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PhD Salaries and Lifetime Earnings

PhDs employed across job sectors show impressive earning potential:

“…[T]here is strong evidence that advanced education levels continue to be associated with higher salaries. A study by the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce showed that across the fields examined, individuals with a graduate degree earned an average of 38.3% more than those with a bachelor’s degree in the same field. The expected lifetime earnings for someone without a high school degree is $973,000; with a high school diploma, $1.3 million; with a bachelor’s degree, $2.3 million; with a master’s degree, $2.7 million; and with a doctoral degree (excluding professional degrees), $3.3 million. Other data indicate that the overall unemployment rate for individuals who hold graduate degrees is far lower than for those who hold just an undergraduate degree.” - Pathways Through Graduate School and Into Careers , Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) and Educational Testing Service (ETS), pg. 3.

Average salaries by educational level and degree (data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2009-2011, courtesy of the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce):

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports higher earnings and lower unemployment rates for doctoral degree holders in comparison to those with master’s and bachelor’s degrees:

According to national studies, more education translates not only to higher earnings, but also higher levels of job success and job satisfaction:

“Educational attainment – the number of years a person spends in school – strongly predicts adult earnings, and also predicts health and civic engagement. Moreover, individuals with higher levels of education appear to gain more knowledge and skills on the job than do those with lower levels of education and they are able, to some extent, to transfer what they learn across occupations.” - Education for Life and Work (2012), National Research Council of the National Academies, pg. 66.

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The Degree that is Propelling Society Forward:

A complete guide to earning your ph.d. in electrical and computer engineering.

Download Full Guide

In a technology-driven era, the disciplines of electrical and computer engineering are attracting some of the best and brightest students who are capable of imagining and creating the world of the future. As our world becomes more connected — think smart homes, wearable technology, artificial intelligence, and wireless everything — these engineering fields have moved to the forefront of in-demand careers and have changed the way we interact with the world around us.

In this guide, we will explore the many facets of electrical and computer  engineering and the Ph.D. programs that are preparing these engineers to invent the future. The guide will also look at research being conducted within the field and specifically at Southern Methodist University.  

• Pioneers of Science and a Solution for the Modern World: Exploring the Fields of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Electrical engineering includes the design, creation, and maintenance of an electrical control system or piece of equipment. Essentially, if electricity is involved, electrical engineering has been used to bring that system to life. These systems can be large scale, like power grids or lighting and heating systems within homes and offices, or smaller scale, such as the circuits within computers and microprocessors.

Electrical engineering is at work all around us through the power in homes, wifi, Bluetooth technology, drones, smartwatches, security systems, and much more.

Computer Engineering is specifically concerned with the design and development of computer systems. Involving both hardware and software development, computer engineers could develop anything from microprocessors, to programming languages.

Computer engineering can be seen in everyday life through cybersecurity software, machine intelligence, biomedical devices, digital applications, the computer systems within cars and more.

Download A Complete Guide to Earning Your Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Access the guide at any point by saving it to your laptop to reference while you navigate applying to graduate school. 

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• A Ph.D. in Electrical or Computer Engineering Gives You Access to the Cutting Edge Research of the Future

Similar to other areas of doctoral study, students pursuing a Ph.D. in Electrical or Computer Engineering are required to make a significant advance to scientific knowledge within the field. These researchers are expected to explore pressing questions within their disciplines and answer them, translating their findings into steps for practical application. Rather than studying predetermined scientific research, Ph.D. students are literally discovering and inventing the future.

The Pinnacle Degree That Is Modernizing the World

In the past decade, the disciplines of electrical and computer engineering have exploded with the Information Age boom and the incorporation of advanced technologies into everyday life. In the future, these doctoral degrees will become increasingly valuable as our world continues to shift to a reliance on technology.

Recent developments within the field have changed the way we live our lives. Advanced research and product development within the areas of biotechnology, automotive technology, and medical technology promise to revolutionize life in the 21st century, expanding the limits of modern technology and contributing to the health and quality of human life.

3D printers offer opportunities to contribute to life-saving medical procedures and advanced national defense systems . Advancements in prosthetics using electronic and computer engineering are giving hope back to injured soldiers and other amputees . From electric cars to nanoscale devices to quantum computing, the list of possible ways that professionals with Electrical or Computer Engineering Ph.D.’s can contribute to a modernizing world are endless.

Notable ECE  Doctoral Research at SMU

There are many areas of notable research currently happening within the fields of electrical and computer engineering. The following are four exciting areas of research and pioneering technology on track to upset the norms of day-to-day life:

