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Electrical Engineering

Department of Engineering

No matter the challenge, BIT Alumni will be able to evaluate the feasibility of a project from a business and from an engineering point of view. The bachelor program in electrical engineering and renewable energies at BIT shapes engineers of tomorrow and opens a world of opportunities.

An increasingly important subject

Electric engineers work at the forefront of practical technological evolution. They develop everything from pocket calculators to complex renewable energy systems such as solar power systems. The six-semester bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energies teaches the necessary engineering capabilities required by a professional in electrical technology for renewable energy systems.

State-of-the-art education

The program provides students access to a wide range of cutting-edge learning materials from German and American universities in courses such as mathematics, electronics, photovoltaics, and storage technology. The syllabus is taught in small classes in a state-of-the-art campus and excellent, international tutors. Throughout each semester, students have the possibility to work in teams on different practical courses such as “Solar thermal energy project” or “Building a small micro-grid”. By applying their knowledge in these practical courses, students maximize their learning experience at BIT.

Focus on entrepreneurship and real life application

This bachelor enables students to develop the mindset of entrepreneurs. The students’ practical knowledge will be complemented by business skills, giving students an ideal foundation for today’s engineering world. Required team projects strengthen students’ problem-solving, interpersonal and communication capabilities. Additionally, students will learn time and resource management, while assessing risks involved in business projects.

Excellent employment opportunities

The electrical engineering industry is growing rapidly. Given the nature of technological progression, there are numerous different occupations for future BIT Alumni. Future career paths may include the government, the private sector or alumni founded startups. We envision our students designing new power systems for their villages and playing a role in providing solar energy to the whole country.

Cutting-edge learning materials, small classes and practical projects challenge students to grow as individuals. During the six semesters, our students gain diverse business and engineering skills and are trained to be future African leaders.

Module

Mathematics I

Basic concepts (sets, tuples, real numbers, sum notation, natural numbers, complex numbers, polynomials, power series), linear algebra (vectors, matrices, subspaces, systems of linear equations, analytic geometry, linear optimization, determinants), consequences (consequences, linear recursion, Limit values, series), real functions (general function term, polynomial functions, rational functions, power series functions, exponential function, trigonometric functions, logarithm, power functions, limits and continuity), differential calculus (differential quotient and derivative, derivative rules, higher derivatives, curve discussions, optimization problems, Taylor series ), Integral calculus (integral, area calculation, parent function, main theorem of differential and integral calculus, integration rules, applications of integral calculus, differential equations), multidimensional analysis (functions of multiple variables, partial derivative, gradient, Hesse matrix, extremal with and without constraints).

Physics

Students will comprehend the concept of physics, especially concerning the application of physical phenomena and laws (e.g. optics due to the growing importance of optoelectronics or mechanics in connection with machines and microsystems technology). Furthermore, the fundamentals for the measurements of non-electrical quantities are to be laid out. Subtopics within this course include: mechanics of the mass point and the rigid body; wave mechanics; wave optics; beam optics; basics of kinetic gas theory; and introduction to quantum mechanics.

Electrical Engineering I

Electrical Engineering 1 teaches the physical and electrotechnical basic quantities and terms for the description of electrical circuits and how to apply them in the analysis and evaluation of concrete circuits. Additionally, the course manifests understanding the principle of the equivalent circuit diagram for the analysis of electronic circuits and how to apply it to concrete cases, while analyzing and evaluating linear electrical networks with direct current excitation utilizing network theory.

Introduction to Energy Generation & Renewable Energy

Students will be given an overview of the main renewable energy sources, concepts, technologies and challenges to tackle climate change and other sustainable development objectives, as well as an insight into possible solutions for sustainable energy use. Students will be able to identify, understand and evaluate the different renewable energy sources available today and in the future. Subtopics within this course include: basic energy concepts; hydro energy; geothermal energy; wind power; solar thermal energy; and case studies on renewable energy systems.

