Electrical and Computer Engineering Newsblog

Course Recommendations for ECE Graduate Students – Spring 2027

Published October 19, 2026

Uncategorized

This post outlines the requirements and structures for three primary graduate programs in the ECE Department during the 2026-2027 academic year:

1. Master of Science in Robotics Engineering (MS ERE)

2. Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MS EECE)

3. PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD ECE)

Program Comparison Summary

Feature	MS Robotics (MS ERE)	MS ECE (MS EECE)	PhD ECE (with MS)	PhD ECE (Direct/no MS)
Total Credits	30	30	30	60
EE Course Credits MIN	Core required courses Coursework – 15-18 Report – 15 Thesis – 15 Elective courses Coursework 12 Report 6-13 Thesis 2-9	Coursework – 15 Report – 12 Thesis – 10	9-12	21
3000-level Courses	Not permitted	Not permitted	Not permitted	Not permitted
4000-level MAX	Coursework – 12 Report – 12 Thesis – 9	Coursework – 12 Report – 12 Thesis – 9	Not permitted	9 credits
Max Co-op Credits	3 credits (UN 5000-5003)	3 credits (UN 5000-5003)	Not permitted	3 credits (UN 5000-5003)
RCR Requirement	1-3 credits (Report/Thesis)	1-3 credits (Report/Thesis)	1-3 credits	1-3 credits
Typical Duration	1.5 – 2 Years	1.5 – 2 Years	3 – 5 Years	4 – 6 Years

Academic Flexibility & Course Load

Unlike undergraduate degree programs, graduate degrees are more flexible, allowing students to tailor their plan of study to their specific goals and interests. A Master of Science student may select courses of their choosing, provided they conform to the degree requirements. The standard course load for a graduate student is nine (9) credits per semester. Please contact the ECE Graduate Program Director to schedule an advising session. Please note that courses outside the ECE department must be pre-approved by the Graduate Program Director in order to count towards your degree. Technology courses such as EET, MMET don’t count towards your degree requirements.

Online Course Registration Guidelines

Specific regulations govern online enrollment for on-campus graduate students:

Dual-Delivery Courses (+OL): Online sections of courses offered concurrently with on-campus sections are unavailable to on-campus students.

CPT Exception: On-campus students participating in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) are permitted to enroll in these online course sections.

Exclusively Online Courses: Graduate courses that are offered only in an online format (without an equivalent on-campus section) are open to on-campus students.

Spring 2027 Graduate Course Recommendations & Class Descriptions

To assist with academic planning and elective registration, the active graduate-level courses offered in Spring 2027 are listed below. Courses covering multi-disciplinary domains are cross-listed in all applicable technical areas. The indicator (+OL) identifies courses that offer online enrollment options.

1. Power & Energy

Focus: Power transmission, conversion, machines, and smart-grid integration.

EE 4219 – Intro to Elec Mach & Drives (+OL)

Covers how electric machines can be used to drive loads with control of speed, torque and position. Topics include basic electro-mechanics, rotating machinery, dc machines, ac machines, power electronics and load modeling.

EE4220 – Intro to Elec Mach & Drives Lab

Provides a hands on understanding of how electric machines can be used to drive loads with control of speed, torque, and position.

EE 4222 – Power System Analysis 2 (+OL)

Topics covered include symmetrical components; symmetrical faults; unbalanced faults; generating the bus impedance matrix and using it in fault studies; power system protection; power system operation; power system stability.

EE 4226 – Power Engineering Lab

A laboratory based course highlighting single phase and three phase power concepts, including: power factor, single and three phase transformer configurations, non-ideal transformers, synchronous machines, renewable energy, power flow and fault simulations, relay settings and relay testing and calibration.

EE 5223 – Power System Protection (+OL)

Real-time monitoring and protection of modern power systems. Secure and reliable operation of radial and grid systems. Protection of transmission lines, buses, generators, motors, transformers, and other equipment against disturbances.

EE 5224 – Power System Protection Lab (+OL)

Theory-based application of software and hardware used for power system protection. Fault simulations, protective relay settings and coordination, and test operation of relays under static, dynamic, and transient conditions.

EE 5232 – Power Systems Optimization (+OL)

Linear, non-linear, and integer programming, simplex method, branch and bound, steepest descent method, convex, stochastic, and distributed optimization, interior-point method, evolutionary algorithm, optimal power flow, unit commitment, vot/var optimization, state estimation, feeder reconfiguration.

EE5240 – Computer Model of Power System (+OL)

Topics include modeling and computer methods applied to electrical power systems, matrix formulations, network topology and sparse matrix data structures, load flow, short- circuit and stability formulations, constrained optimization methods for load flow and state estimation, and time-domain simulation methods for transient analysis.

