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, research, and professional advancement in the following areas:

  1. Electrical Systems: Electric Energy & Renewables, Power Systems, Electricity Markets, Electric Vehicles, Optics & Photonics, Optical Imaging, Antennas.
  2. Microelectronics: Electronic Design Automation, Emerging Nanoscale and Quantum Technologies, VLSI Circuits, Integrated Systems, 3-D Chip Design, 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, Internet of Things (IoT) Devices.
  5. Systems Software: Machine learning, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Energy-Aware Computing, Digital Design Automation, Multi-Core Programming, High-Performance Scientific Computing, Operating Systems, Software Engineering, Systems Programming.
  6. Medical Devices: Biomedical Instrumentation, Biomedical Imaging, Advanced Manufacturing, Biophotonics and Medical Electronics, Biosensors.
  7. Biological Systems: Drug Screening and Precision Diagnostics, Neural Stimulation and Pain Analysis, Kinematics and Mechanobiology.

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.

Admission, degree requirements, graduation, and time limits are subject to the general guidelines of the Graduate School.

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

Objectives

The program is designed to allow a graduate student to earn a 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 the entire last undergraduate GPA earned at the time of application, class ranking, and faculty recommendation letters. Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis. 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 English proficiency requirement and any applicable exemptions will be determined according to Graduate School guidelines.

Curriculum

The program requires a total of 30 credit hours of graduate-level credit. ECE 592, ECE 580 (seminar), and ECE 599 will not count toward the degree. At least six credit hours must be in ECE 500-level courses that do not have significant overlap/similarity with ECE 300/400-level courses, as stated in their catalog description. Online/distance education hours offered by the University and approved by the School could be applied to the degree. Also, a maximum of six 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.

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. Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis. 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 English proficiency requirement and any applicable exemptions will be determined according to Graduate School guidelines.

Curriculum

The program requires a total of 30 hours of graduate-level credit. For the non-thesis track, at least nine credit hours must be in ECE 500-level courses that do not have significant overlap/similarity with ECE 300/400-level courses, as stated in their catalog description. ECE 592, ECE 580 (seminar), and ECE 599 will not count towards the degree. A maximum of three credit hours of non-ECE courses offered by the University and approved by the School could be applied towards the degree. Students in the non-thesis track are required to take a Comprehensive Examination. The Comprehensive Examination, in whole or in part, cannot be taken more than two times and students must pass the examination before graduation. The Comprehensive Examination, which is administered by the ECBE Graduate Studies Committee, will be offered in the second week of February and the second week of September.

For the thesis track, six credit hours of thesis (ECE 599) are required. At least six credit hours must be in ECE 500-level courses (excluding ECE 592 and ECE 599) that do not have significant overlap/similarity with ECE 300/400-level courses, as stated in their catalog description. 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. A maximum of three credit hours of non-ECE courses offered by the University and approved by the School could be applied towards the degree. The student must have a thesis advisor on file within the first semester of enrollment. Students in this track will develop a program of study in consultation with their thesis advisor. The M.S. thesis shall be supervised by a committee of three members of the graduate faculty (including the advisor) and approved by the school. The student must submit a properly formatted written thesis to the thesis committee. A student will be recommended for the degree according to the guidelines of the Graduate School.

A student pursuing the M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering degree could switch track (non-thesis to thesis or vice versa) or switch to the M.E. in Electrical and Computer Engineering program 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 an undergraduate program in the School. The program will allow students to earn both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree within five years by completing 147 credit hours (instead of 156 credit hours if pursuing Bachelor’s and Master’s studies separately).

Admission

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 nine 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 nine 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.

 

Admission

Admission to the program normally requires a Master’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering or a related field. Applicants with exceptional research potential or outstanding academic qualifications may be considered for direct entry into the program after completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering or a related field. Students currently enrolled in a Master’s program in the School may be considered for accelerated entry into the program upon the recommendation of the faculty in the School.


Individuals holding a Master’s degree with a GPA of 3.25/4.0 or higher may apply. For direct and accelerated entry, a Bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher is required. Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis and will be reviewed by the ECBE Graduate Affairs Committee. All applications for admission must include the following: a statement of research interest, transcripts, official GRE scores, and three reference letters. The English proficiency requirement and any applicable exemptions will be determined according to Graduate School guidelines.

Advisement

The student must have an advisor on file within the first semester of enrollment. The advisor will assist the student in defining the area of research (the core), 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

  1. 12 credit hours of ECE 500-level courses (excluding ECE 592 and ECE 599) that do not have significant overlap/similarity with ECE 300/400-level courses, as stated in their catalog description. Nine credit hours of ECE 500-level courses that do not have significant overlap/similarity with ECE 300/400-level courses constitute the core. The objective of the core is to provide the candidate with the foundation necessary to engage successfully in the selected research area.
  2. For applicants with a Master’s degree, nine credit hours of other graduate-level ECE courses (excluding ECE 599). For direct and accelerated entries, 15 credit hours of other graduate-level ECE courses (excluding ECE 599).
  3. Three credit hours of graduate-level mathematics or science or a non-ECE engineering course offered by the University and approved by the School; and
  4. 24 dissertation credit hours.

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. 

Qualifying Examination

A student will take the Qualifying Examination within the first year of residency in the program. The written examination, given by three different ECBE voting faculty members with graduate status, covers at least three major research areas of ECBE. The student must score at least 75 percent in each area tested. 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 examination is administered by the ECBE Graduate Studies Committee.

Preliminary Examination

Following the successful completion of the Qualifying Examination and the core courses (which satisfy the research tool requirement of the Graduate School), the student will be allowed to take the Preliminary Examination. Before taking the examination, the student must form a preliminary examination committee consisting of five faculty members with at least one (but not more than two) outside the School. The student’s faculty advisor shall be one of the five members and shall chair this committee.

The student must prepare and submit a formal written proposal of original research, defining the proposed line of inquiry, rationale, a solid plan to conduct the proposed research, and the expected outcomes. The student subsequently must make an oral presentation of the proposal to the members of the preliminary examination committee. The student is expected to address and respond to any questions related to the materials covered by the relevant courses taken during their doctoral studies or to the background necessary for the specific area of the proposed research. In addition, the student is expected to defend the research methodology and the proposed line of inquiry. The Preliminary Examination, in whole or in part, cannot be taken more than two times.

Candidacy

Admission to candidacy requires: (a) passing the Qualifying Examination and completion of the core courses (which satisfies the research tool requirement of the Graduate School), (b) passing the Preliminary Examination, and (c) 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 be an ECBE faculty and have Direct Dissertation status. A non-ECBE faculty member with Direct Dissertation status may serve as a co-supervisor. 

Dissertation

Students in the program will be expected to work towards their Ph.D. dissertation research as soon as they are admitted to candidacy.

The dissertation must be prepared in accordance with the guidelines of the Graduate School. Dissertation approval is based on the successful defense of the research performed in terms of originality, relevance, and presentation (written and oral).

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. The dissertation committee shall evaluate the candidate’s skills both in technical writing and oral presentation. A student will be recommended for the degree according to the guidelines of the Graduate School.

Graduation

The student must complete the curriculum with a minimum grade point average of 3.25 on courses that count towards the degree.