I have a BS and MS in CSC and I work in the test and measurement field (very hardware intensive). I'm thinking of starting my own contracting company in the long term (3 years, maybe shorter), but in the short term I find myself nonetheless asking questions of electrical engineers which really don't seem to far over my head. In addition we can't seem to find a decent electrical engineer who can do the job reliably.

If I wanted to take the requesit schooling to understand how to take finished components (DAQ cards, motors with motor controllers, EPO switches, power supplies, etc...) and put them together (design) a complicated automation system with good schematics, what am I getting myself into. I mean, do I need to get a full ECE degree or could I just take a few basic circuits classes, maybe an electricians course and learn the rest on the job?

[Edited on November 15, 2005 at 6:13 PM. Reason : .]

11/15/2005 6:12:05 PM

Line Automation is pretty intuitive... its actually more in the realm of Industrial Engineering...

but keep asking questions, your probably looking for more of a 2year technical degree than a 4year EE degree... a 4 year degree in EE you don't build much, and assembly components don't require in depth knowledge of discrete components... more of "motor turns this fast, need 5amps to run it" lookup wiring guide, hook up a few sensors and done...

Much more Industrial Engineering or tech degree than an EE

[Edited on November 15, 2005 at 7:09 PM. Reason : EE's have the background to figure out RANDOM shit that will occur on an assembly line]

11/15/2005 7:06:32 PM

school is a waste of time. just take a few basic classes and then get some experience. Look at how much you CSC degree has helped you already (do you use that at all?)

11/15/2005 7:08:21 PM

I would check out something at like maybe Wake Tech, and get some basics grounding.
A friend of mine tells me that they offer things that will actually teach you how to solder, how stuff *really* works, and the practical side. They might even have a class where you learn some robotics etc (if that's what you're talking about)

At least the first two years of an ECE degree (Seeing as how i did 2 years of one) at NCSU will not get you where you want to be to do something seriously practical. Cant say if 4 years will.

[Edited on November 15, 2005 at 7:21 PM. Reason : .]

11/15/2005 7:21:08 PM

Quote :

"maybe an electricians course"

Definitely not that. Doesn't have a thing to do with what you want.

11/15/2005 7:58:21 PM

Quote :

"and get some basics grounding. "

hehe basic grounding...

advanced grounding involves: floating grounds, virtual grounds, earth ground, frame ground, electrical ground...

11/15/2005 8:09:24 PM

ECE is good.......for me to poop on

11/15/2005 8:22:51 PM

Browsing the NC State courses I'd say that the assertion that it wouldn't be worth it is right. (BTW, no I don't use nearly all of my CSC knowlege to whoever asked).

If anything, I would only take ECE 211 (Electric Circuits), Fundamentals of logic design, Principles of Electrical Engineering I, Electronics Engineering, Computer Control of Robots

Do you guys think (any of) those courses are worth the time?

More than likely I'll go for some of Wake Techs courses (they have a EE light curiculum)
Intro to Electronics Technologies, DC/AC circuit analysis, Motors and Controlers, Electronic Devices, Linear IC applications, Digital electronics, CAD for Electronics.

11/16/2005 10:52:50 AM

wake tech, you dont do hands on shit at state

11/16/2005 1:22:30 PM

Im a 5th yr senior in EE and will be taking the first real design course offered ever next semester. Kolbas is teaching 492R, which like i said is the first time a course has been offered that you only build shit. thats what we will do, just build shit, no books and hw and all. So, either take 4yrs of EE at state to get to that one class, or go get a 2 yr that teaches ya how to actually soilder and whatnot. I can tell you anything you want to know about the physics behind a MOSFET though

11/17/2005 6:02:05 PM

Analytical Foundations of Electrical and Computer Engineering


Oh yeah, and Microelectronics


have fun!

11/17/2005 7:31:39 PM