phd in electrical and computer engineering

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Ph.D. Program

The Ph.D. Degree Program in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cornell will prepare you for a successful career in research, development and teaching through vigorous coursework and cutting-edge study.

Join our world-renowned faculty as they work to find solutions to some of today’s biggest problems. Whether you’re interested in power and energy, bioelectrical engineering, computer architecture, imaging, nanotechnology, photonics, neuroscience, or computing, you’ll find your place at Cornell ECE.  

Our Ph.D. Program is interdisciplinary, which allows our students to take advantage of a wide variety of research opportunities both in ECE and across campus.  

• Take advantage of the wide range of research opportunities on campus through our multidisciplinary program and study anything from physics to bioscience, from mathematics to economics.
• Enjoy the flexibility of determining your individualized curriculum in consultation with your Advisor and Special Committee.  
• Receive advanced training in current technology and engineering design.  
• Virtually all of our Ph.D. students receive full financial support in the form of Fellowships, Graduate Research Assistantships and Teaching Assistantships during throughout their Ph.D. Program.
• The financial support covers tuition, a stipend and a health insurance package.  
• A Ph.D. from Cornell ECE will empower you to reach your goals and your potential. Our graduates go on to highly successful careers at universities and colleges and in industry and research settings around the world.  
• Discover more about our faculty and their research.
• For further questions about ECE's Ph.D. program, please contact the Assistant Director, ECE Masters of Engineering and Ph.D. Programs.  

ECE Contacts for Ph.D. Students 

Director of graduate studies.

Khurram Afridi , Associate Professor [email protected]

Assistant Director of Graduate Studies

Eric Laine Phillips Hall, Room 223 [email protected]

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Ph.D. in Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Engineering

About the program.

University of Michigan-Dearborn’s College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) is a leader in providing quality graduate programs in an environment integrated with research, engineering practice and continuing professional education. The EECE Ph.D. program addresses the critical need for engineers who are proficient in emerging technologies, knowledgeable in the latest advancements in science and engineering and research that combines deep knowledge in both electrical and computer-related areas. The Ph.D. degree is aimed primarily at those who wish to have academic as well as research and development careers.  

This Ph.D. program of the Rackham Graduate School of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is located, administered, and offered by UM-Dearborn. The program observes the standards for admissions, registration, degree requirements, awarding of degrees, and other administrative policies and regulations established by the Executive Board of the Rackham Graduate School. 

Program Overview

The program is a full-time, research-based degree designed to train students to conduct high quality original translational research and develop innovative technologies in the fields of electrical, electronics and computer engineering.

Students are admitted for full-time study and all admission offers are for Fall or Winter terms only. 

Program Description

The Ph.D. in Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Engineering (EECE) is a research-based degree designed to prepare students to conduct high-quality original translational research in areas of Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Engineering and to prepare students for careers in academia or research and development.

The Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 36 credits of coursework and 24 credit hours of dissertation coursework for Ph.D. students entering the program without a prior M.S. degree. Students without a master's degree may work toward an M.S. in Electrical Engineering or M.S. in Computer Engineering as part of the candidacy requirements. Both M.S. EE and M.S. CE require 30 credits of graded coursework.  To complete the Ph.D. program, students will typically complete a minimum of 6 additional credits hours in coursework in order to satisfy the specific course requirements.

Students with a prior M.S. degree must satisfy the same course requirements or the equivalent from other institutions, as approved by the ECE Graduate Committee. In addition, they must complete 18 credit hours of graded coursework or directed study and a minimum of 24 credit hours of dissertation coursework at the University of Michigan-Dearborn to satisfy the Rackham residency requirement. Waiver of this requirement will be considered for students who obtained their master’s degree from a University of Michigan program in a similar area and whose coursework meets the Ph.D. program requirements.

The targeted time for completion is five years.

Program Goals

The Ph.D. in EECE has the following program goals and learning outcomes: To train talented students who will conduct original and innovative research in the engineering field, educate future generations, and play leading roles in developing cutting-edge technologies while working in academia, industry, and government. A. A strong foundation in the theoretical principles and techniques from science, engineering, and mathematics needed for advanced engineering design and development. (Tag: Theory) B. An ability to use modern engineering software, processes, devices, and diagnostic tools for advanced engineering design and development. (Tag: Tools) C. An ability to read, understand, and critically evaluate the research literature in their chosen domain and contribute original scholarship in the form of peer-reviewed publications and technical presentations. (Tag: Scholarship) D. An ability to conduct original research in the field of electrical and/or computer engineering. Students will be able to design and conduct experiments, collect meaningful data, use appropriate analysis tools and techniques to understand the data, evaluate system performance, and critically evaluate performance in comparison to other state-of-the-art approaches. (Tag: Research)

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the EECE program are expected to have strong mathematical and technical skills, therefore the typical student should have a B.S. or M.S. in electrical, electronics, and/or computer engineering or in computer science. Students with a B.S. in other engineering fields or in physical or mathematical sciences can be considered, but some preparation courses may be required.

A successful applicant will have demonstrated mastery in his or her undergraduate or graduate discipline. The expected mathematics background of a successful applicant includes ordinary differential equations, linear algebra, and probability and statistics. In computing, a successful applicant is expected to have computer programming facility and knowledge of data structures and algorithms. No particular language or programming methodology is required.

Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.2 in their previous coursework to be admitted to the EECE Ph.D. program. In addition to coursework, the Ph.D. program committee will examine several aspects of a prospective student’s record, these include:

• English language proficiency exam,
• 3 letters of recommendation,
• a statement of purpose indicating the intended field or fields of research and prior R&D experience, and
• a personal statement that describes the background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational or other opportunities or challenges that motivate the decision to pursue a Ph.D. degree at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
• GRE general test scores are no longer included in the admissions process for Rackham’s doctoral programs as of the 2022–2023 admissions cycle.  ( More information available )

Funding Support

We understand the financial commitment of continuing your education.  Our Ph.D. program adheres to the CECS full-funding model for Ph.D. students. All Ph.D. students receive full-funding in the form of an appointment as a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI), Research Assistant (GSRA), or a combination of both which covers: a monthly stipend, health insurance, and tuition waiver.

Students admitted to the program are fully funded for up to five years. Funding is guaranteed based on continued good academic standing and adequate progress towards the Ph.D. degree.

Program Policies

In addition to the Rackham Graduate School policies for doctoral students, as a doctoral student in EECE, you need to know the requirements, timeline, and processes for Pre-candidacy years 1 and 2, the Qualifying Exam at the end of year 2, Proposal Exam, and eventually your Dissertation Defense.  See the Path to Degree section below.

Also, an Annual Progress Report completed by you and your faculty advisor must be submitted for review to the ECE Doctoral Committee in May of each year. 

The ECE Doctoral Committee and your Faculty Advisor are the main resources for information and guidance throughout your program. The ECE Doctoral Committee is chaired by Dr. Mengqi Wang, and includes Dr. Junho Hong and Dr. Alireza Mohammadi. 

Registration and Enrollment Requirements

Registration policy.

Students must register before the first day of classes.   A student who registers  on or after the first day of classes  (not including course adds, drops, or changes to initial registration)  will be charged a late registration fee. 

Ph.D. Continuous Enrollment Requirement

Students in Ph.D. programs must register for each fall and winter term until final completion of degree requirements unless they have received an authorized leave of absence or have been approved for extramural study. 

Required Registration to Complete Milestones

• A student who takes candidacy or preliminary exams in a spring or summer half term must register in that half term.
• A student who defends the dissertation and/or finalizes degree requirements in a spring or summer half term must register for the full spring/summer term and submit the final dissertation and all materials by the published deadline to avoid registering for another term.
• Pre-candidates preparing for qualifying exams may be enrolled in 980, “Dissertation/pre-candidate,” for the number of credit hours that reflect their effort and as required by outside agencies such as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 

Candidacy Registration and Enrollment Requirement

• Ph.D. candidates will be registered for 990, “Dissertation/candidate,” which consists of 6 credit hours for a full term.
• Ph.D. candidates register in the fall and winter terms for six credit hours of 990/Dissertation Candidate.  Part-time enrollment is not permitted.
• A student who defends in either the spring or summer half term must register for 6 credit hours of 990 for the spring/summer full term, or for both 3 credits in the spring half-term and 3 credits in the summer half-term.
• A candidate who registers for a course (other than the 990) must seek prior approval from the faculty advisor and also register for 990.
• When a candidate registers for a course during the fall, winter, or spring and summer half-terms but does not register for 990, the Registrar’s Office will add the 990 to the term and assess any required tuition.

Path to Degree

Please refer to the  Path to Degree  page for the procedures and forms for the following:

• date/deadlines
• milestone exams
• dissertation committee
• dissertation proposal
• dissertation
• final oral defense

Ph.D. Student Handbook

At the beginning of enrollment in the EECE Ph.D. program, students will typically take a series of courses to satisfy the depth, breadth, and advanced mathematics requirements.  Each student in consultation with the Faculty Advisor creates a  Plan of Study which will outline the courses and research activities for meeting the milestones of the EECE Ph.D. program. The Plan of Study is to be approved by the EECE Ph.D. committee and any change to the Plan of Study must be approved by the EECE Ph.D. committee.

Satisfactory Progress Requirements

Only letter-graded courses at the 500+ level count toward the degree. Courses completed with a grade lower than B+ or a "U" grade are not accepted. The only exception is the Cognate course which requires a minimum B grade and the Depth area courses which requires a minimum A- grade. 

To advance to candidacy, the cumulative coursework GPA (Grade Point Average) must be 3.4 or above on the 4.0-scale.

Course Requirements

Breadth requirement (3 courses):.

Students must select three courses from three different core areas. Equivalency is possible. Courses selected to fulfill the EECE Ph.D. breadth requirement may not also be used to fulfill the EECE Ph.D. depth requirement. All Ph.D. breadth courses must be completed with a grade of B+ or better within 3 full terms (1 1/2 years) for a student with a relevant master's degree and 4 full terms (2 years) for all other students. Courses taken at another university that are equivalent in level and content may fulfill one or more of these requirements.

Depth Requirement (2 courses):

The depth coursework requirement is designed to ensure that students complete graduate-level coursework relevant to their chosen area of specialization and acquire the core research skills and knowledge of the current research and technologies relevant to this specialization. Here, students must select two courses from one core area (see course list below), including at least one advanced course (indicated with an asterisk). The Depth courses must be completed with a grade of A- or better. These courses may not be completed via equivalency. These courses must be completed within 3 full terms (1 1/2 years) for a student with a relevant master’s degree and 4 full terms (2 years) for all other students.

Advanced Mathematics (1 course):

Students must take at least one advanced mathematics course. A list of approved advanced mathematics courses is presented below. It is acceptable to use advanced mathematics courses to meet the cognate course requirement. Students must achieve a minimum grade of B+. See the course list below.

