Electrical engineering connects circuits, electronic devices, power, communication and control. These areas share analytical foundations but address different systems, from embedded devices to electrical networks and motion control.
Circuits, electronics and embedded systems
Circuit analysis examines the behaviour of electrical components and their relationships within a circuit.
Design and analysis exercises connect the theoretical description of a circuit with its intended function. Results should be considered alongside the assumptions and limits of the model.
Power, communication and control
Power systems concern generation, transmission and distribution. Renewable-energy topics add questions about how sustainable sources connect with the wider system.
Communication and signal processing concern transmitting, receiving and interpreting information. They provide a different perspective from the physical delivery of electrical power.
Control systems examine how systems can be regulated or automated, including questions about stability and precision.
Further technical directions
Photonics and optoelectronics concern light-based technologies, including optics, lasers and fibre-optic applications.
Power electronics examines devices and circuits used in the conversion and control of electrical power.
Very Large-Scale Integration, or VLSI, concerns integrated-circuit design and related development of complex digital systems.
Electric drives and controls concern motion control and automation. The Mechatronics guide examines related connections between electrical, mechanical and control systems.
The MIT OpenCourseWare Circuits and Electronics materials provide an external example of circuit-analysis and design study, including analogue and digital circuits. The materials document a specific MIT course rather than an INTIAU curriculum.
Questions about electrical engineering
How do power systems differ from power electronics?
The study of power systems concerns generation and networks; power electronics concerns devices and circuits for conversion and control.
How do electronics and embedded systems relate?
Electronics and embedded systems connect digital technologies with electrical devices. Design and programming of an embedded system must be considered in the context of the device it serves.
Related study
For a current programme outline or a specific study enquiry, use Contact.
Article illustrations
