2017-18 University Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2017-18 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Department


Claudia Torres Garibay, Department Chair
Eve Klopf, Program Director, B.S. Electrical Engineering (Klamath Falls)
Mason Terry, Program Director, B.S. Renewable Energy Engineering (Klamath Falls)
Aaron Scher, Program Director, B.S. Electrical Engineering and B.S. Electronics Engineering Technology (Wilsonville)
Scott Prahl, Program Director, Optical Engineering (Wilsonville)
Teshome Jiru, Program Director, B.S. Renewable Energy Engineering (Wilsonville)
Mateo Aboy, Program Director, M.S. Engineering (Wilsonville, Online)
Hope Cosair, Program Director, M.S. Renewable Energy Engineering (Wilsonville)


Professors: M. Aboy, S. Petrovic
Associate Professors: H.J. Cosair, C. Crespo, P. Dingman, T. Jiru, S. Prahl, C. Torres Garibay
Assistant Professors: A. Douglas, J. Eastham, E. Hossain, E. Klopf, F. Shi, A. Scher

Degrees Offered

  • Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (Klamath Falls and Wilsonville)
  • Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology (Wilsonville)
  • Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering (Klamath Falls and Wilsonville)
  • Master of Science in Engineering - Multiple Specialties (Wilsonville and Online)
  • Master of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering (Wilsonville)

Dual Majors Offered

  • Automation, Robotics, and Control Engineering (Wilsonville)
  • Optical Engineering (Wilsonville)
  • Systems Engineering and Technical Management (Wilsonville)

Electrical Engineering

Degrees Offered

  • Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
  • Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Optical Engineering (dual major)
  • Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Systems Engineering & Technical Management (dual major)
  • Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering (dual degree)
  • Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Master of Science in Engineering - Multiple Specialties (4+1 or concurrent degree)
  • Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Master of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering (4+1 concurrent degree)

Note: The BS Electrical Engineering is offered in both the Klamath Falls and Wilsonville campuses. The different degree options (technical emphases, dual majors, etc.) may vary by campus.

Career Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) at Oregon Tech is designed to prepare professionals to meet the needs of the growing Electrical Engineering industry. Electrical engineering is concerned with the use of electricity to transmit electric power, or to process information. Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and integrate electrical power systems and electrical machines, as well as electronic systems, including portable electronic devices, medical equipment, communication systems, radar and navigation systems, and others.

The program is designed around a set of core courses which provide a classical electrical engineering foundation, and a number of elective courses that allow students some flexibility to specialize in the areas that interest them most, such as electronics, electrical power, optical engineering, renewable energy, etc. Emphasis is placed on practical application of engineering knowledge. The BSEE program at Oregon Tech can accommodate full-time students, transfer students, and working professionals, and provides a solid preparation for industry or graduate school.

Graduates of the Electrical Engineering Program are prepared to fulfill a wide range of functions within industry. Employers of electrical engineering graduates include research and development laboratories, electronic equipment manufacturers, public utilities, colleges and universities, government agencies, medical laboratories and hospitals, electronic equipment distributors, and semiconductor companies, among others.

The program also provides a solid preparation for students intending to continue to graduate school to pursue master’s degrees in engineering, engineering management, MBAs, and JDs.

Program Mission and Objectives

The mission of the BS Electrical Engineering program is to provide a comprehensive program of instruction that will enable graduates to obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for immediate employment and continued advancement in the field of electrical engineering.

Graduates of the BSEE program will:

  1. Possess a strong technical background as well as analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills that enable them to excel as professionals contributing to a variety of engineering roles within the various fields of Electrical Engineering and the high-tech industry;
  2. Be employed in Electrical Engineering positions including (but not limited to) design engineers, test engineers, characterization engineers, applications engineers, field engineers, hardware engineers, process engineers, control engineers, and power engineers;
  3. Be committed to professional development and lifelong learning by engaging in professional or graduate education in order to stay current in their field and achieve continued professional growth;
  4. Be working as effective team members possessing excellent oral and written communication skills, and assuming technical and managerial leadership roles throughout their career.

