A Breakdown of My Electrical Engineering College Labs

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In this video I take you through many of the electrical engineering labs I did in college. Obviously these will differ from school to school, but should give you an idea for the types of labs you can expect as an electrical engineer.
In the beginning of college many of the labs aren't as exciting, such that you are building basic circuits in order to learn different types of equipment and how to test the circuits. Later in college you will then use those circuits for a purpose (for example in the video I talk about using a filter in a radio receiver circuit).
Remember that if you want to work on even more large scale projects and get more hands on work then you should really consider joining engineering clubs. In this clubs you can work on robotics, quadcopters, and more projects that you probably imagine when you think about engineering.

[@nonamenoname42]

I'm using your uploads to help me decide what kind of engineering to do, after already doing engineering for three decades. I'm finding a new path, and your videos are very helpful for reminding me what brought me joy in engineering.

[@miguelangelariasmosquera5922]

I just want to say thank you for uploading these kinds of videos. I pretty much went for electrical engineering blind folded with lots of curiosity how circuits work. But, thanks to your videos, I've learn that I'm actually in the field I want to be. I really liked these kinds of things.

[@kingsfordakomaning2152]

Thanks for continuing to enlighten me

[@zachstar]

Thanks for the comment!

[@jaimemartinezdiaz1004]

These labs are much more complicated and interesting than what was offered in my University.

[@omaruhh]

Thank you for this video! I greatly appreciate the info you provided. It has reassured me I’m not making a big mistake by going for this degree.

[@ernest747]

Great channel. Finally anything close to what is happening in college.

[@awolgeordie9926]

That was brilliant. I did a lot of that as a Royal Navy Electrical Engineering Apprentice way back in the early 90s. There was no MATLAB though.

[@giovannimichel5506]

Thank you for the intel, may the most high God bless you.

[@focus_on_X]

I am an electronics engineering student and I will hopefully graduate this March. This video is amazing.

[@azizbrownkuwindacorp]

This was a very helpful video. Thank you.

[@meerabharti3091]

My college doesn't teach these all be hands on lab experience to become real engineer loved it Thanks for sharing

[@jaketyler6586]

man its a really cool stuff ur work is awesome, plzzz also make detailed video on mechanical engineering labs.

[@dip8]

I like how i can use this video as a framework to follow while learning electronics on my own

[@coolbeans6895]

Watching this makes me want to redo my college experience and do the labs better than I did.

[@samuellundin5328]

Majorprep, Can you do a video on optical engineering. It is a very useful field. But it is often forgotten when engineering disciplines are listed. Maybe because it is associated to Physics. Most physics programs do not teach optics at advanced levels, or the technical aspects that engineering requires. This field is often associated to the emerging discipline of photonics.

[@pylewastaken]

These labs sound so interesting, can’t wait to do this at uni

[@alexmace7288]

This is great! Thanks for putting this together!

[@zachstar]

You got it! Thanks for the comment!

[@andrewb214]

We used those big circuit element boxes in physics 2 lab but for my circuits and electronics labs they let us use breadboards. Oh and digital system design lab those breadboards got loaded with wires

[@_aidid]

It is cool. I am becoming more interested in electrical engineering. Thanks for elaborating the EEE labs.

[@_d4r1o_22]

Aidid Rashed Efat ur welocme

[@andreas3850]

Did you get into engineering ?

[@_aidid]

@@andreas3850 No, I am a trainee pilot now.

[@andreas3850]

@@_aidid Why pushed you away ?

[@_aidid]

@@andreas3850 The thrill for aviation 🔥

[@babjiyadavji1147]

Thank you sir

[@Omar-vz9el]

Do a video on mechanical and chemical engineering labs!

[@slap_my_hand]

Ok, this is perfect for me.

[@getalife2713]

I wish you were around when I was a sophomore/junior in HS...

[@IIFabNII]

Hey man, love your vids! Have you ever thought about getting a degree in two different majors? let's say like getting electrical and mechanical, or something like that. Anyway, great content and keep it up!