• Smart Grid — Our nation’s current electrical power grid was developed over 100 years ago and constructed to meet the needs of a simpler time. The infrastructure that was designed was capable of meeting the electrical demands of simple households and smaller communities. To meet the needs of our homes and workplaces today, a smart grid offers two-way communication between the utility and consumers. It will allow for more efficient and reliable electricity delivery, better security, and the incorporation of renewable resources.
• Indirect Imaging — Cameras and imaging technology have developed significantly in the mobile device era. However, fundamental limits on imaging imposed by the optical detectors and digital processing are difficult to overcome. In our research, we investigate and develop groundbreaking new computational imagers that utilize previously ignored modalities to achieve superior performance. One such project underway is the ability to use virtual sources and virtual detectors to image objects that do not have a direct line of sight to the camera.
• Exoskeletons — It has been projected that the number of people with various levels of lower limb imparities will continue to rise over the next decade due to various reasons including diabetes and injury. The design of assistive technologies that can help to provide controlled locomotion for such people is of critical importance. In our labs, we study the design of control systems for exoskeletons that can be attached to the lower limbs and provide the appropriate amount of assistance and stability for motion.
• Circuit Design — The field of electronics has ushered in a technological device growth frenzy that is unmatched in the history of mankind. Despite these developments, there is no slowdown in sight for such technologies. Our work in this area is focused on application specific circuit design which comes with unique challenges. To meet these challenges, our labs are designing ultralow power sensors for ophthalmologic diagnosis and designing devices that can tolerate an order of magnitude higher radiation than current state-of-the-art devices for the next generation Large Hadron Collider.

• Why Choose SMU? Groundbreaking Research, World-Class Professors, and State-of-the-Art Facilities

Southern Methodist University stands out as a leader in the fields of electrical and computer engineering because the graduate programs offer students the ability to engage in cutting-edge research with world-class professors in state-of-the-art facilities. The faculty at SMU is comprised of a group of leading researchers in their fields. These highly-respected and well-published experts have earned their reputation as the best of the best, after years of research, discovery, and first-hand experience in the field. Students come from all over the world to work alongside the professors at SMU.

Graduates from SMU receive great career and leadership development along with deep technical knowledge. Every Ph.D. student works with a faculty mentor to determine a course and research plan that is individualized to enable each student to reach their full potential. Ph.D. students are encouraged to meet frequently with their faculty mentor and discuss their progress as well as their concerns. Graduate students often find that this personalized attention and mentorship makes all the difference in the pursuit of their degree.

SMU houses exceptional facilities and labs. With the latest technology and advanced materials, students can contribute to progressive and effective research. Explore each of the laboratories available to SMU engineering students below:

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• SMU’s Ph.D. Programs in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Through innovation and hands-on experiences, SMU attracts a diverse mix of talented students interested in making a difference in the world through engineering. With passion and a strong purpose, students of SMU’s Electrical and Computer Engineering doctoral programs are driven to solve the problems of our world today.

With its high-quality education, remarkable facilities, and internationally recognized faculty SMU is known throughout the world as a student-centered and research-oriented university. Together, through partnerships with industry and community, SMU strives to make significant advancements in these areas of engineering.

By fostering premium scholarly research, SMU continues to be at the forefront of scientific advancement and groundbreaking research. Read below to learn more about the main areas of research focus within the electrical and computer engineering disciplines.

SMU’s Main Areas of Electrical and Computer Engineering Research

The broad areas of emphasis in the electrical engineering department are circuits, communications and signal processing, photonics, smart grids and power systems, biomedical instrumentation, and computer architecture and hardware security. The interest of the faculty and their current research falls generally into one of these areas:

SMART GRIDS AND POWER SYSTEMS 

Research in photonics looks at fabrication of an efficient monolithic laser source and fiber-like waveguide for use in wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) systems. The scheme for coupling light from a laser to a fiber allows for lower fabrication and production costs by obtaining high coupling efficiencies of light from lasers to glass waveguides.

Faculty and student researchers are also concerned with determining the grating strengths of surface emitting lasers by analyzing the reflection and transmission characteristics of a quantum-well structure with a finite length grating.

BIOMEDICAL INSTRUMENTATION

The Biomedical Instrumentation and Robotics Laboratory research activities promote strong interdisciplinary collaboration between several branches of engineering and biomedical sciences. The research interests are centered on several foci:  

• Robotic orthoses, prostheses and rehabilitation devices for people with disabilities
• Medical robotics, especially novel robotic applications in Minimally Invasive, Natural Orifice, and Image Guided and Haptic Assisted Surgery
• In vivo   and   in vitro   measurement of mechanical properties of biological tissue, with emphasis on bone 

These foci touch upon fundamentals in analytical dynamics, nonlinear control of mechanical systems, computer-aided design and virtual prototyping, applied mathematics, data acquisition, signal processing, and high-performance actuators.

In biomedical signal processing, human vision models are being developed which link visual acuity to eye motion. Blind system identification algorithms that are robust and provide a substantial improvement in the resolution and quality of medical ultrasound images are being investigated.

COMMUNICATIONS AND SIGNAL PROCESSING

Within communications, research at SMU focuses on antenna design, wireless communications, computer and communication networks, and network and data security.

Research in communication networks aims at developing model classification algorithms to automatically fit network traffic to stochastic models to enable service providers to automatically adapt their traffic control to changing network conditions.

Signal processing covers a wide range of application areas. Blind source separation seeks to undo the acoustical mixing caused by room acoustics in multichannel recordings of acoustic events without knowledge of the sound sources, the room acoustics, or the physical arrangement of sources or sensors in the room. Applications include teleconferencing, audio recording, and surveillance. 

Our research in circuits covers analog, digital, mixed-signal, and RF Integrated Circuit (IC) design for a variety of applications, including high-speed wireline and wireless communications, data converters, low-power medical devices and instruments, automotive radar, and devices and circuits for radiation, operating in extreme temperature and other harsh environments.

In collaboration with CERN (European Particle Physics Laboratory), Fermi National Accelerator Lab, and Brookhaven National Lab, we explore techniques on the system, circuit, and devise level to enhance the reliability of circuits operating in radiation or extreme temperature environment.

COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE AND HARDWARE SECURITY

Groundbreaking research opportunities in computer engineering at smu.

As part of our mission, we perform research in many diverse areas within the computer engineering discipline, including the following:

• Data Sciences and Analytics
• Hardware Algorithms/Electronic Design Automation
• Net-Centric Software Systems
• Disaster Tolerance
• Cyber Security and High Assurance
• Creative Computing 

Meet J. C. Chiao, Templeton Endowed Professor of ECE

What courses do you teach at smu and how long have you been teaching here what is the highest degree you hold and where did you receive it.

I am teaching Medical Systems Designs. This course is designed for both undergraduate and graduate engineering students. It is also for all engineering students who do not have any background knowledge in medicine. The goal is to inspire all engineering students, to think outside of the box and utilize their knowledge in engineering to solve tough medical problems.

I received my Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology. This is my second semester teaching at SMU.

My title at SMU is Mary and Richard Templeton Centennial Chair professor. The endowment was donated by Mary and Richard Templeton. Richard Templeton is the Texas Instruments CEO and chairman of the board.

What initially interested you in teaching on a graduate level?

What research have you been involved in at smu or elsewhere do you have a favorite research project.

Two research projects I have worked on include:

A wireless system for pain management — This is to digitize and document neuron signals to recognize pain (a subject feeling), and use the signals to electrically stimulate nerves to reduce pain. Part of the system is used now to monitor nerve health during spinal corrective surgery for scoliosis patients.

Batteryless wireless implants — Miniature flexible implants implemented by endoscopes without major surgeries into the stomach. They are used to monitor acid reflux, stomach motility, and electrically stimulate the stomach to manage gastroparesis.

What about studying Electrical and Computer Engineering poses the biggest challenges for students?

I think there are three main challenges for these Ph.D. students:

First, I believe there is a “misunderstanding”. Students give up because they often misunderstand the fields. These fields are so wide and full of variety, students should not assume that they will be limited to one specific topic. If they are open-mind to explore possibilities, they will find unlimited opportunities that will fit their own interests.

The second challenge is mathematics. Not all students are good at understanding abstract mathematics. Electrical and Computer Engineering courses often require mathematics, especially calculations and deriving equations. Some disciplines only require an understanding of fundamental physics. For example, I often avoid teaching electromagnetics from the mathematical equations but I explain the principles from the physical point of view. Once they establish a systematic reasoning structure in their brain from all the fundamental principles, they can easily extrapolate existing knowledge to assess and analyze problems in the future.

The third challenge I have found is that many Ph.D. candidates do not look deeper into their problems. Sometimes, failures are opportunities. Many students treat failing to get the ‘right’ results as a bad outcome. A successful Ph.D. student should be able to analyze the failure and discern possible reasons. These ‘failures’ can often open a new door to good opportunities.

Meet Jennifer Dworak, Associate Professor of ECE

At the graduate level, I teach a more advanced computer architecture course as well as courses in “Hardware Security and Trojan Detection” and “Testing of VLSI Circuits.”  I came to SMU during the summer of 2010.  My highest degree is a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in College Station, TX.

I first considered leaving Brown University for SMU when a friend told me that SMU was hiring in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and that I should think about applying. I was very impressed by the excitement and vision of the people I talked to in the department, including the focus on security, an area in which I wanted to do more research. I was also excited about being able to work in the DFW Metroplex. The potential for industrial collaborations with companies such as Texas Instruments was very attractive. And it is only a relatively short drive to collaborate with additional tech companies in Austin. Finally, I was very impressed with the students I met during my interview. They were clearly highly intelligent and excited about learning—which makes teaching a joy.

My research involves making sure that the digital devices we use every day operate correctly, safely, and securely. As a result, I do research in developing better ways to test circuits for defects. A naïve approach that tests every possible input combination would take longer than the current age of the universe for most circuits, so finding the right tests to apply, and designing circuitry that makes testing easier and more effective is crucial. However, once chips reach the field, latent defects and aging can cause more problems. This is especially important in safety-critical applications like automotive. Thus, testing needs to continue throughout the chip’s lifetime and needs to be highly effective, efficient, and of low power. Finally, even when defects do not occur, security issues can arise due to side-channel attacks, hardware Trojans, and unintentional backdoors. My research covers these areas as well.

What about studying Electrical/Computer Engineering poses the biggest challenges for students?

Pursuing a graduate degree means that you need to reach for “the next level.” You are no longer the person being told step-by-step what to do to solve a problem that has been solved many times before. Instead, it’s your job to help solve new problems — and eventually, you find your own new problems to solve.

• Careers and Job Outlook For Electrical and Computer Engineering

As an expert in the field with the highest levels of training, education, research, and subject-specific knowledge, doctoral degree holders in Electrical and Computer Engineering have many choices when it comes to a career in the industry. One of the most popular options is to continue researching and publishing scholarly work. This can be done from a lab within the private or public sector, or through a position in academia. Many Ph.D. students also choose to teach at universities while continuing to publish their research.

