What Are the Math Requirements for Electrical Engineering?

Electrical engineering is the field of engineering concerned with studying, designing, and using any type of object that uses electricity. Students studying electrical engineering need a good grasp of math and science.

While electrical engineering math requirements vary by program, most require learning advanced skills in algebra, calculus, statistics, and more. Keep reading to learn about the math requirements and other requirements for a degree in electrical engineering.

Electrical Engineering Math Requirements

Most electrical engineering programs have several math requirements, as math is the foundation of many engineering principles.

Often, these courses need to be taken before students start their core major courses, but sometimes they're taken alongside electrical engineering courses.

General education requirements are a set of courses that all students must complete. For many of these requirements, students can choose the specific course as long as it fulfills one of the required fields.

Math Courses for Electrical Engineering

In addition to the general education requirement, most electrical engineering programs require additional math courses to build the foundation for the rest of the electrical engineering program.

Math topics required by an electrical engineering program may include:

• advanced calculus - advanced calculus refers to general calculus courses that go beyond the basics
• differential equations - differential equations are equations that relate to one or more unknown functions and their derivatives
• linear algebra - linear algebra deals with linear equations, vectors, and matrices
• multivariable calculus - multivariable calculus focuses on functions of several variables
• vector calculus - vector calculus is a branch of calculus that studies vector fields

In many cases, these courses must be taken before the core electrical engineering courses, as electrical engineering courses often incorporate copious mathematics.

Mathematics is not only integral to many engineering principles but is applicable to electrical networks as well. For example, math is used to calculate things like voltage, currents, and circuits.

If you're not sure what you need to take, check with your advisor.

Other Electrical Engineering Degree Requirements

General Engineering and Prerequisites

While mathematics is a core part of any engineering discipline, there are many other requirements students will need to meet to earn their degree.

Aside from general education math, bachelor's students will need to fulfill several other general education courses. These courses are required because they give students a well-rounded, solid beginning for their college career.

Common fields required for general education courses, in addition to math, include:

• English composition
• foreign language
• history
• humanities
• natural sciences
• social sciences

Aside from math, there are a few other prerequisites often required for electrical engineering programs. Most common are chemistry and physics, though you may also be required to take an introductory engineering course as well.

Many electrical engineering bachelor's programs are designed with students spending their first two years completing general education requirements and prerequisites.

Electrical Engineering Coursework

Once these are complete, students can move on to the courses for their major. While degree programs vary, many electrical engineering degree programs include courses that cover topics like:

• analog electronics
• circuits
• digital systems
• electromagnetics
• semiconductors
• signal and systems

If you've chosen an area of concentration or emphasis, you'll also need to take a handful of courses for that track. Common areas of concentration or emphasis in electrical engineering include:

• analog electronics
• electromagnetics
• electronic circuits
• information systems
• material science
• microsystems and nanosystems
• robotics

Many programs also give students a certain number of elective courses, in which they can choose courses in an area of electrical engineering that they find interesting.

How Long Does an Electrical Engineering Degree Take?

Bachelor's electrical engineering programs require 120 credits, and most students complete those within four years when studying full-time.

Associate degree programs require 60 credits and take about two years to complete, while master's programs require around 30 credits and can take one to three years to complete when studying full-time.

Most traditional degree programs run on a 16-week semester schedule, with courses lasting the full 16 weeks. However, some accelerated programs run courses on a shorter schedule.

If you've already completed some college credits at a different institution, you may be able to transfer those credits toward your program, shortening the time you have left in your degree.

Find an Electrical Engineering Degree Today

Electrical engineering degrees usually require math courses in calculus, differential equations, and algebra. For more information on electrical engineering degrees or for assistance finding a program, contact Learn.org today.