## [Why study electrical engineering?](/spotlight/program-explainer/why-study-electrical-engineering) *"Electrical engineers are playing a leading role in the green energy transition, determining how to convert solar or wind energy into electricity, as well as how to store electricity in batteries."* ![Student working on a project](/sites/default/files/styles/max_480w/public/spotlight-images/2025-01/DSC_7351.JPG.webp?itok=vPdNQDmH) ## Share- [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2F"e= "Share on Facebook") - [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?source=https%3A%2F%2F&text=:%20https%3A%2F%2F "Tweet") - [ ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2F&title=&summary=&source=https%3A%2F%2F "Share on LinkedIn") - [ ](mailto:?subject=&body=:%20https%3A%2F%2F "Send email") - **Program:** - [Electrical Engineering](https://engineering.ubc.ca/programs/undergraduate/electrical-engineering "Find out more about Electrical Engineering") ### **Imagine a field where your work could span from the tiniest nanoscale devices to vast power grids.** [Electrical engineering](https://engineering.ubc.ca/programs/undergraduate/electrical-engineering) is at the heart of almost every technological advance and will continue guide innovation in the decades ahead – making it an incredibly exciting and dynamic area to study and work in. [ ![A versatile and future-proof degree](/sites/default/files/styles/square_200/public/2024-08/whyeng-set7-square-nologo.jpg.webp?itok=0xNLGRrn) ](https://engineering.ubc.ca/spotlight/why-engineering/ubc-engineering-sets-you-for-success)## **What is** [**electrical engineering**](https://engineering.ubc.ca/spotlight/why-engineering/ubc-engineering-sets-you-for-success) **and what do electrical engineers do?** Electrical engineering spans everything to do with electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. That includes designing and managing electrical systems, which encompasses power generation and distribution, as well as the electronic and communication systems that make up the fabric of modern life. Think of today’s electric cars, which have more than 100 microprocessors and several kilometres worth of cables and electric wiring for the electrical systems, sensors, lights, communication and other components. > Electrical engineers are involved in all facets of the design, building and testing of all the electronics housed within electric vehicles. And they are also needed to design the power systems that generate, transmit and distribute the electricity required to charge the car’s battery. Starting at the small scale, electrical engineers are involved in the design, building and testing of semiconductors and microsystems. Moving up along the product chain, they are also involved at the device level, working on circuit boards, cell phones and computers, as well as any product that requires electricity in its operations, including household appliances, automated machinery, wind turbines, MRI machines, elevators, HVAC systems…the list goes on! [ ![Engineering might not be what you think it is!](/sites/default/files/styles/square_200/public/2024-08/whyeng-set11-square-1080x1080.jpg.webp?itok=IVgP1dkN) ](https://engineering.ubc.ca/spotlight/why-engineering/engineering-might-not-be-what-you-think)Our entire electricity system depends on electrical engineers, who work in power generation, electrical power distribution and everything needed to generate and distribute electrical power. > Electrical engineers are playing a leading role the green energy transition, determining how to convert solar or wind energy into electricity, as well as how to store electricity in batteries. “Because electrical engineering touches so many areas, it offers opportunities to specialize in certain areas, which themselves are often separate engineering disciplines,” says [Dr. Sudip Shekhar](https://ece.ubc.ca/sudip-shekhar/), a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “Robotics, for example, is a mix of [mechanical](https://engineering.ubc.ca/programs/undergraduate/mechanical-engineering) and electrical engineering. [Biomedical engineering](https://engineering.ubc.ca/programs/undergraduate/biomedical-engineering) brings electronics, sensors and controls to biological systems. [Electrical engineering](https://engineering.ubc.ca/programs/undergraduate/electrical-engineering) is one of the most broad fields and can be a great foundational place to start if you are interested in pursuing these or other specializations.” [Dr. Sudip Shekhar](https://ece.ubc.ca/sudip-shekhar/) [ ![Engineering is the most versatile degree](/sites/default/files/styles/square_200/public/2024-08/whyeng-set9-square-logo-small-1080x1080.jpg.webp?itok=n-0NoJfb) ](https://engineering.ubc.ca/spotlight/why-engineering/why-engineering-most-versatile-undergraduate-degree) [ ![whyeng_sustainability square](/sites/default/files/styles/square_200/public/2024-11/whyeng-set24_whyeng-set24-square-logo-1080x1080.png.webp?itok=nzkb6RTJ) ](https://engineering.ubc.ca/spotlight/why-engineering/engineer-sustainable-future-ubc) > Many electrical engineers are also involved in developing simulation models to test alternatives and explore solutions. They might develop simulation models of how electrical circuits behave in different scenarios or how they can communicate with each other, or develop models of the electrical power grid to help decision-makers ensure the system is reliable and has the capacity to meet users’ needs for electricity. ## **What broader industry trends are shaping the demand for electrical engineers?