Author: Megan Quinn

Factors to consider before getting an electrical engineering degree

October 18, 2013 / Megan Quinn

It is true that medical and engineering students get a lot more appreciation that students in other areas of study. This is primarily because of the fact that these students have to spend a lot more time devoted to their studies than other students. Their social lives get disrupted mainly due to the fact that they have to study. It is a fact that young children often aspire to be doctors or engineers only because they think of these professions as something that has heroic properties. As a result of this, they often tend to ignore certain important things that absolutely must be considered before taking up any sort of engineering as a profession. In this post, I will discuss a few very important factors that need to be considered before an individual becomes an electrical engineer which can help you make your decision about the degree before you apply for it.

Time management:

Before getting into this field, it is essential to understand the importance that time management will have on your life. You see, in order to be a successful electrical engineer, you will need effective time management not only in your university time but also as a professional in the field. This is something very important as it can determine whether or not you will be a successful individual.

Complications with the degree:

Electrical engineering tends to get as complicated as time passes by. You see, with the advances in technological development, this form of engineering and its content tends to get complicated. The course material increases because of the fact that you need to know the basics along with which you absolutely need to learn about the latest developments in the field as well. This results in the course material increasing almost all the time. If you believe that you can deal with the pressure, then this is the field for you.

Prerequisites:

Well, if you have made up your mind that you want electrical engineering as a career, you also need certain prerequisites from your pre university levels. You need a background in basic and advanced level physics. Mathematics is also something that you need to have good command over. These are the basic requirements without which you cannot get into any college that offers a degree in electrical engineering. Of course, certain colleges have specific grade requirements pertaining to these prerequisites as well that need to be kept in mind before applying.

Extra courses:

Electrical engineers are required to have some level of understanding of civil engineering as well. You see, since electrical engineers are often needed to work side by side with civil engineers, they need to know how things work. You will most certainly be needed to take some extra courses in this regard as well if you wish to study electrical engineering.

These are a few of the very basic things that you need to know about electrical engineering before you apply to a university for a degree in electrical engineering.

What are Algorithms

July 14, 2013 / Megan Quinn

Despite the fact that many of us hate taking our math classes and every time we have been required to take a math test we weren’t too happy about it, mathematics is actually an extremely field of study. You see, we may have questioned as to how math will help us when we grow up and get a job; I mean, I don’t exactly see how a marketing manager will ever be needing math at his or her workplace. However, this assumption, I realized, is extremely flawed. With all our current activities being controlled and operated by computer systems and advanced technologies; from our auto insurance quotes search to our green coffee extract order delivery, every activity of our lives needs advanced communication systems, computers and technology. All this technology is run with the help of one basic element; math.

The fields of math and science all depend on several interrelated step by step procedures in order to make calculations , to use automated reasoning and to enable data processing. An Algorithm is such a step by step procedure where each previous step leads to the basis of the next step.

If one talks about data processing on a computer, an algorithm is an essential component of this procedure. Carrying out this very basic task could have been close to impossible if it weren’t for algorithms. Say, for example, you run a search on bulging disc. The results you obtain within the fraction of a second are actually delivered to you via certain algorithms. Otherwise, any input from your side would never be turned into output. You see, algorithms take some input and convert it into some useful and meaningful output.

Algorithms are basically the main force that enable various different tasks to be performed on the computer. They are heavily dependent on mathematics. Different algorithms may have different approaches to solve a problem. Some may even be better than others in terms of speed and accuracy. Some algorithms may find it a whole lot easier to answer a query than other algorithms designed to answer the same query. For instance, if an algorithm is used to extract data regarding serviced apartments in London, another algorithm may be faster and more efficient at doing this with a smaller amount of effort needed to do this.

Algorithms were first developed when the earliest ‘decision problem’ was brought up by David Hilbert in 1928. They were then worked on in order to establish the effective calculability model. Though these weren’t exactly algorithms, they established the foundations for modern day algorithms. Presently, algorithms can help you with everything. The user friendly interface of your phone is actually enabled by numerous complex algorithms. From helping banks to develop programs to ensure effective online baking to helping individuals find a dentist on the internet, algorithms continue to be the backbone of the modern day technology. They are like the cells of the human body, the building blocks of life as we now know it. It is therefore essential that we never underestimate the immense importance of mathematics in our lives.

What are Supercomputers?

March 8, 2013 / Megan Quinn

The definition of a supercomputer is a bit hard to pin down. In the layman’s terms, a supercomputer is any computer that is the fastest and the most powerful system in the world. Considering the rate at which technology is advancing, it is not easy to identify one computer as the global supercomputer. For example, during the World War II, Britain housed a supercomputer that could read 5,000 characters in a second. This computer was used to crack the German code. Today, NASA Columbia has a supercomputer that can complete 42.5 trillion operations in a second. Just as the ingredients of products for curly hair keep on changing, as technology advances, the supercomputer must up their performance else they become obsolete.

