The impact and wide-spread use of electrical systems in our everyday life cannot be overstated. Nano-scale systems such as computers and cell phones and large-scale systems such as the power grid and electric locomotive engines are everywhere. Graduates in Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) are well prepared to work on these systems and many others. These graduates will be key players in the development of sustainable technologies that will transform the way we think about energy in the coming decades.
Vermont Tech emphasizes both classroom and laboratory experience. Theory learned in the classroom is reinforced by laboratory exercises in EET classes. Laboratories are equipped with instruments, power supplies and controllers used widely in the industry. There are analog and digital laboratories at both the Randolph and Williston sites where the EET degree is offered.
Graduates of the EET program are able to work in any number of challenging positions. As engineering technicians, they may partiCipate in such varied activities as research, development, design, production, or manufacturing of complex electrical, electronic, or electromechanical products. Testing, quality control, marketing, installation, and customer service are among the job opportunities available.
With a minimum of an extra year's work, students may pursue a dual major with Computer Engineering Technology (CPE) or Mechanical Engineering Technology (MEC). This flexibility helps ensure a broad educational experience while at Vermont Tech. (See catalog section on "Multiple Degrees and Majors").
Upon completion of a two year Associates degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, students can pursue a Vermont Tech Bachelor of Science in Electromechanical Engineering, Sustainable Technology, or Business Technology & Management with two more years of study.
The EET degree program is accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
A graduate of Vermont Tech's Electrical Engineering Technology associates degree program should be able to:
- Understand the fundamentals and mathematics of DC and AC signals and circuits, and be able to present mathematically derived and experimentally obtained circuit data in well-organized written, tabled and graphical form
- Understand and use the basic concepts of high and low level language programming including looping, conditional statements, and data types
- Analyze, design, implement, and troubleshoot both combinational and sequential digital circuits using basic tools and techniques such as truth tables, Karnaugh maps, state diagrams, state tables, a logic probe, and a digital oscilloscope
- Analyze, debug, and modify small programs written in the assembly language of a typical microprocessor, understand the fundamental aspects of basic hardware control (port and memory access, interrupt service routines, timing issues), and be able to interface simple analog or digital hardware to the microprocessor
- Understand the fundamental operation of semiconductors (diodes, bipolar transistors, field effect transistors (FET), metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors, thyristors) and analyze, design, build, and troubleshoot classic discrete transistor and linear integrated circuit based systems
- Analyze, build, and troubleshoot hybrid (digital & analog) systems related to industrial applications including Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) or simple closed loop control systems
- Have a working relationship with the frequency domain, and understand the spectral characteristics of typical source signals and those resulting from Amplitude and Angle Modulation
- Execute a simple manufacturing type project from initial drawing through assembled prototype including schematic and printed circuit board (PCB) layout, parts procurement, prototyping and testing, soldering, documentation and oral presentation
- Effectively communicate technical information in oral and written form using English
The minimum number of credits required for the degree is 69.
Curriculum: