General Information
During the past few decades, we have witnessed exciting new discoveries and developments in almost every aspect of electrical engineering, including microelectronics, computers, communication networks, photonics, alternative energy systems, and many others. The fields of computers and communications are coalescing and leading to opportunities that are limited only by our imagination. Along with these highly visible developments, there are equally impressive achievements in building the theoretical underpinnings of the respective areas of knowledge. Ph.D. studies provide the highly-qualified individuals who are the life-blood of the research leading to these advances.

Degree Requirements
Prospective students should consult the university catalog with respect to admission requirements, admission to Doctoral candidacy requirements, transfer credit requirements, and residency requirements. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is awarded to students who:

1. Meet all University general degree requirements (see the university catalog).
2. Satisfy the specific degree requirements of the Electrical Engineering Department, as described below with the required number of credits shown.

1. A minimum total of 84 credits, including 24 dissertation credits, is required beyond the bachelor's degree level. These must include at least 30 credits of course work beyond the master's degree. At least 15 of these credits should be taken in the Electrical Engineering Department at FAU.
2. No more than three courses at the 4000 level may be taken as part of the overall 84-credit Ph.D. program, limited to the following:
   1. No more than one 4000 math course;
   2. No more than one 4000 EE elective from the list of approved courses;
   3. No more than one of any 4000-level courses, excluding EE undergraduate core courses.
3. At least 21 credits above the master's program requirement should be at the 5000 and 6000 levels.
4. Specific Focus Area course work will be required. At least 15 of these credits should be taken in the Electrical Engineering Department at FAU.
5. At least 6 credits in mathematics are required as part of course work beyond the bachelor's degree.
6. A dissertation proposal must be accepted by the dissertation committee, normally at least one year prior to completion of the dissertation.
7. The dissertation must be completed and orally defended.

In addition, it is expected that all doctoral candidates have submitted at least one referred research publication for which peer reviews have been received prior to graduation.

Distinctive Program Characteristics
Graduate students can choose from a variety of research areas and conduct their research in a number of FAU Research Centers and EE Department Laboratories with which faculty members are affiliated; examples include:

• Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
• Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences
• Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Laboratory
• RF and Microwave Laboratory
• Telecommunications and Signal Processing Laboratory
• Biometrics Laboratory
• Bioengineering/Bioinformatics Laboratory

These Research Centers and Laboratories are well-equipped and provide students with a state-of-the-art environment in which to carry out their research. Many of our graduate students submit journal and symposium publications for peer review prior to graduation, participate and win awards in IEEE research showcase activities, and receive support for their research studies, through College of Engineering and Computer Science awards, FAU graduate fellowship awards, or external scholarship awards.