Undergraduate students begin by learning the fundamentals in physical sciences, mathematics, and computer science. These basic foundations are then used to acquire discipline-specific knowledge and skills in electronics, electrophysics, signals and systems, and computers. In addition, students choose from a list of technical electives that provide specialization in fields such as communications, signal processing, control systems, solid-state devices, materials, photonics, circuit design, computer systems, and software. Throughout their program students also develop written and oral communication skills, ethics and professionalism, and a sense of how society and electrical engineering are connected.

Design is integrated throughout the curriculum, providing an important infrastructure to the program. During the senior year, electrical engineering students join computer engineering students in a yearlong department-wide capstone design project that draws upon the skills they have learned in previous courses in the design thread. Structured to resemble a real engineering company, the capstone project requires students to design a product to meet customer specifications. Design teams are responsible for product conception, development, testing, and construction, as well as budget management, oral presentations, and documentation.

A total of 130 credits is required for graduation.

Required Courses

Freshman

FIRST SEMESTER (16 CREDITS)

• CAS CH 131 Principles of General Chemistry 4 cr
• CAS MA 123 Calculus I 4 cr
• CAS WR 100 Writing Seminar 4 cr
• ENG EK 100 Freshman Advising Seminar
• ENG EK 127 Engineering Computation 4 cr

SECOND SEMESTER (16 CREDITS)

• CAS MA 124 Calculus II 4 cr
• CAS PY 211 Physics I 4 cr
• CAS WR 150 Writing and Research Seminar 4 cr
• ENG EK 130/ 131/132 Introduction to Engineering 4 cr

Sophomore

FIRST SEMESTER (16 CREDITS)

• CAS MA 225 Multivariate Calculus 4 cr
• CAS PY 212 Physics II 4 cr
• ENG EK 301 Engineering Mechanics I 4 cr
• Social science/humanities requirement 4 cr

SECOND SEMESTER (18 CREDITS)

• CAS MA 226 Differential Equations 4 cr
• CAS PY 313 Waves and Modern Physics 4 cr
• ENG EK 307 Electric Circuit Theory 4 cr
• ENG EK 102 Introduction to Linear Algebra for Engineers (or CAS MA 142) 2 cr
• Social science/humanities requirement 4 cr

Junior

FIRST SEMESTER (16 CREDITS)

• ENG EC 311 Introduction to Logic Design 4 cr
• ENG EC 401 Signals and Systems 4 cr
• ENG EC 410 Introduction to Electronics 4 cr
• ENG EC 455 Electromagnetic Systems I 4 cr

SECOND SEMESTER (16 CREDITS)

• ENG EC 381 Probability Theory in Electrical and Computer Engineering 4 cr
• Electronics elective 4 cr
• Electrophysics elective 4 cr
• Systems elective 4 cr

Senior

FIRST SEMESTER (16 CREDITS)

• ENG EC 463 Senior Design Project I 4 cr
• Computer elective 4 cr
• Social science/humanities requirement 4 cr
• Technical elective 4 cr

SECOND SEMESTER (16 CREDITS)

• ENG EC 464 Senior Design Project 4 cr
• Social science/humanities requirement 4 cr
• Technical elective 4 cr
• Technical elective 4 cr

Related Courses

Technical Electives

Technical electives are intended to provide additional technical and professional depth in particular areas of special interest to individual students. Specific courses to fulfill this requirement can be found on the Electrical Engineering program planning sheet.

Electronics Elective

Students must select one of the following courses to fulfill this elective: ENG EC 412, ENG EC 450, or ENG EC 571.

Electrophysics Elective

Students must select one of the following courses to fulfill this elective: ENG EC 456, ENG EC 471, or ENG EC 560.

Computer Elective

Students must select one of the following courses to fulfill this elective: ENG EC 327, ENG EC 413, or ENG EC 441.

Systems Elective

Students must select one of the following courses to fulfill this elective: ENG EC 402, ENG EC 415, or ENG EC 416.

