061.html for more info!

How many hours a week? Now this varies and isn't is bad as it is made out to be. Sure Elec. Eng has more lectures than most but fortunately it is laid out really well. For example I have way more hours than my girlfriend who does Commerce but whereas I might have 5 lectures on a Monday and am finshed at 2 she has 2 lectures one at 9 and one at 5 so my timetable is way better!

I'm not goint to lie tough and I must say that it is one of the most
difficult courses you can do! The minimum requirements should be really be -

Maths - B2, Physics - B1

But you say you like the subjects you do and this is far more important than your grades! I know guys that got C's in Maths and are doing really well so don't let that discourage you.

It's one of the best courses in the country and It will be hard work at times but you will be rewarded later on with massive ££££s!!

---

I got this of a first year doing Elec Eng, hope it helps

Boston

Originally posted by irishguy
i didnt think there was lots of £££ in this area taught there was more in programming ??? anyone know how much money we are talking about ??

could be more wrong on that front, and you can work in several different field's with it as well

hmm interesting read, what college is that.

B in honors maths, shouldnt be a problem with some work,
B in physics might be

Btw its not for me, its for my brother. probably UCD or maybe maynooth

BabyEater

I did a year of Electonic/Electrical Engineering in D.I.T. and i would say that you have to be good at physics as it is really based on it . I think there was about a 75% failure rate on the course me being one of them. Although it is a good subject just wish i done a bit of work for it

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

irishguy

Have to agree there seems to be far more money in EE than in CS

does CS stand for computer systems and if so how much more money are we talking ?? what kind of jobs could you get out of electronic and computer engenerring [esp the course in LIT].would the course be more electronics or computers?? is there any 1 here that has done this course or any 1 who knows any 1 who did this course if so please tell me what you think of this course or any simular course

leeroybrown

I'm in Final Elec & Comp Eng in NUI,Galway. Elec and Comp combines both electronic engineering and information technology. It drops some of the more "pure" electronic areas such as Control Systems and Power and Machines, but it adds a large Networking and Programming element.

I find the course grand. It probebly could be better but hey, you could say that about most courses.

The first year is basically a grounding in Maths and Science based coursework. I had 37 hours per week in first year.

Second year has some more interesting Electronics content but has a very large Maths element.

Third year is far more interesting with far more of a emphasis on actual electronics and computers based course work. This includes a project worth 10% of total course marks.

Final year focuses totally on Electronics and Computers. The number of actual lecture and lab hours is greatly reduced but there is a much higher workload with assignments and a FYP (final year project). This project is worth 20% of the years marks.

byrnenj

I did Electriacal / Electronic Engineering in D.I.T. for two years before giving it up for a new course. I have to say that the course was interesting, a little hard, but nothing that you wont be able to handle with a bit of work, however, that wasn't my problem there.

The DIT has a great social scene, and although that doesn't sound like a problem, i failed both years there becuase i rarely went to any lectures, never did and studying or anything like that. I spent the whole time hanging around with my mates, playing pool, drinking. Great fun for 2 years but nothing to show for it.

Slydice

NUI maynooth have three courses with a 2 year base in Electronic Engineering

they are :

> Electronic Engineering (shock;) )
> Computer Engineering
> Comunications Engineering

You need a HC3 in maths to get in, the course isn't too bad.

You will have to study to pass (duh), if you didn't you probably would be doing a McDonalds Hygene test or something.

The course is new and as such all the staff are young and very helpful.

If you want further information check out :

www.eeng.may.ie

davros

Originally posted by daveirl


Have to agree there seems to be far more money in EE than in CS

Being an Electronics Engineer myself, I wish this was true. My perception is that Java programmers can really coin it.

I recommend doing something that you will be happy to study for 4 years and don't worry about the £££ at the end. But while you are studying EE, learn Java on your own time. It's a cool language and it won't be wasted.

Incidentally, I studied EE at UCD and we learned FORTRAN on a VT100 terminal. Feck-all use that was. I hope it's different these days.

Trust me though, if you have the calling, EE is endlessly fascinating. It contains any number of specialist areas - device modelling, IC design, circuit design, real-time programming, digital filtering, etc. - so you are bound to find something that really floats your boat.

Anything else I can add?

ceewa

i'm in final year of elec eng in ul. i don't know how the course is in other colleges but it is really tough in ul.

first year was grand because i had done applied maths and physics for the leaving and second year wasn't too bad either, but thats just looking back after doing third year and fourth year.

there's maths, physics, circuit design and analysis, programming, semiconductor technology, control systems etc etc. the semesterised system makes it tough too with two 15 week semesters and two sets of exams a year.

i have found that i've begun to dislike parts of the course and at the moment with no job and no prospect of a job i'm not the best ad for elec eng. but the industry is supposedly improving so hopefully in the next year or two there'll be jobs out there.

i did actually like the course until i came into fourth year but at this stage we're all just sick of all the projects. our fyp is due in two weeks and its rag week at the moment and we're still in the labs.

if anyone is applying to ul for elec or comp eng, put both down furst and second cos its the same course for a year and a half and you can change between courses up unitl the end of second year.

if you like maths, physics, applied maths and computer stuff this is a good course to do. and ul is a mental college to go to for four years. absolutley brilliant craic.

any questions email me

Michael Collins

Is anyone doing Electronic Engineering in UCD this year here? New 1st Years like? I'm doing the course, at the moment I'm not sure if it was the right course to choose, maybe it's just the human way of wanting what you can't have etc., but maybe Computer Science would've been better....then again maybe not...I don't know, I just don't know, it makes no sense...

So anyone on the boards going to UCD for EE this year?