Those with a Ph.D. in these disciplines can also choose to work in product design and development for engineering services firms, manufacturing companies, technology startups, or for the federal government. With their wealth of knowledge and experience, Ph.D. graduates can also start their own companies or hire themselves out as contractors.

Career opportunities will only continue to grow and expand as technologies advance and are more integrated into 21st-century living. Many of the jobs that these graduates are qualified for have not been created or thought of yet — one of the fascinating challenges this innovative field presents.  

Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in electrical and computer engineering are expected to continue to grow as fast as average over the next decade. The more experience and specialized skills a candidate has, the more valuable they are to a company and the more competitive salary they can expect. Additionally, with the industry experiencing continual growth and development, these fields enjoy a high level of job security .

Electrical engineers with their Ph.D. and several years of research and experience in the field can expect to make an average salary of $116,000 annually , with the potential to earn even more. The states that employ the highest number of electrical engineers and offer the highest salaries are California and Texas.

Computer engineers who have earned their Ph.D. and are subject experts in their particular field can expect to make an average salary of $146,000 annually . The states that employ the highest number of computer engineers are California, Maryland, and Colorado, with the top paying states for this occupation being California, Virginia, and Maryland. Texas also fell within the highest levels for each of these categories.

Wisdom From A Past SMU Ph.D. Graduate

Saeed Manshadi, 2018 graduate of SMU, Ph.D. Electrical Engineering

Tell us a little about yourself. how and why did you choose to study electrical engineering.

I was born in Iran and received my B.S. from the University of Tehran, one of the most prestigious universities in Iran. I chose to study Electrical Engineering because of my passion for energy and my desire to discover the best way to save the planet while getting the most out of an electricity grid.

Why did you choose the Electrical Engineering Ph.D. program at SMU?

I chose SMU because I wanted to work with Dr. Mohammad Khodayar. He was my amazing advisor while during my Ph.D. program.

What job or research did you choose after you completed your Ph.D.?

I am currently a tenure-track Assistant Professor at San Diego State University (SDSU) and teach a course in Electrical Engineering.

What positions have you held since then?

I worked as a research assistant while at SMU. After graduating I did a very short post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California, Riverside before joining SDSU as an Assistant Professor.

What aspect of the program best prepared you for your career?

I believe that my high number of publications in prestigious journals was the aspect of the program that best prepared me for my career in Electrical Engineering.

Why do you think Electrical Engineering is an important and valuable field to study?

This field is the pioneer of science. Electrical engineering is everywhere and is helping to run the whole modern world.

ADVANCING THE FIELD:

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Advancing the Field is a weekly blog that offers prospective graduate students insight and advice as they consider the challenges and exciting possibilities that come with getting a graduate degree.

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Smu’s ph.d. admissions requirements.

The following are the admissions requirements for the Electrical Engineering Ph.D. program at Southern Methodist University:

M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering or in a closely related discipline from an accredited U.S. college or university.

Excellent academic performance in all completed coursework, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Submission of a complete application, including a statement of purpose, official transcripts for all previous undergraduate and graduate studies and payment of appropriate application fee.

Submission of official GRE graduate school admission test scores.

Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can judge the applicant’s potential success as a doctoral student.

The following are the admissions requirements for the Computer Engineering Ph.D. program at Southern Methodist University:

M.S. degree in Computer Engineering or a related field, including Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or Physics, from an accredited U.S. college or university. In the case of direct admission without a previous M.S. degree, please see the additional requirements on SMU’s website.

Excellent academic performance in all completed coursework, with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

A reasonable level of mathematical maturity.

• Learn From Current Doctoral Candidates: What SMU Electrical and Computer Engineering Students Have to Say

Maryam Dezfuli, Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering Candidate

I was born in Iran. In high school, I always loved Physics and specifically electronics. I decided to study Electrical Engineering for my bachelor’s degree. I graduated from the University of Tehran with a bachelor of science in Electrical Engineering, and then immediately pursued my masters in Photonics Engineering. After graduating I started working at the Iran Telecommunication Research Center. Working at a research center for two years made me realize that I need more from my studies and so I decided to pursue my dream of studying abroad.

Did you encounter any hesitations, obstacles or fears about pursuing your Ph.D.?

Committing to a 5-year program always comes with hesitations and fears. You are committing to a graduate student's lifestyle, staying in one place (probably away from your family) and going to a whole new city where you don’t know anyone. Yet, it is all worth it. I love studying and staying in an academic environment. Here you are able to learn and grow, teach and share with others.

Why did you choose the Electrical/Computer Engineering Ph.D. program at SMU?

I looked up schools and specifically professors who worked in my field of interest. I contacted them about my interest in their program and applied to eight different universities. I was admitted with a full scholarship from three schools, but I decided to attend SMU for many reasons. First, I wanted to live in a big city with lots of opportunities and Dallas was the best. Another reason was the Semiconductor Processing Clean Room facility at SMU. This resource provides me with a rare opportunity to get my hands on fabrication processes.

Do you have any advice or wisdom you would pass along to a prospective student?