2. Signals & Systems

Focus: Processing, analysis, systems modeling, and communications engineering.

EE 4250 – Modern Communication Systems

Introduces the mathematical theory of communication science. Topics include baseband and digital signaling, bandpass signaling, AM and FM systems, bandpass digital systems, and case studies of communication systems.

3. ElectroPhysics

Focus: Physical systems, devices, electromagnetic fields, and semiconductor material processing.

EE 4232 – Electronic Applications

Study of electronic circuits under small- and large-signal conditions. Typical topics include analysis and design of power and RF amplifiers, feedback circuits, oscillators, timing circuits, and wave-shaping circuits.

EE 4331/ EE 5331 – Chip Packaging

This course provides an introduction to the science and engineering involved in semiconductor device packaging technologies associated with microelectronic chips through lecture and laboratory exercises.

EE 4800/ EE5900 – Photonic Quantum Comp. & Info

Quantum mechanics, physical and mathematical foundations of photonic quantum computing for engineers and applied physics. Rigorous treatment of optical implementations of quantum logic gates and algorithms, quantum communications, and imaging.

EE 5900 – Advanced Electronic Applications

Covers advanced electronic circuits; includes analysis and design of power and RF amplifiers, feedback circuits, oscillators, timing circuits, and advanced wave-shaping circuits.

4. Computer Engineering

Focus: Processing hardware, algorithms, networking, and automotive computer systems.

EE 4173 – Comp Sys Engineering & Perform

Covers quantitative performance evaluation of: memory hierarchies, from cache through virtual memory; pipelined processors with advanced hazard management; and combined processor/memory systems. Introduces RAID, superscalars, parallel processing, cache coherence, performance simulation software.

EE 4272 – Computer Networks

Computer network architectures and protocols; design and implementation of datalink, network, and transport layer functions. Introduction to the Internet protocol suite (TCP, UDP, IP), domain name service and protocols, file sharing protocols, wireless networks, and network security.

EE 4723 – Network Security

Learn fundamental of cryptography and its application to network security. Understand network security threats, security services, and countermeasures. Acquire background knowledge on well known network security protocols. Address open research issues in network security.

EE 4737 – Embedded System Interfacing

Covers the use of low-power microcontrollers and hardware- dependent C for embedded sensing and control systems. Emphasizes direct interfacing with analog and digital sensors and actuators of several different modalities, to implement end-to-end embedded systems for applications including robotics and wireless sensor nets.

5. Robotics

Focus: Industrial automation, autonomous perception, intelligence algorithms, control design, and embedded architectures.

EE 4262 – Digital and Non-linear Control

Introduction to state space analysis and design (state feedback, observers, and observer feedback); digital control system design and analysis; introduction to nonlinear systems and experiments with physical systems.

EE 4533/ EE5533 – Neuromorphic Robotic Systems

This course introduces brain-inspired AI for robotics. Students explore neuromorphic AI, spiking neural networks, core neuroscience concepts, and biologically plausible learning algorithms. Key topics include applying computational brain models for robot perception and navigation with various sensors.

EE 4615/ EE 5615 AI Engineering Applications

This course introduces practical AI/ML tools for solving real engineering problems. Students learn end-to-end workflows and basic deployment using modern Python libraries. Core topics include supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning. Application domains emphasize common engineering contexts.

EE 5531 – Introduction to Robotics

Introduction to autonomous systems and robotics with focus on automated ground vehicles. Project based course using distributed computing to solve problems related to motion planning, perception, and localization. Requires experience with Linux operating systems variants, version control systems, and C++ or Python.

EE 5841 – Deep Learning

Covers foundational techniques of machine learning. Topics are pulled from the areas of unsupervised and supervised learning. Specific methods covered include naive Bayes, decision trees, support vector machine (SVMs), ensemble, and clustering methods.

6. Automotive

Focus: Powertrains, hybrid architecture, electric vehicles, vehicle modeling, and dynamic system optimization.

EE 5295 – Adv Propulsion Sys for HEV (+OL)

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) will be studied and simulated using advanced powertrain component analysis and modeling. An in-depth analysis and study of power flows, losses, and energy usage are examined for isolated powertrain components and HEV configurations.

EE 5315 – Cyber Security Auto Sys I (OL only)

Modern automotive control and communications systems from a cyber security perspective. Topics include: V2X communications, vehicle attack surfaces and vulnerabilities, in-vehicle networks, threat analysis and vulnerabilities, security mechanisms and architectures, security requirements analysis, hardware security modules, and standards.

From Nanoscale Research to Real-World Impact: Celebrating Dr. Parinaz Eskandari

Published August 18, 2026

By Maryann Wilcox

Dr. Parinaz Eskandari successfully defended her PhD dissertation, “Design, Modeling and Experimental Development of Nanoscale Confinement Structures on Planar Silicon-based Microelectrode Arrays for Single Entity Electrochemical Sensing,” this past April.

