Why study this program?

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers graduate courses leading to the MEng, MSc, and PhD degrees to qualified graduates of recognized universities.

Electrical and Computer Engineering graduate students have the opportunity to work with an advisor in one of twelve research areas in the department. While a specific topic of focus is expected, the research conducted in many of the areas is interdisciplinary. This gives students experience with other facets of electrical and computer engineering, and engineering physics. The twelve areas of research in ECE include: biomedical engineering; communications; computer engineering; control systems; electromagnetics and microwaves; energy systems; integrated circuits and systems; microsystems and nanodevices; photonics and plasmas; signal and image processing; software engineering and intelligent systems; solid state electronics.

Entrance Requirements

The Department’s minimum requirements for admission to the MEng or MSc programs are an undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4- point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.

The Department’s minimum requirements for admission to the PhD program are an undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least of 3.3 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.

Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (refer to English Language Requirement ). Any one of the following is acceptable:

• a minimum TOEFL score of 92 (Internet-based) with at least 21 in each section or equivalent;
• an overall band score of 7.0 on IELTS with at least 6.0 on each band;
• a minimum overall score of 70 on the CAEL with at least 60 on each subtest;
• a minimum score of 62 on the PTE Academic.

Students are also required to submit a Curriculum Vitae and three letters of reference. Current U of A students applying for graduate admission do not need to submit references.

Students with a Master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering (or a related discipline) are only eligible for admission into the PhD program, and students with a doctoral degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering (or a related discipline) are ineligible for admission into the graduate program. The determination of related disciplines is made (on a case-by-case basis) by the Associate Chair - Graduate Program.