A Ph.D. program requires a lot of work and can be stressful at times, but you can always find some time to work out or attend a fitness class, or whatever activity you find interesting and stress-relieving. It is very important to not become isolated from the world just because you have a lot of work to do. I cannot emphasize enough the benefit of having extracurricular activities. Specifically, physical activities are very important to decrease your stress level and keep you happy and energetic. I think those are some of the keys to happiness in a Ph.D. program.

SMU’s Ph.D. Degree Requirements

Presently the Lyle School of Engineering at SMU requires 24 credits of course work and 24 credits of a dissertation to meet the requirements for graduation. The typical total time needed to complete a doctoral degree (for a full-time student with an M.S. degree) is between 3-6 years.

Below are the additional degree requirements for the Electrical and Computer Engineering Ph.D. degrees.

Electrical Engineering Ph.D.

In addition to meeting the Lyle School of Engineering requirements for the Ph.D. degree, Electrical Engineering Ph.D. candidates are required to satisfy the following:

In consultation with the dissertation director, the student shall select and work with a supervisory committee. The supervisory committee is the primary body that approves the candidate's research.

Students must pass a qualifying examination for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. This exam consists of both written and oral parts and is based on coursework in the student’s major area. The student is required to pass the exam in one of the following areas: Circuits, Electromagnetic Theory and Optics, Communications, Solid-State Devices and Materials, Digital Signal Processing, or Systems and Control.

Upon completion of all other requirements, the student is required to take a final examination conducted by his or her supervisory committee, in which he or she will present the dissertation.

Computer Engineering Ph.D.

To meet the graduation requirements for the Computer Engineering Ph.D., candidates must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA every term and at least a 3.3 overall (cumulative) GPA during their course of study. All requirements must be completed within seven years of entry into the program.

The steps for completion of the Computer Engineering Ph.D. are:

Initial advising

Basic coursework to prepare for the commencement of research work

Selection of a dissertation director and supervisory committee

Advanced coursework in the chosen research area and guided thesis research to prepare for the qualifying examination

Successful completion of the qualifying examination as determined by the doctoral advising committee

Dissertation research supervised by the candidate’s doctoral adviser

Successful defense of the research leading to the Ph.D.

• Connect with SMU’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department

Electrical and computer engineering are so much more than electricity generation and distribution or understanding a computer and its parts — these fields are vast and encompass several applied understandings of interdisciplinary sciences including biology, chemistry, and physics. The intersections between these disciplines (and virtually every other area of study) are endless.

SMU welcomes the next generation of forward-thinkers and innovative-creators to learn more about a doctoral degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering. Students who study these topics today will face new and unpredictable challenges when they graduate, and a Ph.D. will empower them with knowledge for self-learning and systematic analysis.

The students who choose to study in these fields are the ones who will be launching the next high-tech start-up companies, solving the need for affordable healthcare, rethinking an effective and sustainable strategy for our nation’s energy consumption, and protecting us from the unseen and elusive threats of the 21st century.

If you want to be a world-changer, we invite you to reach out to us today!

Want to learn more about SMU’s graduate programs in Electrical and Computer Engineering?

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• Meet the Electrical and Computer Engineering Thought Leaders At SMU
• SMU’s Ph.D. Admission and Degree Requirements

Ph.D. Degrees

The Doctoral Degrees offered in the electrical and computer engineering department can enhance and strengthen a career in industry. The degree is designed for the recent graduate or professional who wishes to expand their engineering knowledge, with or without a thesis, depending on the degree. The degrees emphasize practical aspects of engineering, along with management and communication coursework, allowing graduates to rapidly advance in their career.

The degrees are a bridge to industry, designed to provide advanced learning and specialized training in the applied aspects of ECE technology.

Your success is at the forefront, with a variety of programs in-place to help you succeed as a researcher. These include panels and workshops covering research skills, Ph.D. careers in academia or industry, technical communication, and job hunting.

Purposeful Academics

Programs at NC State provide a variety of excellent education and research opportunities for outstanding students from around the world. With constant feedback from employers and alumni, our courses are carefully designed—including complex projects, demonstrable knowledge and real-world skills. Employers know our graduates are ready to be productive from their first day at work.

4-Year Funding Guarantee

Central to the mission of NC State ECE is the preparation of graduates to meet the country’s need for advanced technical knowledge, equipped with the skills and ingenuity to advance society. Our Ph.D. students are vital to this mission, and we are proud to guarantee a funded academic appointment for all Ph.D. students for their first four years.

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering

With a robust Ph.D. program, our students are a critical part of a nationally recognized research program in power electronics, power systems, nanoelectronics, photonics, communications, controls and robotics, signal processing, and machine learning.

Students develop the analytical, technical and engineering design skills necessary to innovate and create electronic components, sensors and systems which are the foundation for mobile and deep space communications, optical networks, robotics, biomedical devices, renewable energy sources, power generation and distribution, vehicle electronics, imaging systems, and all consumer electronics.

Research Areas

• Bioelectronics Engineering
• Communications and Signal Processing
• Control, Robotics and Mechatronics
• Electronic Circuits and Systems
• Nanoelectronics and Photonics
• Power Electronics and Power Systems

Financial Aid/Funding

Students are funded through Fellowships, Teaching Assistant appointments and Research Assistant appointments. For more information visit the ECE Department Fellowships and Graduate School Financial Support webpages.

