Electrical and Computer Engineering
Degree: BS
Campus: Columbus
College: Engineering
To be considered for this major, freshmen applying to the Columbus campus are strongly encouraged to submit their complete admission application by November 1.
Electrical engineers find innovative ways to use electricity, electronic materials and electrical phenomena to improve people’s lives. Computer engineers design computer systems, both hardware and software, to create new technology and meet new societal needs.
The field of electrical engineering encompasses a very broad spectrum of technical areas, including computers and digital systems, electronics and integrated circuits, communications, systems and control, electromagnetics and electro-optics, energy conversion and power distribution, robotics, signal processing, solid state electronics, and photonics.
The field of computer engineering covers a wide range of topics including computer architecture, operating systems, communications, computer networks, robotics, artificial intelligence, supercomputers, computer-aided design and neural nets.
Electrical engineers and computer engineers work at the frontier of high technology and are involved in research, the creation of new ideas, and the design and development of new products, manufacturing, and marketing activities.
Students interested in computing careers may pursue either electrical and computer engineering or computer science and engineering. These programs are not interchangeable—students should examine the curricular requirements for each major to determine which one meets their interests.
Prospective students interested in pursuing engineering at Ohio State must indicate their engineering major of interest on their application. Applicants are reviewed holistically by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Some engineering majors have available capacity and can direct enroll students into the major without an additional application process. Other engineering majors have a pre-major component and require an additional application process.
To learn about admission to specific engineering majors, visit: https://engineering.osu.edu/undergraduate/future-students/admissions
All engineering students have a similar first-year plan of study, the college core, that provides fundamental courses in math, science and engineering.
In addition to the college core, engineering students also take select core courses, major courses and general education courses.
Electrical and computer engineering major courses provide students hands-on experience in photonics, electrical energy conversion, high voltage engineering, integrated circuit fabrication, microcontrollers, microprocessors, signal processing and many more topics.
Engineering students have several opportunities for global education, including service learning, semester abroad, international internships, engineering-specific study abroad programs or the Global Option in Engineering program.
Whether it be installing solar panels on Haitian schools, researching biomedical optics in China, devising solutions for sustainable food production in Honduras, or setting speed records on the Isle of Man, Ohio State engineering students venture beyond classrooms and labs to find success in every corner of the globe.
Students work with Engineering Career Services to find both paid internships and co-op jobs across the United States and around the world. About 75% of engineering students participate in a co-op or internship before they graduate.
Honors and Scholars offer students an opportunity to pursue academic rigor (Honors) or foster passion through community (Scholars). Engineering students can enhance their experience by getting involved with one of the following engineering-based programs.
Engineering Honors
The Fundamentals of Engineering for Honors (FEH) Program is an optional course sequence that is offered to University Honors-designated engineering students. This accelerated program is designed to challenge students and provide them with a foundation in engineering principles that are necessary for success throughout their academic careers.
Engineering Scholars
Engineering Scholars contemplate the adoption of socially responsible practices within engineering as a means to minimize health risks and environmental impact and maximize efficiency, feasibility and sustainability.
Humanitarian Engineering Scholars learn about and engage in engineering activities that impact underserved areas by addressing pressing problems.
At Ohio State, engineering students conduct research alongside top faculty from across the university—doctors, physicists, designers, artists and experts in many other fields—to advance our knowledge and improve the world around us. Students enjoy multiple outlets to share their work, including Ohio State's annual Denman Undergraduate Research Forum each spring. Learn more about engineering research.
Electrical and computer engineering research labs:
- Information Processing System Laboratory
- Control Research Laboratory
- Solid State Electronics and Photonics Laboratory
- High Voltage Laboratory
- High Performance Computing and Networking Laboratory
Electrical and computer engineering students choose from more than 80 engineering student organizations, including Eta Kappa Nu, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Underwater Robotics Team, and Buckeye Aerial Robotics Team.
Electrical and computer engineers create innovative, practical solutions and work with other smart, inspiring people to invent, design and build technologies and products that matter. ECEs design high-profile technologies and products, including medical devices, tablet computers, smart phones, video games, wireless networks, 3D television and high-fidelity audio.
ECE graduates are heavily recruited by employers, including computer, aerospace and automotive companies, telephone and electric utilities, electronics manufacturers, and government agencies. Electrical and computer engineers have also become entrepreneurs, applying their training to new areas of service.
Some employers of electrical and computer engineering graduates include American Electric Power, ArcelorMittal, Capital One, Eaton, FirstEnergy Corp., General Motors, Honda, IBM Corp., Lockheed Martin, NBCUniversal, United Launch Alliance, U.S. Army, Verizon and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Many graduates work with Engineering Career Services to find their first job.
Beginning annual salaries for recent electrical and computer engineering graduates average $70,604.