Doctor of Philosophy Degree
Ph.D. Degree Requirements Overview
The doctoral degree program in ECE provides a wide-variety of research and course opportunities from control theory to nanofabrications; device fabrication to image processing; communications to quantum mechanics; and optics to VLSI design. Collaboration is possible between departments and research centers within and outside of the College of Engineering.
Below is a basic overview of the Ph.D. requirements that graduate students must follow to receive their Ph.D. degree. For more specific guidelines, it is the student's responsibility to consult the year of entrance ECE Graduate Student Survival Manual and the Graduate Student Resources & Ph.D. Milestones and Procedures pages.
Timeline (typical)
The normative time established by the ECE Department to complete a doctoral degree is five years including the time worked on the M.S. degree, although many students require less time.
- Screening Exam: as soon as the Spring quarter of the first year and by the end of the second year
- Qualifying Exam: one to two years after screening exam
- Defense Exam / Dissertation: the 6th year
Ph.D. Course Requirements
Students are required to take courses for breadth and depth and to establish a G.P.A.
NOTE: Computer Engineering and Communications & Signal Processing students should consult the year of entrance Graduate Student Survival Manual for details on course requirements.
Ph.D. Screening Exam & Doctoral Committee
Screening Exam
The purpose of the Ph.D. Screening Examination is to screen candidates for continuation in the doctoral program. This exam is not required for admission into the Ph.D. program; however, to remain in the Ph.D. program, all students are required to pass the exam. A minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 is required to take the exam.
The Ph.D. Screening Exam evaluates the candidate's knowledge in major and minor areas of study. The ECE Ph.D. Screening Examination Handbook provides a detailed description of each of the examination areas, including specific topics and reading lists.
A student's choice of major examination area should conform to their area of interest as indicated by the choice of research advisor and Ph.D. committee.
Doctoral Committee
After passing the Screening Exam, the student in consultation with their faculty advisor will select a faculty member who will serve as their Doctoral Committee Chair. The faculty advisor and the committee chair are often the same faculty member.
Details of the individual's program and doctoral committee are set up by agreement between the student and the faculty advisor or committee chair.
Ph.D. Qualifying Exam & Advancing to Candidacy
Qualifying Exam
The Qualifying Exam provides the Doctoral Committee with a basis for student evaluation and guidance and the student with an opportunity to review, organize, and demonstrate his/her knowledge. It is understood that upon passing the Qualifying Examination, the student has presented an approved dissertation research proposal and has demonstrated substantial readiness to undertake the research.
The exam is oral with the focus on the dissertation problem and is administered by the student's Doctoral Committee. It will include considerable depth in the student's area of specialization, as required for a successful completion of the dissertation.
Advancement to Candidacy
Upon spending three consecutive quarters in residence on the campus and passing the Qualifying Exam, a student is eligible for advancement to candidacy, giving them additional privileges and access to more resources.
International students' nonresident tuition is waived for nine quarters beginning the quarter after the advancement to candidacy.
Ph.D. Defense Exam & Dissertation
Dissertation and Defense
The dissertation is written on a subject chosen by the candidate that is related to an area of study in ECE. The student must demonstrate their ability to carry out independent investigation and study.
- Defense Exam: The candidate defends the dissertation in a public presentation. The Committee meets with the student after the Examination to discuss any areas that need revision or additional work.
- Approval: by the candidate's Doctoral Committee
- Dissertation: after approval the dissertation formatted according to the Graduate Division's required dissertation format
- Submission: to UCSB Graduate Division