Student Preparation

Students entering the Electrical Engineering program from high school should have a minimum of: 1) Two years of high-school algebra and one year of high-school geometry and trigonometry. 2) Two years of a physical science (physics, chemistry preferred). 3) Three years of English composition. Additional mathematics, science, English, electronics, and computer languages are very helpful.

Students entering the Electrical Engineering program by transfer are requested to contact the department concerning transfer of technical coursework.

Accreditation

The BSEE program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, Inc., http://www.abet.org. ABET is a specialized accrediting board recognized by the Council for Higher Education and/or the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (Post-Baccalaureate)

Oregon Tech Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology graduates may complete 36 additional credits to receive a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (post-baccalaureate). Students will receive two diplomas: a BSEET degree (upon completion of the BSEET degree requirements), and a BSEE degree (upon completion of the BSEE degree requirements, which include a minimum of 36 credits from Oregon Tech beyond the BSEET requirements).

Students who have completed an ABET accredited BS degree in Electronics Engineering Technology from another university must complete a minimum of 45 Oregon Tech credits to receive the BS in Electrical Engineering from Oregon Tech. Students pursuing this option should contact an academic advisor to draft an academic plan that ensures all BSEE curriculum requirements are met.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with a Dual Major

Students completing the BSEE program have the option of selecting a dual major. The EERE department currently offers a dual major in Automation, Robotics and Controls Engineering, a dual major in Optical Engineering, and a dual major in Systems Engineering & Technical Management. Students completing a BSEE degree with a dual major will receive a single BS degree with both majors listed on their diploma and transcript. The degree is issued upon completion of the requirements for each major (some courses may be used to meet the requirements for both majors). The requirements for the dual major in Optical Engineering, as well as the dual major in Systems Engineering & Technical Management are listed under the corresponding sections of the catalog.

Concurrent Degree in Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Engineering

The EERE Department provides the opportunity for interested and motivated students to earn two Bachelor of Science degrees concurrently: a BS in Electrical Engineering & BS in Renewable Energy Engineering. The purpose of this dual degree is to provide the top students with a challenging academic program that will prepare them for career opportunities in the electronics, electrical engineering, power, and energy industries. The students receive a BS degree in a classical engineering discipline (Electrical Engineering), as well as an emerging high growth discipline (Renewable Energy Engineering). This dual degree program takes approximately an additional year beyond the BSEE degree program (or 4.5 years total by taking courses in Summer term).

Concurrent Accelerated BSEE/MSREE

Students may earn both BSEE and MSREE degrees, awarded simultaneously upon completion of this curriculum. Students enrolled in the BSEE program who have proven record of academic excellence have the option of completing the MSREE with one additional year of coursework.

To be eligible for this option, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0, and must contact the MSREE Program Director for admission into the graduate program by the end of Spring term of their junior year. Students will receive both their BSEE and MSREE degrees at the end of their fifth year. Students at the Klamath Falls campus are eligible to participate in this program, but must transfer to the Wilsonville campus for their final year. REE 599 requirement must be met by a design project supervised and approved by both EE and REE advisors. Students should contact their academic advisors for details.

Electronics Engineering Technology

Degree Offered

  • Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology (Wilsonville)

Oregon Institute of Technology offers an ABET accredited Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Engineering Technology (BSEET). The program is conveniently offered at the Oregon Tech Wilsonville campus, as well as the Willow Creek Center, in order to accommodate degree seeking professionals working for high-tech companies in the Portland Westside area. The Willow Creek Center is located in Hillsboro (OR), at the heart of the Portland Westside high-tech industry cluster (Silicon Forest), minutes away from companies such as Intel, Tektronix, MAXIM, Credence, Lattice, Synopsis, Quorvo, and others. Some of the core and technical elective courses for the degree are also available online and at the Oregon Tech Wilsonville campus.

