Supervisors
Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Thesis-based program
Program overview
For students seeking to gain cutting-edge expertise in a particular area, the Electrical and Computer Engineering doctoral program will place you in a vibrant community of researchers who are focused on finding practical solutions to real-world problems. The PhD is a research-based degree that usually takes three to four years of full-time study following a master's degree, or five to six years following a bachelor's degree. Successful students go on to work in high-tech companies in positions such as senior research and development engineer, senior system/network architect, senior system designer, senior system engineer, senior application engineer, senior application developer and senior software architect. They can also work in academia as an assistant professor or instructor.
Completing this program
- Courses: Topics may include virtual environments, data mining, intelligent control, VLSI and SOC, multidimensional signal processing and more.
- Professional Development Courses: Students take two professional development courses on communication styles, presentation skills and more.
- Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.
- Software Engineering Specialization: Topics may include modelling and measurement of software performance, advanced software testing and more.
- Candidacy: Students will complete both oral and written candidacy exams.
Specializations
- Software Engineering
- Engineering, Energy and Environment (Interdisciplinary)
- Environmental Engineering (Interdisciplinary)
- Energy and Environmental Systems (Interdisciplinary)
Outcomes
Electrical energy, electronics, control, and instrumentation, telecommunications, information and communications technology, computer, software, oil and gas, medical, biomedical, automotive.
A PhD in electrical and computer engineering is usually considered a final degree.
Thesis-based program
Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.
Classroom delivery
Time commitment
Three years full-time; six years maximum; part-time available
Supervisor
A supervisor is required, but is not required prior to the start of the program
Fees and funding
See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.
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Accepting InquiriesBiomedical Imaging and Instrumentation -
Accepting Inquiriessignal processing of wireless and vision systems -
Accepting InquiriesRF and mm-wave antennas and circuits -
Accepting InquiriesDigital Communications, Wireless Communications and Signal Processing -
Seeking Students -
Seeking StudentsHardware for Security, Security of Hardware, Embedded Systems -
Accepting InquiriesAI4SE: AI for Software Dependability and Documentation, SE4AI: Software Engineering for Machine Learning Application, Software Analytics -
Seeking StudentsBasic Studies in Emerging Sciences and Denotational Mathematics, Cognitive Robotics (CRs), Cognitive Informatics and Cognitive Computers, Deep Machine Learning and Cognitive Knowledge Learning, Denotational Mathematics for AI, Abstract Intelligence (aI), Computational Intelligence (CI), and Brain Informatics (BI), Big Data Algebra (BDA) for Data Science and Engineering Data Analytics, Brain Science: Formal Theories and Brain-Inspired Systems, Intelligence Science: Formal Theories and Cognitive Systems, Software Science: Theoretical Foundations of Software Engineering -
Accepting Inquiriesbiometric technologies, data analysis and pattern recognition, biometric system design, computational intelligence, image processing
Admission Requirements
GPA
A minimum of 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 point system.
Minimum education
A master's degree in electrical, computer or software engineering from a recognized institution.
Work samples
None
Documents
None
Reference letters
Two
Test scores
None
For the software engineering specialization
- At least one year of experience in software development.
- A background of C/C++.
- Knowledge of object-oriented design and human-computer interaction.
English language proficiency (ELP)
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt) score of 86 with no section less than 20 (Internet-based).
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 with no section less than 6.0 (Academic version).
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 59, or higher (academic version).
- Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 with no section less than 60.
- Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) score of B+ in each course.
Deadlines
For admission on September 1:
- Canadians and permanent residents: Jan. 31 application deadline
- International students: Jan. 31 application deadline
For admission on January 1:
- Canadians and permanent residents: Apr. 30 application deadline
- International students: Apr. 30 application deadline
If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements
Learn more about this program
Department of Electrical and Software Engineering
ICT (Information and Communications Technology) 402
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4
403.220.7596
Schulich School of Engineering
University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4
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