Harper College

Associate in Applied Science

Earn your degree in electronics engineering technology

Career options Liberal Arts icon


  • Electrician
  • Engineering laboratory technician
  • Facilities maintenance technician

Get ready for a career in electronics engineering technology with this 60-credit-hour degree program. Learn how to operate and install equipment, handle materials, set up electrical wiring and codes, understand basic electric/magnetic/electromagnetic field relationships and more. Upon graduation from the program, you’ll qualify for entry-level employment in positions such as engineering laboratory technicians, electricians and facilities maintenance technicians.

Take classes in introductory electronics, AC/DC/RF network analysis, precalculus, algebra, semiconductor devices and circuits, physics, communications systems, analog electronics, embedded microcontroller/processor systems and more.

A.A.S. degree program plan

This 60 credit-hour program is designed to prepare students for careers in the field of electronics and other related technology industries. The curriculum satisfies general education requirements, and offers courses in mathematics, computer science and physics to cultivate student critical thinking skills. A broad range of electronics courses provides considerable emphasis on analysis and application, or applied technology. Specific electronics engineering technology topics for this program include: electrical laws and principles, network analysis, semiconductor devices, digital and analog circuits, communications systems, industrial control systems utilizing sensors, fluid power and programmable logic controllers, and embedded microcontroller/processor systems. Additional courses in the industrial electronics area are also available.

Graduates of this program may find employment as technical sales specialists, applications engineers, engineering laboratory technicians, technical writers, manufacturing and quality control technicians, and customer service engineers.

Graduates may also continue their education by pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology (BSEET) degree at a four-year college or university offering this type of program. Students considering this transfer option are encouraged to meet with the Program Coordinator and an academic advisor prior to beginning the program, and also when planning their schedule each semester.

F = Fall only course S = Spring only course U = Summer only course

FIRST SEMESTER:

Number Course Title Credits Category
ELT 101   F   4 Program Requirement

DescriptionThis course is only offered in the fall term.

Studies direct current (DC) resistive networks. Definitions, symbols and notations for electrical quantities are taught. Circuit properties and their applications to significant circuit configurations are examined. High school algebra is recommended.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

ELT 110 4 Program Requirement

Description:  Introduces fundamentals of electricity and magnetism. Covers basic electrical laws and principles. Presents electrical quantities, units, symbols and notation. Examines foundational electronic materials and components. Presents elementary DC (direct current) and AC (alternating current) network analysis, key semiconductor devices, and simple analog and digital circuits. Also covers electrical safety considerations, laboratory instrumentation and test and measurement techniques.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

ENG 101 3 AAS General Education

Description:  Emphasizes the writing of expository prose. Introduction to the critical reading of nonfiction prose. IAI C1 900

Prerequisite: ENG 096 with a grade of C or better. Other placement options: english-placement-grid.php ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 086 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 099 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with required reading placement test score.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

MTH 103 3 AAS General Education

Description:  Emphasizes algebraic and graphical approaches. Topics include but are not limited to polynomial functions, rational functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions and systems of equations. NOTE: This course does not fulfill the math requirement for the AA or AS degrees.

Prerequisite: MTH 070 (Plane Geometry) AND MTH 080 (Intermediate Algebra) with grades of C or better or other placement options. mathplacement.php

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

SECOND SEMESTER:

Number Course Title Credits Category
CIS 106 or

Description:  Provides students with a comprehensive introduction to computer programming using a currently popular programming language. Includes program logic, program structure, subroutines/functions/methods, variables, conditions, loops, arrays, files/data access, and object-oriented programming. A variety of programs are created throughout the course.

Prerequisite: Math placement in MTH 101 or higher. mathplacement.php

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

NET 105 3 Program Requirement

Description:  Provides students with a hands-on introduction to information technology and computer support concepts. Includes hardware, operating systems, applications, networking, Internet connectivity and services, security, software development, and database fundamentals.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

ELT 102   S   4 Program Requirement

DescriptionThis course is only offered in the spring term.

Examines steady state alternating current (AC), resistor-capacitor (RC) and resistor-inductor (RL) circuits. Also examines RC and RL single time constant circuits. Single phase and polyphase AC networks are also studied.

Prerequisite: ELT 101 and MTH 103 with grades of C or better, or consent of instructor.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

ELT 111   S   2 Program Requirement

DescriptionThis course is only offered in the spring term.

Examines basic semiconductor component families and characteristics. Fundamentals of proper circuit operation and typical applications are further examined.