[@zachstar]

Thanks for the comment! And personally I never considered getting two different degrees at least in undergrad. I could go back to school for a different degree as a master's but if you are talking about a double major then it wasn't something I was considering (in fact I don't even think my school allowed engineers to do so).

[@cedricstokoe7624]

I do have a question : In the future what does an electrical engineer actually do? and how does the labs apply to the jobs/future?

[@sultan323232]

cedric stokoe +1

[@zachstar]

It really just depends! Your future could involve doing mostly design work on the computer where you have to understand the theory and the software more than anything. You could do testing where you'd have to understand the equipment and how to troubleshoot/debug circuits or hardware. I mean you do a wide range of labs so for most people very few of those will actually apply to the job they have. That radio receiver project would apply to someone who works with high frequency systems like cell phones or radio and has to do testing on those. Their day to day life may involve doing signals testing and interpreting the plots given by the equipment to see if everything is in spec. But that same person would then really never apply something like the telephone touch tone decoder project I talked about.

[@willthomas7950]

They help build technology from scratch & it is practice for when you get in the field.

[@salaha.hameed1103]

Thank you for making these! Can you make a video for mechanical engineering college labs, please?

[@zachstar]

Thanks for the comment! And yes I will!

[@jomelsagsagat4020]

To get that finite bandwidth, like for the FM station you mentioned in your project. What order is the filler to as how sharp you wanted it to drop pass 3dB ? 3rd order? 4th ? 5th ?

[@alexanderquilty5705]

Man all these labs kind of make me nervous lol. Definitely super excited though! I cant wait for next Fall! PNW EE major here!

[@pabloastoreca8726]

hey, can you make a video about a general view of engineering, naming some?

[@91722854]

With all the mathematicians, scientists and engineers as well as the new breeds (fresh grad), I feel so blood boiled as if we have an alliance of ultimate world changer!

[@JQTV81]

nice video could you make one about civil and mechanical labs?

[@samuelc.cannella143]

Multiple sine waves to make a digital wave? that's cool! Also can you give me a reference to learn why those TV cables handle higher frequency better? Obviously they need to, but why can't other wires handle AC? Does it overheat? That would make sense.. because AC has less heat loss, right? Are there other factors than overheating?

[@focus_on_X]

Electronpmagnetics was the hardest subject while I love microprocessors.

[@debayanghosh9347]

pls make a video on mechanical engineering college labs

[@NMBSEAL]

Thank you for your exceptional informative videos. I am a journeyman electrician of 16 years and now currently a electrical engineering student. does having a background in the electrical trade give me any advantages for the future? also can you talk more about electrical engineering clubs, benefits of the club's, and the ups and downs?

[@volcom05345]

As far as I remember, the people who were electricians had an advantage in the theory of electrical components and circuits, but it kinda went to their heads. No matter what, you still have to put the work in and do it how the professor says and not have an ego. Other than that you should do fine.

[@user-wm2tw]

You know few things but theory is complex and if you don’t put in required work, which will not be any different from other students, you will fail. You know a tiny part and it will not help you past couple of basic classes.

[@worldofpeace8558]

Could u plz do a video explaining difference between CS and IT

[@lostmeme9862]

Don’t get an IT major, most jobs Hire without one. And for cs make sure you actually enjoy programming before hand

[@12kenbutsuri]

I was a accepted in electronics engineering bachelor course, but I'm not sure if I should take the position, since I'm very slow at lab work.

[@vinaykumarpattar2118]

can you plz do a video on ELECTRONICS​ & COMMUNICATION Engineering , (about jobs & career)

[@jakekaj111]

"Electronics and communication engineering" and "electrical engineering" are the same for the rich country like in Europe. The students have just to choose what specialization he/she want to take whether in electronics, communications, high voltage power machine or distribution. In developing countries we have separate courses for electrical engineering and ece.