Cognate Requirement (1-2 courses):

At least 4 credit hours of coursework must be outside the electrical and computer engineering area.  See the Cognate section below for ways to satisfy this requirement. A list of cognate course is provided in the approved program courses section.

Technical Electives (1 course):

Students can take any courses in the four core areas listed below as technical electives. Students must achieve a minimum grade of B

Research Requirement (1-2 courses):

To meet this requirement students are required to take (ECE 591 or 691) Directed Study for 3-6 credits before the Qualifying Exam.

During their first year in the Ph.D. program, students are required to perform independent research in collaboration with an ECE faculty member.  (See policy below)

The selected courses must be approved by the student’s faculty/research advisor and the Ph.D. program committee, and a signed depth course approval form must be submitted when signing up for the qualifying examination.

Required Seminar Courses

All students are required to take ENGR 700 Research Methodology Seminar, Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarship training, and ECE 798 Seminar.

ENGR 700 Ph.D. Research Methodology Seminar:

This course provides doctoral students with the fundamental training for conducting high-level scholarly research used in the various fields of engineering. Topics include evaluation of information resources, intellectual property, writing for journals and dissertation, effective work with scientific literature, literature review, plagiarism, publication, bibliographic management, and library resources. Students also complete the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) and Scholarship Training workshops. Additionally, students appointed as GSIs are required to attend the approved GSI training workshop.

The course is required for all doctoral students in the first year of enrollment and prior to taking the qualifying exam. Passing is based on participation and attendance and passing the RCR exam. The seminars will carry no credit hours.

ECE 798 Ph.D. Research Seminar:

After attaining candidacy, every Ph.D. student is required to attend and actively participate in research seminars given by CECS dean’s office or individual departments in CECS. A student gets a satisfactory grade if he/she attends at least three (3) research seminars during the course period. The seminars will carry no credit hours.

Core Areas and Approved Program Courses

Advanced mathematics courses.

• Math 504 Dynamical Systems
• Math 5055 Integral Equations
• Math 512 First Course in Modern Algebra
• Math 514 Numerical Solutions of Partial Differential Equations
• Math 515 B-Splines and Their Applications
• Math 516 Partial Differential Equations
• Math 520 Stochastic Processes
• Math 525 Mathematical Statistics II
• Math 551 Advanced Calculus I
• Math 552 Advanced Calculus II
• Math 554 Fourier Series and Boundary Value Problems
• Math 555 Functions of a Complex Variable with Applications
• Math 558 Introduction to Wavelets
• Math 562 Mathematical Modeling
• Math 583 Discrete Optimization
• Math 584 Applied and Algorithmic Graph Theory
• Math 592 Introduction to Topology

Four Core Areas Courses

Computer systems and networks core area.

• ECE 514 VLSI Design
• ECE 528 Cloud Computing
• ECE 535 Mobile Computing
• ECE 550 Communication Systems
• ECE 554 Embedded Systems
• ECE 570 Computer Networks
• ECE 5701 Wireless Communications*
• ECE 5702 High Speed and Advanced Networks
• ECE 575 Computer Architecture
• ECE 5752 Reconfigurable Computing*
• ECE 578 Advanced Operating Systems
• ECE 5781  Real-Time Operating Systems†*
• ECE 5542 Embedded Signal Processing†*
• ECE 612 Wireless Sensor Networks*
• ECE 614 Control Networks for Embedded System*
• ECE 670 Advanced Computer Networks and Wireless Comm.*
• ECE 675 Advanced Computer Architecture*
• ECE 678 Dependable Computing†*

Control Systems and Signal Processing Core Area

• ECE 512 Active Filter Design
• ECE 555 Stochastic Processes*
• ECE 560 Modern Control Theory
• ECE 565 Digital Control Systems*
• ECE 567 Nonlinear Control Systems*
• ECE 580 Digital Signal Processing
• ECE 5802 Multirate Signal Processing with Applications*
• ECE 581 Architecture for DSP*
• ECE 582 Statistical Signal Processing*
• ECE 584 Speech processes*
• ECE 589 Multidimensional Signal Processing*
• ECE 661 System Identification and Adaptive Control*
• ECE 645 Stochastic Control Systems†*
• ECE 665 Optimal Control*
• ECE 681 Advanced DSP*

Electronics, Optoelectronics, Power Electronics and Energy Systems

• ECE 519 Advanced Topics in EMC
• ECE 515 Vehicle Electronics II
• ECE 517 Advanced Power Electronics and Motor Drives*
• ECE 530 Energy Storage Systems
• ECE 532 Auto Sensors and Actuators*
• ECE 533 Active Auto Safety Systems*
• ECE 539 Production of Electronic Products
• ECE 541 Introduction to Electric Energy Systems
• ECE 542 Intro. to Power Management and Reliability
• ECE 5462 Hybrid Electrical Vehicles
• ECE 556 Fundamentals of Optoelectronic devices†*
• ECE 557 Nano Electronics Processing and Technology†*
• ECE 558 Fundamentals of Integrated Photonics†*
• ECE 559 Integrated Biophotonics†*
• ECE 566 Mechatronics*
• ECE 615 Advanced Power Electronics*
• ECE 616 Advanced Topics in Power Systems*
• ECE 646 Advanced Electric Drive Transportation*
• ECE 657 Integrated Solid State Nano Electronic Devices*†
• ECE 658 Quantum Electronics for Electrical Engineers†*

Intelligent Systems and Robotics Core Area

• ECE 527 Multimedia Security and Forensics
• ECE 531 Intelligent Vehicle Systems
• ECE 532 Auto Sensors and Actuators
• ECE 535 Mobile Devices
• ECE 536 All Weather Auto Vision
• ECE 537 Data Mining*
• ECE 542 Introduction to Robotic Systems†*
• ECE 543 Kinematics, Dynamics, and Control of Robots†*
• ECE 544 Mobile Robots†*
• ECE 552 Fuzzy systems
• ECE 576 Information Engineering
• ECE 579 Intelligent Systems*
• ECE 5792 Unsupervised Machine Learning†*
• ECE 5831 Pattern Recognition and Neural Networks*
• ECE 587 Selected Topics in Computer Vision*
• ECE 588 Robot Vision*
• ECE 643 Humanoid Robots†*
• ECE 644 Advanced Robotics†*
• ECE 679 Advanced Intelligent Systems*

Cognate Courses

Mathematics.

• Math 504: Dynamical Systems
• Math 5055: Integral Equations
• Math 512: First Course in Modern Algebra Math
• 514: Numerical Solutions of Partial Differential Equations
• Math 515: B-Splines and Their Applications
• Math 516: Partial Differential Equations
• Math 520: Stochastic Processes
• Math 525: Mathematical Statistics II
• Math 551: Advanced Calculus I
• Math 552: Advanced Calculus II
• Math 554: Fourier Series and Boundary Value Problems
• Math 555: Functions of a Complex Variable with Applications
• Math 558: Introduction to Wavelets
• Math 562: Mathematical Modeling Math 583: Discrete Optimization
• Math 584: Applied and Algorithmic Graph Theory
• Math 592: Introduction to Topology

Mechanical Engineering

• ME 510: Finite Element Methods
• ME 580: Advanced Engineering Materials
• ME 610: Finite Element Methods--Nonlinear
• ME 515: Advanced Mechanics of Solids
• ME 519: Basic Computational Methods in Engineering
• ME 540: Mechanical Vibrations
• ME 542: Advanced Dynamics
• ME 560: Experimental Methods in Design
• ME 531: Statistical Thermodynamics
• ME 535: Advanced Thermodynamics

Industrial, Manufacturing Systems Engineering

• IMSE 548 Human Factors
• IMSE 514 Multivariate Statistics
• IMSE 5205 Engineering Risk-Benefit Analysis
• IMSE 5215 Program Budget, Cost Estimation & Control
• IMSE 559 System Simulation
• IMSE 605 Advanced Optimization
• IMSE 606 Advanced Stochastic Processes
• IMSE 519 Quantitative Methods in Quality Engineering
• IMSE 561 Total Quality Management
• IMSE 567 Reliability Analysis

Computer and Information Science

• CIS 505 - Algorithm Design and Analysis
• CIS 534 - The Semantic Web
• CIS 536 - Information Retrieval
• CIS 552 - Information Visualization and Multimedia Gaming
• CIS 556 - Database Systems
• CIS 571 - Web Services
• CIS 579 - Artificial Intelligence
• CIS 587 - Computer Game Design and Implementation I
• CIS 652 - Information Visualization and Computer Animation

Cognate Requirement Policy

The cognate requirement is intended to foster intellectual breadth in graduate studies. Students must undertake at least 4 credit hours of coursework in an area outside of their chosen field of specialization. Following the Rackham requirements, the cognate requirement should be approved by the Ph.D. program committee and will generally be satisfied in one of the following ways:

• Completion of at least 4 hours of approved cognate credits, which must be from outside the EECE department. The minimum acceptable grade for a cognate course is a B. The list of approved cognate courses can be found below.
• Completion of a University of Michigan master’s degree, which includes a cognate component. This coursework must have been completed no more than 5 years before admission to the Ph.D. EECE program.
• Completion of a relevant master’s degree from another university that had coursework that meets the expectation of the program cognate requirement, without transferring the credit to the transcript. This coursework must have been completed no more than 5 years before admission to the Ph.D. EECE program. These courses do not apply toward the minimum 18 (or 36) credit hours in residence at UM-Dearborn required for the degree and do not appear on the university transcript

First-Year Research Requirement

The intent of this research requirement is to provide adequate opportunity for students to work closely with a research advisor to prepare to take the qualifying exam before their qualification deadline.

The first-year research requirement is a condition of continued departmental financial-support guarantees and can be waived only by petition to the Ph.D. program committee with an explanation of special circumstances (e.g., a research-oriented internship directly relevant to the student’s qualifying exam preparation) endorsed by the student’s academic or research advisor.

This requirement does not apply to students who transfer from a terminal MS to the Ph.D. program, who will be given more than one calendar year after entering the MS program.

Exams, Milestones, and Timeline

Pre-candidacy:.

• Breadth coursework
• Depth coursework
• Advanced Math course
• Directed Study Research course
• Required Seminar courses
• Completion of a 4-credit cognate course with a minimum B grade.

Qualification exams:   

• Completed related coursework 
• A 3.5/4.0 GPA overall,
• A 3.7/4.0 GPA for all qualifying exam courses and
• An ECE faculty/research advisor to sign up for these exams.

A student will be given two chances to take the qualifying examination within the first three years.

Candidacy:  Achieving candidacy for the Ph.D. EECE requires:

• Completion of the required coursework
• A 3.4/4.0 GPA overall
• Passing the Qualifying Exam
• Completion of the RCR training workshops provided by the UM-Dearborn campus
• Dissertation Chair or Co-Chairs
• Submitting of the candidacy application form

Students with a relevant master’s degree must achieve candidacy in four terms (2 years). Students that have only a bachelor’s degree will be allowed six terms (3 years) to achieve candidacy.

