Objectives

The objectives of PhD in ECE program are to:

1. Provide the graduate with profound knowledge of a specialization area in electrical and computer engineering, and familiarity with allied areas
2. Provide the graduate with competence in performing independent research, in communicating effectively, and in learning independently
3. Advance the state of research at AUB, in Lebanon, and the region
4. Advance the state of the art in electrical and computer engineering

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the PhD program must hold a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering, or a related discipline from AUB or another recognized institution of higher education with a minimum cumulative average of 85 over 100 or its equivalent. Admission is determined by evaluating the following:

• Transcripts of academic record from all the institutions that were attended after high school
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores
• A written statement of purpose
• Three letters of recommendations
• A portfolio that includes a resume and samples of work
• An interview, conducted either in person, by phone, or over the Internet

All applicants must also satisfy the University requirements, as specified in the Graduate Studies section of the AUB Catalogue. Application forms may be obtained from the Admissions Office, or on line at http://www.aub.edu.lb/~webadmit/.

Program Requirements

The completion of at least forty-eight (48) credits of graduate study consisting of combined course work and research beyond the master’s degree is required for the PhD degree. A minimum of eighteen (18) credits of course work and a minimum of eighteen credits (18) of research and thesis work are required.

The basic program of study for the PhD degree is built around one PhD major area and a minimum of one PhD minor area. Students take courses to satisfy the PhD major and minor area requirements and to acquire the knowledge needed for the required written and oral examinations. Students should take at least six graduate courses, including courses prior to admission to the PhD program, in the PhD major area, which corresponds to one of the fields shown below. Students should also take at least three graduate courses in the PhD minor area, including courses taken prior to admission to the PhD program. The minor courses may be taken from one of the ECE areas, courses taken in an area outside the ECE department, or a mixture of courses (taken in the department and outside the department) that defines a minor area.

Each student must maintain an 85.0/100 cumulative average in order to remain in good standing. The cumulative average is calculated for courses taken beyond the master’s degree. A student will be placed on probation if s/he fails a course (below 70), or her/his cumulative average falls below 85. A student has one semester to raise his cumulative average to 85.0 or better and has to repeat failed courses as soon as they are offered. Failure to do so will result in academic dismissal. A student cannot earn the PhD with a cumulative average below 85.0.

The PhD Comprehensive Examination

After taking at least twelve credits of course work and mastering the knowledge defined in the PhD major area, students take a comprehensive written examination. The exam is given twice a year, at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Students are informed beforehand of the subjects that will be covered in the examination. Students who do not pass may repeat the exam only once, during the following semester. If the student does not pass the exam after his/her second attempt, the student will be asked to discontinue his/her PhD studies.

Students sit for two exams that together constitute the comprehensive examination: one in the major area, and one in the minor area. These two exams are taken separately at different times, but during the same examination period. The major area exam consists of six questions, out of which four questions should be answered in three hours. The minor area exam consists of six questions, out of which two questions should be answered in two hours. The area exams are prepared by the corresponding area faculty committee, and are designed to evaluate the student's understanding of the fundamentals in the area.

The major/minor areas are the following:

1. Computer and Software Systems
2. Communications and Signal Processing
3. Control, Biomedical, and Intelligent Systems
4. Electrical Energy Systems
5. Electromagnetics and RF Circuits and Systems
6. Minor area outside the ECE Department.

The comprehensive examination, together with the three courses in the PhD minor area must be completed within the first two years after admission to the PhD program.

Thesis Committee

The PhD thesis committee is composed of at least four faculty members, from the major area, recommended by the thesis advisor and approved by the ECE Graduate Committeee (EGC), FEA Graduate Studies Committee (GSC), and the Board of Graduate Studies (BGS). Changes in the committee, including the thesis advisor, are possible with the approval of the EGC, FEA GSC, and BGS. It is advisable that the thesis committee includes one member from outside AUB. All committee members should hold professorial rank. The thesis committee approves the thesis topic and research agenda and conducts the oral qualifying examination, and the thesis defense examination. The proposal of the thesis topic and the selection of the members of the thesis committee should be approved at least two semesters before the student defends the thesis.