[@nicholassalloum]

Hey, your videos are absolutely amazing!!! I was wondering if you can make a video about Software Engineering?? That would be very helpful

[@zachstar]

Thanks! And yes I really want to get software engineering as well.

[@lidarman2]

This video pretty much nails it.

[@darrenremund5680]

These labs are so fun! Which school did you go to?

[@freedomchinaify]

those labs are very important. it helps to understand those concepts and math formulas in textbooks. Electrical engineering must be learned by actually doing it. when doing it, it involves circuit troubleshooting, programming (in signal processing, analog electronics, and digital communication)....But when doing programming, it's not like computer science> electrical engineers never think about any algorithms but just make sure it works. Once all these stuffs are done, we can actually see the physical phenomenon, such as what DTFT is really like, what sampling means.... After this, we have to read the textbooks to understand those math formulas. this is why electrical engineering is the most difficult among all the engineering disciplines (also the most enjoyable if you really understand how to learn and what it is). It involves both lab works and math skills. (others like ME, over 60% are just math). without thoes labs, people can never understand the textbooks. Electrical engineering is rapidly changing with time and what ti is in real world is more comlex than what we have seen in university (especially during undergraduate time). Thus in real world, most of the electrical design engineers ( especially those doing RF, analog design and digi comm) are PHDs.

[@slap_my_hand]

Measuring voltages and currents is basically the "wax on, wax off" of electrical engineering.

[@phantomcruizer]

Do EE’s design/build radio telescopes and, or phased array radar systems?

[@gregsuarez5205]

In the luxmeter section, you referenced other labs which discuss building circuits in stages. I think you mentioned ‘EE Labs’ videos. I tried finding this but was unable to :(. Could you send a link when you have a moment ? Thank you so much. Your video is awesome . Liked and subscribed

[@spookyactionatadistance6108]

I was reading through the comments looking specifically for this as well. The ee labs I found was in I believe Hindi lmao. Definitely a different dude

[@graciemurray5952]

Question...I'm interested in majoring in electrical engineering, but I am also legally blind. I've taken lots of engineering classes in HS, and my biggest problem has been the fact that engineering is very visual. Due to this, it takes me a lot longer than my peers on labs, and sometimes I can't even see what I'm doing. Since EE works with small parts, would I be not fit for the workforce or engineering in undergraduate?

[@zachstar]

Well first of all good job on getting through engineering classes. The thing with just most engineering jobs is that it's often on the computer. If you can handle working with computer programs that model things like circuits then you should be qualified for more jobs than you may think. At my first EE job out of school I never worked with a single small part, only on the computer, or I did testing as well but all the controls and plots were generated on/by the computer.

[@KaziNazmulYT]

Thanks from Bangladesh.

[@kouros0]

Yo this is what we do in technical Highschools too

[@georgiaclifford9274]

I hate my circuit analysis right now. I have no experience with building on bread boards unlike many of the members in my class. and they just started us out on the breadboard, he grades the reports very harshly for a beginners course, and we are kinda left on our own during these labs or we are talked to like we're stupid when asking genuine questions. I've been given components that I had never even seen on schematics in my previous job (I worked and troubleshooter SITE TV systems on a ship before I started my major) and it didn't describe at all what the component did in the report instructions or in the class lectures and I take decent notes. I feel so sick going to this class sometimes and it's my major. Labs can be fucking hard sometimes under shitty professors.

[@georgekamunge3136]

Please make a video on mechatronics engineering

[@david_m157]

Can you make a video on what are some common things that make EE students drop out?

[@zachstar]

Idk when but I'd love to interview people who dropped out of certain majors so we can see why and we can learn what those people wish they did differently/knew earlier. But one thing would just be the difficulty of the major which I do have two videos on (the part 2 is most relevant for why people might drop out) if you haven't see them. I had friends who took their first programming course and realized they loved that way more than their circuits classes so they ended up switching to CSC or CPE. Those are two reasons I know of at least.

