Hello,

This is a bit off from my usual topics and current level in the discipline. I am wondering though, when it comes to attaining a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, what math is required?
This is with a Power Electronics focus.
I know at least there is algebra required and some knowledge of complex numbers at the Associate Degree level. I know possibly at the Junior and Senior level, unless it starts at the master's level, there is a need to be capable in Calculus.
Are there any other types of math courses one would need to be skilled in?
And I am aware that different colleges teach differently.
And what specific math concepts would be if focus?

 

You would likely need a course in Linear Algebra and in Calculus.
Phasor calculations using complex numbers in both polar and rectangular form is needed for many AC circuit calculations.

 

Most undergraduate programs in electrical engineering require three semesters of calculus plus differential equations and a course in engineering prob stats. Some also require linear algebra, but many present the needed math as part of the circuits courses.

I don't think that most masters programs require any further math beyond the undergraduate level.

 

Dif Eq

 

Certainly the ability to use vector algebra math will be useful in the power field. But in the area of engineering I have not needed actual calculus. ( I have not been involved with actual "Rocket Science" engineering, that is probably different.)
OF COURSE, the classes may be quite different from the real world.
I needed to take a whole course in matrix math during my junior year, and never ever needed it during my career. Of course, I never had to design an analog computer IC, either, nor did I have to teach an alalog circuit design course.

 

But in the area of engineering I have not needed actual calculus.

How have you maganed to get this far without needing V/L=dI/dt ?

 

Math needed to earn a degree in Electrical Engineering?
All of it.

 

V/L=dI/dt ? Does not require a whole lot of actual calculus to obtain valid useful results.

 

V/L=dI/dt ? Does not require a whole lot of actual calculus to obtain valid useful results.

It really comes down to whether someone is satisfied with using approaches that they don't actually understand, but instead are just following a recipe by rote.

There's no real right or wrong answer here. It's also not an all-or-nothing proposition, but rather one of the degree of understanding that you want and/or need.

Lot's of people get by using nothing more than phasors based only one memorizing how to calculate reactance based on frequency and component values and then how to draw a diagram or do some algebra to work with them. But they have no idea what reactance actually is or why it is calculated the way that it is or where those diagrams or that algebra come from or why they work. As a result, they live in a box that limits the kind of problems they can solve, but lots of people go their entire careers without having to work outside that box, very possibly without realizing that they are even in it.

To understand where those phasors come from, you need enough calculus to solve basic differential equations, but while that's enough to let you understand the magic under the hood, it really doesn't expand you box much. For that, you need to be able to work with complex impedance in the frequency domain. Once again, you can do that my memorizing formulas and techniques without understanding that they are based on Laplace transforms and that using them is just one method of solving more complicated differential equations. But if you do understand that, then you are in a position to solve significantly more complex problems involving transient/arbitrary waveforms. But while your box has grown considerably based on greater math sophistication, the vast majority of people that operate at this level don't really understand what Laplace transforms are or why they work. They've just memorized the equations and procedures for finding and working with them. Understanding the complex math topics upon which these transforms are based once again expands the box, but your still in a box -- and you always will be. So the real question is how much math do you need to understand and be proficient with in order to make your personal box big enough for your wants and needs.

 

V/L=dI/dt ? Does not require a whole lot of actual calculus to obtain valid useful results.

Only if you hold V (and L) constant.

This is why I added differential equations to the list. No, I don’t ever need to solve a differential equation myself for what I do as a hobbyist, but I expect a working power systems engineer does, and certainly a student working on a masters does.

 

"Power Systems" is one branch of engineering that I did not need to visit very often. Certainly you need it for the courses.

 

"Power Systems" is one branch of engineering that I did not need to visit very often. Certainly you need it for the courses.

It is the branch the TS said he wanted to study. Was not implying it needed more or different math.

 

Hello,

This is a bit off from my usual topics and current level in the discipline. I am wondering though, when it comes to attaining a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, what math is required?
This is with a Power Electronics focus.
I know at least there is algebra required and some knowledge of complex numbers at the Associate Degree level. I know possibly at the Junior and Senior level, unless it starts at the master's level, there is a need to be capable in Calculus.
Are there any other types of math courses one would need to be skilled in?
And I am aware that different colleges teach differently.
And what specific math concepts would be if focus?
You’re on the right track already, and yeah calculus is basically unavoidable if you’re aiming for a Master’s in EE with a power electronics focus. Beyond that, you’ll definitely want a solid grip on differential equations since they show up everywhere in circuit analysis and control systems, linear algebra for handling system models and state space stuff, and some complex analysis because of how often frequency domain methods come into play. Probability and a bit of statistics can also pop up, especially if your program touches on signal processing or reliability. The key concepts tend to revolve around understanding how systems behave over time and under different inputs, not just solving equations but actually interpreting them. If you ever feel stuck connecting the math to real applications, something like https://edubrain.ai/math-ai/ can help you work through problems step by step and actually see the reasoning instead of just memorizing formulas, which is honestly what makes the difference at grad level. It also helps to visualize functions and check your work quickly, so you build intuition along the way. Overall, focus less on collecting courses and more on getting comfortable with how these math tools describe physical systems.

