Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 UMaine Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 UMaine Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Electrical Engineering Technology


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OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120 

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: The math sequence (MAT122, MAT126, MAT127) requires a “C” or better in each class to move to the next class. ENG 101 requires a C

Other GPA requirements to graduate: EET majors must accumulate a GPA of 2.0 in all required EET classes.

Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience:  EET 350 and EET 451 and EET 452

Courses satisfying the writing intensive requirement within the major: EET 100 and EET 452

Contact Information: Paul Villeneuve, 7 Barrows Hall (207) 581-2271, paul.villeneuve@maine.edu


The mission of the Electrical Engineering Technology program is to provide a quality education for its students and an outstanding professional development environment for its faculty and students.

To accomplish this mission, the Department has set the following educational objectives for its Electrical Engineering Technology curriculum.

  • To prepare students to immediately contribute in the workplace upon graduation through exposure to state of the art equipment, internship experience and design project experience.
  • To prepare students in the business of engineering through the understanding of economic and business principles and effective project management techniques.
  • To prepare students for the increasing use of computer based technology in industry through the use of computing hardware and software throughout the technical curriculum.
  • To provide students with an appreciation for the ethical, legal and professional obligations necessary to function effectively in a contemporary business environment.
  • To develop students’ communication skills to a level that they can present complex ideas in a clear, logical and concise manner both orally and in writing.

Program Description
The Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) program at the University of Maine prepares students for professional electrical engineering careers in industry. The program provides students with the theory and applications experience necessary for them to quickly become productive in their jobs after graduation. The EET program provides students with a traditional electrical and electronic engineering curriculum with extra concentration in subject areas that are renewable energy, electronic design, integrated motion control, and microcomputer applications. All courses in the program are taught in a way that includes a strong component of practical applications, along with core theoretical concepts.

The EET degree also requires students to gain an understanding of engineering management principles. Courses in engineering economics, statistics and project management are required of all graduates. This highlights the program’s focus on preparing graduates for entry into the work force upon graduation. The program is constantly updated in response to input from an Industrial Advisory Committee that has representatives from manufacturing, power utilities, process industries, data communications and electronics companies.

The faculty in the EET program focus upon teaching the students. They all have significant industrial experience and serve actively as consulting professional engineers when not teaching. Program faculty teach all classes and laboratories with additional lab assistant support to promote learning as required. Thus, students learn first-hand about current industry trends and the latest engineering equipment.

A very important part of the education of all EET students is a Senior Design Project sequence that is spread over three semesters finishing in their senior year. Design projects are required in some of the EET courses to help prepare students for their capstone project. The Senior Design Project requires student teams to solve a design problem while utilizing good engineering design and reporting procedures.

Degrees are awarded upon satisfactory completion of 120 credits in either the EET Option, IT Option, or Electro-Mechanical Option with an accumulative grade point average of not less than 2.0 overall.  Students must also achieve at least a 2.0 grade point average in all required EET courses.  The Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.

Student Outcomes

Prior to graduation, students are required to demonstrate the following learned capabilities:

  1.  the application of circuit analysis and design, computer programming, associated software, analog and digital electronic and microcomputers,    and engineering standards to the building, testing, operation, and maintenance of electrical/electronic(s) systems;
  2.  the application of natural sciences and mathematics at or above the level of algebra and trigonometry to the building, testing, operation, and maintenance of electrical/electronic systems;
  3.  the ability to analyze, design, and implement one or more of the following: control systems, instrumentation systems, communications systems, computer systems, or power systems;
  4.  the ability to apply project management techniques to electrical/electronic(s) systems; and
  5.  the ability to utilize differential and integral calculus, as a minimum, to characterize the performance of electrical/electronic systems.