English

The focus of the course is on becoming a better communicator. This includes presentation skills, negotiation skills, and debating skills. The course incorporates topics of interest to the students and the teacher (e.g. sports or politics) and students get the task to either hold a presentation, negotiate about a topic, or improve their debating skills. The emphasis is not on the discussed topic but should be on body language, articulation, and confidence. This course is a learning-by-doing course. Students are given multiple research tasks, which they need to solve using internet research. A teacher, experienced with Research, can emphasize some key points and show shortcuts using the Google Search Engine.

Microsoft Office Workshop

The students will work in small teams and master computations in Excel. They will also be taught the Language for Visual Basic Applications (VBA) in order to use Excel for building various applications.

Methodology of academic studies

literature studies, project work, exam preparation, group works…

optional 2-3 days seminar

Credits

6 Credits

6 Credits

6 Credits

3 Credits

6 Credits

3 Credits

0 Credits

Module

Mathematics II

This course equips students with a deeper understanding of mathematical terms, structural contexts, ways of thinking and methods required for an application in electrical engineering. They will master more complex practical mathematical-technical problems analytically and numerically with the help of suitable software tools and to critically evaluate this solution. Subtopics within this course include: rows; multidimensional analysis; vector analysis; and numerical methods.

Material Science & Chemistry

Building up upon the foundations laid out in Physics 1, this course expands on the understanding of physical concepts and introduces students to the world of mechanical engineering. Subtopics within this course include: statics; kinematics and kinetics; the basic concepts of thermodynamics; and different thermodynamic laws.

Mechanical Engineering / Physics II

mechanism, combustion, thermodynamics …

Electrical Engineering II

This course helps students deepen their foundation of applying the mathematical tools (differential equations and complex alternating current calculations) for the calculation of electrical circuits and to select the adequate methods for different problems. They will be able to understand and apply mathematical models to describe real problems with their inherent simplifications, to independently evaluate the plausibility of calculated results. Subtopics within this course include: the representation of change sizes; concentrated elements; and multiphase systems.

Management and Strategy

This course gives an understanding of basic functions of management and the necessary steps/instruments of a strategy development process. The focus will be on entrepreneurial management and strategy to show students how entrepreneurs conceptualize, implement, and manage the necessary resources for new businesses.

Scientific work in the laboratory

In this practical module, students are taught how to work scientifically in the laboratory. In small groups (2 to 3 students) different expressives have to be carried out. From experiment to experiment, the requirements and complexity are increased. One focus of all experiments is clean documentation, e.g. in the form of a test protocol with the following contents: a) Question b) List of materials c) Test setup d) Experiment performance e) Observation f) Evaluation and interpretation.

Credits

6 Credits

6 Credits

6 Credits

6 Credits

3 Credits

3 Credits

Module

Introduction to Computer Science and Programming

This course brings all students on the same level in terms of computer and smartphone knowledge. On the one hand, they learn what the different hardware components are and what they do. On the other hand, they will learn the basics about system and application software. For both types of software, they will learn to install and use them properly as well as understand their purpose and basic functionality.

Electronics

This course gives students an understanding of the fundamentals and in-depth relationships in power electronics. Students will not only learn about electrical machines and their use in various industrial applications but also about the concepts of electrical energy supply. Subtopics within this course include: passive components; Diodes; Field-effect transistors; Differential and operational amplifiers; and control and regulation concepts for electrical machines.

Measurement- und regulation techniques

Measurement- and regulation techniques enables students to independently solve typical tasks in the measurement of electrical and non-electrical quantities and estimate the measurement uncertainty of the result. This course gives students the ability to develop suitable measurement concepts, select suitable sensors and measuring instruments and operate them correctly. Subtopics within this course include: Structures of measuring equipment; Properties and areas of application of basic measurement methods; Mode of operation and operation of important measuring instruments; Measurement principles, properties and applications of important sensors; and an introduction to components, interfaces and programs (LabVIEW) for computer-aided measurement technology.