It’s been just a few months since Dr. Parinaz Eskandari graduated with her PhD in Electrical Engineering.

During her time at Michigan Tech, Eskandari tirelessly explored semiconductor devices alongside her advisor, Dr. Paul Bergstrom. She worked on the development of silicon-based platforms for sensitive and reliable detection of biological analytes. In particular, she focused on nanoscale surface engineering, achieving targeted improvements in electrochemical device performance and sensing capabilities.

This research breakthrough did not happen overnight. Over a period of roughly 3 years, Eskandari spent several thousand hours in the lab fabricating and characterizing semiconductor structures. Her intensive workload spanned the entire development process—combining cleanroom microfabrication techniques with electrical and electrochemical analysis, and bridging the gap from initial device design and modeling to testing, data analysis, and interpretation.

Beyond the complex engineering milestones, time in the lab taught Eskandari a deeper set of truths. She took some time out to share what she has learned.

Q: Please describe your path toward your PhD. What twists and turns did it take, and what have you learned from your varied experiences?

A: My path to a PhD was not a straight line. There were unexpected challenges, changes in research direction, and moments of uncertainty that forced me to adapt. Moving to a new country and pursuing advanced research while balancing teaching responsibilities required resilience and flexibility. Looking back, I realize that growth often happens in those difficult moments when things do not go according to plan. I learned that perseverance is not simply about working harder; it is about remaining open to learning, adjusting your approach, and continuing to move forward even when the destination seems unclear.

Q: Do you have any thoughts on patience, motivation, drive, and/or singular focus that you’d like to share?

A: I have learned that patience and persistence are just as important as intelligence. Research rarely provides immediate answers. Experiments fail, manuscripts require revisions, and progress can be slow. Motivation comes and goes, but commitment is what carries you through difficult periods. Rather than waiting to feel inspired every day, I believe in consistently taking small steps forward. Over time, those small efforts accumulate into meaningful accomplishments.

Q: What is your approach to teaching students in the lab?

A: I try to create a learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes. Laboratories can be intimidating, especially when students are using sophisticated equipment for the first time. I emphasize hands-on learning, encourage curiosity, and guide students through the reasoning behind each procedure instead of simply asking them to follow instructions. My goal is to help students develop confidence and independence as problem-solvers.

Q: What are the most important things you seek to teach?

A: Beyond technical knowledge, I hope to teach students how to think critically, troubleshoot systematically, and communicate effectively. I want them to understand that science and engineering are not about memorizing answers; they are about asking good questions and learning how to approach unfamiliar problems. Integrity, attention to detail, and persistence are qualities that I believe are just as valuable as technical skills.

Q: What do you enjoy most about interacting with students?

A: One of the most rewarding parts of teaching is witnessing the moment when something finally clicks for a student. I enjoy helping students recognize their own potential and gain confidence in abilities they may have doubted. Students often bring fresh perspectives and thoughtful questions that challenge me to think differently as well. Teaching is a two-way learning experience, and I value that exchange greatly.

Q: Any specific career goals now that you have earned your PhD?

A: Looking ahead, I hope to build a career that brings together my interests in semiconductors, photonics, and optoelectronic systems. I am particularly drawn to the process of transforming research concepts into reliable, real-world technologies through product development, testing, and validation. I enjoy the collaborative nature of this work, partnering with multidisciplinary teams to solve complex problems, improve performance, and ensure that innovative ideas can successfully transition from the laboratory to practical applications. Whether contributing to sensing technologies, integrated photonic systems, or next-generation optical devices, I am excited by opportunities to help develop technologies that make a meaningful impact.

Q: If you could create any business/invention, what would it be?

A: If I could create any invention, it would be one that genuinely makes people’s lives easier and improves their quality of life. I am inspired by technologies that solve real-world problems and have a meaningful impact on society. Whether through accessible diagnostic tools, smarter sensing systems, or other innovations that simplify daily challenges, I would want to develop solutions that are practical, affordable, and widely available. To me, the most rewarding aspect of engineering is knowing that something you helped create has the potential to positively affect people’s lives and, in some small way, make the world a better place.

Q: What’s the best advice you can give/have been given?

A: One piece of advice that has stayed with me is: “Do not compare your journey to someone else’s timeline.” Everyone’s path is different. Success is rarely linear, and setbacks do not define your future. Focus on continuous growth, stay true to your values, and trust that persistence will eventually open doors you cannot yet see.

Q: Anything else you’d like to add?

