Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering Degree Requirements
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the terminal degree for those seeking an academia or industry career in ECEE.
Earning your PhD in electrical engineering can prepare you to start your own research-based company, launch your career as an academic or access some of the highest-paying industry jobs. We offer a collaborative, supportive environment that allows you to explore interdisciplinary opportunities and find your personal research passion in electrical and computer engineering.Ìý
Table of Contents
Admission Requirements
See our Graduate Admissions webpage which includes webinar recordings, FAQs & more.Ìý
Research Areas
- Computer Engineering
- Electromagnetics, RFÌýand MicrowavesÌý
- Photonics & Quantum Engineering:
- Nanostructures and Devices
- Optics and Photonics
- Quantum Engineering
- Power Electronics and Renewable Energy Systems
- Remote Sensing
- Learning, Information, Network, Communication & Data (LINCD) Sciences
- Systems and Controls
Learn more about faculty research.Ìý
Research (Faculty) Advisor
The faculty advisor directs a student’s research, helps develop the degree planÌýand acts as chair of their comprehensive exam and dissertation committee.
- A faculty advisor must be a member of CU Boulder regular graduate faculty.
- Research (dissertation) topic will be determined with the aid of theÌýfaculty advisor.
Residency Requirements and Registration
U.S. citizen/permanent resident PhD students who are not Colorado residents at the time of admission must apply for Colorado residency for tuition purposes after admission. This is a requirement to receive tuition remission as a Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant. This is a Colorado law, not a University of Colorado rule, and is not negotiable.Ìý
For state residency requirements, please visit theÌýOffice of the Registrar.
Common Requirements and Policies
The following requirements and policies apply to all PhD students in the Department of Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering.
General Requirements
- 60 hours of study
- 30 hours of
- 18 credit hours of ECEN 5000-level or above courses are required.
- The remaining 12 credit hours can be ECEN courses or technical courses in science, mathematics, or engineering. All of these should be at the 5000-level or above. This can include taking ECEN 5930 one (1) time.
- Non-technical courses will not count toward the degree (i.e. EMEN, CYBR courses). If you are unsure if your course meets technical requirements, contact your advisor.
- Generally, a "technical"Ìýcourses is one with technical undergraduate or graduate pre-reqs, and is not policy focused, but is math/engineering problem-solving focused.
- Transferring Courses: PhD students may transfer up to 21 graduate-level credit hours from previously attended programs.Ìý
- Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all coursework. Even courses that do not count toward the degree are calculated into the GPA. Students cannot be admitted to candidacy or graduate with a cumulative GPA below 3.0.
- A course grade below "B-" will not be counted toward the 30-credit hour requirement, but it will be included in the overall GPA calculation.
- Students must have no incomplete course work.
- 30 thesis/dissertation hours
- No more than 10 thesis hours in a single semester are allowed.
- 30 hours of
Exams
- Preliminary (by end of second year)
- Preliminary exams are required of all ECEE PhD students.
- The primary purpose of preliminary examination is to ensure that students are ready to begin independent research. A broader purpose of the examination is to assess and strengthen the student’s intellectual breadth as well as their abilities in problem solving, creativity, and written and oral communication.
- Students must pass their preliminary exam in order to continue past the coursework stage of the PhD.
- Students who do not pass after two attempts will be moved to the MS degree and removed from the PhD.
- Two attempts is the maximum allowed department wide; i.e. a student cannot take it twice in Computer Engineering and then twice with Power Electronics.Ìý
- Comprehensive (thirdÌýor fourth year)
- Before admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree, you must pass a comprehensive examination. At a base level, the comprehensive exam is a presentation of what you have and will contribute to your field, includingÌýa demonstration of your understanding of the field and where yourÌýcontribution fits in;Ìýsome contribution already made to that field (i.e., theoretical or experimental results that have been submitted/published/presented to the larger field of scientists);Ìýand a plan that youÌýconvince the committee is feasible to complete yourÌýcontributions.Ìý
- A committee of five experts in the field will evaluate the student presentation of research.Ìý
- Dissertation Defense (semester of graduation)
- The dissertation is a work of original research completed by you with the guidance of your faculty advisor.
- A committee of five experts in the field will evaluate the student presentation of research.Ìý
Time Limit
All work, including the final examination, should be completed within six years from the time of admission. A student is expected to complete the work with reasonable continuity.ÌýExtensions must be formally requested fromÌýthe graduate school.
Leaves and Withdrawals
PhD students may participate in theÌý provided they meet the eligibility requirements. Any semester(s) on leave are included in the time limit to complete the degree. Students who are not on leave and do not register during a given fall or spring semester will be automatically withdrawn from the university and must fill out an application for re-admission in order to return.
Please visit theÌýÌýfor specific procedures and details.