Program Overview
Computer Engineering, PhD
Degree Awarded:
Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Engineering
Chairperson:
Leon Shterengas, Light Engineering Building 2
Graduate Program Director:
Fan Ye, Light Engineering Building 1
Assistant to the Chair:
Chantalle McKim, Light Engineering Building 2
Graduate Program Coordinator:
Ashley Cimato, Light Engineering Building 267A
Department Coordinator:
Adam Ortiz, Light Engineering Building 2
Department Website:
The fields of electrical and computer engineering are in an extraordinary period of growth; new application areas and increased expectations are accelerating due to new technologies and decreased costs. The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, is involved in graduate teaching and research in many of these areas, including communications and signal processing, networking, computer engineering, power engineering, semiconductor devices and quantum electronics, circuits and VLSI. The department has laboratories devoted to research and advanced teaching in the following areas: computing, engineering design methodology, high-performance computing and networking, parallel and neural processing, machine vision, fiber optic sensors and computer graphics, micro and optoelectronics, power electronics, electric power and energy systems, VLSI, telerobotics, DNA sequencing, digital signal processing, and communications.
Since Long Island contains one of the highest concentrations of engineering-oriented companies in the country, the department is particularly strongly committed to meeting the needs of local industry. As part of this commitment, most graduate courses are given in the late afternoon or evening, so as to be available to working engineers on Long Island.
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers graduate programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Graduate programs are tailored to the needs of each student to provide a strong analytical background helpful to the study of advanced engineering problems.
Ample opportunities exist for students to initiate independent study and to become involved in active research programs, both experimental and theoretical.
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering or computer science from an accredited college or university. Outstanding applicants in other technical or scientific fields will be considered, though special make-up coursework over and above the normal requirements for a graduate degree may be required.
- A minimum grade point average of B in all courses in engineering, mathematics, and science. GRE V150, Q159, WA3 (if required by the graduate school); TOEFL 80, IELTS 7 (for international applicants); 3 recommendation letters. These are the minimum requirements. See ECE graduate admission page for more details.
- Acceptance by both the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Graduate School.
Degree Requirements
Major and Minor Area Requirements
- Major area requirement is satisfied by taking minimum of three (3) courses from a selected major area with minimum GPA of 3.5. See Graduate Student Guide for preapproved lists of courses for each area.
- Minor area requirement is satisfied by taking courses from other areas (different from the selected major area) with minimum GPA of 3.0. Students with BS degree are required to take two (2) courses from other areas while students with MS degree are required to take one (1) course.
Course Requirements
- A minimum of 14 regular courses (42 regular graduate course credits) beyond the BS degree (including courses taken to satisfy major and minor requirements). The choice must have the prior approval of the designated faculty academic advisor. Any non-ESE course will need prior approval given by the Graduate Program Director before a student can register.
- The ESE 697 - Ph.D. Practicum in Teaching (3 credits) is required to satisfy the teaching requirement. Students must be advance to candidacy in order to take this course.
- The courses ESE 597 , ESE 598, ESE 599 , ESE 698 , and ESE 699 are not counted as regular courses.
- Courses presented under the title ESE 670 - Topics in Electrical Sciences that have different subject matters, and are offered as formal lecture courses, are considered different regular courses but may not be counted more than twice.
- Prior MS degree in ECE or related area can reduce the course requirements down to six (6) regular courses.
Advancement to Candidacy
After successfully completing all major/minor/course requirements (except ESE 697 ) the student is eligible to be recommended for advancement to candidacy. This status is conferred by the dean of the Graduate School upon recommendation from the chairperson of the department. It is strongly recommended that doctoral students Advance to Candidacy within 1.5 years after earning 24 regular course credits after BS degree or admission with MS degree.
Preliminary Examination
A student is expected to pass the preliminary examination within 1.5 years after advancement to candidacy. Both a thesis topic and the thesis background area are emphasized. Students must pass the Preliminary Examination at least ONE year prior to their Defense. See Graduate Student Guide for details.