Candidates must register for the ECE 990 Dissertation course each fall and winter until completion of all degree requirements

Dissertation Proposal Examination : The dissertation proposal examination requires:

• Achieving candidacy
• Identifying a research advisor and agree on an appropriate topic
• Submitting and defending a proposal for the doctoral research content

A student entering with a bachelor’s degree must successfully complete a dissertation proposal within 3.5 (4) years from the start of the graduate study to maintain satisfactory progress. A student with a relevant master’s degree must complete the dissertation proposal examination within 2.5 (3) years.

Dissertation and Defense:  The Dissertation and Oral Defense requires:

• Passing the dissertation proposal examination
• Completing the required dissertation research credit hours
• Conducting an original research
• Submission of a written dissertation
• Pre-Defense meeting
• An Oral Defense of an approved written dissertation

The dissertation defense may not be scheduled in the same academic term as the dissertation proposal examination.

The Ph.D. EECE program has a limit of 7 years. Students are expected to complete the degree within five years of achieving candidacy, but no more than seven years from the date of the first enrollment in the Ph.D. EECE program.

Qualifying Exam

A Ph.D. student must complete at least one Directed Study course of ECE 591/691 prior to the qualifying exam. The directed study course must be taken as a Rackham student at the ECE department at UM-Dearborn. During their first year in the Ph.D. program, students are required to perform independent research in collaboration with an ECE faculty member. The intent of this research requirement is to provide adequate opportunity for students to work closely with a research advisor to prepare to take the qualifying exam before their qualification deadline.  This requirement does not apply to students who transfer from a terminal MS to the Ph.D. program, who will be given more than one calendar year after entering the MS program.

The student’s qualification is evaluated through a written report of a project done in the research-oriented Directed Study course, followed by a 1–2 hour oral exam by a Ph.D. qualifying examination committee, which consists of three faculty members not including the research advisor, two of which are ECE faculty and one of which is an affiliate faculty. The three faculty members on the Ph.D. qualifying examination committee are selected by the EECE Ph.D. program committee. The oral examination will cover the student’s directed study project and knowledge directly related to the student’s research area. This examination will be administered during the qualification examination period in every fall and winter semester.

The students research advisor is the director of the student’s directed study project. The student must submit a copy of the Directed Study written report to the ECE Graduate office staff at [email protected] and the examiners at least two weeks before the qualifying examination. The examination committee consists of three graduate faculty members appointed by the program committee and cannot include the student’s research advisor.

The qualifying examination consists of two parts:

Part one: curriculum examination:.

The goal of this examination is to ensure that students have a good understanding of the fundamentals of electrical, computer, and/or robotics engineering. The examination will include the following steps:

• Good performance in three courses selected during the first semester of enrollment in the program and approved by the program committee. The courses must be passed with grades not lower than 3.7 on the 4-point scale (A-).
• An examination on the material of these courses.

For students admitted to the program on the basis of a master’s degree, the courses already completed during the master’s study and applied to satisfy the coursework requirements can be selected as a part of the curriculum examination.

Part Two: Research Fundamentals Examination:

This examination’s objective is to ensure that a student has the necessary educational background and skills to conduct independent research in the selected area. Specifically, the examiners test such aspects of the student’s preparedness as:

• Depth and clarity of understanding in the selected area,
• Ability to make independent logical conclusions,
• Problem-solving skills and creativity,
• Communication skills.

The examination consists of a 1 hour presentation by the student on the topic of intended dissertation research followed by questions from the examiners.

Forming the Dissertation Committee

Dissertation committee.

• The dissertation committee will consist of four members, including at least three tenure-track members (appointment as Professor, Associate Professor, or Assistant Professor) of the instructional faculty affiliated with a Rackham doctoral program.
• The student’s dissertation advisor, who must be a member of the graduate faculty of the department, will serve as chair or co-chair.
• Of the additional members, two must hold at least 50% appointment as tenured or tenure-track faculty of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, with at least one being a member of the ECE graduate faculty.
• The third committee member (cognate member) must be from outside the department: a faculty member with at least 50% appointment from a Rackham Doctoral program other than Ph.D. in EECE.
• The composition of the dissertation committee must be approved by the Ph.D. program committee and requires Rackham approval. 
• tenure or tenure-track members of the University’s instructional faculty who are not affiliated with a Rackham doctoral program;
• research faculty;
• instructors and lecturers;
• similarly qualified University faculty or staff, or person from outside the University; and
• former University faculty members who have moved to a faculty position at another university.

In the cases when it is justified by the nature of the student’s research and by approval of the program committee, the dissertation work can be co-supervised by two co-chairs. Both co-chairs must hold at least 50 percent appointments as tenured or tenure-track faculty. One of them must be a member of the graduate faculty of the ECE department. The other can be from the ECE department or a department other than ECE.

Dissertation Proposal and Dissertation Research

Please refer to the path to degree for the procedures and forms for the dissertation committee, dissertation proposal, dissertation, and final oral defense. , dissertation proposal exam.

The main objective of the dissertation proposal examination is to ensure sufficient strength and feasibility of the proposed research topic, as well as the suitability of the student’s background and skills regarding the topic. The examination must be completed within a year of passing the qualifying examination.

The examination consists of a written dissertation proposal and its open-to-the-public presentation by the student. The examination is conducted by the dissertation committee. As a rule, the dissertation committee continues overseeing the student’s work to the stage of the final dissertation defense.

Dissertation

After passing the dissertation proposal examination, the student may proceed with the dissertation research and the writing of the dissertation. The dissertation should document the original contributions made by the candidate as a result of independent research. This research work should be of archival quality. In advance of graduation, all members of the student's dissertation committee must approve the dissertation. To obtain this approval a student must submit a written copy of the dissertation to the dissertation committee and defend the research work at a final oral examination open to other faculty, students, and the interested public. Students must be registered for ECE 990 the full spring/summer term if defending the dissertation after May during the spring/summer term.

The dissertation must strictly follow the Rackham Graduate School Dissertation guidelines as described in the Dissertation Handbook Guidelines for copyrighting, publishing and distributing, dissertation embargo and distribution limitations.

Students are expected to complete the degree within two years of passing the dissertation proposal exam, but no more than seven years from the date of the first enrollment in the Ph.D. EECE program. The Ph.D. EECE committee conducts annual reviews to evaluate progress toward degree completion. Students defending the dissertation must be registered in the 990 Dissertation Research course.

Dissertation Research Requirement

• Students who have completed the coursework requirements but have not reached the candidacy status should register for ECE 980 (Pre-Candidacy Dissertation Research). A maximum of 12 credits may be completed in ECE 980 Pre-Candidacy course. 
• Students who have achieved candidacy should register for 6 credits in ECE 990 (Doctoral Dissertation Research).

Note that the actual completion of the dissertation project is likely to take several years at full-time enrollment thus, requiring more than the minimum number of credit hours.

Final Oral Defense

Upon completion of the dissertation work, the student initiates the last step toward the degree—the dissertation defense process. The process follows the official guidelines and consists of the following main stages:

• Preparation of a written dissertation formatted in accordance with the guidelines,
• Pre-Defense meetings with the members of the program committee,
• Written evaluations of the dissertation by the dissertation committee members presented to the Ph.D. program committee,
• Public seminar and open question session held by the student
• Private deliberations by the committee,
• Final oral examination report and certificate of approval prepared by the dissertation committee and submitted to the Ph.D. program committee.
• Post-Defense meeting with the CECS Graduate Education Office

Program Contacts

Amanda Donovan

Michael Hicks

Mengqi Wang

Electrical and computer engineering, office hours.

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PhD—Doctoral Study in Electrical & Computer Engineering

Duke ECE offers highly motivated doctoral students the opportunity to develop research skills in our uniquely interdisciplinary environment

Our PhD students undertake ambitious projects  with global impact, in areas including machine learning, cyberphysical systems, smart sensing, metamaterials and quantum computing.

We provide amazing opportunities for our students—to publish with their faculty adviser, to present research at professional conferences, and to explore their field in a highly collaborative, cross-disciplinary working environment.

•   #12 national university
• ​   #6 AI and machine learning research in the U.S.
• ​   #3 computer engineering research productivity in the U.S.
•   Top 20 graduate electrical and computer engineering programs in the U.S.

Sources: U.S. News, NeurIPS Publication Index, Academic Analytics

WHY CHOOSE DUKE?

+ world-class research.

Direct admission to a research group allows PhD students to engage immediately with Duke ECE faculty members, working to cultivate the learning, thinking and problem-solving abilities needed to adapt, to develop and to exercise responsible leadership through times of rapid change. PhD research is  fully funded , and our students also receive conference and travel support.

Academic curricular groups include:

• Computer Engineering
• Engineering Physics
• Microelectronics, Photonics and Nanotechnology
• Signal and Information Processing

Research centers include:

• Fitzpatrick Institute for Photonics
• Center for Metamaterials and Integrated Plasmonics (CMIP)
• Coded Aperature Miniature Mass Spectrometer for Environmental Sensing (CAMMS-ES)
• Error-corrected Universal Reconfigurable Ion-trap Quantum Archetype (EURIQA)

+ Day One Mentorship

Advising and early introduction to research and to your research community are hallmarks of the Duke ECE PhD experience. We believe in mentorship from Day One!

The process of finding your research adviser begins before you are admitted. Once you apply, our faculty may contact you. We then invite the best applicants to interview. You'll meet our faculty and see their labs before a formal offer is made.

Once you are admitted, we help you assemble your Advising Team. Your team will include your research adviser, your departmental adviser, the director of graduate studies, a five-member dissertation committee, and the department chair.

+ Authentic Opportunities to Learn Mentorship Through Mentoring

In preparation for your role as a research mentor, Duke Engineering actively encourages and supports efforts by its PhD students to mentor undergraduates in research work.

Our PhD students can register to serve as a mentor and post a research project to a university-wide directory of research opportunities for undergraduates: Muser .

As mentors, our PhD students build professional mentoring relationships with undergraduates, while increasing undergraduate involvement in research—one of the hallmarks of a Duke Engineering education.

+ Welcoming, Inclusive Community

By choosing Duke, you join an engaged, diverse and welcoming community that values and supports you. You'll notice the importance we place on faculty-doctoral student interaction.

+ Excellent Career Outcomes

Duke Engineering offers dedicated career and professional development services  to support our PhD students throughout their time here, as well as  PhD Plus , which prepares students for careers in research and technology development.

Learn more about the career paths of recent Duke ECE PhD graduates.

+ A Great Location

Our engineering campus is next to one of the nation's leading academic medical centers (Duke University Hospital is our across-the-street neighbor). Plus, the Duke campus is just miles from Research Triangle Park (RTP) , home to 250+ major tech companies and a global hub for research.

You'll enjoy a mild climate, acclaimed restaurants, a thriving arts scene and an affordable cost of living ⁠— lower than Boston, New York, Atlanta or the Bay Area. Your Duke degree can take you anywhere in the United States and beyond. Some students choose to remain in our Research Triangle region, which is consistently ranked among the best places to live in the United States.

