Electronic engineering
Electronic engineering is a discipline deal-
ing with the behavior and effects of electrons
(as in electron tubes, transistors and ICs) and
with electronic devices, systems, or equip-
ment. The term now also covers a large part
of electrical engineering degree courses as
studied at most European universities. In the
U.S., however, electrical engineering implies
all the wide electrical disciplines including
electronics. There is the world-wide organiza-
tion IEEE that sets the standard as standard
bearer in the electrical and electronic field.[1]
In many areas, electronic engineering is
considered to be at the same level as electric-
al engineering, requiring that more general
programs be called electrical and electron-
ic engineering (many UK and Turkish uni-
versities have departments of Electronic
and Electrical Engineering). Both define a
broad field that encompasses many subfields
including those that deal with power, instru-
mentation engineering, telecommunications,
and semiconductor circuit design amongst
many others.[2]
Terminology
The name electrical engineering is still used
to cover electronic engineering amongst
some of the older (notably American) uni-
versities and graduates there are called elec-
trical engineers. The distinction between
electronic and electrical engineers is becom-
ing more and more distinct. While electrical
engineers utilize voltage and current to deliv-
er power, electronic engineers utilize voltage
and current to deliver information thru in-
formation technology. [3]
Some people believe the term "electrical
engineer" should be reserved for those hav-
ing specialised in power and heavy current or
high voltage engineering, while others be-
lieve that power is just one subset of electric-
al engineering (and indeed the term "power
engineering" is used in that industry) as well
as
"electrical
distribution
engineering".
Again, in recent years there has been a
growth of new separate-entry degree courses
such as "information engineering" and "com-
munication
sy