Electromechanical Option
Students seeking a degree that provides the knowledge and skills to understand how electrical and mechanical components and systems function together. Systems continue to evolve requiring more electrical actuators to work autonomously. Students will take several core mechanical engineering technology courses that provide a solid foundation for mechanical systems. Required electrical engineering technology courses will focus on the application of electricity and electronics to interface with mechanical systems.

Information Engineering Technology Option and Minors
Students who wish to pursue the degree but gain extra experience in computer and data networking applications may pursue an option in information technology. To achieve this option students are required to take 12 credits of approved courses offered by the computer engineering, information science and computer science departments for their free and technical elective choices.  EET students can also enrich their academic experience by completing minors that complement their program such as engineering entrepreneurial, or business administration.

Cooperative “Work Experience” Program Option
All EET students who have achieved sophomore status are encouraged to participate in a well-established co-op program that allows students to receive course credit while gaining valuable experience with an industry of their choice. The department faculty work closely with key industrial partners to maintain cooperative education opportunities that are technically challenging and offer strong economic benefits. 

Computers
Incoming students are required to have a laptop computer. Visit our website for recommended configuration details. 

Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the EET program fill a wide variety of professional technical positions in industry. Typically, they take jobs that involve designing and testing energy systems. EET graduates are the electrical back-bone of the utility industry and often manage electricians, cad operators, and engineers.  Many in-state and out-of-state companies rely on our graduates to fill positions to design plants, substations, and transmission lines. 

Scholarships
The program offers scholarships for outstanding students majoring in Electrical Engineering Technology. In addition, students can apply for scholarships through the College of Engineering. 

The recommended sequence of the four-year curriculum is outlined below.  Copies can be obtained in the School of Engineering Technology office.

Required Courses in Suggested Sequence for the B.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology


Electrical Engineering Technology Options


Electrical Engineering Technology Option:


Fourth Year - First Semester


Fourth Year - Second Semester


Students must see their advisor for approval of all electives.


1General Education Requirement Elective requirements can be viewed on MaineStreet.

2 CHE 350 or STS 332 may be substituted for STS 232

3 EET 484 meets the Ethics and Human Values/Social Context requirements.

Information Engineering Technology Option:


Third Year - Second Semester


Fourth Year - First Semester


Fourth Year - Second Semester


Students must see their advisor for approval of all electives.


  • A list of approved courses that meet the Technical Electives are available in 119 Boardman Hall.
  • 1General Education Requirement Electives do not have to be taken in the order shown. Courses that meet the General Education Elective requirements can be viewed on MaineStreet.
  • 2 CHE 350 or STS 332 may be substituted for STS 232
  • 3 EET 484 meets the Ethics and Human Values/Social Context requirements.

Electromechanical Engineering Technology Option:


First Year - Second Semester


Fourth Year - First Semester


Fourth Year - Second Semester


Students must see their advisor for approval of all electives


  • A list of approved courses that meet the Technical Electives are available in 119 Boardman Hall.
  • 1General Education Requirement Electives do not have to be taken in the order shown. Courses that meet the General Education Elective requirements can be viewed on MaineStreet.
  • 2 CHE 350 or STS 332 may be substituted for STS 232
  • 3 EET 484 meets the Ethics and Human Values/Social Context requirements.

Electrical Engineering Technology Electives


Technical electives include any related technical courses which support the student’s career interest.  EET students are required to complete nine credit hours in technical electives as part of the requirements for the BS/EET Degree.  The following is a list of approved technical electives. No course will be approved if its subject matter is substantially a repeat of a course you have already taken or will take. Students should always consult their advisor when registering for technical electives. 

Technical Electives


Power Concentration


For students interested in working with utilities and the generation, transmission, and distribution of energy via electric systems, a concentration in Power is available.  The concentration will expose students to various generation technologies including renewables.  Success in the courses will well prepare students for challenging career opportunities with utilities, consultants, and manufacturers.  Further, students will be prepared to assist with development of the future grid and permit greater renewable energy generation penetration.  Demand for graduates with this experience is expected to continue.

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