Visit Duke's website dedicated to all things Durham .

How to apply

Electrical and Computer Engineering

College of engineering, phd  in ece.

Students in the ECE PhD  program are provided  with  a research-intensive study of the fundamentals of electrical and computer engineering. Students will create and disseminate knowledge of electrical and computer systems during the course of obtaining the PhD  degree. Upon enrollment in the department, students, with the help of a faculty advisor, define an education and research program consistent with their background and best-suited to their own academic goals.

Other programs

Center for the neural basis of cognition (cnbc).

ECE PhD  students interested in the neural basis of cognition can apply to the   CNBC's Graduate Training Program, which allows students to combine neuroscience and engineering in an interdisciplinary training program.

The Information & Communication Technologies Institute at Carnegie Mellon (ICTI@CMU)

The Information and Communication Technologies Institute is an international "virtual" institution with poles in Portugal (ICTI@Portugal) and at Carnegie Mellon University (ICTI@CMU). Interested students may apply for doctoral study in ECE through the ICTI. Those accepted will take courses that have been approved by the Carnegie Mellon ECE Department at a partner institution in Portugal.

ECE/Thailand

Established as a collaboration between Carnegie Mellon University and King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), ECE/Thailand will provide cutting-edge engineering research and education in Southeast Asia.

Helpful links

To apply, select  Master's  or  Doctoral  from the dropdown, then select  Electrical and Computer Engineering . The list of available programs will then display. You may select up to three programs for which to be considered.

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Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering

General info.

• Faculty working with students: 55
• Students: 206
• Students receiving Financial Aid: 99% of first year Ph.D. students and 97% of all Ph.D. students receive financial aid
• Part time study available: No
• Application terms: Spring, Fall
• Application deadlines: Spring: October 2; Fall: December 1

Michael Gehm Director of Graduate Studies Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Duke University Box 90291 Durham, NC 27708-0291

Email: [email protected]

Website:  https://ece.duke.edu

Program Description

The department offers opportunities for study in a broad spectrum of areas within the disciplines of electrical and computer engineering. Research in the department is generally organized into research themes including biocomputing and biomedical devices and systems, circuits and systems, computer architecture and systems, nanosystems, electronic devices and materials, photonics, quantum computing, sensing and signals, and waves and metamaterials.  Students typically affiliate with one of four areas of specialization: 1) computer engineering; 2) engineering physics; 3) microelectronics, photonics and nanotechnology; and 4) signals, information processing, and machine learning. Detailed descriptions of course offerings, faculty research interests, and degree requirements may be found on the department's website. Interdisciplinary opportunities that connect the ECE program with other engineering departments, computer science, the natural sciences, and the medical school are available. Students in the department may also be involved in research conducted in one of the Duke centers. Further, under a reciprocal agreement with neighboring universities, a student may include some courses offered at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Since an important criterion for admitting new students is the match between student and faculty research interests, applicants are strongly encouraged to indicate the specialization area(s) in which they are interested.

• Electrical and Computer Engineering: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Electrical and Computer Engineering: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Electrical and Computer Engineering: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Electrical and Computer Engineering: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

Application Information

Application Terms Available:  Spring, Fall

Application Deadlines:  Spring: October 2; Fall: December 1 Applications submitted by December 1 are guaranteed review. Applications submitted after December 1 but before the closing date of February 28 will be reviewed based upon availability of space and funding.

Graduate School Application Requirements See the Application Instructions page for important details about each Graduate School requirement.

• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts required with application submission; official transcripts required upon admission
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 Required
• Statement of Purpose: Required (See department guidance below)
• Résumé: Required
• GRE Scores: GRE General (Optional)
• English Language Exam: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test required* for applicants whose first language is not English *test waiver may apply for some applicants
• GPA: Undergraduate GPA calculated on 4.0 scale required

Department Specific Application Requirements (submitted through online application)

Applicants must answer the following short-answer questions as part of their application:

Electrical and Computer Engineering Supplemental Questions

• For applicants with work experience post-undergraduate studies, please describe how your work experience prepares you for graduate studies in ways not reflected by your undergraduate academic record.
• List programming languages you have used in the past and your proficiency level with each.
• For applicants with backgrounds in fields other than Electrical or Computer Engineering, please describe your motivation in changing fields.
• Name and briefly describe the content of the three Electrical or Computer Engineering courses you have taken, if any, that were the most advanced or had the greatest impact on your interest in our graduate program.
• Name and briefly describe the content of the three courses you have taken in related technical areas (Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, etc.) that were the most advanced or had the greatest impact on your interest in our graduate program.  

Statement of Purpose Guidelines In addition to providing more context regarding your personal, academic, research, and industry background, you should also discuss why you are interested in Duke’s ECE PhD program. Description of specific faculty and/or research areas you are interested in is highly recommended. We are looking for applicants with the best fit for our program, so the better you can describe why this is you, the better your chances will be of standing out for admission.

Writing Sample None required

Additional Components Providing a recorded video response is optional but recommended. The video response gives you an opportunity to strengthen your application and in the case of some international students, can help us assess your English language skills. Completion of a video can potentially negate the need for a live language interview later on in the application process. If you choose to include a video, the video recording platform is available within the online application.

We strongly encourage you to review additional department-specific application guidance from the program to which you are applying:  Departmental Application Guidance (PhD)

List of Graduate School Programs and Degrees

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

DEGREE Electrical and Computer Engineering, PhD

Doctoral degree in electrical and computer engineering

As a PhD student in electrical and computer engineering, you can engage in creative approaches to solving problems through research in any of several cross-cutting areas of your choosing- among them, data science, healthcare, mobile computing, security and infrastructure resilience, sensors and sensing, and sustainability. Within those cross-cutting areas, you’ll be able to specialize in areas that include applied electromagnetics and acoustics; communications, networks, privacy and security; solid-state electronics and quantum technologies; machine learning, signal processing and information theory; computer systems and architecture; plasma science and fusion energy; energy systems; optics and photonics, and optimization and control.

At a glance

Electrical and computer engineering department, learn more about what information you need to apply., how to apply.

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online .

A submitted online  application  is required, consisting of:

• Statement of purpose; see the suggested guidelines provided by the Graduate School: https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/prepare
• Must complete the supplemental application section that identifies their research interest area
• Most up to date unofficial transcript(s) from all previous higher education institutions, regardless of whether or not a degree was earned (official transcripts are requested of only recommended applicants); international academic records must be in the original language accompanied by an official English translation.
• Payment of the one-time application fee of $75.00, plus the $6.00 international processing fee; this fee is non-refundable. It can be paid by credit card (MasterCard or Visa) or debit/ATM card.
• Test scores and three letters of recommendation as detailed above.

Applications must be entirely complete by the deadline, including test scores and letters of recommendation. Please note that it is highly advised to take the GRE and TOEFL/IELTS tests well in advance of the application deadline in order to ensure time for receiving and processing of the scores. Please do not mail any paper copies of application materials, except IELTS scores. They will not be reviewed.

Information for international students, including proof of funding and visa information, can be found on the International Student Services website ( https://iss.wisc.edu/students/admissions/ ).

By Wisconsin state law, the application fee can only be waived or deferred under the conditions outlined by the Graduate School ( https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/fee-grant ).

The department welcomes applications from scientific, engineering, and mathematical disciplines other than ECE. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree may apply directly to the Ph.D. program.

REENTRY ADMISSIONS

If you were previously enrolled as a graduate student at UW–Madison, but have had a break in enrollment for at least one fall or spring semester, you will need to apply to resume your studies.

For applicants previously enrolled in a graduate program other than ECE, you must complete a  new  online application, including all materials, for admission.

For applicants previously enrolled in ECE as a graduate student, you must complete a  reentry  application. Reentry applicants may apply for the fall term with a deadline of June 1.

In order to apply as a reentry applicant, you must:

• complete the online application ( https://apply.grad.wisc.edu ), including the personal information section, program and term selection, and supplementary application;
• Statement of Purpose
• Any new unofficial transcripts from previous higher education institutions
• Three letters of recommendation if the break in enrollment equals or is greater than four semesters (fall, spring). Letters of recommendation should be emailed directly from the recommender.

CURRENT GRADUATE STUDENT ADMISSIONS

Students currently enrolled as a graduate student at UW-Madison, whether in or other than ECE, wishing to apply to this degree program should contact the ECE Graduate Admissions Team ( [email protected] ) to inquire about the process and respective deadlines several months in advance of the anticipated enrollment term. Current students may apply to change or add programs for any term (fall, spring, or summer).

Please review the frequently asked questions answered by the Graduate School  here . 

If you have any admissions questions, please do not hesitate to contact the ECE Graduate Admissions Team at  [email protected] .

Tuition and funding

Tuition and segregated fee rates are always listed per semester (not for Fall and Spring combined).

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.  Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Ph.D. students entering the program in Fall 2019 or later will receive a financial support package at the time of admission that may include some combination of research and teaching assistantships, internal and external fellowships, and/or other sources. 

Students should contact professors in their area of interest. Professors decide whom they will appoint on their research grants.

Current graduate students may apply for teaching assistantships or  hourly grader positions via the  ECE TA/Grader Portal  (must have a NetID to access).  If you are interested in applying for TA or grader position in a department other than ECE, please contact the respective department to ask about their own application process. Students currently holding a research assistant or fellowship position that are interested in teaching assistant positions should discuss options with their research advisor(s) before applying. 

International students who are non-native English speakers are required to pass the  SPEAK Test  through the English as a Second Language Program on campus. Students wishing to take the SPEAK Test should contact the ECE TA Coordinator via e-mail to register for the exam.

There are project assistant opportunities on campus for various purposes and departments and offices. Often announcements of openings are posted on TA/PA bulletin boards in Engineering Hall and on the  UW Job Center webpage . You may also contact individual faculty members to inquire about possible opportunities. 

Information concerning fellowships is sent to graduate students via email from the department, faculty, and/or the Graduate School.

Ranked 6th in the national research category for public universities by the National Science Foundation, UW-Madison continues to be a leader of exploration and discovery. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is a proud part of that reputation of research excellence, boasting award-winning faculty, advanced facilities and laboratories, and a culture of creativity, innovation and diligence.

View our research

Curricular Requirements

Minimum graduate school requirements.

Review the Graduate School minimum  academic progress and degree requirements , in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Required Courses

All on-campus E C E graduate students must register for E C E 610 Seminar in Electrical and Computer Engineering during their first semester of graduate studies.  Ph.D. degree seeking students must take 1 credit of E C E 610 in the Fall semester of which they are entering the program and 2 credits of E C E 611 Introduction to Doctoral Research in Electrical & Computer Engineering in the following Spring semester. This requirement must be done in the Ph.D. student’s first year.