The Master of Engineering (MEng) degree in Electrical Engineering is a professional master’s program for students seeking to further their careers in industry. MEng programs are suited for:

• Graduating senior students who want a one-year master’s in engineering before they look for industrial jobs
• Mid-career professionals who want to switch careers and would like to complete a one-year master’s degree between jobs
• Industry professionals who want exposure to engineering and management to further their careers

Why Get an MEng? An MEng:

• Does not require a thesis, unlike an MS
• Prepares you for a career in industry (MS degrees are more research-focused)
• Gives you an advantage as the number of engineering manager jobs is predicted to grow in the coming years
• Can be completed in one year
• Includes coursework that emphasizes technology leadership skills and management in the global workplace, as well as advanced technical training

The MEng degree will complement existing programs by responding to the growing demand for professionals who can apply advanced graduate education to their work. Courses will prepare students for everything from entrepreneurship to project management.

Curriculum

To receive the MEng degree in Electrical Engineering, a student must complete 32 credits, all of which must be at the 500 level or higher. A 3.0 (B) average must be maintained to graduate and grades of C- or lower are unacceptable for credit. Students are required to take at least 24 credits of structured coursework (500 or 700 level courses) from EC. Up to 8 credits may be transferred from other approved graduate schools.

The required coursework includes:

• 16 credits of concentration electives. This may include up to four EC900-level credits.
• 8 credits of advanced technical electives. These must be EC700-level coursework.
• Graduate technical electives. The remainder of the course requirements may be met through graduate technical electives which include all courses at the 500 level or above in ENG, as well as courses in the following CAS departments: astronomy, biology, chemistry, cognitive and neural systems, computer science, mathematics, and physics, except courses for nonmajors.
• Project credits. Students may take 4 project credits. They may also count as a concentration requirement but not as an advanced technical elective.

Note: Students are encouraged to explore graduate technical electives that embrace technical project management, entrepreneurship, or leadership development; some of these courses include: ENG EC 518 Project Management for Software-Intensive Systems, ENG EK 730 Technology Commercialization, ENG ME 502 Intellectual Assets: Creation, Protection, and Commercialization, ENG ME 525 Technology Ventures, GSM SI 851 Entrepreneurship, GSM SI 852 Starting New Ventures, and GSM SPI 853 Entrepreneurial Management.

Concentrations in Electrical Engineering include:

Signal Processing and Communications

• ENG EC 505 Stochastic Processes
• ENG EC 515 Digital Communication
• ENG EC 516 Digital Signal Processing
• ENG EC 517 Introduction to Information Theory
• ENG EC 520 Digital Image Processing and Communication
• ENG EC 563 Fiber Optic Communication Systems
• ENG EC 702 Recursive Estimation and Optimal Filtering
• ENG EC 715 Wireless Communications
• ENG EC 716 Advanced Digital Signal Processing
• ENG EC 717 Image Reconstruction and Restoration
• ENG EC 719 Statistical Pattern Recognition
• ENG EC 720 Digital Video Processing

Systems and Control

• ENG EC 501 State Space
• ENG EC 505 Stochastic Processes
• ENG EC 524 Optimization Theory and Methods
• ENG EC 701 Optimal and Robust Control
• ENG EC 702 Recursive Estimation and Optimal Filtering
• ENG EC 710 Dynamic Programming and Stochastic Control
• ENG EC 724 Advanced Optimization and Methods
• ENG SE/ME 740 Vision, Robotics, and Planning
• ENG SE/ME755 Communication Networks Control
• ENG SE/ME 762 Non-Linear Control of Mechanical
 Systems

Networking and Communications

• ENG EC 505 Stochastic Processes
• ENG EC 515 Digital Communication
• ENG EC 517 Introduction to Information Theory
• ENG EC 541 Computer Communication Networks
• ENG EC 544 Networking the Physical World
• ENG EC 561 Error-Control Codes
• ENG EC 700 Game Theory for Communications
• ENG EC 715 Wireless Communications
• ENG EC 724 Advanced Optimization and Methods
• ENG EC 725 Queuing Systems
• ENG EC 727 Advanced Coding
• ENG EC 733 Discrete Event Simulation
• ENG EC 744 Mobile Computing and Networking
• ENG EC 749 Interconnection Networks
• ENG SE 741 Randomized Network Algorithms