Career Opportunities

Electronics Engineering Technology is concerned with theory, concepts, and practice of applied electronics engineering. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of engineering knowledge. As a result, the Electronics Engineering Technology graduate possesses a combination of theoretical and practical understanding and requires minimal on-the-job training.

The BSEET program is designed to prepare graduates to assume engineering and technology positions in the electronics industry. Graduates of the BSEET program fulfill a wide range of functions within industry, typically assuming positions such as component and system design, test engineering, product engineering, field engineering, manufacturing engineering, sales or market engineering, quality control engineering, and other similar roles. The program also provides a solid preparation for students intending to continue to graduate school to pursue master’s degrees in engineering, engineering management, and MBAs.

Employers of Electronics Engineering Technology graduates include research and development laboratories, electronic equipment manufacturers, public utilities, colleges and universities, government agencies, medical laboratories and hospitals, electronic equipment distributors, semiconductor companies, and automated electronic controlled processing companies. Recent graduates have been employed at companies such as MAXIM, Tektronix, Quorvo, MSEI/Biotronik, and Intel.

Program Mission and Objectives

The mission of the BSEET Program is to provide a comprehensive program of instruction that will enable graduates to obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for immediate employment and continued advancement in the field of electronics.

Graduates of the BSEET program will:

  1. Possess a strong technical background as well as analytical and problem solving skills, and will contribute in a variety of technical roles within the electronics and high-tech industry. Within three years of graduation, BSEET graduates are expected to be employed as test engineers, characterization engineers, applications engineers, field engineers, hardware engineers, process engineers, and similar engineering technology positions within this industry.
  2. Be working as effective team members with excellent oral and written communication skills, assuming technical and managerial leadership roles throughout their career.
  3. Be committed to professional development and lifelong learning by engaging in professional and/or graduate education in order to stay current in their field and achieve continued professional growth.

Student Preparation

The BSEET degree at Oregon Tech is designed to accommodate working professionals with evening delivery of upper-division and custom bridging courses. It is especially suited for working professionals with an associate degree in Electronics Engineering Technology, Microelectronics Technology, or equivalent coursework. Students entering the BSEET program by transfer are requested to contact the BSEET Program Director concerning transfer of technical coursework. The BSEET program has articulation and transfer agreements with the Electronics, Microelectronics, and Renewable Energy Technology programs at various community colleges in Oregon. Students transferring to Oregon Tech with an AAS degree from these programs will not be required to take any lower-division electronics coursework. It is recommended (but not required) that students who are transferring with an AAS degree have completed Calculus II prior to transferring to the BSEET program at Oregon Tech, since Integral Calculus is a prerequisite for most upper-division BSEET courses.

We encourage transfer students to start the advising process with Oregon Tech upon completion of the first year of their AAS degree.

Accreditation

The Electronics Engineering Technology program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC) of ABET, Inc., http://www.abet.org. ABET is a specialized accrediting board recognized by the Council for Higher Education and/or the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

Renewable Energy Engineering

Degrees Offered

  • Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering
  • Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering and Automation, Robotics, and Controls Engineering (dual major)
  • Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering and Optical Engineering (dual major)
  • Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering and Systems Engineering & Technical Management (dual major)
  • Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (concurrent degree)
  • Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (concurrent degree)
  • Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering and Master of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering (concurrent degree)
  • Master of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering

Note: The BS Renewable Energy Engineering is offered in both the Klamath Falls and Wilsonville campuses. The different degree options (dual majors, concurrent degrees, etc.) may vary by campus. The MS Renewable Energy Engineering is offered at the Wilsonville campus.

