Graduate studies at Carnegie Mellon
Graduate study in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) prepares students for leadership roles in research, development, design, and leadership positions that require the use of skillful and imaginative solutions to engineering and societal problems. The department offers two graduate degree programs that either lead to a M.S. or a Ph.D. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Students who have earned a B.S. or M.S. and whose intention is to obtain a Ph.D. degree may apply to the Ph.D. program. The Ph.D. program is a research-oriented degree. Those students in the Ph.D. Program who do not already have an M.S. degree are required to complete an academic course of study that usually results in the awarding of a M.S. degree prior to the Ph.D.
The Professional M.S. program is more course-intensive than the research-oriented Ph.D. program. The Professional M.S. Program is for students who already have a B.S. degree and are interested in further professional development. Students in this program are provided with a thorough background in the fundamentals of electrical and computer engineering, as well as the opportunity for in-depth specialization in some particular aspect of this field. Upon enrollment in the department, students are given the opportunity, with the help of a faculty advisor, to choose an educational program that is consistent with their backgrounds and is best suited to their own academic goals.
Virtually all graduate students in the research intensive Ph.D. program receive financial aid, in the form of fellowships, that cover tuition, fees, and reasonable living expenses for the entire year. Thus, students can concentrate on course work and research without financial concerns or interruptions. All applicants are considered for financial aid. No special form is required. All full-time students in the Ph.D. program engage in research under faculty guidance.
Students in the Professional M.S. program are ineligible to receive departmental fellowships that cover tuition and living expenses. Students in this course-intensive program are primarily self-supported, but may be eligible to receive partial financial support in the form of hourly wages to support the teaching and research missions of the department. Students in the Professional M.S. program must complete at least two academic semesters before they may be admitted into the PhD program. Only students in the Ph.D. program can be considered for departmental financial support in the form of tuition and stipend.
Fulfillment of the Ph.D. requirements takes three to four years beyond an M.S. degree and requires passing a qualifying examination, completing two internships in university teaching, writing a thesis that describes the results of independent research, and passing an oral defense of the research. All full-time Ph.D. students engage in research under faculty guidance. Currently, the department has 63 faculty members; all are actively engaged in research in addition to their regular teaching responsibilities.
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A top-ranked school
January 2007 Rankings for graduate engineering programs at Carnegie Mellon University:
- Top Engineering Schools: College of Engineering (#6)
- Engineering Specialties: Computer Engineering (#4)
- Engineering Specialties: Electrical/Electronic (#9)
Engineering continues to be a leader in undergraduate education. Our college has created innovative curriculum which provides our students with the skill-set to be competitive in the global marketplace.
- Pradeep Khosla, Dean, College of Engineering
Many ways to get involved
Many organizations are available to ECE students who would like to participate in activities with other students or alumni in the department or college. The university offers several groups that promote student involvement in the engineering college.
- ECE Graduate Student Organization (EGO)
- ECE Student Advisory Council (ECE SAC)
- Eta Kappa Nu: Electrical and Computer Engineering Honor Society (HKN)
- Graduate Student Assembly (GSA)
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Student Chapter
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) CMU Student Chapter
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
- Tau Beta Pi: The Engineering Honor Society
- WinECE (Women in ECE)
In addition, CMU offers a wealth of activities for the active student. Visit the Office of Student Activities or the CMU Activities Board for more information.