Solid-State Circuits, Devices, and Materials

• ENG EC 571 VLSI Principles and Applications
• ENG EC 574 Solid State Devices
• ENG EC 575 Semiconductor Devices
• ENG EC 578 Fabrication Technology for Integrated Circuits
• ENG EC 579 Microelectronic Device Manufacturing
• ENG EC 580 Modern Active Circuit Design
• ENG EC 582 RF/Analog IC Design Fundamentals
• ENG EC 770 Guided-Wave Optoelectronics
• ENG EC 771 Physics of Compound Semiconductor Devices
• ENG EC 772 VLSI Graduate Design Project
• ENG EC 774 Semiconductor Quantum Structures/Photonic Devices
• ENG EC 775 VLSI Devices and Device Models
• ENG EC 777 Nano-Optics
• ENG EC 782 RF/Analog IC Design

Photonics

• ENG EC 560 Introduction to Photonics
• ENG EC 563 Fiber Optic Communication Systems
• ENG EC 568 Optical Fiber Sensors
• ENG EC 569 Introduction to Subsurface Imaging
• ENG EC 570 Lasers
• ENG EC 574 Semiconductor Materials
• ENG EC 575 Semiconductor Devices
• ENG EC 577 Electrical Properties of Materials
• ENG EC 591 Photonics Laboratory I
• ENG EC 760 Advanced Topics in Photonics
• ENG EC 762 Quantum Optics
• ENG EC 763 Nonlinear and Ultrafast Optics
• ENG EC 764 Optical Measurement
• ENG EC 765 Biomedical Optics and Biophotonics
• ENG EC 770 Guided-Wave Optoelectronics
• ENG EC 771 Comp Semi Devices
• ENG EC 774 Quantum Structures and Devices
• ENG EC 777 Nano-Optics
• ENG EK 720 Biophotonic System Design and Prototyping

Radio Science

• ENG EC 505 Stochastic Processes
• ENG EC 516 Digital Signal Processing
• ENG EC 560 Introduction to Photonics
• ENG EC 566 The Atmosphere and Space Environment
• ENG EC 702 Recursive Estimation and Optimal Filtering
• ENG EC 707 Radar Remote Sensing
• ENG EC 716 Advanced Digital Signal Processing
• ENG EC 717 Image Reconstruction and Restoration
• ENG EC 731 Applied Plasma Physics
• AS 727 Cosmic Plasmas
• AS 783 Ionospheres

Energy Technologies

• ENG EC 543 Sustainable Power Systems
• ENG EC 573 Solar Energy Systems
• ENG EC 574 Semiconductor Materials
• ENG EC 575 Semiconductor Devices
• ENG EK 546 Assessment of Sustainable Energy Technologies
• ENG ME 545 Electrochemistry of Fuel Cells and Batteries

Bioelectrical (2 EC courses and 2 BE courses)

• ENG EC 505 Stochastic Processes
• ENG EC 516 Digital Signal Processing
• ENG EC 520 Digital Image Processing and Communication
• ENG EC 571 VLSI Principles and Applications
• ENG EC 580 Modern Active Circuit Design
• ENG EC 582 RF/Analog IC Design Fundamentals
• ENG EC 716 Advanced Digital Signal Pressing
• ENG EC 717 Image Reconstruction and Restoration
• ENG EC 720 Digital Video Processing
• ENG EC 740 Parameter Estimation and System
Identification
• ENG EC 765 Biomedical Optics and Biophotonics
• ENG EC 772 VLSI Graduate Design Project
• ENG EC 782 RF/Analog IC Design
• ENG EK 720 Biophotonic System Design and Prototyping
• ENG BE 511 Biomedical Instrumentation
• ENG BE 512 Biomedical Instrument Design
• ENG BE 515 Introduction to Medical Imaging
• ENG BE 516 Applied Medical Imaging
• ENG BE 540 Bioelectric Signals: Analysis and Interpretation
• ENG BE 747 Adv. Signals and Sys. Analysis for BME

Programs of study leading to the MS in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or photonics may be pursued. The degree programs have a common structure that includes requirements for concentration, breadth, advanced coursework, and a thesis or project. The degrees are differentiated by the concentration area chosen (see below). There is a great deal of flexibility in the program, and each student is expected to work with his or her faculty advisor to design a specific program of study that meets his or her professional needs.