Career Opportunities

Program graduates will enter energy careers as power engineers, PV/semiconductor processing engineers, facilities and energy managers, energy system integration engineers, HVAC and M/E/P engineers, design and modeling engineers for net-zero energy buildings, biofuels plant and operations engineers, energy systems control engineers, power electronics engineers, utility program managers, as well as renewable energy planners and policy makers. Graduates of the program will be able to pursue a wide range of career opportunities, not only within the emerging field of renewable energy, but within more traditional areas of energy engineering as well.

Employers of Renewable Energy Engineering graduates include consulting engineering firms, fuel cell manufacturers, power converter manufacturers, public utilities, government agencies, photovoltaic manufacturers, and energy developers. Recent graduates have been employed at companies such as Advanced Energy, Jacobs Engineering, Power Engineers, and Iberdrola Renewables.

Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering

The Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering (BSREE) prepares students for the challenges of designing, promoting and implementing renewable energy engineering in society’s rapidly-changing energy-related industries. Energy, in its many abundant forms, is the driving physical factor upon which industrial societies are founded. As geopolitical, environmental and geological factors act to constrain traditional resources, societies have been forced to re-think and redevelop their energy infrastructures. Renewable energy resources include solar thermal collectors, photovoltaics, ground-source heat pumps, geothermal resources, hydroelectric power, wind power, tidal and wave power, biofuels and fuel cells. Oregon Tech’s Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering prepares students for success in these rapidly developing fields.

The BSREE program is built upon a solid foundation in physics, chemistry, mathematics and communications. Added to this foundation are courses in electrical and mechanical engineering that establish a firm understanding of the fundamentals of energy. The engineering coursework prepares students for renewable energy-specific courses such as photovoltaics, wind power, biofuels, hydroelectric, fuel cells and solar thermal systems. These courses are then integrated into system-wide senior level courses such as energy system design, energy-efficient building systems, renewable energy transportation systems, energy management and energy systems control.

Program Mission and Objectives

The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering program is to prepare students for the challenges of designing, promoting and implementing renewable energy solutions within society’s rapidly changing energy-related industry cluster, particularly within Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Graduates will have a fundamental understanding of energy engineering and a sense of social responsibility for the implementation of sustainable energy solutions.

Graduates from the BSREE program will:

  1. Excel as professionals in the various fields of energy engineering.
  2. Be known for their commitment to lifelong learning, social responsibility, and professional and ethical responsibilities in implementing sustainable engineering solutions.
  3. Excel in critical thinking, problem solving and effective communication.

Student Preparation

High school students should be prepared to start their college academic work with at least college calculus and Freshman English composition. Typically, this means the successful new student has completed:

  1. Four years of high school mathematics including algebra I and II, geometry and trigonometry
  2. Four years of English composition/writing
  3. Four years of science including physics and chemistry

Students entering the program by transfer are requested to contact the program director for evaluation of REE-related transfer courses.

Accreditation

The Renewable Energy Engineering baccalaureate program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, Inc., http://www.abet.org. ABET is a specialized accrediting board recognized by the Council for Higher Education and/or the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering with a Dual Major

Students completing the BSREE program have the option of selecting a dual major. The EERE department currently offers a dual major in Automation, Robotics and Controls Engineering, a dual major in Optical Engineering, and a dual major in Systems Engineering & Technical Management. Students completing a BSREE degree with a dual major will receive a single BS degree with both majors listed on their diploma and transcript. The degree is issued upon completion of the requirements for each major (some courses may be used to meet the requirements for both majors). The requirements for the dual major in Optical Engineering, as well as the dual major in Systems Engineering & Technical Management are listed under the corresponding sections of the catalog.

Concurrent Degree in Renewable Energy Engineering and Electrical Engineering

The EERE Department provides the opportunity for interested and motivated students to earn two Bachelor of Science degrees: a BS in Renewable Energy Engineering and a BS in Electrical Engineering. The purpose of this dual degree is to provide the top students with a challenging academic program that will prepare them for career opportunities in the electronics, electrical engineering, power and energy industries. The students receive a BS degree in a classical engineering discipline (Electrical Engineering), as well as an emerging high-growth discipline (Renewable Energy Engineering). The degree program will take an additional year beyond the BSREE degree program (or 4.5 years total by taking courses in Summer term.)