Photovoltaics

This course enables students to exploit the potential of photovoltaic systems for regenerative energy conversion through the knowledge of the functioning and technologies of solar cells and the ability to use simulation tools. Moreover, this course gives system competence in the field of photovoltaic systems: functionality of solar cells; technologies for solar cells; simulation of solar cells and modules; solar electronics; grid feed; and solar island systems.

Accounting and Finance

Students will learn the basic concepts of accounting such as the construction of balance sheets, cash flow, P&L, and other financial statements. In addition, students will learn what use these financial statements have for external stakeholders such as investors and creditors. The theoretical foundations are enriched by real-world examples with a focus on accounting for innovative ventures and startups in Burkina Faso. Additionally, students will be taught what an investment decision is by learning fundamental concepts such as cash value and internal interest rates, including interest yield and risk management. Key lessons in exchange rates, financial institutions, and instruments round off the basis in finance. The course also includes an introduction to business financing and business valuation with a focus on entrepreneurial ventures.

Measurement and control technology with micro-controllers

In this module, the student is given a practical introduction to measurement and control technology. A simple and cost-effective microcontroller (e.g. Arduino, approx. 15 to 30 Euro) is used as the central unit. On the one hand, there is a combination of hardware and software and on the other hand, there is a practical interlocking with the corresponding computer science events. Several projects with the microcontroller are to be carried out within the scope of the event. The use of different sensors to measure different physical quantities is possible. The evaluation of measurement errors and the display of measured values also play a role. Possible project example: Measuring the moisture content of an indoor plant and automatic irrigation with suitable control technology or setting up a load management system.   

Safety and installation of photovoltaic systems

In this module, students are shown how to install smaller real electrical systems (e.g. photovoltaic systems). Which standard materials are used? What materials are currently available on the local market? How high are the costs of these materials? Students should carry out a small house installation (cables, sockets, fuses, consumers, switches, etc.) under supervision. One focus of the module is on the topic of “safety”, in particular for systems with renewable energies (e.g. lightning protection for photovoltaic systems).   

Credits

6 Credits

6 Credits

3 Credits

3 Credits

3 Credits

3 Credits

6 Credits

Module

Applied Programming Python

This course introduces students to the basic methods python provides, such as formatting and outputting data, along with the primary types of data and numerical operators, their interrelationships and links. Furthermore, students will learn about the concepts of strings and their specific methods and the basics of OOP (Object Oriented Programming). Subtopics within this course include: Loops, functions, dictionaries, use of modules, properties, and generators. 

Digital Signaling / Signal and System Theory

The course offers an introduction to digital communications technology. This includes the digitization of analog sources by sampling and quantization, source and channel coding, basic concepts of rate distortion theory, pulse code modulation (PCM), differential PCM, pulse shapes and their spectra, eye diagrams, transmission channels with noise, detection in noise, matched filters, error probability, linear digital modulation methods (PSK, QAM), as well as realization aspects (clock, phase and frequency estimation).

Solar thermal energy

This theoretical part of the course solar thermal energy will give students the fundamentals of heat transfer and revision of thermodynamics (see course mechanical engineering/physics 2). Furthermore, it gives the students the basics of solar radiation including the calculation of radiation on the inclined / adjusted surface – distribution of solar radiation spatial and temporal variations of solar radiation and broad knowledge of the various components (collectors, heat transfer media, and heat storage).   

Marketing & Sales

This course clarifies key marketing methods and concepts relevant for startups and entrepreneurs in general. Students will learn to answer key marketing questions such as “what and how am I selling to whom?” by understanding customer needs and designing customer-centric marketing campaigns. The course shows students how to leverage limited resources for their marketing efforts and how to develop a competitive advantage.

Entrepreneurial Opportunities & Venture Creation in Burkina Faso

This course involves key concepts for ideating and evaluating business opportunities. Different techniques and methods for ideation such as design thinking will be presented and practiced. Afterward, students will learn how to test, validate, and prototype their idea based on three key factors: desirability, viability, and feasibility.

