Program Overview

Electrical and Computer Engineering (Nanotechnology) - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering Collaborative Nanotechnology program is designed to generate new knowledge and shape the future through cutting-edge technological developments in the world of nanotechnology. This program is based in the Engineering 7 (E7) Building on Waterloo's East Campus.

Program Overview

• Department/School: Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Faculty: Faculty of Engineering
• Admit term(s): Fall (September - December), Winter (January - April), Spring (May - August)
• Delivery mode: On-campus
• Program type: Collaborative, Doctoral, Research
• Length of program: 48 months (full-time)
• Registration option(s): Full-time, Part-time
• Study option(s): Thesis

Research Project Opportunities

• Silicon Thin-Film Applied Research: Dr. Karim's lab at UWaterloo has been developing imaging device technology based on propagation-based X-ray phase-contrast (XPC) for the past decade. With Dr. Keller, this technology is being applied to obtain three-dimensional images of medical tissues with sub-cellular resolution.

Application Deadlines

• February 1 (for admission in September)
• June 1 (for admission in January of the following year)
• October 1 (for admission in May of the following year)

Admission Requirements

• Admission to the program is based upon the student's academic record and evidence of ability to pursue independent research.
• Normally, an overall standing equivalent to 80% in either a relevant thesis-based master's degree or a University of Waterloo Master of Engineering (MEng) degree that includes a completed ECE 699 Master of Engineering Project course.
• At the time of admission, each student must have a faculty supervisor who has endorsed the recommendation for admission.

Degree Requirements

• Review the degree requirements in the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, including the courses that you can anticipate taking as part of completing the degree.
• Check out Waterloo's institutional thesis repository - UWspace to see recent submissions from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering graduate students.

Application Materials

• Resume
• Statement of interest: A statement of maximum 500 words explaining your interest in and fit for the program you’re applying to.
• Transcript(s)
• References: Three references are required; at least two from academic sources.
• Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable: TOEFL 80 (writing 22, speaking 20, reading 20, listening 18), IELTS 6.5 (writing 6.0, speaking 6.0)

Tuition and Fees

• Visit the graduate program tuition page on the Finance website to determine the tuition and incidental fees per term for your program.
• Review living costs and housing.
• Learn about the PhD housing guarantee program for admitted students in fall 2026 and winter 2027.
• Review the funding graduate school resources for graduate students.