UT at Knoxville: Priming future engineers for success

There have never been more areas of study to choose from at university or for graduate-level studies. In recent years, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines have been settling at the forefront of academia, serving as an important source of growth for countries in light of our ever-evolving world and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

If you have a firm grasp of mathematics, enjoy problem-solving and consider yourself a creative, you may want to consider carving yourself a future in the realm of engineering. Engineering skills and knowledge can help lay the foundation and act as pillars to many industries.

It’s a diverse field, comprising of areas like civil, mechanical, electrical or chemical engineering, among others. Electrical engineering, for example, can be a sound choice for those interested in the ways electrical systems work along with the applications of electrical power; it plays a crucial role in our modern society that’s wholly dependent on technology and electricity. Unsurprisingly, electrical engineering is among the in-demand jobs in countries such as the US, Canada and across Europe, while a career in the field can lead to financial security.

So, if you’re looking for the ideal university to pursue your engineering studies in the US, you may want to consider the University of Tennessee at Knoxville’s (UT) Min H. Kao Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

UT, located in a landlocked state in the south, is a public research institution. Students who are concerned about the cost of living can take note that in terms of affordability, Knoxville is 18 percent lower than the national average, according to PayScale.

Meanwhile, its ranking in the 2019 edition of the US News and World Report’s Best Colleges is 33rd in Best Public Engineering Schools, and 58 (tie) in Best Engineering Schools for the 2020 rankings. It also ranks 301–350th in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2019.

An unparalleled learning experience

UT’s Min H. Kao Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science is a Top-25 public EECS department and the premier EECS department in Tennessee. The department has three academic programmes: Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Computer Science, offering degrees at BS, MS and PhD levels. The department also offers a five year BS/MS degree and a Cybersecurity Minor.

Prospective undergraduate students can choose from a variety of courses, such as a BS in Electrical Engineering, BS in Electrical Engineering – Power and Energy Systems Concentration, BS in Computer Engineering and a BS in Computer Science, among others.

All three academic programmes are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, “a nonprofit, non-governmental agency that accredits programmes in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology”.

Meanwhile, future graduate students can choose an MS or PhD in Computer Science; a MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering; a Dual MS-MBA Programme – Computer Engineering, among others.

Pioneering research areas

Programmes aside, EECS engineers and scientists are actively engaged in research, which means students have the chance to learn from faculty with invaluable insights into their respective fields, thanks to their active participation in the profession. Some of their research strengths include data analytics, intelligent systems, and machine learning; microelectronics and microwaves; power systems and power electronics; and sensors, networked and embedded systems and cybersecurity, among others.

Source: UT Knoxville EECS

Meanwhile, UT also leads the Center for Ultra-Wide-Area Resilient Electric Energy Transmission Networks (CURENT), a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center that’s jointly supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the US Department of Energy (DoE). This engineering research center involves a consortium of academia, industry and national laboratories and has played a central role in former US President Barack Obama’s goal to overhaul the nation’s power grid.

Its vision is to develop a nationwide or continent-wide transmission grid that’s fully-monitored and dynamically-controlled in real-time for high-efficiency, high-reliability, low-cost accommodation of renewable energy sources, full-utilization of energy storage and accommodation of responsive load; as well as a new generation of electric power and energy systems engineering leaders with global perspectives and diverse backgrounds. CURENT’s unique hardware testbed capabilities provide unmatched insight into operating electrical power systems from cars and ships to the national grid.

CURENT plays an important role to UT as energy sustainability is a fundamental societal challenge, while our reliance on fossil fuels creates significant environmental and national security issues, in addition to solutions that focus on source and load.

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville lays the foundation for engineering students to graduate with the relevant expertise needed to succeed in the field. So, regardless of which area of engineering study you eventually choose, this established institution’s industry know-how, accredited programs and research in emerging areas means students are primed for success.

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