The study program must satisfy both the general graduate requirements of the College of Engineering as well as additional requirements of the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering. A 3.0 (B) average must be maintained to graduate and grades of C- or lower are unacceptable for credit. All programs in the department require 32 credit hours of study. Up to 8 credits may be transferred from other approved graduate schools.

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE), Computer Engineering (MSCE), and Photonics (MSP) Master’s degree programs in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering require a minimum of 32 credit hours of graduate study (500 level and above) in ENG or CAS AS, BI, CH, CN, CS, MA, or PY courses. Thesis students are required to take at least 20 credits of structured coursework (500 or 700 level courses) while non-thesis students are required to take at least 24 credits of structured coursework. All credits toward the MS degree should be 500 level or higher. All coursework is subject to the following requirements:

Concentration Area

Each student must take at least 16 units (four courses) in one of the ten ECE concentration areas listed below. Up to 8 units of 900-level EC courses (thesis, project, research or directed study) may be used to satisfy the concentration area requirement. The three degree programs are distinguished by the concentration area chosen as indicated below.

Electrical Engineering:

SIGNAL PROCESSING AND COMMUNICATIONS

• ENG EC 505 Stochastic Processes
• ENG EC 515 Digital Communication
• ENG EC 516 Digital Signal Processing
• ENG EC 517 Introduction to Information Theory
• ENG EC 520 Digital Image Processing and Communication
• ENG EC 702 Recursive Estimation and Optimal Filtering
• ENG EC 715 Wireless Communications
• ENG EC 716 Advanced Digital Signal Processing
• ENG EC 717 Image Reconstruction and Restoration
• ENG EC 719 Statistical Pattern Recognition
• ENG EC 720 Digital Video Processing

SYSTEMS AND CONTROL

• ENG EC 501/ME 501 State Space Control
• ENG EC 505 Stochastic Processes
• ENG EC 517 Introduction to Information Theory
• ENG EC 524/ME 524 Optimization Theory and Methods
• ENG EC 701/ME 764 Optimal and Robust Control
• ENG EC 702 Recursive Estimation and Optimal Filtering
• ENG EC 710/ME 710 Dynamic Programming and Stochastic Control
• ENG EC 724/ME 724 Advanced Optimization Theory and Methods
• ENG ME/SE 740 Vision, Robotics, and Planning
• ENG ME/SE 755 Communication Networks Control
• ENG ME/SE 762 Non-Linear Control of Mechanical Systems

SOLID STATE CIRCUITS, DEVICES, AND MATERIALS

• ENG EC 571 VLSI Principles and Applications
• ENG EC 574 Solid State Devices
• ENG EC 575 Semiconductor Devices
• ENG EC 578 Fabrication Technology for Integrated Circuits
• ENG EC 579/ME 579 Microelectronic Device Manufacturing
• ENG EC 580 Modern Active Circuit Design
• ENG EC 582 RF/Analog IC Design Fundamentals
• ENG EC 770 Guided-Wave Optoelectronics
• ENG EC 771 Physics of Compound Semiconductor Devices
• ENG EC 772 VLSI Graduate Design Project
• ENG EC 774 Semiconductor Quantum Structures and Photonic Devices
• ENG EC 775 VLSI Devices and Device Models
• ENG EC 777 Nano-Optics
• ENG EC 782 RF/Analog IC Design

