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Electrical and Computer Engineering
Microelectronics. Electromagnetics. Optics and sensors. From watches and gaming consoles to doorbells and dishwashers, computers are built into almost every part of daily life. If you’re passionate about technology and excited about innovation, you're in the right place.
At Dordt, whether you’re drawn to electrical or computer engineering, you’ll gain the skills to turn your passion into a profession, exploring everything from designing circuits and systems to building hardware and software that make a difference. And through it all, you’ll learn how to glorify God by engaging your field from a distinctly Christian perspective.
Program Overview
In Dordt’s electrical and computer engineering programs, you’ll explore technologies that power our world—from energy systems and microprocessors to software innovations. Supported by expert faculty, cutting-edge labs, and valuable internships, you’ll build the skills to innovate confidently. Throughout your studies, you’ll grow in knowledge, skill, and faith, ready to make a meaningful impact in a rapidly evolving field.
A Top Undergraduate Engineering Program
Dordt’s engineering program was listed as a top program within the “Undergraduate Engineering Programs (No Doctorate)” list by U.S. News and World Report. To qualify, a school must have an undergraduate engineering program accredited by ABET.
What You'll Learn
Explore programming, circuitry, and electronic materials through hands-on projects and a robust engineering curriculum. Collaborating on real-world projects, you’ll use the latest tools and technologies in every course—from electronics, dynamic systems and process control, embedded microcontroller systems, computer systems, and data communications.
What You Can Do With An Electrical and Computer Engineering Concentration
When it comes to electrical and computer engineering, you can choose from a variety of career options including the ones listed below. Whatever you choose to do, with your identity firmly rooted in Christ, you’ll be equipped to live out your faith every day.
Electrical Technician
Electrical Technicians install and manage different electrical components.
Computer Systems Manager
A Computer Systems Manager manages computer-related activities and systems to ensure they are meeting the organization’s technology needs.
Automotive Engineer
Automotive Engineers design and assemble different vehicles, vehicle parts, and systems.
Career Preparation
Dordt University's 2024 Career Outcome Rate was 99.3%! “The entire campus is engaged in the work of discipleship,” said Amy Westra, Director of Career Development. “Providing a Christian education focused on Christ-centered renewal is owned by all faculty and staff.”
Students who choose the electrical engineering concentration will complete five required engineering courses and four elective courses from a selection of engineering and physics courses. This coursework includes at least one additional credit hour of lab work.
Those who choose the computer engineering concentration will complete two engineering courses, four computer science courses, and two courses from a special selection of engineering and computer science courses, in addition to completing the general requirements for an engineering degree.
- Computer Systems and Digital Circuits: An introduction to the organization and inner workings of a modern digital computer and its components. Topics include introductory digital logic and circuits, CPU components, memory systems, input/output, storage systems, and introductory operating systems concepts. Digital circuits are covered, from simple logic gates through elementary microprocessor architecture. Laboratory provides hands-on experience in logic design, digital circuits, and computer systems. This course serves both computer science and engineering students. Strong algebra skills required.
- Signals and Systems: Advanced techniques for the analysis of analog electrical systems using differential and difference equations, superposition, convolution, and frequency response, with an emphasis on continuous-time signals and systems. Specific topics include frequency domain analysis, Laplace transforms, Fourier series, Fourier transforms, transfer functions, Bode plots, system stability, sampling theory and aliasing, and continuous versus discrete signal analysis. Single input-output systems will be modeled using linear difference equations, block diagrams, state-variables, and MATLAB computer code. Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and z-transform methods are introduced.
- Mechatronics and Instrumentation: An introduction to engineering mechatronics with applications of engineering measurement, data acquisition, instrumentation, sensors, actuators, digital and analog signal fundamentals, automatic control, and other electro-mechanical system interfacing.
- Embedded Microcontroller Systems: A course on the design of microprocessor and microcontroller-based systems and the associated software and hardware. Intermediate digital circuit topics related to synchronous state machine design and register level concepts are introduced. The course concludes with topics in microprocessor architecture that include elementary assembly language and microcontroller interfacing. Lab exercises provide design experience using a particular microcontroller or a soft-processor foundation in an FPGA.
- Introduction to Power System Analysis: An introduction to the design, planning, and operation of electric power utilities. Includes principles of economic dispatch and politics that impact design and operating strategies. Topics include power transmission lines, transformers, generators, system modeling, load flow analysis, faults, and system stability.
- Thermal-Chemical Systems: Engineering thermodynamics applied to chemical, energy, and environmental systems. Students will study cycles and efficiencies, mixtures and solutions, chemical reactions, chemical and phase equilibrium, combustion thermodynamics, availability analysis, gas mixtures and psychometrics, and thermal-fluid systems analysis. Applications to chemical reactors, combustion systems, emissions measurement, efficiency assessment, and indoor/outdoor air quality will be explored.
- Fluid Mechanics: A comprehensive, introductory course in fluid mechanics covering: hydrostatics; control volume approach to the continuity, momentum, and energy equations; dimensional analysis, similitude, and modeling; introductory boundary layer theory; fluid drag and lift; flow through conduits, pumps and compressors; and hydraulics and open channel flow. All students participate in team design projects involving design of water supply, irrigation, air handling system, or other complex fluid dynamics system.
- Heat Transfer: Studies of the three modes of heat transfer (conduction, convection, and radiation) with application to heat exchangers. Computer methods are used extensively for heat transfer design and analysis. A formal heat exchanger design project is included in this course.
- Environmental Engineering: An introduction to water supply and wastewater treatment, solid waste management, hazardous waste disposal, pollution control equipment, and other topics relating to the engineer’s role for ensuring clean air and providing clean water to communities. Methods and equipment for monitoring and testing air and water quality will be examined.
- Introduction to Transportation Engineering: An introduction to transportation engineering and design. Students will study geometric design of highways, pavement design, traffic flow theory, highway capacity, traffic control devices, and transportation planning. A primary aim of the course is to introduce students to fundamental principles and approaches in transportation engineering. Secondary objectives of the study include gaining a better understanding of how to be an active steward in God’s creation, how to care for the safety of fellow citizens, and learning the basic concepts behind transportation and why it is so important in our culture today.
- Engineering Research and Methods: A research course that explores the techniques and knowledge necessary to design and conduct experiments. It will include the nature and scope of a research project, how to conduct literature searches, and how to design methods and protocols for problem solving. In collaboration with a faculty mentor(s), students will choose and conduct a research project. Project results will be presented in a departmental seminar.
Ready to take the next step?
Faculty
With experience in a variety of fields, our faculty members are equipped and ready to help you succeed.
Science and Technology Center
While studying electrical engineering at Dordt, you'll have the opportunity to spend time in Dordt's Science and Technology Center. Informally known as the "Science Building," the Science and Technology Center is home to labs for mechanical engineering, electronics, electrical engineering, and computer-aided design.
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Student Stories
Dordt students and alumni use their gifts to make a difference in the world. Check out their stories to see how Defender Nation lives out our mission to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.
Empathy and Mystery
Aidan BenderDealing with the constant uncertainty of what he wanted to do with his future, Aidan was able to lean on Dordt professors and mentors to help him become more open-minded and flexible, eventually finding a place where he fit in.
Aidan Bender
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