The fastest supercomputer as of September 2012 is the IBM’s Sequoia machine. It operates 16.32 petaflops in a second. That is a total of 16,000 trillion operations in one second. This computer is used for nuclear weapon security and for the calculations of molecular dynamics on a large scale.

What makes a computer super?

The main aspect that makes a computer fit the ‘super’ territory is having more than one CPU (Central Processing Unit). Having more CPUs means it will be able to execute tasks faster while switching circuits to accomplish more tasks at once. Such a computer is capable of summing up all the information relating to national high school education in a matter of seconds.

The supercomputer must also have a massive storage unit to access and store all the information. This computer will have the ability to handle vector arithmetic; calculate multiple lists of operations at the same time. This might sound more like the standard computer but considering it will handle more advanced applications and run most of the operations automatically makes it a whole new creation.

What are these computers used for?

The supercomputers are not only used for advanced and secret operations. Some of them are used for games and fun. Most online games that are played simultaneously like the War of Warcraft use supercomputers. All players need to do is visit website and start playing the game which runs from a single computer that manages thousands of moves simultaneously. Individual companies may also acquire their own supercomputers to run such applications as mac izle.

In the medical world, these computers are used to keep records as well as predict patient diagnoses as well as treatments. The IBM supercomputer, Watson, which beat Ken Jennings in a game of Jeopardy, is currently used in medical predictions. It can be used to predict the progress of bulging discs in patients and other health issues.

The supercomputers are also used in simulations especially by the military. The military uses these computers to determine the performance of new vehicles and weapons in the worst case scenarios. They also help in orienting soldiers so that they know how to react in different situations. Car accident lawyers may also use these computers to recreate an accident in order to defend their clients better.

What Is Artificial Intelligence?

November 23, 2012 / Megan Quinn

When talking about the deep scientific and professional meaning of the term Artificial Intelligence, we get the idea that it refers to the human-like intelligence in machines. It may also refer to the branch in Computer Science study which aims to create these intelligent machines. The development of the Artificial Intelligence ideas begins in the cubicles of a highly professional IT research company. Every research done is amazingly technical as well as specialized. A single research goes deeply into identifying the science’s subfields as these sometimes fail to interact with each other accurately.

A single Artificial Intelligence research is completed through various techniques. A subfield may be assigned to do a particular study to identify a specific problem. Another may work on the potential approach which can be used throughout the study. One may particularly address to the tools and applications needed in accomplishing the complete study. When all of these subfields work together, a scientific approach to identifying means in making a machine intelligent is created. Since this is a scientific study which aims to creating something unique, a trust deed is often used by companies.

Artificial Intelligence came into the picture because humans want things to be done easier. Working with manually programmed machines may have worked in the past, but with the recent change in technology, machines are now being given the chance to show off their capabilities. The only way to do that is to make the machines think the way humans do. As a result, robots, and intelligent machines do the things normally done by people, like Tom Hill. Machines are now being used in hospitals to assist doctors during surgeries. Some are now being seen in restaurants providing hospitality services.

When people continue reading the path of technology, they may imagine a future in which is filled with intelligent machines. However, machines are still machines. They cannot exist without the programming done by human beings. As for the time being, there have been so many problems and issues regarding Artificial Intelligence. It is safe to say that algorithms created are not that satisfying enough to solve complicated problems. This is because machines simply do not have accurate about the world. Common sense and conscience are things that human have which machines could never have. Humans may watch it, but a robot can only do a few things as specified by the program created for it.

To avail offer on getting good, intelligent machines may be quite expensive, not only now, but in the future as well. As of the moment, scientists still do not agree on a single method to create intelligent machines. This lack of unity slows down the knowledge acquiring process. Whatever the case may be, humans ought not to depend on machines. Humans are created with an intelligent mind, a brain which cannot be replicated, and whose capabilities cannot be explained, even by Computer Science and IT experts. With this being said, it is safe to say that Artificial Intelligence will still have to traverse difficult roads, and many more years before it can be completely conceptualized.