Dissertation
The most important requirement for the Ph.D. degree is the completion of a dissertation, which must be an original scholarly investigation. The dissertation must represent a significant contribution to the scientific and engineering literature, and its quality must be compatible with the publication standards of appropriate and reputable scholarly journals.
Approval and Defense of Dissertation
The dissertation must be orally defended before a dissertation examination committee, and the candidate must obtain approval of the dissertation from this committee. The committee must have a minimum of four members (at least three of whom are faculty members from the department), including the research advisor, at least one person from outside the department, and a committee chair. (Neither the research advisor nor the outside member may serve as the chair). On the basis of the recommendation of this committee, the dean of engineering and applied sciences will recommend acceptance or rejection of the dissertation to the dean of the Graduate School. All requirements for the degree will have been satisfied upon the successful defense of the dissertation.
Residency Requirement
The student must complete two consecutive semesters of full-time graduate study. Full-time study is 9 credits minimum per semester.
Time Limit
All requirements for the Ph.D. degree must be completed within seven (7) years after completing 24 credits of graduate courses in the department.
Certificates
Networking & Wireless Communications Certificate
Matriculated students only. Networking and wireless communications are key technologies in today’s technological world. Networks such as the Internet as well as telephone, cable and wireless networks serve to interconnect people and computers in a ubiquitous and cost effective way. The area of wireless communications in particular has grown rapidly in recent years and has utilized networking technology to be successful. There is a large industrial base involving networking and wireless communications in terms of equipment and software providers, service providers and end users. Moreover this technology has made the average consumer’s life more productive, flexible and enjoyable. The Stony Brook Certificate Program in Networking and Wireless Communications is designed to give matriculated students validated graduate level instruction in this area of much recent interest. The program can be completed in a reasonable amount of time as it involves only four courses. These are regular Stony Brook graduate level courses taught by Stony Brook faculty. The SUNY approved certificate program can be tailored to the needs of the individual student. Courses used for the certificate program can also be used toward the MS or PhD degree by matriculated students. To receive the Stony Brook Certificate in Networking and Wireless Communications, a student must complete FOUR required courses as specified below, with at least a B grade in each course.
At least ONE course from the following:
- ESE 505 - Wireless Communications 3 credits
- ESE 506 - Wireless Network 3 credits
At least ONE course from the following:
- ESE 532 - Theory of Digital Communication 3 credits
- ESE 546 - Networking Algorithms and Analysis 3 credits
- ESE 548 - Computer Networks 3 credits
In addition to the above, if needed, courses may be selected from:
- ESE 503 - Stochastic Systems 3 credits
- ESE 504 - Performance Evaluation of Communications and Computer Systems 3 credits
- ESE 522 - Fiber Optic Systems 3 credits
- ESE 528 - Communication Systems 3 credits
- ESE 531 - Statistical Learning and Inference 3 credits
- ESE 536 - Switching and Routing in Parallel and Distributed Systems 3 credits
- ESE 543 - Mobile Cloud Computing 3 credits
- ESE 544 - Network Security Engineering 3 credits
- ESE 547 - Digital Signal Processing 3 credits
- ESE 550 - Network Management and Planning 3 credits
- ESE 552 - Interconnection Networks 3 credits
Notes:
Students must request the Certificate from Professor Thomas Robertazzi via Email once the program is completed.
Engineering Machine Learning Systems Certificate
Matriculated students only. The Engineering Machine Learning Systems certificate program educates about the mathematical theory, fundamental algorithms, and optimized engineering of computational learning systems used in real-world, big data applications. Students will also study modern technologies used in devising such data systems, including software tools, architectures, and related hardware structures. Comprehensive, hands-on student projects on designing, implementing, and testing real-world learning systems are part of the certificate program. The certificate program includes a total of four courses: three required courses and one elective course. To receive the Stony Brook certificate in the Engineering Machine Learning Systems, a student must be currently enrolled in an MS or PhD program in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and must complete four courses as specified below, with at least a B grade in each course.