Requirements

Plan of Work: EE and CPE Requirements Minimum Overall and Major (ECE courses) GPA to Graduate: 3.0 Credit Hours Required to Graduate: 72 Maximum hours transferred from another institution: 0 Residency Requirement: 1 year

Ph.D. in Computer Engineering

Our Computer Engineering Ph.D. programs prepare students to succeed in a world where computers are now embedded in nearly everything ranging from smartphones and household appliances to autonomous vehicle systems and medical diagnostic systems. They now involve not only computation, but multi-modal sensing, signal processing, machine learning, communications and cyber-physical systems. Functions that were previously considered to be strictly software or strictly hardware can no longer be distinguished in that way.

Providing hands-on experience through projects within their coursework, and through collaborations with leading researchers, we provide an in-depth understanding of the concepts of digital and mixed-signal integrated circuit design; of computer architecture, networks, and system software; and of cutting-edge machine learning techniques.

• Computer Architecture and Systems

Co-Founder and VP Customer Experience , Patagonia Health

Graduate Plans of Work

The Plan of Work is a formal list of the courses a graduate student plans to enroll in to complete the academic requirements for a desired degree. The Plan of Work must be completed online in consultation with the Advisor and Advisory Committee. Doctoral students must submit their Plan of Work and their Advisory Committee prior to taking the Preliminary Oral Examination. Details of ECE degree requirements are given in the ECE Graduate Student Handbook .

Consult the Ph.D. Plan of Work Worksheet for more information.

Graduate Catalog

The Graduate Catalog contains Graduate School requirements and pertinent information for individual graduate programs, a current list of graduate faculty, and a selection of other resources for new students.

Course Details & Specialty Areas

Find out more about the various specialty areas of research and instruction and the relevant courses offered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Still have questions?

The staff of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Office is available to answer any questions you may have.

Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences PhD

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences offers three graduate programs in Electrical Engineering: the Master of Engineering (MEng) in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, the Master of Science (MS), and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Master of Engineering (MEng)

The Master of Engineering (MEng) in Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences, first offered by the EECS Department in the 2011-2012 academic year, is a professional masters with a larger tuition than our other programs and is for students who plan to join the engineering profession immediately following graduation. This accelerated program is designed to train professional engineering leaders who understand the technical, economic, and social issues around technology. The interdisciplinary experience spans one academic year and includes three major components: (1) an area of technical concentration, (2) courses in leadership skills, and (3) a rigorous capstone project experience.

Master of Science (MS)

The Master of Science (MS) emphasizes research preparation and experience and, for most students, provides an opportunity to lay the groundwork for pursuing a PhD.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Berkeley PhD in EECS combines coursework and original research with some of the finest EECS faculty in the US, allowing students to prepare for careers in academia or industry. Our alumni have gone on to hold amazing positions around the world.

Contact Info

[email protected]

253 Cory Hall

Berkeley, CA 94720

At a Glance

Admit Term(s)

Application Deadline

December 11, 2023

Degree Type(s)

Doctoral / PhD

Degree Awarded

GRE Requirements

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

DEGREE Electrical and Computer Engineering, PhD

Doctoral degree in electrical and computer engineering

As a PhD student in electrical and computer engineering, you can engage in creative approaches to solving problems through research in any of several cross-cutting areas of your choosing- among them, data science, healthcare, mobile computing, security and infrastructure resilience, sensors and sensing, and sustainability. Within those cross-cutting areas, you’ll be able to specialize in areas that include applied electromagnetics and acoustics; communications, networks, privacy and security; solid-state electronics and quantum technologies; machine learning, signal processing and information theory; computer systems and architecture; plasma science and fusion energy; energy systems; optics and photonics, and optimization and control.

At a glance

Electrical and computer engineering department, learn more about what information you need to apply., how to apply.

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online .

A submitted online  application  is required, consisting of:

• Statement of purpose; see the suggested guidelines provided by the Graduate School: https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/prepare
• Must complete the supplemental application section that identifies their research interest area
• Most up to date unofficial transcript(s) from all previous higher education institutions, regardless of whether or not a degree was earned (official transcripts are requested of only recommended applicants); international academic records must be in the original language accompanied by an official English translation.
• Payment of the one-time application fee of $75.00, plus the $6.00 international processing fee; this fee is non-refundable. It can be paid by credit card (MasterCard or Visa) or debit/ATM card.
• Test scores and three letters of recommendation as detailed above.

Applications must be entirely complete by the deadline, including test scores and letters of recommendation. Please note that it is highly advised to take the GRE and TOEFL/IELTS tests well in advance of the application deadline in order to ensure time for receiving and processing of the scores. Please do not mail any paper copies of application materials, except IELTS scores. They will not be reviewed.

Information for international students, including proof of funding and visa information, can be found on the International Student Services website ( https://iss.wisc.edu/students/admissions/ ).

By Wisconsin state law, the application fee can only be waived or deferred under the conditions outlined by the Graduate School ( https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/fee-grant ).