The PhD Thesis Proposal and Oral Qualifying Examination

Within two semesters after passing the comprehensive examination, students must take an oral qualifying examination, conducted by the thesis committee. The defense of the PhD thesis proposal is considered a part of the oral qualifying examination. In addition to reviewing the prospectus of the thesis, the nature and the content of the examination are related to the field of research of the student.

Admission to Candidacy

Students must be admitted to candidacy at least two semesters before obtaining the PhD degree. For admission to candidacy, students are expected to have:

• Submitted a program approved by the thesis committee, EGC, FEA GSC, and BGS
• Passed the oral qualifying examination
• Completed at least 12 credits of graduate courses beyond the master’s degree
• Attained a cumulative average of at least 85 in all courses taken beyond the master’s degree
• Not be on probation

PhD Thesis

The student must submit a thesis based on results of original, independent research. The PhD thesis is expected to make a significant contribution in electrical and computer engineering. Upon completion of the thesis and after its approval by the thesis advisor, a final oral examination will constitute the thesis defense.

Thesis Defense

The thesis defense is open to the public and must be carried out no later than October 30, March 1, and June 10, for students who wish to graduate at the end of the fall, the spring semester, or the summer session respectively. “Pass” or “Fail” is reported for the combined thesis and thesis defense. If “Fail” is reported, the student may resubmit the thesis and defend it after a period of at least three months. Failure on the second attempt results in the discontinuation from graduate work. Students must be registered for the thesis or at least one course in the session in which they expect to graduate.

Residence Requirements

The student must register for at least four semesters beyond the completion of the master’s degree. Requirements for the PhD degree must be completed within a period of five years after starting graduate work beyond the master’s degree. Extension beyond the five-year limit requires the approval of the EGC, FEA GSC, and BGS.

Seminar Requirement

The student must register for EECE 797: Seminar, as long as they are in the program.

Program Completion Requirements

To earn the PhD degree in electrical and computer engineering, the student must complete the following requirements:

1. Have at least one journal paper, based on the PhD thesis, accepted in a leading international journal in the field of specialty that requires at least two reviews. Additionally at least two refereed conference papers, based on the thesis, should have appeared in conference proceedings
2. Have a cumulative average, beyond the master’s degree, of 85.0 or above, and not be on probation
3. Satisfy the course and research credit requirements
4. Pass the comprehensive and oral qualifying examinations
5. Complete and successfully defend a PhD thesis
6. Satisfy the residence requirement and all pertinent AUB regulations

PhD Major and Minor Areas

The PhD major and minor areas with their corresponding courses are the following:

Computer and Software Systems
area courses: EECE 612, EECE 614, EECE 620, EECE 621, EECE 622, EECE 623, EECE 624, EECE 625, EECE 626, EECE 630, EECE 631, EECE 632, EECE 634, EECE 650, EECE 651, EECE 652, EECE 653, EECE 654

Communications and Signal Processing
area courses: EECE 603, EECE 604, EECE 622, EECE 640, EECE 641, EECE 642, EECE 643, EECE 644, EECE 645, EECE 646, EECE 647, EECE 651, EECE 663, EECE 691, EECE 693, EECE 694, EECE 695

Control, Biomedical, and Intelligent Systems
area courses: EECE 601, EECE 602, EECE 603, EECE 604, EECE 605, EECE 660, EECE 661, EECE 662, EECE 663, EECE 664, EECE 665, EECE 693

Electrical Energy Systems
area courses: EECE 670, EECE 671, EECE 672, EECE 673, EECE 675, EECE 676, EECE 677

Electromagnetics and RF Circuits & Systems
area courses: EECE 611, EECE 613, EECE 643, EECE 680, EECE 681, EECE 682, EECE 683