Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering | Engineering | SIU

Degree Requirements

Our Program is meticulously structured to ensure an in-depth postgraduate experience.

For those entering with a Master's degree, the journey involves 50 credit hours post-Master's, including 26 credit hours from advanced (500/400 level) courses and 24 from dissertation work. Essential to this path are 12 credit hours of specialized 500-level ECE courses, 3 credit hours in math, science, or engineering, and an ECE seminar.

For direct-entry or accelerated PhD candidates, the requirement is 80 credit hours beyond the Bachelor's degree, with a similar distribution of advanced coursework and dissertation credits, including 18 credit hours of 500-level ECE courses.

In both tracks, selections from outside the ECE domain are welcomed upon approval, with a cap on online courses. Core courses from a Master's program may count towards these requirements, ensuring that every student builds a robust foundation to advance in their chosen research area, in line with Graduate School standards

View all of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Electrical and Computer Engineering degree.

Qualifying Examinations

Once the foundational coursework is complete, PhD candidates are eligible to attempt the qualifying examination. This pivotal assessment has both a written and oral segment. Candidates must first assemble an examining committee, which includes ECBE faculty members and potentially the School Director.

The written test spans three key ECBE areas, with committee members contributing questions. Following this, within a fortnight, the oral examination is conducted. A minimum score of 75% is required in each area of the written test, and the oral responses must be satisfactory. Candidates have a maximum of two opportunities to pass the exam, held typically in early February and September by the ECBE Graduate Studies Committee.