Admission Requirements for Students Holding a Master's Degree
Applicants to the PhD program must hold a master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering or a related discipline from AUB or another recognized institution of higher education, with a minimum cumulative average of 85 (3.7) over 100 or its equivalent. Admission is determined by evaluating the following:
- Academic transcripts from the institution(s) of higher education attended by the applicant
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores
- A written statement of purpose
- Three letters of recommendation
- A portfolio that includes a resume and samples of work
- An interview conducted with the ECE Graduate Committee (EGC) in person, by phone or over the Internet
- Satisfaction of the university requirements for admission to PhD programs
Program Requirements for Students Holding a Master's Degree
Completion of at least 48 credits of graduate study consisting of combined course work and research beyond the master's degree is required for the PhD degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. A minimum of 18 credits of course work and a minimum of 24 credits of research and thesis work are required.
The basic program of study for the PhD degree is built around one major area and at least one minor area. Students take courses to satisfy the major and minor area requirements and acquire the knowledge needed for the written and oral examinations.
- The major area has to be in one of the ECE areas.
- Students must take at least 4 graduate courses, including courses prior to admission to the PhD program, in their PhD major area.
- Students must also take at least 2 graduate courses in their PhD minor area, including courses taken prior to admission to the PhD program.
- The minor courses have to be from one of the ECE areas.
Students must maintain a cumulative average of 85 (3.7) over 100 in order to remain in good standing.
The cumulative average is calculated for courses taken beyond the master’s degree.
Students will be placed on probation if they fail a course (below C+ or 70) or have a cumulative average that falls below 85 (3.7).
In such cases, students have one term to raise their cumulative average to a minimum grade of 85 (A-) and have to repeat failed courses as soon as the concerned courses are offered. Failure to do so will result in academic dismissal. Students cannot earn a PhD with a cumulative average below 85 (3.7).
PhD Qualifying Exam for Students Holding a Master's Degree
Refer to the General University Academic Information section.
Qualifying Exam Part I: Comprehensive Exam for Students Holding a Master's Degree
After taking at least 15 credits of coursework and mastering the knowledge delineated in the PhD major area, students take the Qualifying Exam Part I: Comprehensive Exam. The exam is given twice a year at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Students are informed beforehand of the subjects that will be covered in the examination. Students who do not pass may repeat the exam only once during the following semester. If students do not pass the exam after their second attempt, they will be asked to discontinue their PhD studies.
Students sit for two exams that together constitute the comprehensive examination with one in the major area and one in the minor area. These two exams are taken separately at different times during the same examination period. The major area exam consists of eight questions, out of which five questions should be answered in four hours. The minor area exam consists of six questions, out of which three questions should be answered in two and a half hours. The area exams are prepared by the corresponding area faculty committee and are designed to evaluate the student's understanding of the fundamentals in the area. Passing the comprehensive exam requires an average of no less than 3.2 or 80 over 100, with no less than 3.2 or 80 over 100 in the major area and no less than 2.2 or 70 over 100 in the minor area.
Refer to the General University Academic Information section.
Admission to Candidacy for Students Holding a Master's Degree
Students must be admitted to candidacy at least two semesters before obtaining the PhD degree. For admission to candidacy, students are expected to have:
- Submitted a program approved by the thesis committee, ECE Graduate Committee (EGC), MSFEA Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) and Graduate Council (GC),
- Passed the Qualifying Exam Part I and II,
- Completed at least 12 credits of graduate courses beyond the master's degree,
- Attained a cumulative average of at least 85 (3.7) in all courses taken beyond the master’s degree,
- And maintained good academic standing.
Residence Requirements for Students Holding a Master's Degree
A student must register for at least four semesters beyond the completion of the master's degree. Requirements for the PhD degree must be completed within a period of five years after starting graduate work beyond the master's degree. Extension beyond the five-year limit requires the approval of the EGC, MSFEA GSC and GC.
Qualifying Exam Part II: Defense of Thesis Proposal
Within two semesters of passing the comprehensive examination, the student must take an oral qualifying examination, administered by her/his thesis committee. The defense of the PhD thesis proposal is considered part of the oral qualifying examination. In addition to reviewing the prospectus of the thesis, the nature and content of the examination are related to the student's field of research. Refer to Qualifying Exam Part II: Defense of Thesis Proposal under General University Academic Information section.
PhD Thesis
The student must submit a thesis based on the results of original and independent research. The PhD thesis is expected to make a significant contribution to the field of electrical and computer engineering. Upon its completion and after its approval by the thesis advisor, the thesis must be defended orally. Refer to PhD Thesis Format under General University Academic Information section.
PhD Thesis Defense
Refer to PhD Thesis Defense under General University Academic Information section.
Seminar Requirement
The student must register for the EECE 797 Seminar as long as s/he is enrolled in the program.
Program Completion Requirements
To earn the PhD degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, the student must complete the following requirements:
- Have at least one journal article, based on the PhD thesis, accepted in a leading international journal in the field of specialty subjected to at least two reviews. Additionally, at least two refereed conference papers based on the thesis must have appeared in conference proceedings,
- Have a cumulative average, beyond the master’s degree, of 85 (3.7) or above and be in good academic standing,
- Satisfy the course and research credit requirements,
- Pass the comprehensive and oral qualifying examinations,
- Complete and successfully defend a PhD thesis, and
- Satisfy the residence requirement and all other pertinent AUB regulations.
PhD Major or Minor Areas
The PhD major or minor areas of study with their corresponding courses are the same as those listed for the master’s degree (page 387).