The purpose of E C E 610 is to prepare students for success in graduate school and expose them to areas within E C E as well as related fields outside of E C E, such as biotechnology, physics, computer science, mathematics, or business. Electrical and Computer Engineering is very interdisciplinary in nature, and so it is important for students to be aware of advanced research and development in areas other than their own.

The purpose of  E C E 611  is to emphasize research experiences and methodologies to prepare students to pursue Ph.D. research work.

• Research, independent study, coop, or seminar credits (e.g.,  E C E 610 , E C E 611 , E C E 699 , E C E 702 , E C E 790 , E C E 890 , E C E 990 , E C E 999 , E C E/​N E/​PHYSICS  922 ) may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
• E C E courses used to satisfy minor requirements may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
• E C E courses must be numbered 400 or above.
• Non-E C E courses must be numbered 300 or above

ECE Graduate Admissions [email protected] 3182 Mechanical Engineering 1513 University Ave, Madison, WI 53706

ECE Graduate Student Services 3182 Mechanical Engineering 1513 University Ave, Madison, WI 53706

Student Focus – Hongyan Mei

Become a badger engineer.

Electrical and Computer Engineering (Ph.D.)

Focus: advancing knowledge and research in areas such as bioengineering, computer engineering, digital signal processing, electrical energy, electromagnetics, electronic design and applications, microsystems, optics and photonics, systems and controls, and telecommunications.

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Academics   /   Graduate Study   /   PhD Programs PhD in Computer Engineering

The PhD program in computer engineering prepares students to become innovative leaders in academic, industrial, and entrepreneurial settings. The program is designed with a research focus in mind, having a relatively small number of required courses. This allows students to focus on their research.

View the department's graduate curriculum

Learn more about research in Computer Engineering

Each student receiving the PhD should have a solid background in his or her field as preparation for a career in research or teaching. To ensure that each of our students receives this background, we require them to choose and complete a program of study corresponding to his or her intended field of inquiry.

Admissions Apply now

Download a PDF program guide about your program of interest and get in contact with our graduate admissions staff.

request info about phd degree

The Crown Family Graduate Internship Program

PhD candidates may elect to participate in the Crown Family Graduate Internship Program. This opportunity allows the doctoral candidate to gain practical experience in industry or in national research laboratories in areas closely related to his or her research.

Learn more about this internship program

Career Paths

The PhD program in computer engineering emphasizes excellence in education and research, providing graduates with a solid foundation for a career in industry, academia, and research labs.

Recent graduates are pursuing careers in industrial research labs (Intel Labs, IBM Research, Google, Facebook, and Qualcomm), industry (AMD, Bloomberg, IBM, Intel, Globalfoundries, and Mentor Graphics), and universities (Iowa State, Penn State, and the University of Maryland). In the last decade, recent graduates have founded more than half a dozen successful start-ups.

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Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Phone: 847-491-5410 Email the ECE graduate program

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PhD in Electrical & Computer Engineering

Home » Academics » Graduate Programs » PhD in Electrical & Computer Engineering

Research and Study Program

Students must submit a Research and Study Program (RSP) prior to taking the Qualifying Examination. The RSP details: (1) all courses taken by the student, (2) all future courses planned to be taken in fulfillment of the degree requirements, (3) an abstract of the research to be undertaken in fulfillment of the degree requirements, and (4) a list of the individuals that have agreed to serve on the student’s dissertation committee, which must consist of at least four individuals. The committee is chaired by the student’s faculty research advisor and must include at least two additional faculty members from the Department.

Pre-Dissertation Examination

The pre-dissertation examination is an in-depth written document and presentation of the student’s thesis proposal to members of his/her committee. The proposal must present sufficient evidence to justify its acceptance as a dissertation topic. Candidates must complete the pre-dissertation examination within one and a half years of passing the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination and having an approved RSP. The written proposal must be distributed to the committee members for review no less than two weeks prior to the scheduled proposal presentation.

Ph.D. Dissertation

Candidates must carry out a program of substantial original research, which forms the basis of a written dissertation that must be read and approved by the student’s committee as adequate for the Ph.D. degree. The dissertation research should form the basis of several research papers in refereed professional journals.

Final Oral Examination

The written dissertation must be distributed to the committee members for review no less than two weeks prior to the scheduled final oral examination. In the final oral examination, the student presents the results of his/her dissertation research to members of the faculty. The format of the presentation is that of a seminar in which questions from the audience take the place of formal exam questions. The student’s dissertation committee meets afterwards, in closed session, to decide if sufficient research progress has been made to warrant the granting of the Ph.D.

General Requirements

In addition to the specific requirements noted above, the following general requirements must be satisfied by all candidates:

• Candidates are required to complete one continuous academic year of full-time study as a residency requirement.
• Candidates must complete the course requirements for the thesis master’s degree, or have been awarded a master’s degree in electrical or computer engineering, or a closely related field.
• Candidates must take at least two foundation courses outside their area of concentration.
• Candidates must take at least 9 credits of Doctoral Dissertation (ELEG 969).

Concentrations

Students in the Ph.D. program may elect to choose a concentration area of study. Concentrations are available in Computer Systems & Networking, Signal Processing, Communications, and Controls, Materials and Devices, Electromagnetics and Photonics, and Biomedical Engineering. Students selecting a concentration must meet the concentration requirements in addition to meeting their general degree requirements. Concentrations are voluntary, and students selecting multidisciplinary or other specialized studies need not declare a concentration.

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The Ph.D. degree is designed so that it

• offers students the theoretical, practical, and professional knowledge that will enable them to pursue discovery of new knowledge;
• allows students to conduct visible high-quality research that will advance the state of knowledge; and
• serves to train, motivate, and inspire our graduates to become leaders in their fields.

Provide outstanding graduate educational programs to students in electrical engineering, and computer engineering. Conduct visible high-quality research programs that will advance the state of knowledge in the fields of electrical engineering and computer engineering and will serve to train, motivate and inspire our graduates to become leaders in their fields.

Graduates of the Ph.D. program will have the theoretical, practical, and professional knowledge that will enable them to independently pursue the discovery of new knowledge and methods that enhance the theory and practice of electrical engineering and computer engineering. Graduates will be qualified for entry-level academic positions, or research positions in industrial and government research institutions and laboratories.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate advanced understanding of a broader range of subject areas and expertise in their research work that will allow them to be at a vanguard position when entering the workforce, in either academic or industrial/government careers.
• Students will demonstrate an established record of original and independent research contributions.
• Students will demonstrate ability to communicate the results of their technical both in writing and in oral presentations.

Admissions Information

Electrical and Computer Engineering

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PhD (Doctoral) Admissions Overview

Our research-intensive program cultivates the next generation of leaders in academia and industry. Electrical Engineering doctoral students work alongside faculty, fellow students, and researchers who are leaders in their disciplines.  

Application Timeline & Deadlines

Click on the links below to read about each step of the application process:

Did You Know?

• A master's degree is not required prior to applying to the PhD program in Electrical Engineering. • Applications are reviewed on an annual basis for autumn quarter start only. • December 7, 2023 is the application deadline for Autumn 2024-2025. • Typical completion time for the PhD degree is 5-7 years. • All PhD students who maintain satisfactory academic progress receive full financial support for the duration of the doctoral program.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program is designed to build an interdisciplinary community of Stanford graduate students dedicated to finding creative solutions to the world's greatest challenges. The program awards up to 100 high-achieving students every year with full funding to pursue a graduate education at Stanford, including the M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. To be considered, you must apply to Knight-Hennessy Scholars and separately apply to the Electrical Engineering department.

Additional Resources

Electrical and Computer Engineering, PhD

Whiting school of engineering.

The Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering is oriented with an emphasis on scholarship and research rather than formal coursework. Our Ph.D. program is designed to be easily tailored to the needs and interests of individual students. There are no lists of required courses. The program is directed at independent, highly motivated individuals who desire to work closely with faculty members at the forefront of research in a variety of scientific areas, such as:

• Computational and Biomorphic Systems
• Computational Systems Biology and Bioinformatics
• Computer & Neuromorphic Engineering
• Control Systems
• Image Processing and Analysis
• Integrated Circuits and Microsystems
• Language and Speech Processing
• Photonics and Optoelectronics
• Signal Processing & Machine Learning
• Artificial Intelligence and Data Science

The Ph.D. requirements apply to all part-time and full-time students in the program. Time limits, however, are stated in the context of full-time graduate study. Time limits for part-time programs must be individually arranged with the student’s advisor and the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies. The Ph.D. degree certifies that the holder has demonstrated research capability. Accordingly, the Ph.D. requirements are used as checkpoints leading the student through this research experience. Because students tend to spend more than ample time on the path to research, several requirements prescribe time limitations. The requirements stated on the requirements tab include university-wide requirements for the Ph.D.

Financial Aid

Once accepted into our program, all Ph.D. candidates are fully funded for the duration of their program while they are in a full time, resident status, through a fellowship or research assistantship which covers full tuition, health insurance, and a stipend of approximately $37,600 annually. As part of their program, students conduct research in their research advisor's lab and sometimes serve as a course assistant for undergraduate or graduate classes. 

Ph.D. Program Requirements

University requirements for the Ph.D. degree are listed under Academic Information for Graduate Students . In addition, the department requires satisfactory completion of the Ph.D. departmental qualifying examination, the university Graduate Board oral examination and submission of a research proposal,  and submission of a dissertation and successful completion of a public dissertation defense.

1. Departmental Qualifying Exam

The departmental qualifying examination is offered twice yearly. The student must select and complete the examinations posed by three examiners eligible to supervise doctoral dissertations in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, of which at least two must be tenure-track ECE faculty.  Each faculty member prepares a set of questions, and the student must select and complete the sets. The respective examiners grade completed examinations, but it is the ECE Department faculty that makes a collective decision on whether the student has adequately fulfilled the Departmental Qualifying Examination requirement. This decision involves the student's cumulative academic performance in the graduate program, as well as performance on the examination. This examination must be passed before the beginning of the fourth semester of full-time graduate study. The departmental qualifying examination cannot be taken more than twice. Failure to pass the exam after two attempts will result in the student being dismissed from the PhD program. If the student passes the examination, the student can select one of those faculty members to oversee the student’s research. Students must select a Research Advisor immediately upon passing the Departmental Qualifying Examination requirement. This research advisor then guides the student for the remainder of the student’s program leading to the Ph.D. degree.  These may include a teaching requirement, particular coursework, a reading program, or a preliminary research project. 

2. Written Research Proposal and Graduate Board Oral Examination

Prior to taking the Graduate Board Oral (GBO) examination, students should work with their research advisor and write a research proposal. The written proposal should be sent to the Graduate Board Oral committee and the ECE academic program coordinator at least two weeks prior to the scheduled exam date. While all committee members are encouraged to provide feedback, following the GBO, the proposal must be approved by only the ECE members of the exam committee.

A. Written Research Proposal

The written proposal should be no more than 6 pages with 1 inch margins and 10 point font, excluding references. The proposal should be organized into 3 sections as follows.