ELECTROMAGNETICS AND PHOTONICS

• ENG EC 560 Introduction to Photonics
• ENG EC 563 Fiber Optic Communication Systems
• ENG EC 566 The Atmosphere and Space Environment
• ENG EC 567/ME 567 Electromagnetic Wave Computation
• ENG EC 568 Optical Fiber Sensors
• ENG EC 570 Lasers
• ENG EC 591 Photonics Laboratory I
• ENG EC 707 Radar Remote Sensing
• ENG EC 731 Applied Plasma Physics
• ENG EC 760 Advanced Topics in Photonics
• ENG EC 762 Quantum Optics
• ENG EC 763 Nonlinear and Ultrafast Optics
• ENG EC 764 Optical Measurement
• ENG EC 765/BE 765 Biomedical Optics and Biophotonics
• ENG EC 770 Guided-Wave Optoelectronics
• ENG EC 773/BE 773 Advanced Optical Microscopy and Biological Imaging
• ENG EC 777 Nano-Optics

BIOELECTRONICS
(Must take at least 2 of the EC courses and at least 2 of the BE courses listed below.)

• ENG BE 511 Biomedical Instrumentation
• ENG BE 512 Biomedical Instrument Design
• ENG BE 515 Introduction to Medical Imaging
• ENG BE 516 Applied Medical Imaging
• ENG BE 540 Bioelectric Signals: Analysis and Interpretation
• ENG BE 747 Advanced Signals and Systems Analysis for Biomedical Engineering
• ENG EC 505 Stochastic Processes
• ENG EC 516 Digital Signal Processing
• ENG EC 520 Digital Image Processing and Communication
• ENG EC 571 VLSI Principles and Applications
• ENG EC 580 Modern Active Circuit Design
• ENG EC 582 RF/Analog IC Design Fundamentals
• ENG EC 716 Advanced Digital Signal Pressing
• ENG EC 717 Image Reconstruction and Restoration
• ENG EC 720 Digital Video Processing
• ENG EC 732 Combinatorial Optimization and Graph Algorithms
• ENG EC 740/BE 740 Parameter Estimation and System Identification
• ENG EC 765/BE 765 Biomedical Optics and Biophotonics
• ENG EC 772 VLSI Graduate Design Project
• ENG EC 782 RF/Analog IC Design

Computer Engineering:

HARDWARE AND COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

• ENG EC 513 Computer Architecture
• ENG EC 535 Introduction to Embedded Systems
• ENG EC 551 Advanced Digital Design with Verilog and FPGA
• ENG EC 561 Error-Control Codes
• ENG EC 571 VLSI Principles and Applications
• ENG EC 580 Modern Active Circuit Design
• ENG EC 582 RF/Analog IC Design Fundamentals
• ENG EC 713 Parallel Computer Architecture
• ENG EC 749 Interconnection Networks for Multicomputers
• ENG EC 751 Design of Asynchronous Circuit and Systems
• ENG EC 752 Theory of Computer Hardware Testing
• ENG EC 753 Fault-Tolerant Computing
• ENG EC 757 Advanced Microprocessor Design
• ENG EC 772 VLSI Graduate Design Project
• ENG EC 782 RF/Analog IC Design

COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKS

• ENG EC 505 Stochastic Processes
• ENG EC 515 Digital Communication
• ENG EC 524/ME 524 Optimization Theory and Methods
• ENG EC 534 Discrete Stochastic Models
• ENG EC 541 Computer Communication Networks
• ENG EC 544 Networking the Physical World
• ENG EC 561 Error-Control Codes
• ENG EC 715 Wireless Communications
• ENG EC 724/ME 724 Advanced Optimization Theory and Methods
• ENG EC 725/ME 725 Queuing Systems
• ENG EC 727 Advanced Coding Theory
• ENG EC 733 Discrete Event and Hybrid Systems
• ENG EC 744 Mobile Ad Hoc Networking and Computing
• ENG EC 749 Interconnection Networks for Multicomputers
• ENG EC 761 Information Theory and Coding
• ENG EC 741 Randomized Network Algorithms

