Program start date | Application deadline |
2024-12-01 | - |
2024-07-01 | - |
2024-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
The Electrical Engineering PhD program at UCF is designed for students with a master's degree seeking careers in research or academia. The program offers specializations in Communications, Digital Signal Processing/Image Processing, Controls and Robotics, Electromagnetics, Electro-Optics, Photonics, Power Electronics and Electronics, and Solid-State/Microelectronics. It requires 72 credit hours beyond a bachelor's degree, including coursework, electives, and a dissertation. Admission to candidacy requires successful completion of a candidacy examination and formation of a dissertation advisory committee.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Electrical Engineering PhD program at UCF is designed for students with a master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field who wish to pursue a career in research or academia. The program offers specializations in Communications, Digital Signal Processing/Image Processing, Controls and Robotics, Electromagnetics, Electro-Optics, Photonics, Power Electronics and Electronics, and Solid-State/Microelectronics. The program aims to prepare students for careers in research or academia.
Outline:
The Electrical Engineering PhD program requires a minimum of 72 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree. This includes:
- Required Courses (36 credit hours):
- Students must complete 36 credit hours of formal coursework, excluding independent study.
- The program supports three specialization areas: Electromagnetics and Optics (EO), Signal Processing and Systems (SPS), and Micro-Systems and Nano-Systems (MNS).
- Students must choose a specialization area and take a majority of their courses from that area (at least 19 credit hours, typically 7 graduate courses).
- A suggested list of courses is provided for each specialization area.
- Students are allowed to take courses from other specialization areas, but the majority should be from their chosen area.
- Elective Courses (21 credit hours):
- Students must earn at least 21 credit hours from additional elective courses listed above.
- This can include formal coursework, directed research hours, doctoral research hours, dissertation research, and no more than 12 credit hours of Independent Study.
- Dissertation (15 credit hours):
- Students must earn at least 15 credit hours in dissertation research (XXX 7980).
- The program allows a maximum of 24 credit hours of dissertation coursework.
- Qualifying Review (0 credit hours):
- The Qualifying Review is an annual assessment of the student's progress conducted by their research/academic advisor and advisory committee.
- The review assesses academic performance (course performance) and research performance.
- Students must pass the Qualifying Review no later than the semester they complete 24 credit hours after admission or within two calendar years after admission, whichever occurs later.
- Failure to pass the Qualifying Review by the deadline results in dismissal from the program with the opportunity to complete a master's degree (if applicable).
- Dissertation Committee (0 credit hours):
- The dissertation committee must consist of at least five members, including the chair.
- The committee chair must be a Regular Appointment faculty member in EECS or a Secondary-Joint Appointment faculty member in EECS.
- At least 50% of committee members (including the chair) must be EECS regular faculty.
- A majority of committee members must vote in favor of passing for the student to pass.
- All college and university requirements (such as one member outside of EECS) must be met.
- Candidacy Examination (0 credit hours):
- After passing the Qualifying Review, students must successfully complete the candidacy examination to demonstrate readiness for preliminary research.
- The exam is administered by the student's dissertation advisory committee.
- Students must demonstrate readiness by authoring an accepted journal article or high-quality conference paper.
- The student must be the first author on the paper, and the research advisor must also be an author.
- The publication should reflect the work related to the student's PhD research.
- Candidacy is typically attempted after completing required coursework and must be passed before registering for doctoral dissertation hours (EEL 7980).
- Continuous enrollment in at least 3 hours of doctoral dissertation hours is required once a student starts taking dissertation credits.
- Admission to Candidacy (0 credit hours):
- To be admitted to candidacy and enroll in dissertation hours, students must:
- Complete all required formal coursework, except for dissertation hours.
- Successfully complete the candidacy examination.
- Form a dissertation advisory committee consisting of approved graduate faculty and graduate faculty scholars.
- Submit an approved program of study.
- Dissertation Proposal Exam (0 credit hours):
- After passing the candidacy examination, students must write a dissertation proposal and present it to the dissertation advisory committee for approval.
- The proposal must include a description of the research performed to date and the research planned for the dissertation.
- The presentation of a written dissertation proposal must be deemed as passing requirements by the majority of the dissertation committee.
Careers:
The Electrical Engineering PhD program prepares students for careers in research or academia.
Other:
- Students admitted with an earned master's degree may request to have up to 30 of those credit hours counted toward their doctoral program.
- The student's doctoral advisor, in conjunction with the graduate office, will determine the precise number of hours to be counted, subject to Graduate Studies regulations.
- The Program of Study (POS) form must be approved by an advisor in the selected specialization area no later than the end of the second semester after admission.
- The program of study must meet all university requirements specified in the graduate catalog.
- Students in the Electrical Engineering PhD program pay a $90 equipment fee each semester they are enrolled. Part-time students pay $45 per semester.
- The Independent Learning Requirement is met by successful completion of the student's candidacy and dissertation defense examinations.
Overview:
University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public research university located in Orlando, Florida. It is recognized as the most innovative university in Florida by U.S. News & World Reports. UCF is known for its commitment to research, industry partnerships, and technology-driven innovation.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Innovation:
UCF is a leader in innovation, with a focus on research and technology.Faculty Expertise:
The university boasts world-renowned faculty who are actively involved in solving global challenges.In-Demand Degrees:
UCF offers a wide range of degree programs that prepare students for successful careers in various fields.Industry Partnerships:
UCF has strong partnerships with industry leaders, providing students with valuable real-world experience.Academic Programs:
UCF offers over 220 degree programs across 13 colleges, including: *
Bachelor's Degrees:
Aerospace Engineering, Digital Media, Data Science, Health Informatics and Information Management *Master's Degrees:
Computer Science, Interactive Entertainment, Nursing, Optics & Photonics *Graduate Certificates:
Applied Photonics, Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Smart Cities, Hospitality and Tourism Technologies *Online Degrees:
FinTech, Health Services Administration, Systems Engineering, Travel Technology and AnalyticsOther:
UCF is committed to positively impacting the world through its research and education. The university is home to a diverse student body and offers a variety of resources and support services to help students succeed.
Entry Requirements:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
- Undergraduate articulation courses are required to be completed prior to admission for students who do not hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.
- Articulation Courses:
- EEL 3123C Network and Systems
- EEE 3307C Electronics I
- EEL 3470 Electromagnetic Fields
- EEL 3552 Signal Analysis and Communications
- EEE 3350 Semiconductor Devices I
- Choose one of the following:
- EEL 3657 Linear Control Systems
- EEE 4309C Electronics II
- EEL 4750 Digital Signal Processing Fundamentals
- Grades of "B" or higher must be obtained in each articulation course.
- Articulation courses are not eligible for inclusion on a graduate Program of Study.