1. Description of the significance of the proposed work

• Describe the problem that will be addressed
• Summarize the current state of the art and the limitations of current approaches

2. Description of the innovation of the proposed work

• Describe what is new in the proposed research and how it will address the limitations of current approaches.
• Describe the anticipated impact of the proposed research in terms of what difference it will make if it is successful.
• Describe any preliminary results that have already been achieved for the proposed work.

3. Description of the anticipated approach to completing the research

• Organize the work into the major tasks and describe them.
• Provide an anticipated timeline for the completion of the tasks.
• Summarize the anticipated risks to success and provide some alternative strategies.

B. Graduate Board Oral (GBO) Examination

Students must pass the Graduate Board Oral (GBO) Examination. The exam should be scheduled prior to the start of the sixth semester although the exam can take place after this date. The purpose of the examination is to test the depth and breadth of the student's knowledge and reasoning abilities. The examination typically is based on the student's course background but may include the proposed dissertation topic. The examination is conducted by five faculty members: two ECE professors, two professors from JHU PhD granting departments outside ECE, and one additional professor that can be either from inside or outside of ECE.  At least one of the outside members must be Professor or Associate Professor ranking such that they can chair the exam . Additionally, one departmental alternate and one outside alternate are also required. Note that for GBO examination committee purposes, the research advisor is counted as a member of the ECE Department regardless of affiliation.

The GBO exam is scheduled for 2 hours. Per the GBO rules, the exact format is at the discretion of the GBO chair. Generally, it will consist of a short (approximately 10 minute) presentation by the candidate on their research followed by the GBO exam. Per GBO rules this is a closed exam and the scope of the GBO questions is not limited to the candidate’s research and can cover things such as coursework, etc.

The possible outcomes of the GBO examination include: an unconditional pass, a conditional pass (with the requirements to be met written down on the report form), or failure. In the latter case, if the chair of the GBO committee recommends reexamination, they must indicate with whom and when. At least one person from the original committee must be on the next committee. The Graduate Board does not allow more than two examinations. For more information on the GBO, consult the following website:

              http://homewoodgrad.jhu.edu/academics/graduate-board/graduate-board-oral-exams

3. Dissertation & Dissertation Defense

Finally, a public dissertation defense will be conducted before a panel of readers consisting of at least two Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty members. The Dissertation Committee votes on the acceptance of the dissertation. and if it is accepted, then the dissertation is submitted electronically to the library.   Further details concerning Ph.D. requirements are published in the advising manual for Ph.D. students in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Further information on the dissertation defense preparation is available at  http://engineering.jhu.edu/ece/dissertation-defense-preparation  .

PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Graduate PhD Program in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst offers students the opportunity to engage with faculty on research to have an impact on the grand challenges of engineering.

Research interests range from the fundamental underpinnings of emerging nanoelectronic devices, circuits, and computing architectures, all the way up to large complex, integrated, electronic sensing systems, designed to sense processes ranging from the geophysical to the biological.

Related offerings

Students interested in our PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering may also be interested in these other offerings.

• Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Graduate Certificate in Microwave Engineering

In the spotlight

UMass alum Dragana Perkovic-Martin was part of the successful operation of the descent radar for the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover that NASA recently landed on the Red Planet. Perkovic-Martin led the system engineering team for the mission's landing radar as the descent stage safely navigated the rover.

Application information & deadlines

The PhD program in Electrical and Computer Engineering has two deadlines that depend on your goals, interests, and timeline. Visit the  UMass Amherst Graduate School  page for more details.

Fall Application

January 15, 2024, spring application, october 1, 2023, electrical engineering.

Electrical Engineering students at UMass Amherst play a hands-on role in the future of technology in communication, health care, smart cities, and more.

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Computer engineering students at UMass Amherst are designing and programming everything from complex software systems to autonomous vehicles—and you can, too.

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PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Purdue university phd in electrical and computer engineering, iupui.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is offered by the ECE Department in the Purdue School of Engineering & Technology at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis.

The Electrical & Computer Engineering PhD program is a Purdue University degree program. Our courses and curriculum are overseen by the Purdue  Graduate School at West Lafayette. Our students receive a Purdue degree, the diploma is a Purdue University diploma and states the degree requirements are completed at the Indianapolis campus. Many of our courses are the same courses that are offered at the Purdue West Lafayette campus. Our students use the Purdue career services as well as career services on our campus. Some benefits of our ECE PhD program in comparison to other electrical/computer engineering PhD programs in Indiana, is that there is a medical school on our campus, many of our faculty mentors engage in medical/health applications. We are a large campus in an urban environment. There is considerable industry in the central Indiana area, and many students are engaged in industry sponsored research. Our department is smaller and that brings many advantages for a PhD student in terms of class size as well as  access to faculty mentors.

We have outstanding faculty mentors in our department and we encourage you to reach out to many of our faculty mentors in order to determine the mentor who will help you realize your career goals

Application Information

Application information is available for domestic and international applicants.

View PhD Application Information

ECE PhD Summary

A document containing a summary of information about the ECE PhD program is available in PDF format.

Download the PhD Summary

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Electrical and Computer Engineering Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree

Request Info about graduate study Visit Apply

Ph.D.s in electrical and computer engineering are explorers of the information age who transform the world by leading trailblazing research that expands and create knowledge.

STEM-OPT Visa Eligible

Overview for Electrical and Computer Engineering Ph.D.

• Knowledge and Skills to Form Successful Researchers: A plan of study that consists of course work and research. Do research under the guidance of the world-class researchers that comprise our faculty.
• Forming Independent Researchers to Transform the World: World-class research in: (1) architectures and devices for computing; (2) communications, networking, and security; (3) machine learning and artificial intelligence; and (4) cyber-physical and embedded systems.

This is an exciting time in electrical and computer engineering. Harnessing electricity not only provides humanity with a transformative form of energy, but it also leads to the development of digital technologies, which have forged our Information Age as a time of revolutionary advances developed at an unprecedented pace.

The 21st century has witnessed such advances as the Smart Grid, ubiquitous fast internet access through wireless networks, artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies that rival humans in performance, the Internet-of-Things, cloud computing, fiber-optic networks capable of transmitting trillions of bits per second, new computing paradigms such as quantum or neuromorphic computing, and many more. None of these advances would have happened without the dedication of researchers in electrical and computer engineering.

Offered jointly by the department of electrical and microelectronic engineering and the department of computer engineering , students in RIT’s Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering learn to become independent researchers by conducting research under the guidance of the world-class researchers that comprise our faculty. This research is often associated with some of the many centers and laboratories across RIT, including the Center for Human-aware AI (CHAI) and the Global Cybersecurity Institute .

The curriculum for the Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering provides the knowledge and skills to form successful independent researchers by providing disciplinary and interdisciplinary courses, research mentorship, and seminars.

Students are also interested in: Electrical Engineering MS , Computer Engineering MS

Join us for Fall 2024

Many programs accept applications on a rolling, space-available basis.

Learn what you need to apply

Advancement of world-class impactful research is the ethos of the Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering. The program forms a dynamic and collaborative environment where our students and faculty are developing the next wave of transformational technologies for our society by conducting research in the following areas:

• Architectures and Devices for Computing
• Communications, Networking and Security
• Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
• Cyber-physical and Embedded Systems

Are you a doctoral student interested in participating in our research? Learn more about research assistantship opportunities across the Kate Gleason College of Engineering and how you can apply.

Sonia Lopez Alarcon

Hanif Rahbari

Featured Work

Forging the Future of AI and Security through Memory-centric Computing

Ph.D. Student: Purab Sutradhar

Pursuing his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purab Sutradhar is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge computing solutions for data-centric and AI applications through his research...

Methods for Quantifying Power Characteristics and Chronic Patterns of Use Behavior of Electronic Vaping Products

Ph.D. Student: Qutaiba M. Saleh; Advisor: Dr. Edward Hensel

The complexity and variety of inhaled tobacco products have increased significantly with the introduction of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS). Product characteristics and human behavior are...

Generative AI enabled Cybersecurity Operations

Shanchieh Jay Yang

The potential use of generative AI, including Large Language Models (LLMs), for cybersecurity operations may be hindered by misconceptions of its capabilities and missed opportunities to properly...

Featured Profiles

Faculty Spotlight: Dongfang Liu

Dongfang Liu

Meet Dr. Dongfang Liu, assistant professor in the department of computer engineering.

Faculty Spotlight: Dorin Patru

Dorin Patru

Associate professor at RIT since 2002, Dorin Patru teaches digital and computer, circuits and systems courses. He joined the department in fall 2002. He received a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical...

Advancing research for next generation wireless networks

Omar Abdul Latif is a student in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Ph.D. program who joined while he was working as a lecturer at RIT Dubai. He found that pursuing a Ph.D. is an...

Latest News

April 5, 2024

Electrical engineering professor connects history with the future for today’s students

Patru’s authenticity and humor are as much a part of his classes as the informal conversations he has with students about mutual interests in space, music, art, and history. These qualities are only a few of the reasons he’s being honored with the Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching.

February 29, 2024

Engineering Professor Co-Authors New Book on Resilience Engineering

Engineering professor, Andres Kwasinski co-authors new book, “Resilience Engineering for Power and Communications Systems: Networked Infrastructure in Extreme Events” published by Cambridge University Press.

February 19, 2024

Computer engineering faculty member joins national initiative on neuromorphic computing

Cory Merkel, assistant professor of computer engineering at RIT, will represent the university as one of five collegiate partners in the new Center of Neuromorphic Computing under Extreme Environments, also referred to as CONCRETE.

Curriculum for 2023-2024 for Electrical and Computer Engineering Ph.D.

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ph.D. degree, typical course sequence

*Engineering Foundation Electives:

† Discipline Concentration: Any graduate level course offered by the departments of Electrical and Microelectronic Engineering of Computer Engineering, exclusive of capstones.

‡ Focus Area Elective: Any graduate level course offered by the Kate Gleason College of Engineering, exclusive of capstones.

The curriculum for the Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering provides the knowledge and skills to form successful independent researchers by providing disciplinary and interdisciplinary courses, research mentorship, and seminars. Courses are organized into three categories: core, discipline concentration elective, and focus area elective courses. In addition, the plan of study includes three major research-based milestones: the doctoral qualifying exam, the doctoral candidacy exam, and the doctoral dissertation defense.

Core Courses Core courses are usually completed during the first two semesters of the program since they serve as foundational preparation for other elective courses. Core courses develop core competency skills for research, introducing the research landscape in electrical and computer engineering, and helping to prepare students for the qualifying exam.

Discipline Concentration Elective Courses The discipline concentration elective courses provide rigorous education in a student’s specific field of research in electrical and computer engineering. Students choose courses in consultation with the dissertation and research advisor. Graduate courses offered by the department of electrical and microelectronic engineering (courses code EEEE-6/7/8xx) or the department of computer engineering (courses code CMPE-6/7/8xx).