Applied Programming Python
Solar thermal energy project

In this practical part of the course solar thermal energy, students will learn first-hand about the dimensioning of solar thermal systems according to their use: Domestic hot water systems, swimming pools, air conditioning, district heating, and industrial utilization. They will plan the connection of the systems to each other and the building. During this practical course, students will use different planning tools and simulation programs, learn about monitoring/optimization and learn about the driving factors for solar concentration techniques.

Energy generation and consumption

In this module, students are introduced to the generation and consumption side of electrical energy systems in the form of experiments. For example, the following questions should be answered: How does a PV module behave under different conditions (temperature, contamination, shading)? How is an asynchronous and synchronous machine used as a generator? In addition, a large number of typical consumers are analyzed in detail. All facts are proven by simple, but also complex experiments. The experiments are either carried out in small groups by the students themselves and partly presented by the lecturer. In the field of power electronics, the design of a simple inverter is an ideal solution.

Credits

3 Credits

6 Credits

3 Credits

3 Credits

3 Credits

3 Credits

3 Credits

6 Credits

Module

Energy management

This course will give students a fundamental understanding of the functioning, design, and analysis of international energy markets. The lecture will focus less on national legislative but international developments in the energy sector. Subtopics within this course include: Energy balance, economic assessment, resources and sustainability, electricity markets, …).

Telecommunication Technologies

Working with specialized telecommunications equipment, technologies, and ultra-high frequency equipment is one major part of the course telecommunication technologies. Other topics include the modeling of the coverage of wireless networks and the development/improvement of embedded microcontroller systems and their integration into existing electronic systems. Furthermore, this course will help students to understand wireless and optical communication systems and establish knowledge of the different antennas in the telecommunications field.

Micro-grids & Smart Grids - Energy Transmission

The learning objectives of this short course include understanding the main issues of smart grid development and the critical technologies that underpin such development, their basic principles, physical constraints, and technological potentials. Subtopics within this course include: Energy resources – are we running out of fuel?; Demand response and demand-side management; monitoring the smart grid – situation awareness.

Storage technology

The course aims to enable the participants to understand the concepts and technologies for the storage of electrical energy (ES). The course treats lithium-ion batteries (Li-ion batteries) as the dominant technology in new projects and addresses the complex safety, performance, and life issues of this technology. Subtopics within this course include: The need for energy storage; services and advantages of energy storage on a grand scale; examples of global storage projects and statistics; energy storage design and selection.

Business Ethics

This class is a basic introduction to most preeminent concepts, problems, discussions, and theories in the field of business ethics. Although this class is primarily theoretical, attention will be paid to practical moral problems related to business. Students will be expected to engage in independent moral reasoning. Students are encouraged to bring their own experiences and ideas to bear on issues discussed in class.

Building a small micro-grid
Batteries
Project work solar water pump

In this practical module, the students set up an electrical decentralized energy system (e.g. solar water pump) on a real open space system.  In the implementation of this project, materials and components that are available on the local market will be used. This module teaches the basics of project management. Subtopics of this course include: Measurements, design and dimensioning, installation and commissioning.

Credits

3 Credits

3 Credits

6 Credits

3 Credits

3 Credits

3 Credits

3 Credits

6 Credits

Module

Thesis / Project / Business Plan
EE Electives

With a variety of online courses to choose from, students can either learn a new language (R, Java, C++) or take an advanced course in an already learned language (JavaScript, Python, HTML, CSS). In the end, they should specialize in the IT field they want to pursue further in their final project. This gives each student the chance to follow their own needs and strengths after having got a basic insight in every field throughout the course.

African Studies Electives

In teams, students will work on five case studies in total. They will analyze and interpret the case studies, use empirical research techniques in order to validate them and present them at the end of the project. Here they will use their acquired powerpoint skills and practice pitching in English in front of their fellow students.

Credits

15 Credits

9 Credits

6 Credits