Electrical Engineering Graduate Program

The Charles L. Brown Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Virginia offers three graduate degrees in electrical engineering: Master of Engineering, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. The M.E. requires 30 credit hours of graduate-level coursework and is only available to students not seeking financial aid through the department. The M.S. requires 24 credit hours of graduate-level coursework, plus 6 of credit hours of thesis research and the completion and defense of a thesis. The Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 12 credit hours of graduate-level coursework beyond the master's degree, at least 24 credit hours of dissertation research and the completion and defense of a dissertation.

Research areas within the field of electrical engineering (see also computer engineering below) include: Controls (nonlinear control theory, CAD of control systems, adaptive controls, and multivariable control systems); Communications (information theory, optical communication, image and video processing, statistical signal processing, medical imaging, and digital communications); RF and Microwave Devices (MEMS in microwave and mm-wave circuits, novel HF solid-state devices for sources and receivers, mm-wave circuits and devices, microwave radiating structures, terahertz sources and receivers, and devices for radio astronomy); Device Fabrication (MBE, novel materials, lithography, nano-fabrication, electron and ion beam processes, and nano-structures); VLSI and Microsystems (mixed-signal CMOS design, analog CMOS, Microsystems and microfabrication, low-power VLSI, FPGAs, digital VLSI); Electrophysics (superconducting devices, device theory and modeling, novel electronic devices); Safety-Critical Systems (risk assessment, train control systems, intelligent ground transportation).

To learn more about joining the graduate program, visit the Graduate-Prospective page and view our latest brochure.

For more information regarding academic rules and regulations, see the Graduate Handbook.

Computer Engineering Graduate Program

Computer Engineering is an exciting field that spans topics across electrical engineering and computer science. Students learn, practice, and perform research related to the design and analysis of computer systems, including both hardware and software aspects and their integration. Careers in computer engineering are wide and varied, ranging from embedded computer systems found in consumer products or medical devices, to control systems for automobiles, aircraft and trains, to more wide-ranging applications in telecommunications, financial transactions and information systems.

Computer Engineering graduate degree programs, Master of Engineering, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy, are jointly administered by the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. For details on facilities and resources available for these degree programs, please consult the sections corresponding to these departments in this graduate record. Students can choose advisors from either one of the departments. Also, students may receive financial assistance in the form of a teaching or research assistantship from either one of these departments.

Computer engineers design, produce, operate, program, and maintain computer and digital systems. They generally apply the theories and principles of science and mathematics to the design of hardware, software, networks, and processes to solve technical problems. Hence research in Computer Engineering covers a broad spectrum of topics, such as computer architecture, embedded systems, integrated circuit design, Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) systems, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), design automation, hardware/software codesign, software development and systems, software engineering, digital and computer systems design, computer networks, computer and network security, testing, fault-tolerant computing, dependable computing, real-time systems, algorithms, operating systems, middleware, compilers, database management, parallel computing and distributed systems, and computer graphics and vision.

The graduate degree programs in Computer Engineering are new, with the first set of students graduating in the Summer of 2003. Detailed requirements for these degrees are posted on the web site http://www.cpe.virginia.edu.

Links of Interest:

• ECE 696: ECE Seminar Fall 2006 (Faculty Research Presentations)
• ECE 696: ECE Seminar Spring 2006 (Faculty Research Presentations)
• Academic Calendar
• SEAS Graduate Information
• CGEP (TV Courses)
• Housing (On Grounds)
• Housing (Off Grounds)
• International Host Program (IHP)
• International Studies Office
• Library (Engineering)

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