Program Overview

PhD Degree Requirements

The doctoral programs in electrical engineering, computer engineering, and telecommunications engineering have specific requirements that students must fulfill. These requirements include having a PhD Advisor, completing a minimum of 75 course semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree, and maintaining an overall GPA of 3.0 or better. A tenure system faculty or an affiliated faculty can serve as a thesis advisor.

Program Structure

The program consists of the following components:

• Required graduate level courses; (a Master's degree satisfies this requirement)
  • Combined research (EEGR/CE/TE 8V70)
  • Additional graduate level courses
• Dissertation (EEGR/CE/TE) The total semester credit hours required are:
• 30 for required graduate level courses
• 42 for combined research and additional graduate level courses
• 3 for dissertation The minimum total semester credit hours required for the program is 75.

Examinations

In addition to course requirements, PhD students must successfully complete the following examinations:

• Qualifying Exam (QE): This exam assesses background knowledge and capabilities to do PhD-level research in the fields of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Telecommunications Engineering.
• Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Exam: This exam is given by a candidate's supervisory committee.
• Final Oral Exam: This exam involves the completion of a major research project culminating in a dissertation that demonstrates an original contribution to scientific knowledge and engineering practice. A written dissertation is submitted to the Office of Graduate Education, and the dissertation is defended publicly.