[@superkrystal98]

I just finished my first year as an EE major (idk how but I survived and conquered lol). Anyways, my second semester lab was supposed to be very remedial. We had to make circuits that would turn on/off LED's, make D flip flops, use IC chips, etc. Being I was completely new to circuits, even the "easier" labs were difficult for me. Luckily, we had partners so my partner ended up doing a lot of the circuit building while I just watched. This video kinda makes me worrisome because I really do not know how to build a circuit and considering that is what I plan to do for the rest of my years at college - how will I be able to survive my future labs?

[@zachstar]

First you should definitely not just let your partner do the labs because that will get you further and further behind. Although kind of nice, it doesn't help. Make sure you understand important equipment like the oscilloscope and function generator and all that so when you do more advanced projects you at least understand the basics. The labs are all very similar in difficulty to begin but once you enter your third and fourth year they get more challenging. You have time but remember if you don't get something then at least ask the professor/your lab partner for help.

[@charzanboo9940]

To add to the above, join an engineering club on or buy Ian Juby' Jetpack Academy analog and digital circuits course. If the above doesn't work, then maybe your talents lie elsewhere like software (plenty of jobs in that vs. elec ;) ).

[@ahmedal-ebrashy3691]

What is the most practical engineering degree. Not Just in terms of Job but that you can use in really Life application. Like if you study mechanical eng. Would you understanding car parts be able to design and Fix then. Question 2 what is the difference between University of applied Science and university

[@zachstar]

Engineering disciplines probably aren't as applicable as you would imagine. Electrical engineers don't learn how to fix electronics, computer engineers don't learn how to fix computers, and mechanical engineers don't learn how to fix cars. Of course they can learn these but I just means that's not what you learn in school. Those jobs would be technicians, electricians, mechanics, and so on. And I'm not exactly sure what the difference between those two is.

[@abrahamabbas3557]

MajorPrep hey MajorPrep really digging the videos. What advice do you have for the self learning engineer who is starting out with circuits?

[@youngking4575]

Can you do a video on Computer engineering labs?

[@zachstar]

Yes I can! And btw the first half of this video would also apply for computer engineers.

[@kaizoku8087]

0:20 Based. I once had a lab partner who just broke down into tears after 3 weeks into the semester and he told me “I absolutely cannot with these labs man.” After the lab was over (no we did not finish),the lab TA informed me that my partner dropped the course and changed his major so I would then have to work alone from that point forward.

[@sydbid6104]

@5:10 heyy this sounds like Fourier sine and cosine series. Is there a connection there?

[@davidhoopsfan]

hey dude would you consider making a video about material science/engineering?

[@zachstar]

I am actually talking to a materials engineering graduate now and will try to have a video on that within the next few weeks.

[@davidhoopsfan]

Sweet! Haha I just wanted to hear what you have to say about my major lol

[@zachstar]

haha well I hope you will enjoy it!

[@mezzoedbey3802]

Yes that would be very great. I was about to ask the same question myself.

[@arshadsoudagar576]

i liked it but i wont understand the designation

[@vpc741]

Which college did you go to? I am also Electrical Engineer.🤘 I also have pretty much same except DSP and wireless communication

[@Epic501]

Your videos on the topic are great, answered so many questions I had, but one thing confused me. From what you've shown in all your videos on electrical engineering, it seems to be much closer to what I've been led to believe is "electronics" engineering, with the sort of balance of focuses of all your classes and electives mentioned. This happens to line up with my interests much more closely than I had assumed, but I've seen advice generally dissuading people from pursuing electronics engineering as opposed to electrical engineering as it cuts them out of the major part of the job market being larger scale corporate electrical engineering or power distro. Could you or anyone else elaborate on the distinctions between electrical and electronics engineering? As they are (at least in Australia) completely different degrees and I'm unsure what each even entails let alone which to pursue. Thanks! (My apologies if you already have a video about exactly this, I'm about to look)

[@zachstar]

Yeah electronics is a subfield of electrical engineering. So in electronics engineering you will most likely be much more focused. Whereas in electrical engineering you will learn electronics, power, RF, controls, and more. So in this video my digital signal processing class wasn't electronics based. Neither was the radio receiver we designed. So that's most likely what people mean. On my resume I put that my concentration was RF/wireless communications cause that's the area I liked most. But other students were putting things like power or controls. That's the flexibility you get with electrical engineering.