Concurrent Degree in Renewable Energy Engineering and Environmental Sciences

Renewable Energy Engineering students have the opportunity to earn a dual degree: a BS in Renewable Energy Engineering and a BS in Environmental Sciences. The additional degree requires 54 credits in Environmental Sciences courses, which can be taken concurrent to Renewable Energy Engineering courses or in an add-on year. A second degree in Environmental Sciences places engineering projects in the context of environmental impacts and environmental regulations, and greatly increases job opportunities for Oregon Tech Renewable Energy Engineering graduates. The purpose of the concurrent programs is to challenge motivated students to become even better prepared for the engineering and environmental job markets.

Concurrent Accelerated BSREE/MSREE Program

Students may earn both BSREE and MSREE degrees, awarded simultaneously upon completion of this curriculum. Students who enrolled in the BSREE program who have a proven record of academic excellence have the option of completing the MSREE with one additional year of coursework.

To be eligible for this option, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0, and must contact the MSREE Program Director for admission into the graduate program by the end of Spring term of their junior year. Students at the Klamath Falls campus are eligible to participate in this program but must transfer to the Wilsonville campus for their final year. Students will receive both their BSREE and MSREE degrees at the end of their fifth year. REE 599 requirement must be met by a design project supervised and approved by an REE advisor. Students should contact their academic advisors for details.

Master of Science in Engineering - Specialties

The MS in Engineering (MSE) is designed to be a highly customizable and modular degree enabling students and industry partners to choose coursework from multiple engineering disciplines to design their own specialty not available in the classical MS degrees. Students and working professionals work with a faculty advisor to develop a plan of study that fits the student’s overall goals. This includes multidisciplinary specialties within Electrical & Computer Engineering such as Embedded Systems Engineering and Interconnected Devices, Optical Engineering, Energy & Power Engineering, and Systems Engineering.
 
The program enables the advisor to work with the student and employer to define an Area of Specialization within the MS in Engineering degree program tailored to meet the specific goals of the student and align with the company’s strategic mission. The flexibility in the MS in Engineering degree ensures a relevant, up-to-date educational experience, and the ability to meet urgent industry needs in multidisciplinary technical fields. The program is designed to provide maximum flexibility while maintaining academic rigor.

Program Design

The MS in Engineering is designed as a “Flexible/Multidisciplinary Engineering Degree.” As such, the students have the flexibility to customize the MS in Engineering to be highly relevant to their professional interests. The flexibility to design specialized or multidisciplinary degree programs is the defining element of the program and is what makes it such a close match to the interdisciplinary environment in today’s fast changing industries. Through a faculty advisory committee, coursework is personally customized for the student or industry partner company to best match the desired outcomes based on a thorough needs assessment.

Program Mission and Objectives

The MSE at Oregon Tech is designed to prepare engineering professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in high-demand multi-disciplinary engineering fields who are ready to assume a broad range of technical and leadership roles.

Student Preparation

Students should be prepared to start graduate engineering academic work. Typically, this means the successful new student has the following:
1. A baccalaureate degree in engineering, the physical sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry), or a related technical discipline.
2. Evidence of potential for graduate academic work, success or potential for success in industry, and demonstrated interest in their chosen specialty.

BS/MS Concurrent Fast Track Degree (5 year Program)

Students enrolled in the EERE BS programs are eligible to apply for the concurrent Fast Track BS/MS program. This enables students to potentially obtain both the BS and MS degrees in 5 years.

MSE Coursework & Specialties

Students can complete a multidisciplinary program by taking courses in Systems Engineering, Research Methods & Innovation (covering peer-reviewer research, IP fundamentals, and technology commercialization), and one or more engineering disciplines including Electrical & Computer Engineering.
 
