205
Graduate Programs
205.26
Electrical and Computer Engineering
205.26 Electrical and Computer Engineering
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Electrical and Computer Research Facility (ECERF)
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2V4
E-mail: ecegrad@ece.ualberta.ca
www.engineering.ualberta.ca/ece/
205.26.1 General Information
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers graduate courses leading to the MEng, MSc, and PhD degrees to qualified graduates of recognized universities.
Research is being carried out in a number of areas, including biomedical engineering; control systems; communication systems; computer, microelectronic devices, circuit and systems; digital signal and image processing; micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanosystems; electromagnetics, lasers, photonics, plasmas; power engineering and electronics; software engineering and intelligent systems.
Entrance Requirements
The Department's minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an average of 3.0 in the last two years of full-time study (or equivalent) at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution, and a TOEFL score of 580 (paper-based) or 92 (internet-based) where applicable (see §203.2.4).
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is available on a competitive basis in the form of research assistantships, teaching assistantships, tuition scholarships and a variety of awards administered by the University and affiliated institutions. Details are found at www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca
205.26.2 The Degree of MSc
Program Requirements
Normal requirements for the MSc degree are 
15 in graduate courses plus ENGG 600, ECE 601 and a thesis. MSc candidates take ECE 601 (Research Project Definition) in the second term of their program.
Students who do not obtain an average of 3.0 overall in the first year of study may be required to withdraw from the graduate program. Students whose average is above 2.7 but below 3.0 may be recommended for transfer into the MEng program.
The minimum period of residence is two consecutive four-month terms of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.
Length of Program
The time required to complete the MSc will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken; however, a typical time of two years is normally required.
205.26.3 The Degree of MEng
Program Requirements
The Master of Engineering program consists of one of two options:
Option 1: 24 at the graduate level plus a project which is equivalent to 6.
Option 2: 27 at the graduate level plus a project which is the equivalent to 3.
ENGG 600 is required. The minimum period of residence is one four-month term of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.
Length of Program
A candidate may complete the Master of Engineering program in a minimum of nine months; however, one and a half years to two years is typical. The maximum time permitted for the completion of the program is four years from the date of the first registration.
205.26.4 The Degree of PhD
Program Requirements
For the PhD program, course requirements depend upon individual circumstances and must be approved by the Department. Emphasis is on research leading to a thesis of high calibre. The student's supervisory committee will recommend courses to be taken by the student to make up for course deficiencies and to support thesis research. All PhD candidates must take ECE 602 and submit a research proposal. Completion of ENGG 600 is also required.
Students in the doctoral program are expected to maintain a course average of 3.3 or higher before proceeding to their candidacy examinations. Students whose average is above 3.0 but below 3.3 may be recommended for transfer into the MSc program.
The minimum period of residence is two academic years of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.
Length of Program
The time required to complete the program will vary with the individual candidate; however, four to five years is typical. The maximum time permitted for the completion of the program is six years from the date of first registration.
205.26.5 Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the subject heading:
Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE).