The department welcomes applications from scientific, engineering, and mathematical disciplines other than ECE. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree may apply directly to the Ph.D. program.

REENTRY ADMISSIONS

If you were previously enrolled as a graduate student at UW–Madison, but have had a break in enrollment for at least one fall or spring semester, you will need to apply to resume your studies.

For applicants previously enrolled in a graduate program other than ECE, you must complete a  new  online application, including all materials, for admission.

For applicants previously enrolled in ECE as a graduate student, you must complete a  reentry  application. Reentry applicants may apply for the fall term with a deadline of June 1.

In order to apply as a reentry applicant, you must:

• complete the online application ( https://apply.grad.wisc.edu ), including the personal information section, program and term selection, and supplementary application;
• Statement of Purpose
• Any new unofficial transcripts from previous higher education institutions
• Three letters of recommendation if the break in enrollment equals or is greater than four semesters (fall, spring). Letters of recommendation should be emailed directly from the recommender.

CURRENT GRADUATE STUDENT ADMISSIONS

Students currently enrolled as a graduate student at UW-Madison, whether in or other than ECE, wishing to apply to this degree program should contact the ECE Graduate Admissions Team ( [email protected] ) to inquire about the process and respective deadlines several months in advance of the anticipated enrollment term. Current students may apply to change or add programs for any term (fall, spring, or summer).

Please review the frequently asked questions answered by the Graduate School  here . 

If you have any admissions questions, please do not hesitate to contact the ECE Graduate Admissions Team at  [email protected] .

Tuition and funding

Tuition and segregated fee rates are always listed per semester (not for Fall and Spring combined).

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.  Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Ph.D. students entering the program in Fall 2019 or later will receive a financial support package at the time of admission that may include some combination of research and teaching assistantships, internal and external fellowships, and/or other sources. 

Students should contact professors in their area of interest. Professors decide whom they will appoint on their research grants.

Current graduate students may apply for teaching assistantships or  hourly grader positions via the  ECE TA/Grader Portal  (must have a NetID to access).  If you are interested in applying for TA or grader position in a department other than ECE, please contact the respective department to ask about their own application process. Students currently holding a research assistant or fellowship position that are interested in teaching assistant positions should discuss options with their research advisor(s) before applying. 

International students who are non-native English speakers are required to pass the  SPEAK Test  through the English as a Second Language Program on campus. Students wishing to take the SPEAK Test should contact the ECE TA Coordinator via e-mail to register for the exam.

There are project assistant opportunities on campus for various purposes and departments and offices. Often announcements of openings are posted on TA/PA bulletin boards in Engineering Hall and on the  UW Job Center webpage . You may also contact individual faculty members to inquire about possible opportunities. 

Information concerning fellowships is sent to graduate students via email from the department, faculty, and/or the Graduate School.

Ranked 6th in the national research category for public universities by the National Science Foundation, UW-Madison continues to be a leader of exploration and discovery. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is a proud part of that reputation of research excellence, boasting award-winning faculty, advanced facilities and laboratories, and a culture of creativity, innovation and diligence.

View our research

Curricular Requirements

Minimum graduate school requirements.

Review the Graduate School minimum  academic progress and degree requirements , in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Required Courses

All on-campus E C E graduate students must register for E C E 610 Seminar in Electrical and Computer Engineering during their first semester of graduate studies.  Ph.D. degree seeking students must take 1 credit of E C E 610 in the Fall semester of which they are entering the program and 2 credits of E C E 611 Introduction to Doctoral Research in Electrical & Computer Engineering in the following Spring semester. This requirement must be done in the Ph.D. student’s first year.

The purpose of E C E 610 is to prepare students for success in graduate school and expose them to areas within E C E as well as related fields outside of E C E, such as biotechnology, physics, computer science, mathematics, or business. Electrical and Computer Engineering is very interdisciplinary in nature, and so it is important for students to be aware of advanced research and development in areas other than their own.

The purpose of  E C E 611  is to emphasize research experiences and methodologies to prepare students to pursue Ph.D. research work.

• Research, independent study, coop, or seminar credits (e.g.,  E C E 610 , E C E 611 , E C E 699 , E C E 702 , E C E 790 , E C E 890 , E C E 990 , E C E 999 , E C E/​N E/​PHYSICS  922 ) may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
• E C E courses used to satisfy minor requirements may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
• E C E courses must be numbered 400 or above.
• Non-E C E courses must be numbered 300 or above

ECE Graduate Admissions [email protected] 3182 Mechanical Engineering 1513 University Ave, Madison, WI 53706

ECE Graduate Student Services 3182 Mechanical Engineering 1513 University Ave, Madison, WI 53706

Student Focus – Hongyan Mei

Become a badger engineer.

Salaries for Electronics Engineer I with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent

According to our 100% employer reported salary sources the median salary for an Electronics Engineer I with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is $81,405 - $86,206 . Please try our salary wizard to explore how other factors like location, Years of experience and number of direct reports can impact your base pay and bonus.

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• 25 April 2024

NIH pay rise for postdocs and PhD students could have US ripple effect

• Amanda Heidt 0

Amanda Heidt is a freelance journalist in southeastern Utah.