Prerequisite: ELT 110 with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

ELT 135 2 Program Requirement

Description:  Investigates sensor operation and application for a variety of functions: tactile, photo, fiber-optic, magnetic, thermal, sonic, pressure and vision systems.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

MTH 140 5 AAS General Education

Description:  Builds on MTH 103 (College Algebra) to provide the foundation for calculus and analytic geometry. Topics include but are not limited to radical and rational equations; equations quadratic in form; polynomial and rational functions; polynomial and rational inequalities; sequences and series; mathematical induction; the binomial theorem; trigonometric functions; inverse trigonometric functions; applications of trigonometric functions; polar coordinates and vectors; and the complex plane.

Prerequisite: MTH 103 (College Algebra) with a grade of C or better, or other placement options. mathplacement.php

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

THIRD SEMESTER:

Number Course Title Credits Category
ELT 140 2 Program Requirement

Description:  Examines the procedures and mechanisms by which programmable logic controller functions are used. Programming in ladder logic and controller code focuses on the direct application of a variety of input and output devices. Hardware, programming, peripherals and accessories are emphasized.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

ELT 203   F   4 Program Requirement

DescriptionThis course is only offered in the fall term.

Examines digital logic circuitry from the underlying structure of Field Effect Transistors (FETs) through how these devices are built into complex integrated circuits (ICs). Includes combinational and sequential logic circuits, binary and hexadecimal number systems, error detection and correction, Boolean algebra, Karnaugh maps, counters, state machines, semiconductor memories, and programmable devices with special emphasis on microcontrollers.

Prerequisite: ELT 110 with a grade of C or better.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

Humanities or Social and Behavioral Science+ 3 AAS General Education
PHY 121 5 AAS General Education

Description:  Covers mechanics, heat, fluids, and sound. Intended for students in life science, architecture and technology. Students pursuing degrees in engineering, physics, or chemistry should enroll in PHY 201. Knowledge of high school trigonometry assumed. IAI P1 900L

Prerequisite: MTH 140 with a grade of C of better,or other math placement options into MTH 200. mathplacement.php

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

FOURTH SEMESTER:

Number Course Title Credits Category
ELT 207   S   4 Program Requirement

DescriptionThis course is only offered in the spring term.

Introduces students to communications systems. The historical, technical and commercialization aspects of key technologies and inventions from the onset of early communications equipment to contemporary telecommunications systems are discussed. Covers systems, equipment, and radiating systems and radiation. Topical areas in these segments include wireline and wireless systems, modulation and demodulation, receivers, transmitters and transceivers, transmission lines, antennas, matching networks and wave propagation. Emphasizes system applications, operation and analysis.

Prerequisite: ELT 110 with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

ELT 215 4 Program Requirement

Description:  Introduces students to industrial control systems. Covers fluid power fundamentals, and pneumatic and hydraulic circuit theory. Examines the integration of optics, sensors, and various electronic control systems including programmable logic controller (PLC) and personal computer (PC) controllers. Infrared (IR) emitters and detectors, and laser systems are also examined. Introduces the application and control of automated robotic systems. The course culminates with a capstone team project involving the development, design, construction, presentation and ultimate demonstration of a fully operational automated industrial control system.

Prerequisite: ELT 110 and ELT 140 with grades of C or better, or consent of instructor.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

ELT 218   S   4 Program Requirement

DescriptionThis course is only offered in the spring term.

Examines the basics of microcontroller/microprocessor systems. Includes digital and analog input/output (I/O), serial buses, memories/caches, and interfacing to peripherals including sensors, displays, servos and motors. An example of such a system is Arduino hardware and the writing of Arduino C code that are covered in detail.

Prerequisite: ELT 203 with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

Electronics elective1 4 Program Requirement

+ - Students need to choose a course to meet this requirement that also meets the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement. See full list of AAS General Education Electives.

1 - Electronics elective: ELT 103, ELT 204, ELT 240(S), or ELT 281.

Program learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to:

  • Apply electrical safety procedures in the field or the laboratory.
  • Demonstrate effective soldering techniques and safely use standard hand tools and test instrumentation to prototype, analyze, maintain, troubleshoot and repair electrical or electronic equipment with a minimum of supervision.
  • Read technical and service manuals containing wiring, schematic and printed circuit board diagrams.
  • Understand concepts of matter and energy, and how they relate to the components that generate, carry or control electricity.
  • Understand basic electric, magnetic and electromagnetic field relationships.
  • Understand electrical quantities, symbols, units, laws and principles, and their interrelationships and application.
  • Analyze series, parallel and series-parallel DC, AC and RF networks.
  • Analyze single time constant circuits, single and three-phase steady state AC circuits, filters and RLC resonant circuits.
  • Understand semiconductor device applications, operation and fabrication, and analyze analog and digital circuits employing diodes, transistors, integrated circuits and displays.
  • Understand contemporary wireless communications system applications, operation and analysis.

Related programs

Students interested in electronics engineering technology may also be interested in:

Resources

Next steps

For more information about electronics engineering technology, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.

Last Updated: 3/15/24