Scroll to the bottom for a list of institutions that offer Electrical/Electronics Engineering
WHAT IS ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND WHO IS AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER?
Electrical engineering is the branch of engineering that is concerned with the practical applications of electricity in many forms including the field of electronics. Electronics engineering is a branch of electrical engineering that deals with the uses of the electromagnetic spectrum and electronic devices such as transistors, capicitors and resistors. We can also define this program as the study, design and application of equipment, machines or devices and systems that use electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. Electrical/Electronic engineers are people who design, develop, test and supervise the manufacturing of electricity and electrical equipment/machines. They also maintain and repair these machines.
The field of electrical engineering has a number of branches and among them is electronics engineering. Other branches include power and energy engineering (generation, transmission and distribution of power), telecommunications engineering, microelectronics and nanoelectronics (dealing with items like microchips), instrumentation engineering (making devices that measure quantities such as temperature or pressure), to name a few.
WHERE DO ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS WORK?
Electrical and electronics engineers work in companies that produce, transmit or distribute electricity such as ZESCO and Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC). They also work in places where electrical and electronic equipment is manufactured. Other work places include factories and plants where the engineers maintain and repair the electrical equipment e.g., mines such as First Quantum Minerals or Konkola Coppers Mines.
WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?
The tasks that are involved in the work of electrical and electronics engineers depends on where they are work. Generally they design, develop and test electrical devices and equipment. These devices and equipment include power generators, communication systems, navigations systems, and electrical systems for aircrafts and automobiles. They also supervise in the manufacturing of these same devices. In Zambia, they do not manufacture most of these electrical or electronic equipment but the engineers are able to assemble the parts when they arrive in the country.
WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER?
The work schedule of electrical and electronics engineer has the common schedule of 8:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs from Monday to Friday. Sometimes they may work on the weekends and night shifts depending on the company and department of the company they are working from. They can be called at other times apart from these when there is a problem that may need to be fixed e.g. a transformer that has developed a fault.
WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?
The job market for electrical and electronic engineers is fair as most graduates get jobs within a few months of completing their university stay. This may be because of the wide range of places where they work and the dependence of factories on electricity. Employment can be found in various sectors, although electricity production companies and the mines can be said to be the largest employers in Zambia.
WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?
Electrical engineering is centred on electricity, the theories around it and how to apply it in many situations. This means that someone who wants to go into this program needs to have a good background and interest in physics, mathematics and chemistry. Because the engineers also do engineering drawing, a background in technical drawing would be an added advantage for this program.
Scroll to the bottom for a list of institutions that offer Electrical/Electronics Engineering
WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?
Courses taken during the study of this program include: engineering mathematics, applied computing, engineering measurements and instruments, engineering application and survey, materials science, electrical and electronics principles, engineering design principles, applied mechanics, signals and systems, digital electronics, electrical machines, communication systems, electrical power systems, electrical fields, microprocessors, control systems and management studies. In their first year, students in the degree program will first learn A' level sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology).
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
The minimum entry requirements for this program are 5 O' level credits (grade 6) or better inclusive Mathematics, Science and English. This programme is very competitive and as such you need to have scored at least 12 points in your best 6 subjects at grade 12 to stand a good chance of being selected.
WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OF STUDY CAN MAKE SOMEONE AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER?
There is no other alternative program that can qualify someone to be an electrical engineer.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?
After obtaining a degree, someone can decide to study for a masters or a PhD. The reasons for this is that it allows the engineer to be specialised and be a supervisor in many work places. After these studies, the engineer can do research, develop new electrical equipment or work in places that offer telecommunication services.
INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA
Programme duration: 5 years Degree
Mode of study: Full-time and Part-time
Admitting school: School of Natural Sciences
Intakes: January only
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +26 021 129 2792
E-mail: dean-eng@unza.zm
Website: www.unza.zm/academics/undergraduate/bachelor-of-engineering-beng-electrical-and-electronic-engineering
COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 5 years degree
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time
Admitting school: School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Intakes: January
Location: Kitwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 212 290816 or +260 212 290817 or +260 212 290815
E-mail: academicoffice@cbu.ac.zm
Website: www.cbu.ac.zm/fees/
NORTHERN TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Programme duration: 3 years Diploma
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: Faculty of Electrical and Refrigeration
Intakes: January and July
Location: Ndola
Contacts
Tel: +260-212-671699 or +260-955-667674
E-mail: principal@nortec.edu.zm
Website: www.nortec.edu.zm/
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 3 years Diploma and 4 years degree
Mode of study: E-learning and Distance
Admitting school: School of Engineering
Intakes: January and September
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260-211-845754 or +260-211-221662
E-mail: icu@icuzambia.net
Website: https://icuzambia.net
COPPERSTONE UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 5 years degree
Mode of study: Full-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Science and Technology
Intakes: January and July
Location: Kitwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 967 499 161 or +260 967 499 149 or +260 967 499 292
E-mail: copperstonecustomercare@gmail.com
Website: www.copperstone.education
GIDEON ROBERT UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years degree
Mode of study: full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Science and Technology
Intakes: January and June/July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260969899875
E-mail: vc@gideonrobertyuniversity.com
Website: www.gideonrobert.education
LIVINGSTONE INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS AND ENGINEERING STUDIES
Programme duration: 3 years Diploma
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Engineering studies
Intakes: January
Location: Livingstone
Contacts
Tel: +260 977 576286 or +260 960 949041
E-mail: libes@libescollege.edu.zm
Website: www.libescollege.edu.zm/
LUANSHYA TECHNICAL AND BUSINESS COLLEGE
Programme duration: 3 years Diploma
Mode of study: Full-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Science and mathematics education
Intakes: January
Location: Luanshya, Zambia
Contacts
Tel: +260 978 395180
E-mail: info@ltbc.edu.zm
Facebook: Luanshya Technical and Business College
LUSAKA OPEN BUSINESS COLLEGE
Programme duration: 3 years diploma
Mode of study: Full-time and Open Distance
Admitting school: Faculty of Technology Studies
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 967 683129
E-mail: info@lobcollege.ac.zm
Website: www.lobcollege.ac.zm/fees/
ZAMBIA ICT COLLEGE
Programme duration: 3 years diploma
Mode of study: Full-time and Part-time
Admitting school: School of Business and Engineering
Intakes: January and July
Location: Ndola
Contacts
Tel: +260 - 955 610492 or +260 - 955 640044
E-mail: info@zictcollege.com
Website: www.zictcollege.ac.zm