It is also possible to complete a specialized MSE degree. Sample MSE specialties include:
  • MSE in Systems Engineering
  • MSE in Optical Engineering
  • MSE in Embedded Systems Engineering & Interconnected Devices
  • MSE in Power Engineering
  • MSE in Energy & Power Engineering

Accreditation

Oregon Institute of Technology is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, 8060 165th Ave. NE, Suite 100, Redmond, WA 98052-3981, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and/or the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

Master of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering (MSREE)

The Master of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering (MSREE) program is offered at Oregon Tech Wilsonville campus. The MSREE program accommodates both full-time students and working professionals. The program is designed to prepare graduates to be energy engineering professionals who have advanced knowledge and skills that enable them to assume a broad range of technical leadership roles.

The MSREE curriculum is built upon core tracks in research methods & innovation and advanced energy engineering. These courses provide the foundation for three required specialized course sequences in renewable energy technologies and nine credits of thesis or graduate R&D project work.

Student Preparation

Students should be prepared to start graduate academic work. Typically, this means the successful new student has the following:

  1. A baccalaureate degree in engineering, the physical sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry), or a related technical discipline
  2. Evidence of potential for graduate academic work, success or potential for success in industry, and demonstrated interest in energy engineering

Accreditation

Oregon Institute of Technology is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, 8060 165th Ave. NE, Suite 100, Redmond, WA 98052-3981, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and/or the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

Automation, Robotics, and Controls Engineering

Degree Offered

  • Automation, Robotics, and Controls Engineering (Dual major)

The major in Automation, Robotics, and Controls Engineering is designed as a dual major option for students with an ABET accredited primary major in an engineering discipline offered at Oregon Tech. Students first choose a primary ABET accredited major (e.g., Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, Mechanical Engineering), and complete additional specialized coursework to earn a second major in Automation, Robotics, and Controls Engineering. The program is designed so that both majors in the degree can be completed in 4 years by taking summer courses. ABET ETAC degree students may also pursue the dual major with departmental approval.

Career Opportunities

Automation, Robotics, and Control is a multidisciplinary engineering field concerned with the design, modeling, analysis, and control of predominantly computer-based automated systems or processes. Automated systems typically contain a mixture of equipment, devices, software, hardware, and humans. The discipline requires knowledge of elements of electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, software programming, communications systems, and human factors engineering. The dual major curriculum provides students with design techniques that emphasize automation system integration, and contains subject matter and tools for modeling, analysis, and design including measurement and control system theory, modeling and simulation, hardware and programming, as well as systems engineering. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of their background, graduates of the program have the necessary skills to design or manage systems resulting from the integration of diverse components and technologies. Engineers working in this field design solutions to address problems in areas such as factory automation, building automation, process control, and motion control and robotics.

Student Preparation

Students interested in the Automation, Robotics, and Controls Engineering dual major should contact the Automation, Robotics, and Controls Engineering program director for an advising appointment early in their primary major programs to ensure timely completion of both majors.

Accreditation

Completion of a dual major in Automation, Robotics, and Controls Engineering is contingent upon finishing a primary major in an ABET accredited program.

Optical Engineering

Degree Offered

  • Optical Engineering (Dual major)

The major in Optical Engineering is designed as a dual major degree option for students with an ABET-accredited primary major in an engineering discipline offered at Oregon Tech (e.g., Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering). Students choose a primary ABET accredited engineering major and complete the additional specialized coursework to earn a second major in Optical Engineering. The Optical Engineering dual major is offered at the Wilsonville campus.

Program Objectives

Graduates of the Optical Engineering program will:

  1. Have a strong technical background in addition to the analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills needed as engineering and science professionals.
  2. Be employed as optical engineers, optomechanical engineers, optoelectronics engineers, laser engineers, and similar positions in the engineering industry.
  3. Understand the value of and show a commitment to professional development and lifelong learning.
  4. Be effective team members with excellent oral and written communication skills, which lead to technical and managerial leadership roles.

