Electrical and Computer Engineering

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Graduate Programs and Research Areas

The School of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering (ECBE) offers programs of study and research leading to i) the Master of Engineering (M.E.) degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, ii) the Master of Science (M.S.) degree (thesis/non-thesis) in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and iii) the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

The School provides a rich environment for educational and professional advancement in the following areas:

  1. Electrical Systems: Electric Energy & Renewables, Power Systems, Electricity Markets, Electric Vehicles, Medical Instruments, Optics & Photonics, Optical Imaging, Antennas
  2. Microelectronics: Electronic Design Automation, Emerging Nanoscale and Quantum Technologies, VLSI Circuits, Integrated Systems, 3-D Chip Design, Medical Electronics, Sensors, Electronics for Harsh Environments.
  3. Signals and Communications, and Control: Image processing, Signal Processing, Computer Vision, Telecommunications, Communication Networks, Wireless Energy Harvesting for IoTs, Terahertz Technology, Control Systems, Robotics
  4. Hardware and Firmware: Computer Architectures, Embedded Systems, Network Systems, Robotics, Programmable Logic Controllers
  5. Systems Software: Machine learning, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Digital Design Automation, Multi-Core Programming, High-Performance Scientific Computing, Operating Systems, Software Engineering, Systems Programming.

The ECBE programs of study provide a balance between formal classroom instruction and research, and are tailored to the individual student’s academic and professional goals. Graduates of the program enjoy excellent employment opportunities and are highly recruited worldwide in industry, government, and academia.

Safety glasses are required for some of the courses. Note that only 3 credit hours from each eligible 400-level course (listed in the graduate catalog) will be counted towards the graduate degree. 

Master of Engineering (M.E.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Objectives

The program is designed to allow a graduate student to earn non-thesis Master of Engineering (M.E.) degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2-3 semesters (with the possibility of completing within one year). The M.E. in Electrical and Computer Engineering program is coursework-oriented and is inclined towards professional development, allowing more flexibility in taking online/distance education hours.

Admission

The M.E. in Electrical and Computer Engineering program is designed for individuals holding a Bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering or related field. Qualified applicants with Bachelor’s degrees in other areas of engineering and science may be able to enroll in the program with additional preparation (approved by the School on a case-by-case basis). The applicants must indicate whether they are pursuing the degree online or on campus.

Admission to the M.E. in Electrical and Computer Engineering program is based on the following factors: grade point average of 2.75 or higher on a scale of 4.0 on approximately the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework, class ranking, and faculty recommendation letters. GRE scores are not required for admission. However, they are important to qualify for the High Achievers Tuition Rate. See https://tuition.siuc.edu/highachievers2.html The minimum TOEFL score requirement for international applicants is 550 (paper-based) or 80 (computer-based). The application fee for all applicants and any other documentation specifically required for international students will be in accordance with the requirements of the Graduate School. 

Curriculum

The program requires a total of 30 credit hours of graduate-level credit. ECE 592 and ECE 580 (seminar) will not count towards the degree. Online/distance education hours offered by the University and approved by the School could be applied to the degree. Also, a maximum of 9 credit hours of non-ECE courses offered by the University and approved by the School could be applied towards the degree. These courses may include topics such as business fundamentals, entrepreneurship, management, and leadership.

Students enrolled in the program are required to complete a comprehensive assessment that may include topics related to their graduate work as well as engineering ethics, communication skills, and professional development as determined by the School.

A student pursuing the M.E. in Electrical and Computer Engineering degree could switch to the corresponding M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering program upon recommendation of ECBE faculty and with the approval of the School, provided admission requirements of the M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering degree are met.

Retention

Any student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 on courses that count towards the degree will be placed on academic probation. Any graduate student on academic probation whose grade point average remains below 3.0 on courses that count towards the degree for two consecutive semesters in which they are enrolled will be permanently suspended from the program, unless the School grants an exception.