A: I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the mentors, friends, and students who have been part of my journey at Michigan Tech. I am deeply thankful to my advisor, Dr. Paul Bergstrom, for his guidance, encouragement, and support throughout my PhD. During challenging moments, he reminded me not to give up and taught me the importance of resilience and perseverance in both research and life. Those lessons have shaped not only the scientist and educator I have become, but also the person I aspire to be. I am proud of what I have accomplished and excited for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Course Recommendations for ECE Graduate Students – Fall 2026

Published July 13, 2026

By Wayne Weaver

This post outlines the requirements and structures for three primary graduate programs in the ECE Department during the 2026-2027 academic year:

Master of Science in Robotics Engineering (MS ERE)
Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MS EECE)
PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD ECE)

Program Comparison Summary

Feature	MS Robotics (MS ERE)	MS ECE (MS EECE)	PhD ECE (with MS)	PhD ECE (Direct/no MS)
Total Credits	30	30	30	60
EE Course Credits MIN	Coursework – 15 Report – 12 Thesis – 10	Coursework – 15 Report – 12 Thesis – 10	9-12	21
3000-level Courses	Not permitted	Not permitted	Not permitted	Not permitted
4000-level MAX	Coursework – 12 Report – 12 Thesis – 10	Coursework – 12 Report – 12 Thesis – 10	0-3	6-8
Max Co-op Credits	3 credits (UN 5000-5003)	3 credits (UN 5000-5003)	3 credits (UN 5000-5003)	3 credits (UN 5000-5003)
RCR Requirement	1-3 credits (Report/Thesis)	1-3 credits (Report/Thesis)	1-3 credits	1-3 credits
Typical Duration	1.5 – 2 Years	1.5 – 2 Years	3 – 5 Years	4 – 6 Years

Academic Flexibility & Course Load

Unlike undergraduate degree programs, graduate degrees are more flexible, allowing students to tailor their plan of study to their specific goals and interests. A Master of Science student may select courses of their choosing, provided they conform to the degree requirements. The standard course load for a graduate student is nine (9) credits per semester. Please contact the ECE Graduate Program Director to schedule an advising session.

Online Course Registration Guidelines

Specific regulations govern online enrollment for on-campus graduate students:

Dual-Delivery Courses (+OL): Online sections of courses offered concurrently with on-campus sections are unavailable to on-campus students.
CPT Exception: On-campus students participating in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) are permitted to enroll in these online course sections.
Exclusively Online Courses: Graduate courses that are offered only in an online format (without an equivalent on-campus section) are open to on-campus students.

Fall 2026 Graduate Course Recommendations & Class Descriptions

To assist with academic planning and elective registration, the active graduate-level courses offered in Fall 2026 are listed below. Courses covering multi-disciplinary domains are cross-listed in all applicable technical areas. The indicator (+OL) identifies courses that offer online enrollment options.

1. Power & Energy

Focus: Power transmission, conversion, machines, and smart-grid integration.

EE 4221 – Power System Analysis 1 (+OL) Covers power transmission line parameters and applications, symmetrical components, transformer and load representations, system faults and protection, and the per-unit system.
EE 4227 – Power Electronics (+OL) Fundamentals of circuits for electrical energy processing. Covers switching converter principles for dc-dc, ac-dc, and dc-ac power conversion. Other topics include harmonics, pulse-width modulation, feedback control, magnetic components, and power semiconductors.
EE 5200 – Advanced Methods in Power Systems (+OL) Advanced analysis and simulation methods for load flow, symmetrical components, short-circuit studies, optimal system operation, stability, and transient analysis. Application of commonly used software reinforces concepts and provides practical insights.
EE 5230 – Power System Operations (+OL) Study of advanced engineering and economic algorithms and analysis techniques for the planning, operation, and control of the electric power system from generation through transmission to distribution.
EE 5900 – Modern Power System Dynamics (+OL) Focuses on the dynamic behavior, stability analysis, modeling, and transient control of modern interconnected electrical networks.
EE 5900 – High Voltage Engineering (+OL) Examines insulation engineering, breakdown mechanisms in solids, liquids, and gases, overvoltages, testing methods, and high-voltage safety procedures.

2. Signals & Systems

Focus: Processing, analysis, systems modeling, and communications engineering.

