205
Graduate Programs
205.27
Electrical and Computer Engineering
205.27 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/
205.27.1 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; communications; computer engineering; control systems; electromagnetics and microwaves; energy systems; integrated circuits and systems; microsystems and nanodevices; photonics and plasmas; signal and image processing; software engineering and intelligent systems; solid state electronics.
Entrance Requirements
The Department's minimum requirements for admission to the MEng or MSc programs 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).
The Department's minimum requirements for admission to the PhD program are an undergraduate degree with an average of 3.3 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 (internetbased) 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
205.27.2 The Degree of MSc
Program Requirements
Normal requirements for the MSc degree are 
15 in graduate courses plus ENGG 600 and a thesis.
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.
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.
205.27.3 The Degree of MEng
The Master of Engineering is a course-based degree intended for the working professional and for those with foreign training interested in becoming oriented towards the North American industry. Course content is more applied than in thesis-based MSc and PhD programs and is typically delivered in intensive weekend and evening formats to better accommodate working professionals. MEng courses are not transferable to MSc and PhD programs, but can be applied towards some professional development certificates.
Program Requirements
The Master of Engineering degree requires the completion of a minimum of 24 (eight single-term graduate courses or equivalent) all at the 800-level in the Faculty of Engineering. In addition, students must complete ENGG 800. Courses must be chosen in consultation with the Department
There is no second language requirement other than English for the degree of MEng.
Note that MEng requirements changed significantly September 1, 2014. Those who began their programs before this date will be governed by the requirements in place at the time of their admission.
Length of Program
Candidates may complete the Master of Engineering program in a minimum of nine months. The maximum time permitted for the completion of the program is four years from the date of the first registration.
205.27.4 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. 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.
205.27.5 Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the subject heading:
Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE).