Master of Science (M.S.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Objectives

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering program has two tracks: i) The non-thesis track is coursework-oriented; ii) The thesis track is research-oriented. The applicants must indicate whether they are pursuing the thesis or the non-thesis track degree option.

Admission

Individuals holding a Bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering or related field may apply. Qualified applicants with Bachelor’s degrees in other areas of engineering and science may be able to enroll in the program with additional preparation (approved by the School on a case-by-case basis).

Admission to the M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering program is based on the following factors: grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0 on approximately the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework, class ranking, and faculty recommendation letters. GRE scores are not required for admission. However, they are important to qualify for the High Achievers Tuition Rate. See https://tuition.siuc.edu/highachievers2.html. Also, GRE scores, especially Quantitative, may be considered for fellowships/assistantships/scholarships. The minimum TOEFL score requirement for international applicants is 550 (paper-based) or 80 (computer-based). The application fee and any other documentation specifically required for international students will be in accordance with the requirements of the Graduate School.

Curriculum

The program requires a total of 30 hours of graduate-level credit. For the non-thesis track, at least 6 credit hours must be in ECE 500-level courses that do not have significant overlap/similarity with ECE 400-level courses, as stated in their catalog description. ECE 592 and ECE 580 (seminar) will not count towards the degree. For the thesis track, six credit hours of thesis (ECE 599) are required. A maximum of three credit hours of ECE 592 could be counted towards the degree requirements. ECE 580 (seminar) will not count towards the degree. Six credit hours of thesis (ECE 599) are required for the thesis track. A maximum of three credit hours of ECE 592 could be counted towards the degree requirements. ECE 580 (seminar) will not count towards the degree. Students in this track will develop a program of study in consultation with their thesis advisor/committee. Students enrolled in the non-thesis track are required to complete a comprehensive assessment that may include topics related to their graduate work as well as engineering ethics, communication skills, and professional development as determined by the School. For both non-thesis and thesis tracks, a maximum of 3 online/distance education credit hours offered and approved by the School, and a maximum of 6 credit hours of non-ECE courses offered by the University and approved by the School could be applied towards the degree.

A student pursuing the M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering degree could switch track (non-thesis to thesis or vice versa) upon recommendation of ECBE faculty and with the approval of the School.

Retention

Any student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 on courses that count towards the degree will be placed on program academic probation. Any graduate student on academic probation whose grade point average remains below 3.0 on courses that count towards the degree for two consecutive semesters in which they are enrolled, excluding summer sessions, will be permanently suspended from the program, unless the School grants an exception.

Accelerated Master’s Program

Objectives

The Accelerated Master’s Program is designed for high-achieving students who are currently enrolled in the undergraduate program in electrical engineering and/or computer engineering at SIU Carbondale (SIUC). The program will allow students to earn both Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree within 5 years by completing 147 credit hours (instead of 156 credit hours if pursuing Bachelor’s and Master’s studies separately).

Admission

Interested students will consult their undergraduate Academic Advisor to learn more about the program and how to apply. Students who have earned or are in the process of earning 60 or more credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 overall could apply. Two recommendation letters from SIUC faculty members are needed. The GRE or equivalent test requirement is waived for the accelerated Master’s program. However, they are important to qualify for the High Achievers Tuition Rate. See https://tuition.siuc.edu/highachievers2.html.

Apply as early as the beginning of the first semester of junior year for acceptance into the program. Work with the undergraduate Academic Advisor (and a potential graduate faculty advisor, if needed) to develop a program of study identifying 9 credit hours that may be counted towards both the Bachelor’s degree and the Master’s degree.

Students are considered as undergraduates until all requirements for the Bachelor’s degree have been fulfilled. For the Master’s degree, they will have the option to select either the M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering (thesis/non-thesis) or the M.E. in Electrical and Computer Engineering degree.