Tips For Success That Electrical Engineers Wish They Knew As Students In College

October 17, 2012 / Megan Quinn

Electrical engineering is not a course for the faint-hearted as you don’t just require mastery of technical skills but also a deep understanding of practicality. Electrical engineers are trained to create solutions and the ability to implement and evaluate them. Jobs in this field are vast, which draws many students to take up the said course. The success of electrical engineers often begins during their life as students. It is a course where your attitude in school plays a big role in your future success. Many students mistakenly choose to breeze through college without much attention to what lies after graduation. Next thing they know, they find themselves having a hard time placing a good job.
Like most science and engineering courses, electrical engineering is stereotyped for nerds and socially awkward individuals. That however is not the case. Aside from having critical thinking skills, numeracy and a strong grip of the field, personal competencies are also necessary. Hone your interpersonal skills and your ability to communicate effectively, as early as possible. Most electrical engineers will work in close proximity with other engineers and professionals; hence, great team-working skills are a must. Attend different events in school and elsewhere like, community resource and others to improve your ability to deal with individuals of all sorts.
Another tip is to take initiative to learn things you don’t tackle in your conventional engineering course, since it is not enough to be technically proficient. One of the most practical add-ons to your knowledge is being business savvy. You will be working for businesses and companies where you must have a sound understanding of basic business functions. You must know how to read an organizational chart, deal with colleagues from different departments, understand financial statements and insurance quotes, know how to negotiate deals and contracts and understand certificate info. You must know how to deal with lawyers, accountants and managers as you will surely work with them, the higher you get in your job. Educate yourself on humanities fields and general knowledge too. This will make you a better conversationalist and gives you an improved ability to connect with different individuals.
Whether you are working as the head of a team or not, electrical engineers must be good leaders. Problem solving, decision making, time and project management, critical thinking and job task planning all require a strong set of management and leadership skills.
Another useful tip is to create a portfolio of projects you have participated in. One example is to include all notable projects that you worked on throughout your course. Another is to participate in as many extra-curricular hands-on opportunities that your time allows. In that way, you have solid and well-presented qualifications to show to future employers while, others simply list their theoretical courses in their resume. Joining practical projects also helps you retain your knowledge better through your experience in actual applications.
Just like in all endeavors, the right connections are a great asset. Success needs a certain dose of luck which usually entails being at the right place at the right time with the right person. Join different associations and attend campus lectures when you can. Introduce yourself to speakers and get a list of alumni from your school, which are willing to connect with undergraduates. The key is to widen your network as much as possible. Meeting the right people can also potentially lead entrepreneurial endeavors and partnerships. If you intend to start a business through electrical engineering, you can avail of a small business loan to set things in motion.
Opportunities in the field of electrical engineering are indeed vast. From bio-engineering computer science and aerospace to telecommunications, IT and transportation, electrical engineers are sought after professionals. It is because of the vast scope of this field that it is necessary to take preparatory steps even before graduating from school. Getting ready for becoming a successful electrical engineer should start as soon as you decide to become one.

Electrical Engineering: An Occupation Of The Future

September 21, 2012 / Megan Quinn

There is a lot of brightness we could see if we were to look into the future of electrical engineering. At least this is what experts say, according to their attentive analysis of the fields of science and technology.

My dentist likes to say we’re soon going to be walking around wearing invisible cloaks in order to avoid unpleasant meetings. The truth is scientists have already created an invisible cloaking device that should be taking all of us one step closer to the future of invisible stuff. In the meanwhile, we should stay on the look for a new service offering us the chance to buy premium Kratom using our WiFi connected pedometers, for instance. The example might not be the best we could come up with, but it should help you catch the drift. Electrical engineering is a field that studies science, technology and, needless to say, amazing innovations. So no one can truly tell what will those brilliant minds create inside their state-of-the-art labs in just a few years.

Getting back to the bright future of electrical engineers, we should also mention a few important details. The career pays really well and it is often times associated with electronic or computer engineering. Electrical engineers are not wasting their time creating coconut oil for face, but they could be working on some smart skin tightening devices that could eliminate the need to undertake reconstructive facial surgery, for instance.

Other than that, know that the demand for electrical engineers has went through the roof during the past decade. And things are looking equally good, if not better, due to the fact that computers are getting more and vital to most of us. If you are planning on starting a career in electrical engineering, you are going to have to earn your bachelor’s degree in computer or electrical engineering. You can also focus on electronics, if you will. Due to the popularity of this career in the near future, master’s degrees and even doctor’s degrees are also highly important to get right now. They can help you earn some extra points and offer you a clear advantage in front of your competitors.

Know that, upon landing your first job as an electronic engineer, you are highly likely going to be asked to spend at least one or two years training and specializing, before you can be handed some important responsibilities. Prepare yourself for a lifetime of designing, developing and constantly creating new and exciting products or services. Brace yourself to bring some important changes into the world, as long as you are really good at what you do and your ideas are brilliant.

If Taylor guitars used to be your one true passion, becoming an electrical engineer should mean coping with a great deal of mind-blowing challenges that are supposed to bring a large contribution to the improvement of the humankind.

Factors to consider before getting an electrical engineering degree

IEEE:

What are Algorithms

IEEE:

What are Supercomputers?

What makes a computer super?

What are these computers used for?

IEEE:

What Is Artificial Intelligence?

IEEE:

Tips For Success That Electrical Engineers Wish They Knew As Students In College

IEEE:

Electrical Engineering: An Occupation Of The Future

IEEE:

IEEE Information