BS in Electrical Engineering in the Philippines

http://www.finduniversity.ph/majors/bs-in-electrical-engineering-philippines/
The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) is a 5-year degree
program which centers on the generation and utilization of electricity for
industrial, commercial, and residential purposes. Apart from the production
of electricity, BS in Electrical Engineering also deals with the development
and real-life applications of electrical circuitry, digital systems, electrical
equipments, and machine control.
Its curriculum was designed in a way that it will equip students with a solid
grasp of mathematical, scientific, and engineering concepts, through
classroom education and laboratory exercises.
Some of the subjects covered include:
Algebra (College and Advanced)
Trigonometry
Analytical Geometry
Calculus (Differential and Integral)
General Chemistry
Physics Subjects
Basic Engineering Subjects (e.g., Dynamics of Rigid Bodies;
Engineering Management; Computer Fundamentals and
Programming)
Core Electrical Engineering Subjects (e.g., Electrical Circuits;
Electrical System Design; Power Plant Engineering)
Non-Technical Subjects (e.g., English; Social Sciences; Humanities;
Physical Education)
The laboratory experience will familiarize students with the different devices
and methodical techniques that are essential in the practice of this field. In
addition, their theoretical knowledge will further be enhanced, made
relevant, and practiced, through the On-the-Job Training period that they are
required to go through at the latter part of the degree program.
Is Electrical Engineering a profession?
Electrical Engineering is a profession.

A graduate of BS in Electrical Engineering who passed the Electrical Engineer

Licensure Examination is called an Electrical Engineer. An Electrical
Engineers job includes the design of electrical and digital systems, creation
of models and prototypes of electronic products and systems, installation
and testing of electrical equipments, operation and maintenance of these
machines and devices, as well as coming up with economical and safer ways
of accomplishing various electrical engineering projects.
What are the admission requirements for BSEE?
Requirements at each school may differ, but these are the common
requirements:
Must be a high school graduate.
Those who did not complete high school education may opt to first attend
Alternative Learning System (ALS) and pass the Philippine Educational
Placement Test (PEPT) to qualify for college. However, some universities only
offer selected courses for PEPT passers admission.
Must pass the college entrance examination
Must pass the qualifying test implemented by the Engineering Department of
the school
Must pass the interview conducted by the college/university admission
officer
Medical laboratory results and health certificateY
Good Moral certificate from the previous school (sometimes from enrollees
Barangay)
Some schools require a particular rating in the National Secondary
Assessment Test (NSAT)
Some schools require a particular grade in Math and Science

What skills will help you succeed in this course?

Some of the necessary skills that you should possess in order to excel in this
course are the following:

Mathematical Skills you need to have advanced computational skills and be

equipped with a strong foundation of mathematical concepts in order for you
to solve problems
Analytical Skills the ability to identify the kinds of data that are actually
important and figure out how to solve problems
Critical Thinking the ability to think logically and make use of reasoning in
evaluating the different solutions or approaches to a problem
Technical Skills the ability to perform various tasks related to engineering,
mathematics, science, and technology. Moreover, this can also refer to the
ability to operate various equipments and software.
English Skills the ability to read, write, and communicate well in English is
necessary because most of the technical literature and required reading
materials are in this language.
Communication Skills the ability to present information both in verbal and
written form. You will be required to accomplish written reports on assigned
projects and present them orally to your professors and classmates
Creativity the ability to come up with unique concepts and designs for
electrical systems, digital systems, and electrical equipments. This skill is
also needed in creating the models and prototypes of the conceptualized
designs that are usually presented in class.
Interpersonal Skills the ability to communicate and interact harmoniously
with other people will definitely help you work on group projects and
activities with your classmates.

How difficult is this course?

BS in Electrical Engineering is one of the most difficult courses. This is
probably because most of the subjects are highly technical and scientific in
nature. Furthermore, this degree program involves a lot of computations,
analyses, and abstract and logical thinking.
There are many students who shift to other degree programs because they
find it too difficult or some are even advised by the school administration

because of their inability to meet the cutoff grades or course requirements.

BSEE is made even more difficult because of the licensure examination that
graduates are required to pass in order to be a registered electrical engineer.
How long does it take to complete BS in Electrical Engineering in the
Philippines?
Normally, the BSEE program takes 5 years to complete. Some schools who
apply the trimester system do the program in a shorter time.
On the job training takes a minimum of 240 hours to complete.
Reviews for the board exam may require an additional 4-12 months,
depending on whether you pass the board exam on your first try.
On The Job Training / Internship
As stated in the 2008 Memorandum Order (No. 34) of the Commission on
Higher Education (CHED), electrical engineering students are required to
undergo a minimum of 240 hours of On-the-Job Training.
However, schools offering BS in Electrical Engineering can also opt to
substitute OJT with projects or additional school requirements that will
enhance the students understanding of this field and somehow prepare them
for real-life applications of the various electrical engineering concepts that
they learned.
Some schools facilitate their students in their search for internship
opportunities, while some give their students the freedom to choose any
private company, organization, or government agency which accepts
trainees or interns that are under the BS in Electrical Engineering program.
Specializations
Electronic Design this focuses on the assembly of basic electronic
components to accomplish essential and complex tasks. This field of
specialization can range from the creation of simple designs to the
construction of more advanced circuits.