Curriculum

Junior/Senior Year - Complete up to 9 graduate-level ECE credit hours during the junior/senior year taken from the School of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering (excluding ECE 492, BME 492, ECE 592, and BME 592). At most 9 graduate-level ECE credit hours will be counted towards both the Bachelor’s and the Master’s degree requirements. Graduate Year - Complete the remaining Master’s coursework and other requirements within one year of full-time graduate study.

Retention

Any graduate student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 on courses that count towards the Master’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering degree will be placed on program academic probation.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Objectives

The program is designed to achieve the following academic objectives:

  1. to fulfill the obligation of the School of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering to provide high quality education through the doctoral level as is mandated by the mission statement of the University;
  2. to provide the students with the training necessary to successfully apply the fundamental concepts and methods of electrical and computer engineering to specific areas of research and development;
  3. to provide the graduates with the ability to independently organize and conduct research in electrical and computer engineering;
  4. to provide the graduates with the ability to concisely disseminate existing and new knowledge and to accurately present their research plans in writing.

Program Structure

The program offers the following areas of study: Biomedical, Communications, Computers, Control, Nanoscale and Quantum Electronics, Electromagnetics, Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI), Networks, Optics and Photonics, Power Systems, and Signal Processing.

Admission

Individuals holding a Master’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering or related field with a GPA of 3.25/4.0 or higher may apply. Applications for admission must include the following: a statement of research interest, transcripts, official GRE scores, three reference letters and TOEFL/ IELTS score (where appropriate), as required by the Graduate School.

For direct and accelerated entry into the Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering program, a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering or a related field with a GPA of 3.20/4.0 or higher is required. Applications for admission must include the following: a statement of research interest, transcripts, official GRE scores, three reference letters and TOEFL/IELTS score, as required by the Graduate School.

Advisement

The student must have an advisor on file within the semester of admission. The advisor will assist the student in defining the area of research and developing a plan of study. Students should also make themselves familiar with the degree timeline, program requirements, expected scholarly outcomes, parameters used to assess the performance at various stages, and the opportunities of (and expectations for) fellowships or scholarships.

Retention

Any graduate student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.25 on courses that count towards the degree will be placed on academic probation. Any graduate student on academic probation whose grade point average remains below 3.25 on courses that count towards the degree for two consecutive semesters in which they are enrolled, excluding summer sessions, will be permanently suspended from the program, unless the School grants an exception.

Curriculum

For applicants with a Master’s degree, the curriculum consists of 50 hours of credit beyond the Master’s degree, of which 26 credit hours must be at the 500/400 level and 24 are dissertation credit hours. 12 credit hours (excluding ECE 592) of ECE 500-level courses that do not have significant overlap/similarity with ECE 400-level courses, as stated in their catalog description (of which 9 credit hours must be taken from the selected core), 3 credit hours of mathematics or science or other engineering, and 2 credit hours of ECE seminar are required. A maximum of 3 credit hours of ECE 592 and 2 credit hours of ECE seminar could be counted towards the degree requirements. A maximum of 6 credit hours of non-ECE courses offered by the University could be counted towards the degree requirements. The courses from academic units outside the School must be approved by the student’s Committee and the School. With the approval of the School, a maximum of 3 online/distance education credit hours offered by the School could be applied towards the degree. Core courses successfully completed for the M.S. degree can be used to fulfill the core requirements, but additional courses must be taken to satisfy the requirement of 12 credit hours of 500-level ECE courses beyond the M.S. degree.

For direct and accelerated entry into the Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering program, the curriculum consists of 80 hours of credit beyond the B.S. degree, of which 56 credit hours must be at the 500/400 level and 24 are dissertation credit hours. 18 credit hours (excluding ECE 592) of ECE 500-level courses that do not have significant overlap/similarity with ECE 400-level courses, as stated in their catalog description (of which 9 credit hours must be taken from the selected core), 3 credit hours of mathematics or science or other engineering, and 2 credit hours of ECE seminar are required. A maximum of 9 credit hours of ECE 592 and 2 credit hours of ECE seminar could be counted towards the degree requirements. A maximum of 9 credit hours of non-ECE courses offered by the University could be counted towards the degree requirements. The courses from academic units outside the School of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering must be approved by the student’s Committee and the School. With the approval of the School, a maximum of 6 online/distance education credit hours offered by the School could be applied towards the degree.