EE 4252 – Digital SP and Applications Digital signal processing techniques with emphasis on applications. Includes sampling, the Z-transform, digital filters, and discrete Fourier transforms. Emphasizes techniques for design and analysis of digital filters. Special topics may include the FFT, windowing techniques, quantization effects, physical limitations, image processing basics, image enhancement, image restoration, and image coding.
EE 5500 – Prob & Stoch Processes (+OL) Theory of probability, random variables, and stochastic processes, with applications in electrical and computer engineering. Probability measure and probability spaces. Random variables, distributions, expectations. Random vectors and sequences. Stochastic processes, including Gaussian and Poisson processes. Stochastic processes in linear systems. Markov chains and related topics.
EE 5715 – Linear Systems Theory & Design (+OL) Overview of linear algebra, Modern Control: state-space based design of linear systems, observability, controllability, pole placement, observer design, stability theory of linear time-varying systems, Lyapunov stability, optimal control, Linear Quadratic regulator, Kalman filter, Introduction to robust control.
ME 4775 – Control Sys Analysis & Design (+OL) This course covers topics of control systems design. Course includes a review for modeling of dynamical systems, stability, and root locus design. Also covers control systems design in the frequency domain, fundamentals of digital control and nonlinear systems.
ME 5670 – Experimental Design in Engg (+OL) Review of basic statistical concepts. Models for testing significance of one or many factors. Reducing experimental effort by incomplete blocks and Latin squares. Factorial and fractional factorial designs. Response surface analysis for optimal response.

3. ElectroPhysics

Focus: Physical systems, devices, electromagnetic fields, and semiconductor material processing.

EE 4490 – Laser Systems and Applications Survey of laser types and analysis of common physical and engineering principles, including energy states, inversion, gain, and broadening mechanisms, from a quantum-mechanical perspective. Laser applications and laser properties are explored in the laboratory portion.
EE 5330 – Chip Fabrication This course provides an advanced introduction to the science and engineering involved in semiconductor device fabrication associated with microelectronic chips through lecture and laboratory exercises.

4. Computer Engineering

Focus: Processing hardware, algorithms, networking, and automotive computer systems.

EE 4173 – Comp Sys Engineering & Perform Covers the principles and practices of modern computer architecture. Emphasizes quantitative performance evaluation of: memory hierarchies, from cache through virtual memory; pipelined processors with advanced hazard management; and combined processor/memory systems. Introduces RAID, superscalars, parallel processing, cache coherence, and performance simulation software.
EE 4271 – VLSI Design Design of VLSI circuits using CAD tools. Analysis of physical factors affecting performance. Exhibit content learning through a course project demonstration.
EE 4272 – Computer Networks Computer network architectures and protocols; design and implementation of datalink, network, and transport layer functions. Introduction to the Internet protocol suite (TCP, UDP, IP), domain name service and protocols, file sharing protocols, wireless networks, and network security.
EE 5271 – VLSI Design Design of VLSI circuits using CAD tools. Analysis of physical factors affecting performance. Exhibit content learning through a course project demonstration.
EE 5455 – Cybersecurity Indust Ctrl Sys (+OL Only) General introduction to cybersecurity of industrial control systems and critical infrastructures. Topics include NIST and DHS publications, threat analysis, vulnerability analysis, red teaming, intrusion detection systems, industrial networks, industrial malware, and selected case studies.

5. Robotics

Focus: Industrial automation, autonomous perception, intelligence algorithms, control design, and embedded architectures.

EE 4235 – Sensing/Processing in Robotics Sensing and signal processing for robotics applications in manufacturing and autonomous navigation. Heavy emphasis on developing, testing, and evaluating algorithms. MATLAB programming required.
EE 5715 – Linear Systems Theory & Design (+OL) Overview of linear algebra, Modern Control: state-space based design of linear systems, observability, controllability, pole placement, observer design, stability theory of linear time-varying systems, Lyapunov stability, optimal control, Linear Quadratic regulator, Kalman filter, Introduction to robust control.
EE 5821 – Computational Intelligence This course covers the four main paradigms of Computational Intelligence, viz., fuzzy systems, artificial neural networks, evolutionary computing, and swarm intelligence, and their integration to develop hybrid systems. Applications of Computational Intelligence include classification, regression, clustering, controls, robotics, etc.
EE 5900 – Machine Learning for Robotics Introduces foundational machine learning paradigms and algorithms, deep neural network designs, and training procedures tailored for robot control, vision, and autonomous decision-making processes.
ME 4707 – Autonomous Systems The main concepts of autonomous systems will be introduced including motion control, navigation, and intelligent path planning and perception. This is a hands-on project based course. Students will have the opportunity to work with mobile robotics platforms. Having a foundational understanding of programming is recommended to make the most of this course.

6. Automotive

Focus: Powertrains, hybrid architecture, electric vehicles, vehicle modeling, and dynamic system optimization.

