This blog post explores how the Electrical Engineering Department applies its knowledge beyond simple electrical theory to diverse industries and real-life technologies.
Among the many majors at university, many people vaguely think of ‘Electrical Engineering’ as simply the study of electricity. While that’s not entirely wrong, Electrical Engineering is more comprehensive than people imagine. Specifically, the Electrical Engineering department at my university is more accurately described as the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Although it was called the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering just a few years ago and recently changed to Electrical Engineering, the academic content within the major remains unchanged. Therefore, when discussing the major going forward, I will be referring to the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. This major is deeply intertwined with our daily lives, and the advancement of technologies utilizing electricity has become an essential element of modern civilization. Particularly, the rapid development of electronic devices and communication technology would be impossible without the foundations of electrical and electronic engineering, further highlighting the importance of electrical engineering.
Taking the name ‘Department of Electrical Engineering’ literally, it means engineering using electricity. The term ‘engineering’ itself is worth noting here. Majors bearing the name ‘engineering’ are not common even within universities, and such majors are primarily found in engineering colleges. Unlike general academic disciplines, where science primarily focuses on exploring the laws of nature itself, engineering aims to use that science to artificially produce something. This can be seen in a similar context to applied science. The character ‘공’ (gong) is the same character used in the word ‘공장’ (factory). Put very simply, it can be described as the discipline of learning the technology to produce something in a factory. In the case of the ‘Department of Electrical Engineering,’ that ‘something’ encompasses everything utilizing electricity. In other words, the Department of Electrical Engineering deals with various technologies that enable the conveniences of modern life through the generation and utilization of electricity. This includes not only the creation of household appliances, but also the production and use of electricity itself, efficient energy transmission, and the exploration of new energy resources.
Following this brief explanation of the Department of Electrical Engineering itself, let’s delve into more detail. Within the Department of Electrical Engineering, there are generally five major fields. Students in the department choose one of these fields to study intensively. One of the biggest differences from a typical liberal arts college is that studying within the Department of Electrical Engineering absolutely requires prerequisite courses. If you don’t complete the preceding courses and apply the techniques learned in subsequent courses, it becomes difficult or even impossible to take the classes. Therefore, the sequence of learning and step-by-step understanding are essential, forming a process of progressively building practical skills. Courses are structured so that students choose one of these five paths to acquire specialized knowledge and develop practical problem-solving abilities through in-depth research and experiments tailored to each field. This is also referred to as a ‘track’ within the Department of Electrical Engineering.
The first of these five paths is the field of electrical energy. As the name suggests, this track focuses on electrical energy, encompassing the study of power generation, electricity transmission, and the development of new alternative energy sources. This field is closely tied to environmental issues, driving active research aimed at clean energy and sustainable development. Particularly with growing concerns about climate change and energy depletion, this discipline is emerging as an increasingly vital field of study.
The second track is the field of communications. The field of communications is the study of all signals and waves, covering the radio waves used in our mobile phones, sound waves, and computer communication networks. This field also addresses wave transmission and reception, encryption technologies to ensure secure data transfer, and aims for the development of next-generation communication technologies like 5G and 6G. It can be seen as providing the essential foundation for our modern digital communication society.
The third is the field of control. While the term “control” might sound somewhat complex, it simply refers to the technology that regulates and controls the movement or actions of specific objects, such as robots or artificial intelligence. This field focuses on creating robots to perform specific tasks or developing systems capable of autonomous operation, like self-driving cars. It also plays a pivotal role in the manufacturing sector due to its high applicability in industrial automation.
The fourth is the semiconductor field. Semiconductors are a well-known field where Korea possesses world-class technology. They are used to create precise machinery by integrating various functions into tiny chips. Since semiconductor technology is applied to most smartphones, computers, and even home appliances, this field is also crucial for national competitiveness. As a concentrated form of cutting-edge technology, its advancement is driving innovation in the electronics and IT industries.
The fifth is the field of electronic physics. This field somewhat weakens the term “engineering,” as it studies electronic physics in a manner akin to pure science, typically taught in physics departments. It primarily deals with topics related to modern physics, such as quantum mechanics or organic devices, and has a character closer to pure theoretical research rather than applied science. Consequently, students researching this field tend to develop a more in-depth and academic orientation.
Beyond these five, there is one more slightly different field: computer science. Programming skills are essential for operating various machines and products built with electrical technology, hence its inclusion within the Department of Electrical Engineering. For instance, in control systems, operating a robot requires more than just supplying electricity; it necessitates programs to control and issue commands to the robot. Such programming skills extend beyond basic software knowledge, demanding an understanding of both electrical and mechanical characteristics, making its placement within the Department of Electrical Engineering appropriate.
Finally, there is the field of biomedical engineering. Simply put, this field studies all medical devices used to treat people. For instance, X-rays can be included within the scope of electrical engineering as they are a type of electromagnetic wave, and MRI scanners also require electrical engineering technology. As this field is directly connected to human life, it demands high ethical standards and precision, providing the essential academic foundation for medical device development. Students in the Department of Electrical Engineering who study biomedical engineering may, starting from their master’s program, transfer to the Yeongeon Campus, where the College of Medicine is located, rather than the Gwanak Campus of Seoul National University, to pursue more specialized research.
As stated at the beginning of this article, the ‘Department of Electrical Engineering’ is a highly comprehensive field of study. As such, the Department of Electrical Engineering possesses broad characteristics that can be applied to various disciplines. Indeed, in modern society, electricity is an indispensable element used everywhere, and technologies utilizing electricity are closely intertwined with various industries. Graduates majoring in Electrical Engineering often enter unexpected fields, demonstrating that electrical engineering transcends being a mere academic discipline to become a practical and versatile technology. While challenges may arise in research and practice, Electrical Engineering is undoubtedly a fascinating field of study.
