About the Course
The first transistor, created at Bell Laboratories in 1947, was about 4 centimeters in size. Today, millions of transistors fit on a single computer processor chip,about the size of a postage stamp. Innovations like these are hallmarks of the exciting and challenging field of electrical engineering. This course explores foundational concepts, starting with electromagnetism. You'll map the electric field lines generated by an electric charge and investigate current, voltage, resistance, energy, and magnetism. You will apply your conceptual understanding while drawing and analyzing series and parallel circuits, using mathematical tools such as Ohm's Law and Kirchhoff's laws. Then you and your classmates will design and construct your own circuits, working with resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and transistors. You'll examine electromagnetism's applications to practical, everyday devices such as motors, lifting magnets, and stereo speakers, and gain an understanding of cutting-edge topics in the field, including the physics behind solar cells and solid-state electronics. By the end of the course you will have a deeper understanding of electrical engineering and its many applications in everyday life.
Typical Class Size: 18-20
Learning Objectives
- Connect and explain the conceptual theories of transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits through constructing electrical engineering projects
- Build electric circuits through modeling, analyzing and solving problems, incorporating the relationships between resistance, current, and voltage
- Integrate multiple electrical engineering concepts in complex robot building projects such as the BeetleBot, Symet, and Photovore robots
- Justify the engineering design process and how this process is applied in different scenarios by scientists and engineers
About Advanced Enrichment courses
These courses offer above-grade-level material that is presented in a novel context, explored with other advanced learners, and guided by a CTY educator to help prepare students for higher-order thinking and college-style academic challenges. Students work individually and may finish the course early if they complete all requirements before the course end date.
Requirements
CTY courses have grade-level requirements and most require minimum test scores. Some courses may also have prerequisites.
Identification DetailsDates and Tuition
In Person
Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA
Residential Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 21, 2026
Full Waitlist Available
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Electricity: A Self-Teaching Guide, by Ralph Morrison
Hacking Electronics, by Simon Monk
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
Residential Site
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 21, 2026
Full Waitlist Available
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Electricity: A Self-Teaching Guide, by Ralph Morrison
Hacking Electronics, by Simon Monk
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Register by: June 8, 2026
Full Waitlist Available
Time Commitment:
This course has a lab fee of $187.
Course Materials
Students should bring basic school supplies like pens, notebooks, and folders to their summer program. You will be notified of any additional items needed before the course begins. All other materials will be provided by CTY.
Sample Reading
These titles have been featured in past sessions of the course and may be included this summer. CTY provides students with all texts; no purchase is required.
Electricity: A Self-Teaching Guide, by Ralph Morrison
Hacking Electronics, by Simon Monk
Registration Fee and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees will be waived or reduced for students who qualify for financial aid.
Learn more about Financial Aid