Career Opportunities

Optical Engineering is the branch of engineering that incorporates the production, modification, and detection of light into devices and processes. Graduates of the Optical Engineering program are employed as optical engineers, illumination engineers, metrology engineers, optomechanical engineers, optoelectronics engineers, laser engineers, and similar positions in the engineering industry. A dual major in Optical Engineering provides students with the opportunity to combine engineering disciplines. This provides a competitive advantage for graduates entering the workforce because optical subsystems are now common in many engineering applications. For example, a student seeking to become an optomechanical engineer might combine with mechanical engineering; an optoelectronics engineer would combine with electrical engineering; a solar energy engineer with renewable energy engineering.

Employers of Optical Engineering graduates include more than eighty Oregon companies that encompass a diverse range of applications. These include semiconductor inspection, infrared imaging, automation, surface coatings, laser manufacture, lighting, camera design, optical fiber communication, and colorimetry.

Student Preparation

Students considering the Optical Engineering major must first select a primary engineering major and complete the freshman engineering coursework including calculus and calculus-based physics. Upon completion of the freshman primary major requirements, students interested in the Optical Engineering dual major should contact the Optical Engineering program director for an advising appointment. Students entering the Optical Engineering program by transfer are requested to contact their primary major department concerning transfer of technical coursework. Completing a year of calculus-based physics is mandatory before any optical engineering classes can be taken.

Accreditation

Completion of a dual major in Optical Engineering is contingent upon finishing primary major in an ABET accredited program.

Systems Engineering & Technical Management

Degree Offered

  • Systems Engineering & Technical Management (Dual major)

The major in Systems Engineering & Technical Management is designed as a dual major option for students with an ABET accredited primary major in an engineering discipline offered at Oregon Tech. Students first choose a primary ABET accredited major (e.g., Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering), and complete additional specialized coursework to earn a second major in Systems Engineering & Technology Management. The program is designed so that both majors in the degree can be completed in 4 years by taking summer courses. ABET ETAC degree students may also pursue the dual major with departmental approval.

Career Opportunities

Systems engineers address complex problems in areas such as electrical & electronic systems, information systems, renewable energy systems, economic and financial systems, telecommunications, transportation, project management, and manufacturing. Systems engineering is not about specific technologies, but how to put heterogeneous technologies together to formulate system solutions to complex problems. As such, systems engineering is a multidisciplinary engineering discipline concerned with the design, modeling, analysis, and management of technological systems that employ a combination of devices, software, hardware, firmware, materials, and humans for such diverse purposes as communications, energy engineering, health care, transportation or manufacturing. The dual major curriculum provides engineering students with design viewpoints and methodologies that emphasize system integration, and with subject matter and tools for modeling and analysis especially appropriate for large complex systems including system theory, simulation, computational data analysis and statistics, and engineering management. This dual major is designed to address the need for both systems engineering and T-shape individuals at the BS level. After 4 years, graduates of the dual degree program are technically competent in an engineering discipline and ready to enter the workforce as functional engineers but also have formal education, training and skills in systems engineering, project management, product development, strategy and innovation, and engineering management to assume functional managerial positions, such as project managers and technical team leaders.

Student Preparation

Students considering the dual major in Systems Engineering & Technical Management must first select a primary engineering major and complete the freshman engineering coursework including calculus and calculus based physics. Upon completion of the freshman primary major requirements, students interested in the Systems Engineering & Technical Management dual major should contact the department chair for an advising appointment. Students who are planning to complete this dual major are encouraged to contact the department chair upon completion of the freshman year.

Accreditation

Completion of a dual major in Systems Engineering & Technical Management is contingent upon finishing a primary major in an ABET accredited program.

Programs

    Major