From what I’ve seen, you’ll need more than just algebra and complex numbers, especially for power electronics. Calculus is essential since it’s used everywhere in circuit analysis and control, and differential equations matter a lot because systems are all about how things change over time. Linear algebra also comes up more than expected with system modeling, and you’ll likely use Fourier and Laplace transforms for analyzing signals and switching behavior. If you’re solid in calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra, you’ll be in a good spot.

 

For much of what must be understood in power system engineering, an understanding of vector math will be needed, and some bit of skill in using it. Of course, to get thru the course work at many institutions you will need the math abilities. AND in actually doing Electrical Power SYSTEM ENGINEERING and getting it right the first time, you do need both knowledge and insight. WRONG ANSWERS would be very damaging to one's reputation!!
(Early in my career I had to replace an individual who got it wrong.)

 

Hello,

This is a bit off from my usual topics and current level in the discipline. I am wondering though, when it comes to attaining a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering, what math is required?
This is with a Power Electronics focus.
I know at least there is algebra required and some knowledge of complex numbers at the Associate Degree level. I know possibly at the Junior and Senior level, unless it starts at the master's level, there is a need to be capable in Calculus.
Are there any other types of math courses one would need to be skilled in?
And I am aware that different colleges teach differently.
And what specific math concepts would be if focus?

What do you define as power engineering
When most of us did our degrees / masteres etc , computers were in their infancy, and things like algebra, calculus , trigonometry were the cornerstone of all engineering .
Does the course your looking at not have a prospectus , in which it's laidout the level of experience and pre requsits needed ?

 

My career experience required that I had to always understand how things worked and where the stresses were. Those were elective studies, not required for the EE degree, but certainly useful in the real world.
POWER engineering is different from small signal engineering in that it must be correct AND ALSO HAVE AN ADEQUATE MARGIN for when the motion requires more effort than was stated. POWER engineering is the part with the voltages and currents that will evaporate a tool out of your hand if you make a mistake.

 

It really comes down to whether someone is satisfied with using approaches that they don't actually understand, but instead are just following a recipe by rote.

There's no real right or wrong answer here. It's also not an all-or-nothing proposition, but rather one of the degree of understanding that you want and/or need.

Lot's of people get by using nothing more than phasors based only one memorizing how to calculate reactance based on frequency and component values and then how to draw a diagram or do some algebra to work with them. But they have no idea what reactance actually is or why it is calculated the way that it is or where those diagrams or that algebra come from or why they work. As a result, they live in a box that limits the kind of problems they can solve, but lots of people go their entire careers without having to work outside that box, very possibly without realizing that they are even in it.

To understand where those phasors come from, you need enough calculus to solve basic differential equations, but while that's enough to let you understand the magic under the hood, it really doesn't expand you box much. For that, you need to be able to work with complex impedance in the frequency domain. Once again, you can do that my memorizing formulas and techniques without understanding that they are based on Laplace transforms and that using them is just one method of solving more complicated differential equations. But if you do understand that, then you are in a position to solve significantly more complex problems involving transient/arbitrary waveforms. But while your box has grown considerably based on greater math sophistication, the vast majority of people that operate at this level don't really understand what Laplace transforms are or why they work. They've just memorized the equations and procedures for finding and working with them. Understanding the complex math topics upon which these transforms are based once again expands the box, but your still in a box -- and you always will be. So the real question is how much math do you need to understand and be proficient with in order to make your personal box big enough for your wants and needs.

That is the best answer I've ever heard regarding "how much math do you really need?" !!!

 

not this again... guy must be a troll... starts topic and never responds, leaves bunch of people discussing his silly question.
if he is thinking of Masters degree, then he is already completed or nearing completion of his bachelor degree of electrical engineering. in other words, he has already been through bunch of math courses including at least 3 semesters of calculus, plus two on electromagnetism etc. so either he passed the math already or his degree is fake. cannot have it both ways.