Focus Area Elective Courses Focus area elective courses provide the curriculum flexibility for students to engage in trans-disciplinary learning. In consultation with the dissertation and research advisor, students choose graduate courses offered by any department in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering. In addition, and subject to the approval of the Ph.D. program director, students may choose graduate courses offered by any of RIT’s colleges.

Qualifying Exam Students complete a qualifying exam at the end of their first year of study. The exam evaluates the student's aptitude, potential, and competency in conducting Ph.D.-level research.

Dissertation Proposal and Candidacy Exam Students must present a dissertation proposal to their dissertation committee no sooner than six months after the qualifying exam and at least twelve months prior to the dissertation defense exam. The proposal provides the opportunity for students to elaborate on their research plans and to obtain feedback on the direction and approach to their research from their dissertation committee.

Dissertation Presentation and Defense Each doctoral candidate prepares an original, technically rigorous, and well-written dissertation that describes the candidate’s research body of work and novel contributions to the discipline of electrical and computer engineering that have resulted from the doctoral studies. In this culminating milestone, each doctoral candidate presents and defends their dissertation and its accompanying research to their dissertation committee.

Admissions and Financial Aid

This program is available on-campus only.

Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Electrical and Computer Engineering Ph.D. program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete an online graduate application .
• Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
• Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college.
• A recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Submit a statement of purpose for research which will allow the Admissions Committee to learn the most about you as a prospective researcher.
• Submit two letters of recommendation .
• Entrance exam requirements: GRE optional but recommended. No minimum score requirement.
• Writing samples are optional.
• Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required. Details are below.

English Language Test Scores

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver .

International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.

How to Apply   Start or Manage Your Application

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Ph.D. students typically receive full tuition and an RIT Graduate Assistantship that will consist of a research assistantship (stipend) or a teaching assistantship (salary).

Access resources for students including student manual and research resources.

• ECE-PhD student manual
• KGCOE graduate student manual
• ECE-PHD Request for Qualifying Exam
• ECE-PHD Advisory Committee Formation form
• ECE-PhD Request for Candidacy Exam
• ECE-PHD Request for Research Review Meeting form
• ECE-PHD Request for Dissertation Defense
• ECE-PHD Request for Independent Study form

Research Resources

• RIT Libraries
• RIT Libraries InfoGuides
• Our librarian
• IEEE Xplore
• ACM Digital Library
• Springer Link
• SPIE Digital Library
• Elsevier Science Direct

University of Rochester

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Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

News & events, graduate student news, congratulations to ece phd student, frank cwitkowitz, a graduate research symposium winner.

April 1, 2024

The Hajim School’s graduate students did a terrific job showcasing their scientific findings last week at the third annual Graduate Research Symposium . The event, hosted by the office of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs, featured a poster session with $300 awards for the best presentations in four disciplines.

There was a three-way tie in this year’s engineering and math category: Frank Cwitkowitz , Electrical and Computer Engineering, PhD, Toward Fully Self-Supervised Multi-Pitch Estimation; Tyler Mason , Chemical Engineering, PhD, Minimizing Outgassing from High-Power Vacuum Transmission Lines; and Chloe Zhang , Biomedical Engineering, PhD, Towards Quantifying Cerebral Blood Flow of Patients Undergoing Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygen (ECMO) with Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy (DCS) and Speckle Contrast Optical Spectroscopy (SCOS).

Congratulations and thank you to all students who presented their fascinating work.

Hajim Highlights 0401

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Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

2024 phd graduate – optical/electrical/computer engineering – imaging systems.

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Are you passionate about optical sensing, computer vision, and/or all things imaging?

Are you searching for an opportunity to apply your engineering skills in a creative and collaborative laboratory environment?

Would you love to engage in meaningful, hands-on work with an employer that prioritizes impact, innovation, and personal development?

If so, we are looking for someone like you to join our team at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)!

We are seeking a creative PhD new graduate to join the Imaging Systems Group. As a member of our team, you will contribute to critical system development and experimental efforts. You will be joining a diverse team committed to crafting an environment of innovation.

As a member of our team…

• Your primary responsibility will be to develop, evaluate, and deploy imaging system hardware, algorithms, and/or software.
• You will assist in the brainstorming and development of new initiatives/concepts in optical imaging through internal research and development (IR&D) efforts.
• You will capture technical contributions in internal me/reports and conference/journal papers, and present findings and recommendations at internal and external forums.
• You will support field integration and testing activities of developed systems.

Minimum requirements for your role include…

• Have a PhD in electrical/computer engineering, optical engineering, imaging science, computer vision, or equivalent.
• Have demonstrated the ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team and possess strong interpersonal, speaking, and technical writing skills.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret Clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Secret security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You will go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you…

• Have a intern experience in electrical/computer engineering, optical engineering, imaging science, computer vision, or similar.
• Have an active Secret level security clearance.

Why work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space, and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

APL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

APL is committed to promoting an innovative environment that embraces diversity, encourages creativity, and supports inclusion of new ideas. In doing so, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [email protected]. Only by ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard are we empowered to be bold, do great things, and make the world a better place.

We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O'odham and the Yaqui. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.

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Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering & ME-EM Dual Degrees

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Dual Degree Requirements

The dual degree consists of 45 total credit hours:

• 21 credit hours from the Engineering Management Program (EMP)
• 24 credit hours from the Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering Program*

*The 24 credits required are at the discretion of the Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering department and may not need to all come from ECEN coursework.  Please consult the Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering department to confirm requirements for the degree of interest.

Current Requirements (starting Fall 2022)

• EMEN 5015: Engineering Communication (Previously EMEN 5830: Special Topics)
• EMEN 5020: Finance for Engineering Managers
• EMEN 5030: Project Management   OR EMEN 5405: Fundamentals of Systems Engineering
• EMEN 5050: Leading Oneself
• Three EMEN elective courses; EMEN 5000 does not count towards the Engineering Management degree requirements

When completing the ME Engineering Management degree candidacy application for graduation, in addition to the 21 EMEN credit hours, students will need to include 9 Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering credit hours to make the 30 total credit hours required to complete the ME Engineering Management degree.

• Contact [email protected] for Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering questions. 
• View Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering Program admissions criteria and application requirements.

When completing the Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering degree candidacy application for graduation, in addition to the 24 ECEE credit hours, students will need to include 6 EMEN credit hours to make the 30 total credit hours required to complete the Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering degrees.

College of Engineering

The Master of Science in Robotics program at Northeastern looks at this fundamentally interdisciplinary field from three connected angles: mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and computer science. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of the algorithms, sensors, control systems, and mechanisms used in robotics to help them stand out in the field and make a transformative impact on society.

The Master of Science in Robotics program at Northeastern looks at this fundamentally interdisciplinary field from three connected angles: mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and computer science. Students select a concentration and gain a comprehensive understanding of the algorithms, sensors, control systems, and mechanisms used in robotics to help them stand out in the field and make a transformative impact on society. They can further specialize their degree with flexible electives in a variety of areas, such as mechatronic systems, robot mechanics, control systems, robotic manipulation, artificial intelligence, sensing and navigation, mobile and field robots, medical robotics, and machine learning.

Classes in this multidisciplinary program incorporate direct interaction with a variety of robotic systems supported by highly accomplished faculty, state-of-the art equipment, and advanced laboratories and research centers including the university-wide  Institute for Experiential Robotics  located in the new  EXP building . Research opportunities are available with a variety of robotic systems, including an autonomous Lincoln MKZ car, multiple deep-rated autonomous underwater vehicles, dozens of unmanned aerial and ground robotic systems, commercial and research manipulators, and biologically   inspired robots.

Students can pursue the MS thesis option or coursework only option. Upon graduating, students will be prepared for engineering jobs in the growing field of robotics, or will progress into a doctoral degree in robotics or related multidisciplinary areas across computer science, mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering.

Students with academic or career backgrounds in computer science or mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering are well suited for this program, and will take advanced core courses in all these areas.  

More Details

Unique features.

• Interdisciplinary program giving students a skill set that can evolve over time to suit changing research and career interests in this rapidly evolving industry
• Flexibility to further specialize with electives in areas such as mechatronic systems, robot mechanics, control systems, robotic manipulation, artificial intelligence, sensing and navigation, mobile and field robots, medical robotics, and machine learning
• Direct classroom interaction with quality robotics systems supported by state-of-the art equipment and advanced laboratories
• Comprehensive research with accomplished faculty, facilities, and multidisciplinary research centers, including the Institute for Experiential Robotics
• Top-ranked co-op program enabling students to gain up to eight months of professional experience as part of the academic curriculum
• Location is a robotics hub with Northeastern playing a large role educating tomorrow's leaders 
• Opportunity to pursue industry careers or progress into a doctoral degree program in robotics or related multidisciplinary areas
• Choose the MS thesis option or the coursework only option

Program Objectives

• Looking at this fundamentally interdisciplinary field from three connected angles—mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and computer science—students gain a comprehensive understanding of the algorithms, sensors, control systems, and mechanisms used in robotics to help them stand out in the field and make a transformative impact on society. 
• Upon program completion, students will be equipped with an interdisciplinary skill set that can evolve over time to suit their changing research and career interests in this rapidly evolving industry.
• Students will be prepared for engineering jobs in the growing field of robotics, or will progress into a doctoral degree in robotics or related multidisciplinary areas across computer science or mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering.

Career Outlook

• According to  Precedence Research , the global robotics technology market size was estimated at $72.17 billion in 2022 and is expected to surpass around $283.19 billion by 2032 with a registered compound annual growth rate of 14.7% during the forecast period 2023 to 2032.
• The job market for electrical and computer engineers, mechanical engineers, and computer scientists, which includes robotics, is forecasted to grow at 5%, 10%, and 23%, respectively, from 2022 to 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• The Boston area is a hub for robotics research and industry—including Amazon Robotics, Teradyne, and Bluefin Robotics—and Northeastern is proud to play a large role in educating tomorrow’s leaders in this emerging area.

Learning Outcomes

Mechanical Engineering Concentration

• An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering/scientific/quantitative problems.
• An ability to explain and apply engineering design principles, as appropriate to the program’s educational objectives.
• An ability to produce solutions that meet specified end-user needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
• An ability to recognize the tools and principles needed for understanding robotic and control systems by merging electrical and mechanical engineering and computer science.

Electrical and Computer Engineering Concentration

• An ability to recognize the tools and principles needed for understanding robotic and control systems with a multidisciplinary approach that combines electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science.
• An ability to understand system-level design of complex software and hardware that is used to build robotic systems that include a variety of asynchronous sensors and actuators.
• An ability to understand the theoretical principles underlying localization, mapping, and planning to build, design, and deploy a variety of robotic systems ranging from fully autonomous to remotely operated systems.

Testimonials

—james myers, ms, electrical and computer engineering, —hanumant singh, professor, electrical and computer engineering, —amanda zhu, ms, computer engineering, looking for something different.

