Electrical and Computer Engineering - PhD

Length: 4 years
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (Co-op Available)
Type: Thesis-based
Options: Co-op

Program highlights

McMaster’s Electrical and Computer Engineering department is internationally and nationally recognized as one of the leading departments in its field.

In the PhD program, we enable students to enhance their knowledge and skills and seek to provide an environment that fosters creativity and research excellence on an international scale in a particular field of electrical and computer engineering. We also aim to inspire students to a career of contributions in our communities through leadership of advances in the state-of-the-art in their fields of interest.

Exceptional faculty

Faculty members are regular award winners including the prestigious Premier Research Excellence Award (PREA), OCUFA teaching award, McMaster Students Union Teaching Award, Booker Gold Medal, and the Signal Processing Society Education Award.

Thesis-based program

Candidates are required to prepare a thesis embodying the results of the research taken on by the candidate beyond the Master’s level.

Useful Links

How to apply

Academic Prerequisites

Master’s Degree (MAsc, MSc, or equivalent) in a related field.

Find English language requirements here.

Anticipated Admission Range

Minimum B+ (77-79%)

How to Apply Electrical and Computer Engineering PhD degree requirements

Student working on machine in Learning Factory. Hands-on experience.

Cutting-edge research

McMaster’s Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering is home to The Centre for Research in Micro- and Nano-systems.

This unique facility in North America offers fabrication, characterization and integration of different materials, components and devices at multiple length scales. For example, Nano-Bonding and –Interconnect System (NBIS) and Nanoimprinting Lithography System (NIL) provide fabrication and integration of nanometer scale structures and devices.

Research using MNSL infrastructure spans from fundamental areas such as molecular interactions during bonding to applied relating to miniaturization of emerging systems for health and environmental applications.

Areas of research:

Power Engineering
Power Electronics and Electric Machines
Electrified and Autonomous Vehicles
Biomedical information technology
Computer aided design
Optimization and Simulation
Communications
Computer Engineering
Image Processing & Multimedia
Microelectronics
Microwaves and Photonics-Optoelectronics
Networks
Signal Processing
National Microelectronics & Photonics Testing Collaboratory

Program structure

The minimum number of graduate courses required is three 700-level half courses (or equivalent) beyond the Master’s degree. One of these three courses may be taken outside of the ECE program with prior approval by the department. For students transferring to the PhD program from the MASc program without defending a Master’s thesis or entering the PhD program directly from the Bachelor’s degree without beginning an MASc, the minimum number of graduate courses required is six half courses (or equivalent). A maximum of two of these six courses can be 700-level courses taken outside the ECE program with prior approval by the department, and a maximum of one of these six courses can be a 600-level ECE course with prior approval by the department.

Candidates for the degrees of PhD must enrol in the course ECE 790: Graduate Seminars in Electrical & Computer Engineering at least once during their program and present a seminar on a topic approved by the Department. Grading will be restricted to Pass/Fail.

A candidate is also required to take the PhD. Comprehensive Examination, which is designed to test the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue research at the PhD level in Electrical Engineering. The examination will normally be attempted no later than 24 months from the student’s start date in the PhD program, but after the first supervisory committee meeting. The outcome of the most recent supervisory committee must be at least “satisfactory” in order to proceed with the comprehensive examination.

Within approximately one year of commencement, a PhD candidate must submit a report to the Supervisory Committee outlining the proposed line of research in sufficient detail so that the Committee can decide on its suitability.

The doctoral thesis submitted by the candidate must be defended orally at the conclusion of the program.

Co-op and Student Life

Graduate Co-op

Master’s and PhD students may complete 4 to 12 months of co-op experience in various types of organizations, including corporations, non-profit organizations, government agencies, startups and research institutions.

Explore Co-op
Engineering Graduate Society

The EGS actively supports engineering graduate students through events, workshops, bursaries, and collaboration with various campus organizations, focusing on representation, community building, and academic and professional development.

Visit the EGS site
Life in Hamilton

Hamilton, also known as The Hammer or Steeltown, is a thriving city close to the U.S. border and Toronto, with easy access for students commuting from the Greater Toronto Area via the on-campus GO Bus Terminal.

Discover Hamilton, ON