Control Systems provides students with a comprehensive background in

computer programming in order for them to analyze and fabricate both
digital control and analog systems. Aside from that, this field also focuses on
the design and development of automation systems that will enable
electrical equipments to function based on the requirements of the user.
Communications Engineering this field of specialization centers on the
analysis and development of various information transmission systems.
Some areas under this field include, computer networking, digital
communications, and wireless communication systems.
Power Systems this specialization focuses on the production or generation
of electricity (large scale and small scale). Power plants, motors, generators,
conversions of energy, and distribution of electrical power, are just some of
the things that are discussed exhaustively in this field of study.
Microelectronics this area involves the study, production, and use of small
electrical designs and components. Some specific examples of
microelectronic components are capacitors, transistors, resistors, microchips,
inductors, and diodes.

The Board Exam

An Electrical Engineering graduate needs to take the Registered Electrical
Engineer Licensure Examination before he/she can practice as an electrical
engineer. The examination is conducted by the Board of Electrical
Engineering under the supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission
(PRC). It is scheduled twice a year in the months of April and September.
(source)
You can view the passing rates for the Electrical Engineer Licensure Exam
here.
Career opportunities for BSEE graduates
Jobs for Licensed Electrical Engineers (Board Exam Passers)
Entry Level jobs

Jobs requiring no prior to minimal level of experience:

Technical Support Engineer provides assistance to customers of technology
products such as computers and mobile phones. The job includes installation,
repair, and solving of specific problems with a purchased product.
Electrical Installer installs or repairs a variety of electrical equipment in
different industries.
Electrical Field Service Engineer troubleshoots and repairs a full line of
electrical equipment, performs maintenance routines, and determine if there
are electrical discrepancies.
Junior Programmer an intern programmer who uses different programming
languages to help develop a software or computer application. Some of the
tasks of a junior programmer include testing, debugging, and modifications.
Mid-Level Positions
Require trainings and prior job experience of a few years:
Electrical Design Draftsman creates layout and wiring diagrams that are
used by installers in setting up electrical systems and equipment
Junior Electrical Engineer a mid-level position which involves aiding in the
design, development, and operation of electrical systems
Electrical Foreman supervises daily paid electrical workers, maintains
discipline and order in the workplace, and ensures that work schedules and
deadlines are met.
Computer Systems Engineer modifies an old computer system or develops
a new one such that it will meet the operational needs and requirements of
an organization in a specific field
Optics Engineer helps develop imaging tools, optical devices, and other
electronic products such as liquid crystal displays (LCD), TVs, and computers
Advanced Positions
Require years of extensive experience and practice:
Senior Electrical Engineer provides technical expertise in the design,
development, coordination, and operation of electrical systems and
equipment
Systems and Storage Administrator reports, analyzes, identifies problems,
and troubleshoots with the use of different system tools and diagnostic
utilities
Project Engineer involves the usual technical engineering tasks (design,
development, implementation, and maintenance of electrical systems and

equipment) and project management duties, such as the preparation of work

schedules, leading the subordinate technical workers, and management of
resources.
Satellite Communications Engineer the job involves the design and
development of satellite networks, monitoring the performance of the
system, and troubleshooting of network problems
Academician an instructor or a professor in a particular academic institution
which provides Electrical Engineering education
Jobs for Non Board Passers:
Electrical Technician troubleshoots and performs minor electrical repairs,
installs electrical systems, and maintains them.
Engineering Technician assists engineers in the design, development,
installation, testing, and maintenance of electrical systems and equipments.
Jobs not related to electrical engineering that graduates can apply to
Call center agent answers phone calls and inquiries of clients and provides
customer support, usually to people from other countries
Administrative Staff personnel responsible for the organization and
management of office duties and tasks; positions that include office
secretary, personal assistant and office clerk
Freelancer working online doing online jobs for clients abroad, such as data
entry, article writing, SEO, customer support, administrative support etc.,
which mainly depends on your skills
Career Opportunities Abroad
There are a lot of job opportunities abroad for graduates of BS in Electrical
Engineering. Entry-level, mid-level, and advanced positions are open to
Filipino electrical engineers in countries such as Singapore, Korea, Taiwan,
Japan, Brunei, Malaysia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar
and Bahrain. (source)
Salary Levels
In the Philippines, the salary range for Electrical Engineers with 1-4 year
experience is between PhP 14,000 to PhP 18,000 per month. Electrical
engineers who are more experienced and are qualified for advanced
positions, can earn between PhP 20,000 to PhP 27,000 per month. (source)