[@Epic501]

I see, well I wouldn't want to miss out on things like DSP and any potential Telecom classes, despite being more interested in analogue electronics. Thanks

[@alphabroes7169]

who like to see this guy team up with ELECTROBOOM and rectify some shit

[@abrahamabbas3557]

Hey Zach what school.did you attend? I wondering so i could copy the course on my free time

[@AdrianDucao]

i might not be an engineer by trade but i'm making a diy drone with my hobby electronics skills and programming background

[@mohitmakhija5718]

please make vdo on engineering Physics....please humble request

[@zachstar]

Don't worry I'm really trying to get engineering physics!

[@m.i1343]

i am now on my last grade on high school and i m aming for electrical engeneering... i m based in eu but i have no problem leaving my country .....what jobs do u sagest are worthy

[@hunkwasbisyan007]

After seeing this, I guess I am lucky to be doing a Major in Business Administration rather then Engineering. I chose the easy way.

[@_d4r1o_22]

Hunk Biswasyan more money for you buddy if u know how to use ur degree wisely 😌

[@hunkwasbisyan007]

Omarcinho Yes yes one of my uncle is now the branch departmental head of an IT department of a multinational organisation company and at least 8-9 Computer and Electric Engineers work under him. My Uncle is also a BBA Graduate.

[@user-ki6id4vt8u]

@@hunkwasbisyan007 Why would you go to college to study Business? That is probably the dumbest investment you could make. Business should be learnt independently, not at university. You should have went for the harder option (engineering) because it would allow you to develop useful skills that would actually contribute to society..

[@hunkwasbisyan007]

Ali Al Fatlawi Nope I’m poor in Maths and Science Subjects. And I scored very poorly in those subjects in my O and A levels board examination. Not a single Engineering University/College will take me for those bad grades......😂😂

[@user-ki6id4vt8u]

@@hunkwasbisyan007 I wish you the best of luck in Business anyway!

[@jebprime]

Hi,I am thinking of going into either neuromorphic computing or quantum computing, and I was thinking double major sing in applied mathematics and electrical engineering might work, but I am not sure. I also want to leave my options open In case I want to get into Ai software development, and I was wondering, are these the right majors for me to choose?

[@zachstar]

I think those are good. However, I would probably pick physics over applied mathematics for quantum computing. This is only my personal opinion though as I have not done a ton of research on the matter. When it comes to AI software development, computer science is actually the best route (math is a good choice too though) so that's something to think about. I have a video on AI coming out very soon discussing majors to look into so hopefully that will help.

[@jebprime]

I have a second question, and it is: Does Applied Mathematics and Electrical Engineering Cover a broader area than lets say Math and Computer Science?

[@zachstar]

I guess it would, they both cover a lot of topics. EE covers things like power, communication, controls, and so on which is why I would call it broad.

[@chanelallen1699]

hey not sure if you’ll see this, but i’m wondering what you ended up doing? i’m stuck on choosing a math degree or attempting EE. I’m also interested in AI since computer science seems to be where it’s at now.

[@arshadsoudagar576]

what is important in lab

[@edwardmalegale230]

Do you National diploma in computer engineering wealth it, without further education?

[@vinna2k884]

Well🤨 my staffs ... named labs according to its floor number🤔

[@user-xc9wo1bl3l]

Why have I done a lot of these (never been to college)

[@ahmedsiddiqui9515]

What was the duration of your course for electrical engineering ?