SOFTWARE

• ENG EC 504 Advanced Data Structures
• ENG EC 511 Software Systems Design
• ENG EC 512 Enterprise Client-Server Software Systems Design
• ENG EC 518 Software Project Management
• ENG EC 535 Introduction to Embedded Systems
• ENG EC 544 Networking the Physical World
• ENG EC 712 Advanced Software for Computer Engineers
• ENG EC 728 Design and Testing for Distributed Software-Intensive Systems

Photonics:

LASERS AND APPLICATIONS

• ENG EC 560 Introduction to Photonics
• ENG EC 569 Introduction to Subsurface Imaging
• ENG EC 570 Lasers
• ENG EC 591 Photonics Laboratory I
• ENG EC 760 Advanced Topics in Photonics
• ENG EC 762 Quantum Optics
• ENG EC 763 Nonlinear and Ultrafast Optics
• ENG EC 764 Optical Measurement
• ENG EC 765/BE 765 Biomedical Optics and Biophotonics
• ENG EC 773/BE 773 Advanced Optical Microscopy and Biological Imaging

FIBER OPTICS AND OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS

• ENG EC 560 Introduction to Photonics
• ENG EC 563 Fiber Optic Communication Systems
• ENG EC 568 Optical Fiber Sensors
• ENG EC 591 Photonics Laboratory I
• ENG EC 760 Advanced Topics in Photonics
• ENG EC 770 Guided-Wave Optoelectronics

PHOTONICS MATERIALS AND DEVICES

• ENG EC 560 Introduction to Photonics
• ENG EC 575 Semiconductor Devices
• ENG EC 574 Solid State Devices
• ENG EC 591 Photonics Laboratory I
• ENG EC 760 Advanced Topics in Photonics
• ENG EC 771 Physics of Compound Semiconductor Devices
• ENG EC 774 Semiconductor Quantum Structures and Photonic Devices
• ENG EC 777 Nano-Optics

Breadth Requirement

Students must take 8 credits from other concentration area(s). A course listed under multiple concentrations may be used as either a concentration or a breadth course, but not both. ENG EC 560 may not be taken for breadth requirement by Photonics majors.

Advanced Technical Electives

Students must take 8 credits of EC 700-level coursework. These may also count as concentration or breadth requirements. The 700-level project-oriented courses may not be counted as Advanced Technical Electives.

Thesis or Project Requirement

Students must take four credits of Thesis (EC 901) or Project (EC 910, EC 911, EC 912, EC 913, EC 914, EC 915) or an approved project-oriented course (EC 566, EC 712, EC 757, EC 772). This may also count as a concentration requirement but may not count as an advanced technical elective. Passing the PhD prospectus defense will be considered the equivalent of completing a project course for post-BS PhD students.

Thesis

A thesis is not required, but students wishing to undertake a research project must be supervised by a member of the department or by someone acceptable to the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies. The suitability of the research is determined primarily by the student’s thesis advisor, based on informal discussions and a brief written thesis proposal. Thesis proposal guidelines are available and should be consulted.

Registration for ENG EC 901: Thesis cannot begin until an acceptable proposal has been submitted. Thesis students register for ENG EC 901 each semester they work on their project, and may apply for up to eight credits of EC 901 registration toward the 32 credits required for the degree.

When a graduate student nears completion of his or her MS research, an oral defense of the work must be scheduled. Deadlines are listed on this website. The thesis advisor and readers are responsible for establishing the format of the public defense.

The results of the student’s research must be communicated to the scientific and engineering communities as a formal thesis. Editorial guidance can be found in A Guide for the Writers of Dissertations and Theses, available in the departmental office or in the College Graduate Programs Office. The student must submit the thesis to Mugar Memorial Library and provide a copy to the advisor and each reader, in addition to a bound copy to the ECE Department.

Project

The project requirement is generally satisfied through one of the 900-level EC project courses (EC 910, 911, 912, 913, 914, and 915). With the exception of EC 912 Software Engineering Project and EC 915 Computer Engineering Team Project, which are offered as regularly scheduled courses, these courses are generally arranged by a student or group of students with an individual faculty member. Faculty members may also announce the availability of projects for interested students.