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

• Completed online application form
• Application fee
• Two letters of recommendation
• Transcripts from all institutions attended
• GRE is not required for terms starting during the 2021-2022, 2022-2023, or 2023-2024 academic years
• Statement of purpose
• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo for international applicants

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Admissions Details Learn more about the College of Engineering admissions process, policies, and required materials.

Admissions Dates

Applications received after the stated deadline dates will be accepted and processed as quickly as possible; however it may not be possible to have a decision rendered in time for the applicant to begin taking classes for the desired term if admitted.

Applications submitted by the referenced dates will receive full consideration for the referenced term. Applications received after the referenced dates will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.

For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

View curriculum

Northeastern combines rigorous academics with experiential learning and research to prepare students for real-world engineering challenges. The cooperative education program, also known as “co-op,” is one of the largest and most innovative in the world, and Northeastern is one of only a few that offers a co-op program for graduate students. Through this program, students gain professional industry experience in their field of interest as part of the academic curriculum while employed from four to eight months in a wide variety of organizations, from large companies to entrepreneurial start-ups.   In 2019, the Graduate School of Engineering placed nearly 1000 students in co-op positions. We have a team that prepares students for the cooperative education experience through resumé building, developing interview skills, and guiding professional development.

Our Faculty

Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

Rifat Sipahi

Lawson Wong

Hanumant Singh

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll gain access to students at 13 campus locations, 300,000+ alumni, and 3,000 employer partners worldwide. Our global university system provides students unique opportunities to think locally and act globally while serving as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

Below is a look at where our Engineering alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.

Where They Work

• GE Aviation
• Bose Corporation

What They Do

• Engineering
• Business Development
• Program and Project Management
• Entrepreneurship

What They're Skilled At

• Project Management
• Manufacturing

Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on  Linkedin .

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Aaditya Hambarde receives top honors for his work as a Graduate Student Instructor

Aaditya (Ady) Hambarde received a Rackham Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) Award, completing a trifecta of GSI awards. He previously received an ECE GSI Award in 2021, and the Richard F. and Eleanor A. Towner Prize for Outstanding GSI from the College of Engineering in 2022.

I believe that each student is unique and deserves a teacher who believes in their infinite potential. Ady Hambarde

Hambarde  has taught a wide range of courses for a graduate student instructor. Soon after beginning his graduate studies at Michigan, he was a GSI for EECS 311: Analog Circuits, and EECS 540: Applied Quantum Mechanics. For the past four years, he joined the team teaching EECS 216: Introduction to Signal and Systems, required for all undergraduate students in the electrical engineering and computer engineering programs. Over the years, he has assisted in the education of hundreds of students at Michigan, while attempting to treat each one as an individual.

“I believe that the best teacher teaches for all types of students,” said Hambarde. “One of my goals while teaching is to ensure that I always teach in a manner such that the best students do not feel that I am oversimplifying while ensuring that I do not leave any student behind. It’s important to me to make sure students know that I am rooting for their success, and also that they feel included in the class.”

He shared that his teaching philosophy is inspired by the Indian school of thought called Sarvodaya, which means “Progress of All.” It was a word used often by Mahatma Gandhi.

“I believe that each student is unique and deserves a teacher who believes in their infinite potential,” said Hambarde.

He seeks to recognize the individual student by learning not only their preferred names, but their pronouns as well. He is careful about enabling closed captioning for his lecture recordings and livestreams, and generates lecture notes in a variety of formats. Rather than waiting for students who are neurodivergent to have to ask for special accommodations, he informs them of Michigan’s Testing Accommodation Centers (TACs). He also takes care that students have information about the full range of university resources should their financial situation preclude easy access to laptops or computer software. 

And that’s not all. 

Hambarde carefully watches the progress of each student, and steps in when he suspects there is a problem of some kind. He tries to facilitate interactions among students and academic support through group meetings via zoom breakout rooms. And he is careful to inform students of the mental health resources available on campus.

His teaching style has been appreciated by Michigan’s students, who routinely give him high praise and teaching scores, and the faculty alike.

Prof. Stéphane Lafortune, who taught EECS 216 for decades and wrote a textbook on the subject, stated, “Every semester that I have worked with Ady, I have heard numerous comments from the students, during my own office hours, praising the quality of instruction provided by Ady during the discussion sections, the usefulness of the teaching materials that he created, his incredible availability on Piazza, and his remarkable dedication to their learning and to their well-being.”

“Learning sometimes occurs because someone insists that you recognize the excellence in yourself.”

This quote by the renowned educator Dr. Rita Pierson is one that Hambarde lives by [watch her TED talk, Every kid needs a champion .]. It drives him to find new ways to help students appreciate their own self worth and ability – knowing that it will help them succeed not only in his class, but in life.

Hambarde’s accomplishments as an educator complement his achievements as a researcher. He received his master’s degree in 2018, and expects to earn his doctoral degree later this year under the direction of Prof. Mack Kira. His research interests include quantum-light spectroscopy, many-body effects in semiconductor nanostructures, strong optical nonlinearities in low-dimensional semiconductor systems, and engineering education research. He has 5 peer-reviewed journal and conference publications to date. He has received a SPIE Optics and Photonics Education Scholarship and a Telluride Fellowship. 

Hambarde will be publicly acknowledged at a special awards ceremony on April 15, 2024.

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Electrical and Computer Engineering undergraduate program

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering's  (ECE) undergraduate program is broad and flexible, structured to provide students with limited constraints consistent with a rich, comprehensive view of the profession. The undergraduate curriculum comprises mathematics, computer science, statistics, and more and accommodates students with diverse backgrounds, interests, and skills by enabling multiple paths to success. Students can configure their program to meet their objectives, preparing them for careers in technology, industry, or graduate school, or as a launching pad for careers in business, law, medicine, or public service. Students may choose to pursue additional majors or minors to enhance their experiences gained in electrical and computer engineering.

Graduates of the program go on to work at companies like Accenture, Amazon, Apple, Capital One, Google, and Microsoft and pursue graduate degrees at academic institutions such as CMU, Stanford University, Cambridge University, and the University of Michigan.

• Application deadlines

Degree programs

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering  (BS in ECE) The BS in ECE is a broad and highly flexible degree program, enabling students to explore a wide variety of areas within the field. Graduates of the program are able to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems and apply engineering design to produce solutions for specified needs.
• Integrated Master’s/Bachelor’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering  (IMB) The IMB program allows students who excel academically to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree without needing to apply separately. Designed to provide extensive knowledge and technical proficiency, this program enhances students’ preparedness for careers in the industry. Typically completed in eight to ten academic semesters at CMU, this comprehensive experience ensures graduates are well-equipped for their professional endeavors.

Student experience

The ECE Department is committed to developing well-rounded students both in and out of the classroom. Students are encouraged to participate not only in engineering-specific events but also in campus and city-wide activities. With over 400 student-run organizations , Carnegie Mellon University offers opportunities for students of all backgrounds and interests.

• Undergraduate research
• Study abroad
• Cooperative education
• Organizations
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Carnegie Mellon Racing
• CMU Robotics Club
• W3VC - Radio Club
• Society of Women Engineers
• National Society of Black Engineers
• Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
• Tau Beta Pi
• Eta Kappa Nu (HKN), Sigma Chapter

Health & Biomedicine

How does learning something new not overwrite what we know?

Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh examine what happens in the brain when it’s presented with learning a new task, but also asked to recall a familiar one.

Faculty from Carnegie Mellon University will collaborate with West Virginia University and University of Pittsburgh on a National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines program.

CMU partners to reimagine energy in the region

News & Events

2024 NSF CAREER Awards

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Giulia Fanti, Guannan Qu, and Akshitha Sriraman, all assistant professors of electrical and computer engineering, the NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award.

Zhang receives NSF CAREER Award

Xu Zhang received an NSF career grant for his work on device fabrication and system-level applications of atomically thin 2D materials.

Artificial Intelligence

PennDOT Secretary meets Carnegie Mellon transportation experts

PennDOT Secretary Michael Carroll visited CMU facilities at Mill 19 to meet transportation researchers and learn about collaboration opportunities.

New center to investigate quantum computing

A new National Science Foundation Industry-University Cooperative Research Center at CMU will create an ecosystem that advances quantum computing and information technologies.

Detecting brain tsunamis

Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Cincinnati have combined their expertise in engineering and medicine to create a noninvasive method for detecting worsening brain injuries before they happen. This advancement could reshape neurocritical care.

• Research paper

College of Engineering dean, professor, and alumnus inducted in the National Academy of Engineering.

Faculty and alumnus inducted into the National Academy of Engineering

Relationships are key to the research and the researchers

Zeynep Ozkaya’s work in Jana Kainerstorfer’s biophotonicslab has helped her to better understand the signal processing principles she is learning in her electrical engineering courses.

USDOT Deputy Secretary meets CMU transportation researchers

Carnegie Mellon is working closely with the USDOT to transform the U.S. transportation system through research that focuses on safety, economic growth, climate and sustainability, and equity.

Cybersecurity

Carnegie Mellon’s hacking team wins 7th DEF CON Capture-the-Flag title

The winningest team in DEF CON’s Capture-the-Flag (CTF) competition history, CMU’s Plaid Parliament of Pwning defended its title, earning its seventh victory in the past 11 years.

Exchanging campuses, making global connections

Through the Global Campus Exchange program, engineering students have the opportunity to experience what it is like to be enrolled at another CMU location.

The CMU community is familiar with Spring Carnival, but what goes on behind the scenes to make it all happen? The students in Spring Carnival Committee’s Electrical Subcommittee play a major role in making it all connect.

Spring Carnival runs on connections

Energy & Environment

Forbes includes six CMU alumni in 30 Under 30 in Energy

Six alumni were listed in Forbes 30 Under 30 in Energy for their groundbreaking startup companies.

Cyberphysical Systems

Carnegie Mellon awarded $20M for transportation research

Congresswoman Summer Lee and U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announce that CMU will lead consortium that will receive $20 million to create Safety21, a University Transportation Center.

Reimagining datacenters

Akshitha Sriraman is rethinking datacenter computing across hardware and software systems to enable efficient, sustainable, and equitable large-scale web systems.

MSE students win big with doctoral research at 3MT championship

MSE Ph.D. students earned first place overall, the People’s Choice Award, and the Alumni Choice Award at the Carnegie Mellon Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition.

Improving air quality in Africa

CMU-Africa, CMU-Pittsburgh, and global collaborators create an air quality testing center in Ghana with new funding from the Clean Air Fund.

School of Electrical and Computer Engineering

College of engineering, ph.d. proposal oral exam - zheng yang, related links.

Title:  Towards Detecting and Mitigating Web-based Social Engineering Attacks

Committee: 

Dr. Wenke Lee , Advisor

Dr. Saltaformaggio, Co-Advisor

Dr. Frank Li , Chair

Dr. Perdisci