The objective of the core is to provide the candidate with the foundation necessary to engage successfully in the selected research area. Thus, the core design fulfills the research tool requirement specified in the Graduate School guidelines.

Qualifying Examinations

Upon completion of the core courses, the student may take the qualifying examination, which has two components: written exam and oral exam. Prior to taking the exam, the student must form an examining committee comprised of three voting ECBE faculty members or two voting ECBE faculty members and the School Director. The written examination covers at least three major areas of ECBE and consists of questions from each member of the examining committee. The oral exam, conducted by the student’s examining committee, is held within two weeks of the written exam. The student must score at least 75 percent in each area tested and must satisfactorily answer the questions in the oral exam. If not successful, the committee may allow the student to repeat the whole or part of the examination. The qualifying examination, in whole or in part, cannot be taken more than two times. The written exam, which is administered by the ECBE Graduate Studies Committee, is usually offered in the second week of February and the second week of September.

Candidacy

Admission to candidacy requires:- (a) successful completion of the qualifying examination (which satisfies the research tool requirement of the Graduate School) and (b) successful completion of 24 credit hours (which satisfies the residency requirement of the Graduate School).

Dissertation Committee

Following the admission to candidacy, the School Director in consultation with the student’s advisor (dissertation supervisor) appoints the dissertation committee, which shall consist of five faculty members with at least one (but not more than two) outside the School. The student’s dissertation supervisor shall be one of the five members and shall chair this committee. The dissertation supervisor must have Direct Dissertation status. A non-ECBE faculty member with Direct Dissertation status may serve as a co-Supervisor along with a co-Supervisor who is a regular ECBE faculty member with Direct Dissertation status.

Dissertation Proposal

Students in the program will be expected to work towards their Ph.D. dissertation proposal as soon as they form the dissertation committee. Following the admission to candidacy and upon completion of all the coursework, the candidate will prepare and submit a formal written dissertation proposal, defining the proposed research and the proposed line of inquiry. The candidate subsequently must make an oral presentation of the dissertation proposal to the members of the dissertation committee in an open forum. A public announcement of this event shall be made at least five days in advance.

Comprehensive Oral Examination

In the framework of the oral presentation of the dissertation proposal, the candidate is expected to address and respond to any question (by the members of the committee) related to material covered by all the courses taken during their doctoral studies or to the background necessary for the specific area of the proposed research. In addition, the candidate is expected to defend the research methodology and the proposed line of inquiry.

Dissertation

The Dissertation must be prepared in accordance to the “Guidelines for Dissertations, Theses and Research Papers” of the Graduate School. Dissertation approval is based on successful defense of the research performed in terms of originality, relevance and presentation (written and oral). This requires approval by at least 80 percent of the members of the dissertation committee.

Dissertation Defense

Upon completion of the dissertation, which must demonstrate the ability of the candidate to conduct independent research, the committee will administer the final oral examination. The objective of the final oral examination, conducted in an open forum, will be the defense of the dissertation. Upon satisfactory completion of the dissertation and the final oral examination, the committee will recommend the candidate for the doctoral degree.

Technical writing and oral presentation skills are important particularly for a possible academic career. During the course of study, the student will be provided with opportunities to develop these skills (by attending technical writing classes and seminars). The dissertation committee shall evaluate the candidate’s skills both in technical writing and oral presentation.

Graduation

The student must complete the curriculum with a minimum grade point average of 3.25 on courses that count towards the degree. For entry with an M.S. degree, a dissertation approved by the committee must be completed within five years after entry.

For direct and accelerated entry, a dissertation approved by the committee must be completed within six years after entry.

The School has established a timetable for advisement, qualifying examination, candidacy, dissertation committee formation, dissertation proposal, oral examination, and dissertation defense.