Why Study Electrical or Computer Engineering?

ECE Possibilities

Electrical and computer engineering are a gateway to an exciting world of endless possibilities and cutting-edge innovation! As an electrical or computer engineer, you'll have the skills to work on groundbreaking projects such as developing sustainable technologies like solar panels, building smaller and more efficient transistors for the next generation of computers, using machine learning to improve self-driving cars, and improving healthcare by designing wearable sensors.

Industry partners, faculty, alumni, and students say that electrical and computer engineers are:

Our students say

" When I declared a Computer Engineering major, all I knew was that I liked computers and was interested in computer hardware enough to focus on it over Computer Science. I had practically no electrical engineering experience and quite little programming experience (I started in college). The great thing about UVA ECE is that you don't need to come in with all of that experience to do well. Now two years in, I couldn't be happier to study the great blend of computer architecture, digital hardware design, and low-level programming that is Computer Engineering here. Our teaching faculty are great, our culture is welcoming, and as time goes on, I couldn't imagine calling any other place at UVA home." - Paul Karhnak, Class of 2025

"I'm grateful for the well-rounded curriculum and abundant project opportunities that the ECE program offers. The program promotes collaboration through group work, which has allowed me to build strong connections and community with my fellow students. Go Hoos!" - Kate Renner, Class of 2025

"One thing I love about UVA ECE are the opportunities to apply what I learn outside class. One of my favorite such experiances is helping to design PCBs for the UVA Solar Car Team. I started out with the skills I learned in Applied Circuits but have learned so much more during my time with Solar Car." - Ben Kessler, Class of 2026