Electrical and Computer Engineering, PhD

General information

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in Electrical and Computer Engineering allows a student to study in all major areas associated with electrical, computer and software systems engineering. These areas include electronics, intelligent systems, communications, control, biomedical, power electronics, power generation, software engineering, mobile systems and embedded software systems. These disciplines are expected to be in high demand by employers.

In addition, students in the PhD program can specialize in one of the following four fields:

• Communications and Signal Processing

• Control Systems

• Power Systems and Power Electronics

• Software Systems

Alternatively, a student can choose to cover many facets of the broad discipline of electrical, computer and software engineering. Topics can vary widely and may include communications, networking, intelligent control systems, robotics, computer vision, health informatics, mobile systems, power systems and smart power grids.

A current list of graduate faculty is available on the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science’s website.

Admission requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements for graduate studies , applicants must meet the following program-specific requirements.

The minimum admission requirement for the PhD program is completion of a MASc-level degree in engineering at a Canadian university or its equivalent.

Under exceptional circumstances, MASc students may transfer directly to the PhD program after completing one academic year in the MASc program if the following conditions are met:

1. They complete a full master’s program of course work (five graduate courses worth a total of 15 credits) with at least an A average.
2. They show strong evidence of research ability.
3. The research supervisor(s) and supervisory committee approve the direct transfer. The transfer must also be approved by the graduate program director and the Dean of Graduate Studies. Normally, the faculty will require up to 12 additional credits of course work in the PhD program.

See the university’s policy on transferring from a thesis-based master’s to a PhD program  for additional information.

Part-time studies

To facilitate access to all potential students, part-time studies are permitted. Engineers in local industries and government agencies, for example, may wish to access the MEng program through part-time studies.

Degree requirements

Students in the PhD program must complete four courses worth a total of 12 credits, the PhD Candidacy Exam (ENGR 6001G ), Seminar (ENGR 6007G ), Workshops (ENGR 6006G ) and a dissertation worth 40 credits (ENGR 6002G ).

A student who transfers directly into the PhD program after one full year in the MASc program must complete nine courses worth a total of 27 credits, Seminar (ENGR 6007G ), Workshops (ENGR 6006G ) and a dissertation worth 40 credits (ENGR 6002G ).

Within 18 months of entry into the PhD program, PhD students must prepare a written research proposal and pass the oral PhD candidacy exam (ENGR 6001G ). PhD students must successfully defend their dissertation (ENGR 6002G ) in front of an examining committee.

Note: PhD students may not take any undergraduate-level courses in lieu of their graduate course requirements.

Courses outside of the program

Students may take up to two courses in other graduate programs at the university, provided that students have not taken similar courses during their undergraduate or master’s degrees, and the courses are approved by the graduate program director. Students who wish to take courses outside of their program must gain approval from the graduate program director. Students who are uncertain about the academic background needed for a graduate course should consult the course instructor before registering for the course.

Course listing

Graduate courses offered are listed below. Courses related to communications and signal processing are numbered as ENGR 56xxG. Courses related to software and computer systems are numbered as ENGR 57xxG. Courses related to electronics and mechatronics are numbered as ENGR 58xxG. Courses related to control systems and power systems are numbered as ENGR 59xxG.

• ENGR 5005G - Special Topics
• ENGR 5007G - MASc Seminar for ECSE
• ENGR 5013G - Advanced Engineering Mathematics
• ENGR 5010G - Advanced Optimization
• ENGR 5263G - Advanced Control
• ENGR 5690G - RF and Microwave Engineering for Wireless Systems
• ENGR 5695G - Antenna Theory and Design
• ENGR 5605G - Convex Optimization
• ENGR 5610G - Stochastic Processes
• ENGR 5630G - Statistical Signal Processing
• ENGR 5631G - Advanced Estimation Theory
• ENGR 5640G - Advanced Wireless Communications
• ENGR 5660G - Next Generation Computing and Communication Networks
• ENGR 5670G - Secure Communications and Networking
• ENGR 5710G - Network Computing
• ENGR 5720G - Pervasive and Mobile Computing
• ENGR 5775G - Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining
• ENGR 5790G - Safety-Critical Software Systems
• ENGR 5975G - Electrical Power Distribution Systems
• ENGR 5995G - Grid Integration of Renewable Energy Systems
• ENGR 5910G - Embedded Real-Time Control Systems
• ENGR 5915G - Discrete Time Control Systems
• ENGR 5925G - Control and Operation of AC Drives
• ENGR 5930G - Adaptive Control
• ENGR 5940G - Intelligent Control Systems
• ENGR 5945G - Mobile Robotic Systems
• ENGR 5960G - Power System Operations, Analysis and Planning
• ENGR 5970G - Advanced Power Electronics
• ENGR 6001G - PhD Candidacy Exam
• ENGR 6002G - Dissertation
• ENGR 6004G - PhD Directed Studies
• ENGR 6006G - Workshops
• ENGR 6007G - PhD Seminar for ECE

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  Note: Courses are offered on the basis of demand with the expectation that most courses will be offered at a minimum of once every three years.

Program learning outcomes

The following outcomes outline the knowledge and skills students will have achieved upon completion of the program.