EE 4295 – Intro Propulsion Sys for HEV (+OL) Hybrid electric drive vehicle analysis will be developed and applied to examine the operation, integration, and design of powertrain components. Model based simulation and design is applied to determine vehicle performance measures in comparison to vehicle technical specifications. Power flows, losses, energy usage, and drive quality are examined over drive-cycles via application of these tools.
EE 5811 – Automotive Systems (+OL) Automotive systems for light-duty vehicles are examined from the perspectives of requirements, design, technical, and economic analyses to meet advanced mobility needs. This course links the content for the automotive systems graduate certificate in controls, powertrain, vehicle dynamics, and connected and autonomous vehicles.
ME 4775 – Control Sys Analysis & Design (+OL) This course covers topics of control systems design. Course includes a review for modeling of dynamical systems, stability, and root locus design. Also covers control systems design in the frequency domain, fundamentals of digital control and nonlinear systems.
ME 5680 – Optimization I Provides introductory concepts to optimization methods and theory. Covers the fundamentals of optimization, which is central to any problem involving engineering decision making. Provides the tools to select the best alternative for specific objectives.

Beyond the Classroom: Electronics Hub Summer Spotlights

Published June 29, 2026

By Maryann Wilcox

Peter Kocour debugs an in-circuit test fixture at Miller Electric Manufacturing

Electrical engineering senior Peter Kocour from Chassell, Michigan is undertaking his second internship at Miller Electric Manufacturing. Going into the summer, he was fairly set on Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design as a future career. Within just a few weeks, however, his perspective began to shift.

What are you doing this summer?

I’m working at the Components Division of Miller Electric Manufacturing, based in Appleton, Wisconsin. I’m working as an Electrical Engineering Intern.

What has been the most challenging aspect so far?

I’m still pretty early into my internship, but so far it’s been figuring out what I might want to pursue for a full-time career. In my first couple of weeks back at Miller I’ve been exposed to a wide range of potential career paths. For instance, I’ve had the opportunity to work on designing and modifying in-circuit test (ICT) fixtures, as well as debugging tests and boards. I’ve started to learn more about in-circuit and functional testing, PCB layouts, component sourcing. I’ve really found myself enjoying the problem-solving side of test engineering.

What is the best part?

The true diversity of work and the amazing people I get to work with! Whether its PCB design, supply chain management/component sourcing, or in-circuit test design, Miller has been able to broaden my exposure to many aspects of my field.

How did you get interested in electronics?

My parents got me interested in electronics and robotics at a very early age. First in elementary school with RC cars/planes/helicopters and Lego Mindstorm robots. That quickly turned into FPV drones, autonomous model rockets, electronics repair, Arduinos and more complex robots in middle school. Which then turned into more complex electronics projects in high school–and ultimately helped me choose Electrical Engineering as my major at Michigan Tech!

What are your career goals?

My current career goals once I graduate next spring is to land a job in Test Engineering or PCB Design.

If you could create any company or invention what would it be?

If I could start my own business I would probably go after designing aircraft avionics such as flight displays and instruments like Garmin or Dynon Avionics.

What do you like to do for fun in your spare time?

In my spare time I really enjoy design and working on various electronics projects, playing videogames, riding motorcycles, and getting outside whenever I can!

Beyond the Classroom: Electronics Hub Summer Spotlights

Published June 2, 2026

By Maryann Wilcox

Eli Richardson prepares to test barometers at RM Young.

Electrical engineering senior Eli Richardson from Traverse City, Michigan takes us inside RM Young Company. Read on to learn how this Michigan Tech student’s passion for electronics fuels both his corporate role and a massive high-power motor project in his garage.

What are you doing this summer?

I’m working at RM Young, based in Traverse City. It’s a company that makes a majority of the weather sensors used all around the world. Most of the components are made entirely in house. My specific role is R&D intern, which is all about updating our old sensors. That includes through-hole components to SMD, designing and programming retrofit boards for older model sensors, and fixing broken PCBs. My primary project is the 05103 wind monitor. I’ve been updating it to use a newer protocol.

What are some of the challenges?

When I first started, I had no idea what I was doing. I had to learn all these different CAD packages, along with niche programming software. At the same time, my boss wasn’t used to talking with people who didn’t know what was going on, so he’d use a bunch of niche terminology. I’d need to Google what it meant after each conversation—and then hope I was responding to him correctly!

What do you enjoy most?

It’s the freedom I get from having an engineering job that allows me to take a project in whatever direction I think would be best (or sometimes most fun). And at the same time, nobody asks any questions if I get up from my desk and walk around for no real reason. A consistent schedule is really nice, too.

How did you get interested in electronics?

I’ve been interested in electronics for as long as I can remember. I was always intrigued by things that plugged in. I slowly learned more and more about how to plug things in correctly, so to speak, up to the point that I jumped into the deep end of a job here at RM Young where I was expected to know quite a lot. But I had no clue how much I didn’t know.

What are your career goals?

After graduating, I very much hope to continue working at RM Young (if they’ll have me) and see where life takes me from there.

What do you like to do for fun?