Foundations (1 required):
- ESE 503 - Stochastic Systems 3 credits
Fundamental Methods (2 required):
- ESE 588 - Fundamentals of Machine Learning 3 credits
- ESE 589 - Learning Systems for Engineering Applications 3 credits
Applications (1 out of three electives):
- ESE 568 - Computer and Robot Vision 3 credits
- ESE 587 - Hardware Architectures for Deep Learning 3 credits
- ESE 590 - Practical Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence 3 credits
- BMI 511 - Translational Bioinformatics 3 credits
- ESE 569 - Translational Bioinformatics 3 credits
Notes:
To apply for the Engineering Machine Learning Systems Certificate Program, a student must complete the “Permission to Enroll in a Secondary Certificate Program” form (which requires some signatures) from the Graduate School website, and submit it within the first week of the semester when they start the certificate.
Engineering the Internet of Things Certificate
Matriculated students only. The Engineering the Internet-of-Things certificate program provides the fundamental principles, popular technologies and optimized engineering of Internet-of-Things applications and systems. Students gain a broad set of skills and knowledge for IoT development and innovation, including sensors and interfaces, RF communication, microcontroller and embedded systems, wireless radios, network protocols, cloud services and security techniques. Students learn how to design, implement and evaluate IoT systems and applications through hands-on projects on popular embedded system hardware. The certificate program includes a total of four courses: three required courses and one elective course. To receive the Stony Brook certificate in the Engineering the Internet-of-Things, a student must be enrolled in an MS or PhD program in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and must complete four courses as specified below, with at least a B grade in each course.
Foundations (1 required):
- ESE 566 - Hardware-Software Co-Design of Embedded Systems 3 credits
Basic Skills and Knowledge (2 required):
- ESE 506 - Wireless Network 3 credits
- ESE 525 - Moden Sensors in Artificial Intelligence Applications 3 credits
Cloud and Security (1 out of two electives):
- ESE 543 - Mobile Cloud Computing 3 credits
- ESE 544 - Network Security Engineering 3 credits
Notes:
To apply for the Engineering the Internet-of-Things Certificate Program, a student must complete the “Permission to Enroll in a Secondary Certificate Program” form (which requires some signatures) from the Graduate School website, and submit it within the first week of the semester when they start the certificate.
Stony Brook University
Overview:
Stony Brook University is a public research university located in Stony Brook, New York. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and is known for its strong academic programs, extensive research facilities, and vibrant campus life.
Services Offered:
Stony Brook University offers a wide range of services to its students, including:
Academic Resources:
Academic advising, libraries, IT support, and registrar services.Student Support:
Financial aid, bursar services, health services, and career services.Campus Life:
Housing, dining, student activities, and wellness programs.Additional Programs:
Online education, summer sessions, winter session, pre-college programs, and study abroad opportunities.Student Life and Campus Experience:
Students at Stony Brook University can expect a diverse and engaging campus experience. The university offers a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities, as well as opportunities for leadership development and community service. The campus is also home to a variety of cultural and entertainment venues, including a performing arts center, a museum, and a planetarium.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Strong Academic Programs:
Stony Brook University is known for its strong academic programs, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and medicine.Research Opportunities:
The university has a strong research focus and offers students opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research projects.Vibrant Campus Life:
Stony Brook University has a vibrant campus life with a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities.Beautiful Campus:
The university is located on a beautiful campus with a variety of green spaces and recreational facilities.Academic Programs:
Stony Brook University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including:
Arts and Humanities:
Arts, music, literature, history, and philosophy.Social Sciences:
Psychology, sociology, economics, and political science.Sciences:
Biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer science.Engineering:
Mechanical, electrical, civil, and biomedical engineering.Health Sciences:
Medicine, nursing, dentistry, and pharmacy.Other:
Stony Brook University is also home to a number of research centers and institutes, including the Brookhaven National Laboratory, the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and the Stony Brook University Medical Center. The university is committed to sustainability and has a number of initiatives in place to reduce its environmental impact.