Undergraduate and Graduate Programs in Power Systems Engineering

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department
College of Engineering

Electric Power Systems Engineering

Electric power fuels the world's economy. Electric power systems engineers design and operate the electric power system. Never since the early days of commercial electric power has the industry changed as substantially and rapidly as it is changing now. The field of electric power systems engineering encompasses almost every aspect of electrical and computer engineering. An engineering student seeking a broad, challenging career need look no further than electric power systems. This brochure summarizes the electric power instructional programs at WSU.

The WSU Program

Since 1996, the WSU Electric Power Systems Engineering Program has awarded eleven M.S. in Electrical Engineering degrees and six Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering degrees. Enrollment in the undergraduate Power program averages twenty per year.

Employment Opportunities

Our graduates are currently employed by electric utilities, consulting firms, and manufacturers in the industry.

Research

The program is supported by an active research program through the WSU Center for Energy Studies and Power Quality Lab, and there are numerous research opportunities for our students. WSU is a member of the Power Systems Engineering Research Center.

Courses

Upper Division Courses (Junior and Senior level)

ECE 488. Electric Machines and Transformers
ECE 585/595. Electrical Design Project I/II

Courses for Undergraduate or Graduate Students

EE 588. Electric Motor Applications
EE 598. Electric Power Systems Analysis I
EE 697. Electric Power Systems Analysis II
EE 688. Power Electronics
EE 796. Principles of Power Distribution

Courses for Graduate Students Only

EE 877J Integration of Renewable to Electrical Power Systems
EE 877? Smart Grid Technology
EE 897 Operation and Control of Power Systems
EE 898 Electric Power Quality

All courses use the for distribution of notes, assignments, homework solutions, grades, and other course information.

Power Engineering students supplement these with classes from a number of other engineering, math, science, economics, and business departments.

Facilities

Instructional laboratories:

Electric machinery lab: Four stations with power supplies, transformers, motors, and generators, and measuring equipment.
Power electronics lab: Four stations with supplies, various power electronic devices, and measuring equipment.
Portable power systems lab for classroom demonstrations

Research Laboratories:

Center for Energy Studies: For over twenty years the WSU Center for Energy Studies has conducted electric power systems research.
Electric Power Quality Lab: Lab and field equipment for power quality testing and research.