It is also possible to satisfy the project requirement by taking one of the designated project-oriented courses (EC 566, EC 712, EC 757, or EC 772) that include a substantial project as an integral part of the course material.

Graduate Technical Electives

The remainder of the course requirements may be met through graduate technical electives, which include all courses at the 500 level or above in ENG, as well as courses in the following CAS departments: Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Cognitive & Neural Systems, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics, except courses for non-majors (e.g., CAS PY 633 Energy). CAS courses require advisor approval and a petition. Certain teaching seminars (e.g., EC 850) and preparatory courses are not allowed.

Academic Standards

All graduate courses will be counted in the cumulative GPA, which must be at least 3.0 for good academic standing and graduation. Only grades of C or above receive graduate credit and fulfill MS curricular requirements.

Approval

All individual programs must be reviewed and approved by the academic advisor and the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering. Approval must be completed before registration for the second semester of study.

Exceptions

Individuals who have outstanding records of professional achievement or academic accomplishment at an advanced level may be exempted, by petition, from some of the MS program distribution requirements listed above, thereby facilitating the planning of a more advanced program. Such a proposal should be accompanied by a clear statement of objectives and a description of how the program will achieve the proposed objectives. In general, a more advanced course in an area may be substituted for a required course in satisfying the degree requirements. Though individuals can be exempted from some of the distribution requirements, they must still meet the credit minimum for the MS degree.

Admission Requirements

Students entering the graduate programs in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering are expected to have completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering. Prospective applicants from other fields such as other engineering disciplines, computer science, mathematics, or physics may be accepted with possible additional requirements for the completion of background courses. Such applicants will be judged individually according to their backgrounds and professional objectives. Required background work should be taken at the start of a student’s program.

Applications for admission may be obtained from the College of Engineering Graduate Programs Office, 48 Cummington Street, Boston, MA 02215; tel: 617-353-9760; email: enggrad@bu.edu; College of Engineering Graduate Programs website. An electronic application is also available.

Our PhD programs in electrical engineering and computer engineering provide both post-bachelor’s and post-master’s applicants the opportunity for study in a broad range of areas, many of which overlap with other disciplines within the College and the University.

As an electrical or computer engineering PhD student, you will pursue theoretical and empirical studies in a topic area determined by your interests and those of your faculty research advisor. As a student in Boston, you will be in the midst of a vibrant high-tech research community where external collaborations with industry, government, and other universities are common. However, your experience will likely not be limited to Boston; PhD students are supported by the department to present their work at many key conferences around the world.

Completion of the PhD establishes a student’s ability to conduct independent basic or applied research, and prepares him or her for a career in academia, industry, or government. Students pursue theoretical and empirical studies in a topic area determined by their interests, faculty research areas, and departmental research facilities. External collaborations with industry and government laboratories are encouraged. Information regarding admissions, degree requirements, and financial aid may be found in the “Graduate Programs” section of this website.

Doctoral program candidates should contact faculty members in the department to discuss their research plans (for contact information, email ecegrad@bu.edu or visit the Electrical & Computer Engineering website.

Students admitted to the PhD program must first complete the department’s MS degree requirements.

In addition to fulfilling the MS degree program requirements, all PhD students must enroll for an additional 32 units (8 courses) at the graduate level (500 level or above). Post-master’s PhD students are required to complete 32 graduate units (8 courses) beyond their MS work. In addition to an oral prospectus defense and final dissertation defense, students must pass a written comprehensive examination covering basic knowledge in electrical and computer engineering and fulfill the department’s mathematics requirement.

All PhD students are required to fulfill their math requirement no later than the end of their fourth academic semester. The guidelines are as follows.

For post-BS students: complete with a grade of B+ or better one of the following:

• EE or CE: EK 501
• EE: EC 501, EC 505, EC 515, EC 516, or EC 574
• CE: EC 504, EC 533, EC 534, EC 541, or EC 561

For post-MS students:

• Post-BS requirement or submit evidence of successful completion of B+ or better of equivalent course as determined by the ECE Graduate Committee.