All Ph.D. candidates in residence must participate in the one credit research seminar in their area of concentration, or in an area chosen by the student's committee for those students doing thesis research on a topic outside the areas of concentration in the department. All Ph.D. candidates in residence who have not been given sustaining status must also be enrolled in at least one advanced technical course acceptable to their advisor each regular term, regardless of where they are in their program. For the Ph.D., the University requires one continuous academic year of full-time study as a residency requirement. All Ph.D. students must take at least one graduate level electrical engineering course outside their area of concentration beyond that required in meeting the master's degree course requirement. All Ph.D. full-time candidates must perform the duties of a teaching assistant for a minimum of one semester.
Examinations There are three examinations in the course of the Ph.D. program.
Upon successful completion of the first two of these examinations, the doctoral student will be admitted to candidacy. The Ph.D. qualifying examination is given in early June and early February of each year. This exam must be completed within two years of admission and can be taken at most twice. The qualifying examination has both written and oral parts. Foundation courses are offered in each of the three areas of concentration in the department.