For the past 6 months I’ve been trying my best to make a high-power axial flux motor. It takes up a grand majority of my free time. I only have a small portion completed, if I can even call it that.

What’s an axial flux motor?

Axial flux motors have mostly been used in generators. Recently, though, the high-performance car maker, Koenigsegg, which is owned by Mercedes, made their “dark matter” motor based on axial flux topology. After seeing a video of its construction, I wanted to try making one, myself.

Tell us more

The controller needs to be tuned for the motor to work correctly, and ideally, it is a pure sine wave controller that uses field-oriented control. I will be making a controller with the Open Source Enterprise at Michigan Tech next semester that can hopefully drive the motor. Once it’s all done, I honestly still have no idea what I’ll be able to do with it.

My design is going to be incredibly heavy and powerful, but the only manufacturing tool I have is a 3D printer. It should work, but I have no idea for how long. I’ll probably buy some kind of CNC machine to make a version 3 that isn’t just made of mostly plastic. At that point I should probably learn some simulation tools to make sure everything is designed in an ideal manner.

If you could create any company or invention what would it be?

I would make axial flux motors and subsequent controllers to go with them. I’m way too fascinated with them!

Beyond the Classroom: Electronics Hub Summer Spotlights

Published May 29, 2026

By Maryann Wilcox

Evelina Hovis, getting ready to inspect the new copper layer on a PCB panel

Electrical engineering senior Evelina Hovis from Grosse Isle, Michigan takes us inside Professor Middlebrook’s PCB Lab. Learn how she tackles manufacturing challenges, analyzes micro-structures under the microscope, and stays organized through it all.

Q: What are you doing this summer?

A: I am working in the PCB research lab of Professor Chris Middlebrook. My job is to determine the accuracy of the electroplating rates on the lab’s LPKF Contac S4 Electroplating Machine. The work involves testing, data collection, and analyzing the consistency and quality of the plating process.

Q: What are some of the challenges?

We do a lot of troubleshooting when trying to achieve uniform plating, to narrow down exactly where any issues are coming from. Research involves a lot of trial and error along with careful testing. Another challenge is organizing collected data properly so that results are accurate and easy to analyze.

Q: What do you enjoy most?

A: I really enjoy microsectioning. That involves taking tiny samples of circuit boards, embedding them into resin pucks, grinding them down, and analyzing them under a microscope. It’s really interesting to closely examine the internal structure of the boards and see the results of the manufacturing process in detail.

Q: How did you end up at Michigan Tech?

A: MTU stood out to me because of its great engineering program. I really enjoy the close-knit campus community, along with the beautiful nature and scenic views in the area.

Q: How did you become interested in electronics?

A: Soon after arriving at Michigan Tech, I started taking circuits and electronics courses and labs. That’s when I realized how much I enjoy circuit building and analysis. Seeing ideas we learned about in the classroom become real and functional through hands-on work was really rewarding. That’s what made me interested in pursuing electronics further.

Q: What are your career goals?

A: Once I graduate with my BS in Electrical Engineering next year, I hope to begin working in the electronics or PCB manufacturing industry. I’m also interested in pursuing automotive-related work. I feel optimistic about my career prospects. Electronics and manufacturing continue to grow and evolve. There will always be a need for engineers who can solve problems, improve processes, and adapt to new technologies.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: One of my personal hobbies involves making appliqué and custom hoodies. I would love to create a business where I sell my handmade creations. It would feel rewarding to know that other people enjoy something I created and can find beauty in it as well.

Q: How would you change the world if you could?

A: I would change the way our government operates to make systems more efficient, transparent, and focused on helping our people.

Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

A: Ask questions, even if you think they might sound dumb. Sometimes the person explaining something may unintentionally leave out details because they already understand it, so asking questions helps bridge the communication gap. It also creates opportunities to learn from different perspectives.

Q: Any advice of your own you’d like to share?

A: Learn how to manage stress in school or the workplace. Things can become overwhelming very quickly, so it’s important to step back and think, “What’s something I can do today to make tomorrow easier?” Small habits that help you stay organized and prepared can make a huge difference.

The Power of Hands-On Learning: MTU EE Students Share Their Passion for Electronics at Superior Makerfest

Published March 19, 2026

By Kimberly Geiger

Katelyn Spolnicki and Alex Ossenheimer with a student in a gymnasium using electrical equipment — Katelyn Spolnicki and Alex Ossenheimer spent the Pi Day at Superior Makersfest.

This past Pi Day, a group of students from the Michigan Tech IPC & Electronics Student Chapter headed to Houghton High School. Senior Katelyn Spolnicki, second year-student Alex Ossenheimer, and third-year Sam Freye spent the day at Superior Makerfest, hosted by Superior Fab Lab. They taught attendees of all ages—some as young as five—the essential skill of soldering.

