Undergraduate Programs

Electrical Engineering has long played a critical role in undergirding innovations that improve the quality of life, support economic growth, and address societal problems. Electrical Engineering plays a pivotal role in power and energy distribution, communications, and computation, even with the evolution of power-carrying channels from metal cables to nanowires or optical fibers; networks of communications from wires to wireless to neurons; and basic electrical switches from vacuum tubes to transistors to carbon nanotubes. 

At Harvard College, students choose a "concentration," which is what we call a major. All prospective undergraduate students, including those intending to study engineering and applied sciences, apply directly to Harvard College. During your sophomore spring you’ll declare a concentration, or field of study. You may choose from 50 concentrations and 49 secondary field (from Harvard DSO website).

The Electrical Engineering concentration spans a broad range of topics, ranging from the physics of new materials and devices, the circuits and next-generation computing platforms made from these devices, and the algorithms that run on these platforms. The range of subtopics includes power systems, (micro) electronics, control systems, signal processing, telecommunications, and computing systems. Students learn how to analyze, design and build devices and systems for computation, communication and information transfer.

Students can pursue a degree with an emphasis in electrical engineering through the following concentrations:

  • S.B. in Electrical Engineering
  • A.B. in Engineering Sciences - Electrical and Computer Engineering Track

Students in either degree program take many of the same upper-level EE courses. The A.B. program affords the flexibility to pursue complementary studies in other disciplines or to dive deeper into a specific sub-discipline of EE, while the S.B. program provides a broader basis in engineering fundamentals with courses from other engineering areas and design.

Learn about our Electrical Engineering Concentrators >

Apply to Harvard College >

 

Prerequisites

Learn about the prerequisites for the concentration and the differences between the S.B. and A.B. tracks on on our First Year Exploration page. Students interested in concentrating in Electrical Engineering can be matched with a Peer Concentration Advisor. PCAs serve as peer advisors for pre-concentrators (and current concentrators), providing a valuable perspective and helping students to discover additional resources and opportunities. Learn more about the Peer Concentration Advisor program.

Bachelor of Science (S.B.)

The undergraduate EE curriculum emphasizes both depth and breadth within the sub-disciplines of electrical engineering.  All students will specialize in electronic circuits and devices while being provided the opportunity explore signals and systems theory, control systems, robotics, optoelectronic devices, integrated circuits, energy systems, computer vision, electronic materials, computer software and hardware, as well as mechanical, biological, and environmental systems.  Through this coursework, students also gain experience in the engineering design process, the engineering activity that requires creative synthesis as well as analysis.

Bachelor of Arts (A.B.)

Electrical Engineering plays a pivotal role in power and energy distribution, communications, and computation, even with the evolution of power-carrying channels from metal cables to nanowires or optical fibers; networks of communications from wires to wireless to neurons; and basic electrical switches from vacuum tubes to transistors to carbon nanotubes. The curriculum emphasizes depth and breadth within EE sub-disciplines. Students specialize in electronic circuits and devices, with the opportunity explore signals and systems theory, control systems, robotics, optoelectronic devices, integrated circuits, energy systems, computer vision, electronic materials, computer software and hardware, as well as mechanical, biological, and environmental systems. 

AB/SM Program

Our AB/SM degree program is for currently enrolled Harvard College students only.

Research Opportunities

Opportunities for undergraduates to conduct research in electrical engineering abound. As part of your coursework, or perhaps as part of individual research opportunities working with professors, you will have the chance to take part in or participate in some extraordinary projects. Learn more about research opportunities at Harvard SEAS.

Learn about the research interests of our Electrical Engineering faculty.

Electrical Engineering Career Paths

Students concentrating in Electrical Engineering often pursue careers in computer engineering, aerospace, human-machine Interface design, communication system design, or engineering management. Many students pursue advanced degrees or become entrepreneurs. Read about some of our electrical engineering alumni.

Clubs and Organization

SEAS-affiliated student organizations are critical to the overall growth of our concentrators as engineering and applied science professionals. These organizations enable our students to pursue passion projects and events in areas of interest that are complementary to the current formal academic curriculum. Learn more about SEAS-affiliated student clubs and organizations.