Master's Program
Doctoral
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Department Description
How to Apply
There are two types of doctoral degrees, the Doctor of Philosphy (Ph.D) and the Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng). The former is more research-oriented while the latter is more industrially-oriented. The Department offers both types of doctoral degrees in both EE and CP.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Program in ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Program in COMPUTER ENGINEERINGDoctor of Engineering (D.Eng.)Program in ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng.)Program in COMPUTER ENGINEERING
The primary difference between the two types of doctoral programs is the requirement for 9 management credits for the D.Eng degrees. There may also be differences in the content of the dissertations.
Objective
The primary goal of the Doctoral Programs is to develop research engineers with the ability to produce new engineering knowledge. The program includes advanced graduate coursework in electrical engineering and allied subjects, a non-technical component (in the case of the D.Eng), and research culminating in a doctoral dissertation. (a)
(a) A complete description of the doctoral program is found in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Doctoral Student Handbook which is updated annually and available from the department office.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have a BS or MS degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering or their equivalent from a recognized College or University with an acceptable quality of prior academic work. Applicants must submit official transcripts of all prior undergraduate and graduate courses. Each applicant must submit an official report of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for verbal, quantitative, and analytical examinations. The TOEFL exam is required for students from abroad whose native language is not English.
Plan of Study
Each student entering the program must develop a plan of study in consultation with his/her advisor.
Residency Requirement
One year of full-time residence is required of all students in the program.
Program Duration
The time for graduation for full-time students is expected to range from a minimum of three and a half years to a maximum of five years after BS Eng and a minimum of two and a half years to a maximum of four years after MS Eng.
Transfer Credit
Up to 24 semester credits in graduate courses in Electrical Engineering and allied subjects are transferable to the doctoral program upon approval by the Doctor of Engineering Committee of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Candidacy Requirements
1. Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination is a written exam which is conducted annually in late November. Students accepted to the Doctoral Program must take the qualifying examination within one year of their acceptance.
2. Thesis Proposal and Oral Exam in Area of Concentration
Having passed the qualifying examination, a student may submit his/her dissertation proposal and defend the proposal before the Doctoral Committee. The proposal examination will also include an oral examination on topics connected with the student’s area of research. On passing this examination, the student’s name will be submitted for acceptance as a candidate for the Doctoral Degree. Admission to candidacy status does not guarantee the obtaining of the degree.
Academic Requirements
1. Credit Requirements
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng) degrees require completion of a minimum of 63 semester hours of academic credit beyond the Bachelor of Science degree. A typical program consists of the following:
Ph.D.
ECE and Allied Subjects 42 (42)
Thesis 21 (22)
Total credit hours 63 (63)
D.Eng.
ECE and Allied Subjects 33 (33)
Thesis 21 (22)
Non-Technical Component 9 (8)
Total credit hours 63 (63)
The Doctoral Program Coordinator of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering will assist students in selecting courses to meet the non-technical component of the Doctor of Engineering program.
2. Core Requirements
Required Core Courses for Ph.D. or D.Eng. in Electrical Engineering (d)
16.507 Electromagnetic Waves and Materials
16.508 Quantum Electronics for Engineers
16.509 Linear Systems Analysis
16.513 Control Systems
16.515 Power Electronics
16.520 Computer-Aided Engineering Analysis
16.543 Introduction to Communications Theory
16.584 Probability and Random Processes
16.595 Solid State Electronics
(d) Students in Electrical Engineering must take three of the above courses that may be pertinent to their area of concentration.
Required Core Courses for Ph.D or D.Eng in Computer Engineering
16.561 Computer Architecture and Design
16.573 Operating Systems and Kernel Design
16.562 VHDL/Verilog Synthesis and Design (Previously16.602)
3. Concentration Requirement
Generally a concentration is defined by a coordinated and approved sequence of at least four graduate courses. Each student can work out a concentration either with the doctoral coordinator or with his/her academic advisor. Completion of a concentration is mandatory. The course sequences in the concentrations serve as a starting point for establishing a program of study in consultation with the student’s academic advisor to meet his/her educational objectives. It is expected that the courses comprising the concentration will complement the work the student will undertake in fulfillment of the research requirement. Indications of some of these concentrations are given under the programs of Master of Science in Engineering.
A concentration in electro-physics is also available.
4. Grade-Point Average (GPA) Requirement
To successfully complete the program, a student must achieve a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.25 in all course work.
5. Research Requirement and Dissertation
Each student is required to do a research internship for at least one year in industry, government, or at the University. The purpose of the internship is to place the student in a realistic engineering setting in which he/she will function as a responsible engineer and carry out the research work required for the dissertation. During the internship, the student must maintain close contact with his/her academic advisor. A written dissertation must be submitted and defended orally.