The three electrical engineering students taught attendees how to solder a mini flashlight. The flashlight kits–—boards, components, and a ruler – multifunctional PCB engineering scale printed circuit board ruler measuring tool—were donated by the Electronics Foundation.

Logo for Superior Fab Lab’s MakerFest 3.14.26, Pi(e) Day Edition — a circular pie chart styled as a pie crust, with six slices depicting different maker materials: LEGO bricks (yellow), wood grain (brown), woven fabric (blue), diamond-plate metal (gray), circuit board (green), and the Superior Fab Lab logo on red. The text “MakerFest 3.14.26” arcs across the top and “Pi(e) Day Edition” along the bottom, with π symbols on both sides.

“It was amazing to see people of all ages get excited about learning to solder,” says Katelyn Spolnicki.

“Being part of the IPC student chapter has been one of the best parts of my college experience. It’s given me hands-on experience, industry connections, and a community of people who share the same interests,” she adds.

Her advice to anyone interested in electronics or electrical engineering? “Get involved early, try new things, and take advantage of opportunities like IPC.”

Spolnicki will graduate from Michigan Tech in just a few weeks. In the short term, she hopes to keep encouraging more students to explore electronics on campus. “Long term I want to work in the electronics industry on meaningful projects, and eventually mentor others entering the field.”

“I’m grateful I had the chance to help at Makerfest,” adds Spolnicki. “Events like this really show how fun and welcoming the electronics community can be.”

I really enjoyed meeting all the kids who stopped by our table to learn about electronics assembly and hand soldering,” adds Ossenheimer.

“I’m a relatively new member of the IPC & Electronics student chapter. It’s been a fulfilling and refreshing experience to be a part of this group, to have the chance to experience the different facets of electronics and semiconductor engineering and manufacturing firsthand,” he says. “It’s something I plan to keep doing throughout my time at Michigan Tech.”

Alex Ossenheimer helping a student build a mini flashlight — Alex Ossenheimer teaches a student to solder a mini flashlight at the Superior Makerfest.

Ossenheimer is majoring in electrical engineering with a concentration in photonics. Similar to electronics, which involves the control of electrons, photonics deals with the control of photons in terms of generating and harnessing light and other forms of radiant energy.

His advice to a younger person interested in electronics: “Start by experimenting with the plethora of free tools out there—websites like Circuit Lab and Multisim Live for simulating circuits, and CAD software like KiCad for designing PCBs and schematics. YouTube is a good resource, too. A lot of people are making amazing videos on a wide variety of topics related to electronics.”

Whether you’re a student, job-seeker, veteran, or a professional, there’s a place for you in the electronics community. Feel free to reach out to ECE Professor Christopher Middlebrook for more information at the Michigan Tech Electronics Hub for ongoing workforce development opportunities in Michigan and beyond.

Three Electrical Engineering Students Earn High-Tech Honors

Published February 26, 2026

By Kimberly Geiger

Michigan Tech electrical engineering students Emily Daley, Rishin Patra and Katelyn Spolnicki have each earned scholarships from the Electronics Foundation.

Established by the Global Electronics Association, the Electronics Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to developing the next generation of electronics industry professionals. It connects students with industry leaders and supports STEM education through hands-on experiences, scholarships and educational resources.

From Michigan Tech to Taipei: A Journey of Firsts

Published February 26, 2026

By Kimberly Geiger

Global Electronics Association Board of Directors Meeting

Growing up in Byron, Michigan, watching her father as an electrician, Emily Daley knew someday she would study electronics. “In elementary school, I began to dream of building my own robot. I could see the mechanical side of things, but electronics held some sort of magic behind them that I wanted to understand.”

During a high-school tour of Michigan Tech, Daley fell for the rugged charm of the Upper Peninsula and went all-in on electrical engineering. Now, just months away from graduation, she’s reflecting on the defining chapter of her college career: serving as a Student Member Liaison for the Global Electronics Association Board of Directors.

Michigan Tech Team Shines at 2025 Bright Manufacturing Challenge

Published November 20, 2025

By Kimberly Geiger

A group photo of three students — L to R: Congrats to Emily, Peter, Rishin and Katelyn!

Michigan Tech undergraduates Emily Daley, Peter Kocour, and Katelyn Spolnicki, and graduate student Rishin Patra secured 3rd place at the recent 2025 Bright Manufacturing Challenge.

The 8-week, national competition is sponsored by EMAC, the Electronics Manufacturing and Assembly Collaborative. It’s an immersive, hands-on experience for student teams who design, fabricate, and test a custom printed circuit board (PCB) to serve as the control center for a robot. The multidisciplinary competition is open to any team of 2–5 members (current college students or recent grads). This year over a dozen teams from around the country took part, including Michigan Tech.