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Academic workers on a picket line at the University of California, Los Angeles. Credit: Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times via Getty

Amid a reckoning over poor job prospects and stagnating wages for early-career scientists, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) said this week that it will raise the salaries of thousands of postdoctoral researchers and graduate students who receive a prestigious NIH research fellowship. The move could boost pay for other scientists as well, because academic institutions often follow guidelines set by the NIH.

Beginning immediately, postdocs who hold one of the agency’s Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSAs) will earn at least US$61,008 per year — an 8% increase and the largest year-over-year increase the NIH has implemented since 2017. Postdocs’ salaries, which are adjusted for years of experience, are capped at $74,088 per year. Graduate students’ yearly salaries will rise by $1,000, amounting to an annual salary of $28,224. The agency will also provide an extra $500 in subsidies for childcare and $200 for training-related expenses.

“This is a major step in the right direction and something that the majority will agree is widely needed to retain talent in the biomedical and academic research sectors,” says Francisca Acosta, a biomedical engineer and postdoc at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, who is herself funded through an NRSA.

Postdoc shortage

In 2022, the agency assembled a working group to advise it on how best to retain and cultivate postdoctoral talent , after reports that principal investigators were struggling to fill vacant postdoc positions . In December last year, the panel recommended a minimum salary of $70,000 for postdocs.

The NIH agreed that a salary increase is indeed needed for the more than 17,000 trainees covered by the NRSAs. But in its announcement, the agency acknowledged that the pay rise it has implemented falls short of the council’s recommendation. It cited its tight budget in recent years as a reason.

Canadian science gets biggest boost to PhD and postdoc pay in 20 years

It added that “pending the availability of funds through future appropriations”, the agency would increase salaries to meet the recommended $70,000 target in the next three to five years.

The agency also suggested that NIH-funded institutions could supplement salaries in other ways. That presents a challenge, according to Sharona Gordon, a biophysicist at the University of Washington in Seattle, given that the NIH’s modular R01 grants — one of the main NIH research awards with which principal investigators fund their labs — have remained at $250,000 per year since they were introduced in 1998. Such grants cannot be used to supplement salaries, meaning that lab heads have to pull money from other sources to increase trainees’ pay.

Even scientists who approve of the NIH’s move say it could have unintended consequences. “For institutions such as ours, which mandate that the postdoc minimum salary be set to the NIH minimum, there are some concerns that this increase in personnel costs could be a barrier for labs based on funding levels,” Acosta says.

For some, the five-year timeline for the increase feels insufficient. Haroon Popal, a cognitive-science postdoc at the University of Maryland in College Park whose work is funded by the NIH, says that although he understands the pressures on the agency, the new salary will not be enough to support him as he assumes multiple caring responsibilities. Even with the boost, postdoc salaries in academia fall far short of what researchers could make in government, industry or non-profit positions.

“This is an issue of diversity and equity for me,” he says. “The new postdoc salary is not allowing people like me to be in academia, which is counter to the NIH’s, institutions’ and our scientific community’s goals of increased diversity.”

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-01242-x

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Electrical and Electronic Engineering PhD

• Full-time: 3 to 4 years
• Part-time: Not available
• Start date: Multiple available
• UK fees: £5,100
• International fees: £21,500 or £28,600 depending on the nature of your project

Research overview

The Electrical and Electronic Engineering PhD brings innovation in science and technology to applications ranging from the generation and use of electrical energy (including renewable energy) to high-speed information processing and pervasive computing. Areas of research strength include biophysics, imaging and optical science, photonic engineering, power electronics, ultrasonics and electromagnetic simulation.

A Collaboration offering a Dual PhD Award with  Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile  in Electrical and Electronic Engineering is also available.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

Meeting our English language requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our  Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us .

Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Researcher training and development

The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.

Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.

Graduate centres

Our graduate centres are dedicated community spaces on campus for postgraduates.

Each space has areas for:

• socialising
• computer work
• kitchen facilities

Student support

You will have access to a range of support services , including:

• academic and disability support
• childcare services
• counselling service
• faith support
• financial support
• mental health and wellbeing support
• visa and immigration advice
• welfare support

Students' Union

Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer .

There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:

• international students
• black and minority ethnic students
• students who identify as women
• students with disabilities
• LGBT+ students

SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.

Where you will learn

University park campus.

University Park Campus  covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.

Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.

You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.

Whether you are considering a career in academia, industry or haven't yet decided, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route . Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Completing a research degree with us will ensure that you develop transferable skills that will be beneficial in a number of different careers. Graduates within the faculty have gone on to have successful careers as:

• researchers
• production managers and directors
• IT and telecommunication professionals
• business, research and administrative professionals
• science, engineering and production technicians
• natural and social science professionals
• teachers, lecturers and educators
• various other roles in engineering and architecture

92.6% of postgraduates from the School of Engineering Research secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £33,689.*

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022 . The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on data from graduates who completed a full-time postgraduate degree with home fee status and are working full-time within the UK.

Electrical and Electronic Engineering - Postgraduate Research

Discover our research within Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Related courses

Positioning, navigation earth observation phd, environmental engineering phd, power electronics: sustainable electric propulsion phd, research excellence framework.

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

• 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
• 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
• 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**

*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.

This content was last updated on 27 July 2023 . Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.