** Like every other area of engineering practice, AI is definitely introducing changes to the field of electrical engineering. > “We’ve seen quite a fast pace of change – particularly in biomedical areas – but the pace of AI is going to slow down unless breakthroughs are made in the computing hardware,” says [Dr. Shekhar.](https://ece.ubc.ca/sudip-shekhar/) He notes that there is a lot of excitement around quantum computing, which requires the expertise of electrical engineers to apply their understanding of physics to develop solutions, and photonics, where electrical engineering is central to the design and development of lasers, fibre communication and other photonic devices. [ ![A student explaining her project](/sites/default/files/styles/square_200/public/2024-08/whyeng-set18-square-logo-1080x1080.png.webp?itok=XDHKekBV) ](https://engineering.ubc.ca/spotlight/why-engineering/engineering-one-of-most-rewarding-careers) [ ![Engineering project](/sites/default/files/styles/square_200/public/2024-11/whyeng-set23-square-1080x1080.png.webp?itok=JPC1UM5n) ](https://engineering.ubc.ca/spotlight/why-engineering/top-engineering-jobs-in-canada) Dr. Shekhar says that the push to decarbonize industry sectors is spurring increased demand for green electricity. > Electrical engineers will be at the forefront of the research and work needed to design and manage reliable electrical grids that integrate renewable power and are able to ensure that our ever-growing needs for electricity continue to be met. ## **What’s it like to study electrical engineering at UBC?** “Being an electrical engineer requires multiple skills,” says Dr. Shekhar. > “It helps to be good in math, to have a broad systems-level focus, enjoy hands-on work and be comfortable with abstract thinking.” [ ![Students in red](/sites/default/files/styles/square_200/public/2024-08/whyeng-set16-square-logo-1080x1080-min.png.webp?itok=sp7UPiPG) ](https://engineering.ubc.ca/spotlight/why-engineering/skills-you-need-to-succeed-engineer)UBC’s Electrical Engineering program trains students to develop these skills through a [foundational curriculum](https://engineering.ubc.ca/programs/undergraduate/foundation-year) where they will learn essential skills and gain the broad base of knowledge needed to succeed. The department places a strong emphasis on project-based learning, which are also great opportunities to interact with and get to know your instructors. [Electrical Engineering at Okanagan Campus](https://engineering.ok.ubc.ca/programs-admissions/electrical/) [Electrical Engineering at Vancouver Campus](http://ece.ubc.ca/) > In later years, students can choose electives to explore areas of interest. [Co-op](https://coop.apsc.ubc.ca/) work terms and capstone projects are other ways to gain experience in different areas of electrical engineering practice. [ ![Student working on a project](/sites/default/files/styles/square_200/public/2025-01/whyeng-set27_square-1080x1080.png.webp?itok=tVUcW4_-) ](https://engineering.ubc.ca/spotlight/why-engineering/ubc-engineering-co-op-experience-counts)“If you are interested in combining abstract thinking with hands-on work, electrical engineering could be your field,” says Dr. Shekhar. “To understand the future, we sometimes need to look to the past. The biggest technological advances of the past century could not have occurred without electrical engineering – and that will continue to hold true into the future. As an electrical engineer, you can be part of this exciting technological revolution and potentially make a real difference in our world.” [ ![Community Activity - Engineering students](/sites/default/files/styles/square_200/public/2024-11/whyeng-set19-square-1080x1080_2.png.webp?itok=Bc493_dT) ](https://engineering.ubc.ca/spotlight/why-engineering/find-your-community)## **Interested? Learn more about** [**electrical engineering**](https://engineering.ubc.ca/programs/undergraduate/electrical-engineering)**:** - [Explore our program](https://ece.ubc.ca/undergraduates/programs/electrical-engineering-program/) - [Learn about the biomedical option within electrical engineering](https://ece.ubc.ca/undergraduates/programs/biomedical-engineering-option/) - Take a look at the final year [capstone projects](https://engineering.ubc.ca/student-project-spotlights) by filtering your search for “electrical engineering” - Read [profiles of current electrical engineering students and alumni](https://engineering.ubc.ca/student-and-alumni-spotlights) by filtering your search for “electrical engineering.” - Check out the [UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering Society](https://www.ecess.ca/) [Recent Capstone Projects](https://engineering.ubc.ca/student-project-spotlights) [Student and Alumni Spotlights](https://engineering.ubc.ca/student-and-alumni-spotlights) [UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering Society](https://www.ecess.ca/) [ UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering ![UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering logo](/sites/default/files/styles/max_325x325/public/2026-02/ubc-electrical-and-computer-engineering-logo-shortname-566x28.png.webp?itok=WQbzhJMi) ](https://ece.ubc.ca "UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering") [ UBC School of Engineering (Okanagan) ![UBC School of Engineering (Okanagan) logo](/sites/default/files/styles/max_325x325/public/2026-02/ubco-school-of-engineering-logo-shortname-368x32.jpg.webp?itok=WxqYHQMz) ](https://engineering.ok.ubc.ca "UBC School of Engineering (Okanagan)") - [Program Explainer](/spotlight-type/program-explainer "Program Explainer") - [Engineering](/topics/engineering "Engineering")