[@zachstar]

If you mean how long was I in school for, the answer is 4 years.

[@ahmedsiddiqui9515]

Did you performed open circuit test and short circuit test on a single phase transformer in your first sem, if not in sr sem then in which semester ?

[@ahmedsiddiqui9515]

Also you didn't mention any of the machine testing labs like plotting generator characteristics or DC motor characteristics, Transformer (3 phase, 1 pahse), Scott connection or any other related thing like this. I just want to know are all these topics/experimental labs are obsolete now ?

[@zachstar]

I did single phase and 3 phase transformer circuit testing in my power systems lab. I only took one of those classes those.

[@mreleven7826]

This guy should have subs than piewdipie....

[@prabinbahadurthapa8179]

1 lab per week how many days per week did you had a class?

[@zachstar]

Labs were only once per week. Lectures were normally 3 days per week.

[@Marva123]

What college did you attend?

[@zachstar]

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

[@hemantk6429]

is electrical engineering tough for someone who doesn't like math?

[@raulramirez4734]

Hemant khiratkar yes yes and yes

[@hemantk6429]

@@raulramirez4734 too bad for me😥

[@oldcowbb]

jesus, how many course did you took

[@zachstar]

I took a lot lol

[@christopherhansen9256]

You should specify while they're called labs, in layman's terms they're really projects. A lab is also a place testing and prototyping is done, and I came here expecting to see what sort of lab equipment you had in your college labs. Not at all what I was looking for.

[@orangawam6997]

Why do you mastering in electrical engineering degree?

[@joelectroinstrong5603]

Hi does Electrical and Electronic engineer the same??

[@abdallahyassine5528]

MajorPrep as I was trying to decide between electrical or civil this video finalised my decision as I discovered there is a good amount of programming in electrical eng and programming is my worst. U think u can clarify if there is indeed a major amount of programming in electrical eng?

[@zachstar]

I took around 22 electrical engineering classes throughout college and did actual programming in 5 of them. 2 of those 5 I didn't even personally enjoy myself because they were more computer engineering based which wasn't my area of interest. For me the most programming I did was in my intro to computer science course which wasn't even an EE class but taught the basics of C which you need as an EE, then the microcontroller class where I made that light sensor alarm clock, and last was the class where I did the touch tone decoder project (however that was an elective that you are not required to take).

[@abdallahyassine5528]

+MajorPrep thank you!!

[@souravkumarsingh8265]

one per week I have 3

[@StEvUgnIn]

How I resume circuits class: U_0=R*di/dt+L*d^2i/dt^2+1/C*i Wtf!

[@markganus1085]

wo arbeiten sie gegenwärtig?

[@user-wm2tw]

McDonald’s

[@dip8]

I wish i could afford an actual oscilloscope 💀

[@willthomas7950]

It takes time people just keep studying.

[@andyhype2546]

I dislike circuits, digital/analog, dsp, rf, but like power systems electrical engineering. I liked physics E & M more than physics mechanics. Is it a good idea to major in electrical engineering? My other option is mechanical engineering in which I like more things in general, but the electrical power option just might top all the mechanical fields in terms of my interest.

[@willthomas7950]

[ Technical Studies ]

[@Homo_neanderthal]

Hello there! Can I take classes from the mechanical engineering if I choose the electrical engineering? Can I choose electrical engineering and then move to mechanical engineering? I like both the same and I cannot decide which one to choose :(

[@arturoes96]

Im an electrical engineer and to answer your quesyion question yes you can do that although mechanical engineering takes completly diffrent courses from electrical. Only similar clases that I can imagine would be like math, and physics. Basically the first year might be similar courses but after that the courses are very different. If i was to do mechanical it would take me something like 3 years or so.

[@flannatromboczky2524]

4labs per week im gonna get sick of it💀

[@gustavofring4788]

In Italy we do this in HS

[@timwill4379]

My classes make me do simulations. I fucking hate my classes and I feel like we do nothing.