Electrical & Computer Engineering (Engineering, Ph.D.)
The PhD degree is awarded to candidates who have displayed an in-depth understanding of the subject matter and demonstrated the ability to make an original contribution to knowledge in their chosen field of specialty. For the PhD degree students must take eight courses beyond their Master degree, five of which must be at the doctoral 800 level. PhD students must also pass diagnostic and candidacy exams, work on advanced research under direct advising of an ECE faculty member, and write and defend an original dissertation.
Electrical & Computer Engineering (Engineering, Ph.D.)
Description
What is Electrical & Computer Engineering at ODU like?
The PhD degree is awarded to candidates who have displayed an in-depth understanding of the subject matter and demonstrated the ability to make an original contribution to knowledge in their chosen field of specialty. For the PhD degree students must take eight courses beyond their Master degree, five of which must be at the doctoral 800 level. PhD students must also pass diagnostic and candidacy exams, work on advanced research under direct advising of an ECE faculty member, and write and defend an original dissertation.
Program Highlights
What makes Electrical & Computer Engineering at ODU unique?
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The ECE department has research laboratories focusing on Applied Plasma Technology; Cybersecurity, Communications and Networking Innovation; Microelectronics and Thin Film Devices; Medical Imaging, Diagnosis, and Analysis; Power Research; Systems Analysis of Metabolic Physiology; Systems Research; Virginia Institute for Photovoltaics; and Vision Lab
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ECE faculty support University centers such as the Applied Research Center, the Frank Reidy Center of Bioelectrics, and the Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center
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Additional research facilities in the Hampton Roads area with ECE faculty collaboration include National Institute of Aerospace, NASA Langley Research Center and Jefferson Lab
AT A GLANCE
College / School:
Major:
Engineering
Concentration:
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Degree Level:
Graduate
Delivery Mode(s):
On-Campus
Degree Earned:
Doctor of Philosophy
Department:
Careers
What are some careers in this field?
Check out these ideas from ODU Career Development Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Electrical Engineers
$99,580
MEDIAN SALARY
Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.
Power Plant Operators
$75,970
MEDIAN SALARY
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
$77,770
MEDIAN SALARY
Inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
$68,710
MEDIAN SALARY
Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy duty transmission towers.
Courses
What are some courses offered in Electrical & Computer Engineering at ODU?
ECE 607:
Machine Learning I
Course provides a practical treatment of design, analysis, implementation and applications of algorithms. Topics include multiple machine learning models: linear models, neural networks, support vector machines, instance-based learning, Bayesian learning, genetic algorithms, ensemble learning, reinforcement learning, unsupervised learning, etc. Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
ECE 872:
Fundamentals of Solar Cells
The course provides an overview of the fundamentals of solar cell technologies, design, and operation. The course is designed for graduate students in Engineering and Science interested in the field of alternative energy. The course objectives are to make sure each student: understands the various forms of alternative energies, understands solar cell design, understands solar cell operation, and acquires knowledge of the various solar cells technologies. The topics to be covered include: Alternative energies; Worldwide status of Photovoltaics; Solar irradiance; Review of semiconductor properties; Generation, recombination; Basic equations of device physics; p-n junction diodes; Ideal solar cells; Efficiency limits; Efficiency losses and measurements; Module fabrication; c-Si technology; classical; Photovoltaic systems; Design of stand-alone system; Residential PV systems. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in Engineering and Science.
ECE 887:
Digital Communications
Fundamental concepts of digital communication and information transmission: information sources and source coding; orthonormal expansions of signals, basis functions, and signal space concepts; digital modulation techniques including PAM, QAM, PSK and FSK; matched filters, demodulation and optimal detection of symbols and sequences; bandwidth; mathematical modeling of communication channels; channel capacity. Prerequisites: ECE 451/ECE 551 or equivalent or permission of the instructor.
Requirements
What are the requirements to apply for Electrical & Computer Engineering at ODU?
Students entering the Doctor of Philosophy program in Electrical & Computer Engineering should meet the minimum university admission requirements (Graduate Admission)
- Doctoral candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in their master's degree program for regular admission.
- Official transcripts of previous degree(s) awarded.
- GRE scores.
- Three letters of recommendation from former professors.
- A resume.
- A statement of goals.
- A minimum TOEFL score of 550 is required for all international students when English is not their first language
- Students with credentials not meeting the regular admission requirements may be considered for provisional admission.
Cost
Tuition and Fees
Estimated rates for the 2022-23 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.
Virginia Resident
Per Credit:
$ 571
Non-Resident
Per Credit:
$ 1,394
Technology Delivered Courses Outside Virginia and/or the United States
Per Credit:
$ 595
Ways to Save
Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ODU. For more information visit University Student Financial aid
Next Steps
I like this program. What are the next steps?
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Contact
Need help applying?
Meet Your Enrollment Team
Our enrollment coordinators are ready to help you through the admissions process.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Name:
Chung Hao Chen
Location:
231 KAUFMAN HALL, NORFOLK, VA, 23529
Email:
Office:
757-683-3475
Professor & Chair
Name:
Oscar Gonzalez
Location:
2310 KAUFMAN HALL, NORFOLK, VA, 23529
Email:
Office:
757-683-4966
For General Inquiries:
Graduate Admissions
Location:
1000 Rollins Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529
Phone Office:
757-683-3685
Fax:
757-683-6512
Email:
gradadmit@odu.edu
International Admissions
Location:
2101 Dragas Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529
Phone Office:
757-683-3701
Fax:
757-683-3651
Email:
intladm@odu.edu
Related Programs
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Programs
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