The objective of this program is to prepare the student for practice, research and/or teaching of electrical engineering at the advanced level. Upon the completion of the program, the student should be able to analyze a broad range of advanced problems in his or her field of specialization and determine the appropriate analysis technique or solution. It is expected that the student will publish his or her dissertation research in at least one refereed publication in a national or international journal.

General Information

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, offers a program of graduate study leading to the degree of Master of Science. It also offers an integrated five-year program of cooperative education leading to the professional degree Master of Engineering.
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering and also participates in the Ph.D. program in Computer Science and Engineering, offered jointly with the Computer Engineering and Computer Science Department.

Admission Requirements

For admission into the EE Ph.D. Program, it is highly recommended that students have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Also recommended are a combined score of 1200 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE and at least a 4 on the AAW portion of the GRE test. GRE subject tests are not required. For students whose native language is not English or who received an undergraduate degree from a non-English speaking country, the TOEFL test is required. An applicant should score at least 550 or higher on the paper-based test, at least a 213 on the computer-based test, or at least 79 on the new internet-based test (IBT). An applicant who does not meet some requirements, but whose credentials are otherwise acceptable, may be admitted on a conditional basis. Normally, it is expected that the student will complete a Master’s degree before being admitted to the Ph.D. Program. Admission to the Ph.D. Program without a Master’s degree will be permitted only in very exceptional circumstances.

A complete application packet should contain an application form, official copies of all college transcripts, official copies of all earned university diplomas, GRE and TOEFL (if required) scores, and two letters of recommendation.

The Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering is structured to be in strict conformity with the curricular requirements of the University of Louisville Graduate School. Completion of the program requires a minimum of 48 semester hours beyond a Master's degree in electrical engineering. The curriculum includes coursework in advanced mathematics, in-discipline technical electives, and additional program electives.

Minimum Curricular Requirements of the Program

The mathematics requirement of six hours provides the analytical background necessary to complete the demanding program of study and research in advanced engineering topics. Approved mathematics electives are drawn from both the J. B. Speed School of Engineering and the Mathematics Department in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Candidates must take 15 graduate level semester hours of in-discipline (electrical engineering) electives and 9 graduate level semester hours of program electives chosen from other departments in the Speed Scientific School and/or from other departments in the University as determined in consultation with the dissertation advisor. Together, the in-discipline electives and program electives must support the candidate's research effort and constitute an integrated program of study. The student's advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies must approve individual course plans.

NOTE: At least one half of the required 30 hours of coursework must be completed at the 600-level.

ECE Graduate Students are allowed to take only six (6) hours of Independent Study (ECE 593 or 693) and/or Projects (ECE 505 or 605). These courses may be taken in any combination, but the total number of hours is NOT to exceed six (6).

Once a student has completed course and dissertation hours (in EE Ph.D.), that student must register for DOCT 600 (Doctoral Candidacy) in order to stay active in the EE Program. International students must do this as well in order to stay in compliance with INS requirements.