Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Engineering Program By Boston University |Top Universities
Subject Ranking

# =113QS Subject Rankings

Program Duration

24 monthsProgram duration

Main Subject Area

Computer Science and Information SystemsMain Subject Area

Program overview

Main Subject

Computer Science and Information Systems

Study Level

PHD

As a computer engineering PhD student, you will pursue theoretical and empirical studies in a topic area determined by your interests and those of your faculty research advisor. As a student in Boston, you will be in the midst of a vibrant high-tech research community where external collaborations with industry, government, and other universities are common. However, your experience will likely not be limited to Boston; PhD students are supported by the department to present their work at many key conferences around the world. Completion of the PhD establishes a student’s ability to conduct independent basic or applied research, and prepares him or her for a career in academia, industry, or government. Students pursue theoretical and empirical studies in a topic area determined by their interests, faculty research areas, and departmental research facilities. External collaborations with industry and government laboratories are encouraged. In addition to fulfilling the MS degree program requirements, all PhD students must enroll for an additional 32 units (8 courses) at the graduate level (500 level or above). Post-master’s PhD students are required to complete 32 graduate units (eight courses) beyond their MS work. In addition to an oral prospectus defense and final dissertation defense, students must satisfy a Technical Preparation Criterion (TPC) and a Research Preparation Criterion (RPC), which together constitute the PhD Qualifying Process of the ECE Department. The TPC requires a student to demonstrate excellent performance in certain graduate courses (four for post-bachelor’s, two for post-master’s), mostly related to the student’s area of specialization. Post-bachelor’s PhD students are required to satisfy the TPC by the end of their third semester in the PhD program. Post-master’s PhD students are required to satisfy the TPC by the end of their second semester in the PhD program. Students who are not able to satisfy the TPC within their allocated time are not allowed to remain in the PhD program. At least one of the courses used to satisfy TPC must require a significant component involving the formulation, analysis, and solution of mathematical models. This course also satisfies the College of Engineering’s math requirement. The RPC requires a student to pass an oral examination related to a research article (chosen by the student and approved by the ECE Graduate Committee) and its background material. All PhD students are required to satisfy the RPC by the end of the summer that immediately follows the completion of two regular semesters (Fall/Spring) in the PhD program. If a student fails the oral examination on the first attempt, he/she is given a make-up oral examination several weeks later. Unless a student passes the oral examination on either the first or the second attempt, the student will not be allowed to stay in the PhD program

Program overview

Main Subject

Computer Science and Information Systems

Study Level

PHD

As a computer engineering PhD student, you will pursue theoretical and empirical studies in a topic area determined by your interests and those of your faculty research advisor. As a student in Boston, you will be in the midst of a vibrant high-tech research community where external collaborations with industry, government, and other universities are common. However, your experience will likely not be limited to Boston; PhD students are supported by the department to present their work at many key conferences around the world. Completion of the PhD establishes a student’s ability to conduct independent basic or applied research, and prepares him or her for a career in academia, industry, or government. Students pursue theoretical and empirical studies in a topic area determined by their interests, faculty research areas, and departmental research facilities. External collaborations with industry and government laboratories are encouraged. In addition to fulfilling the MS degree program requirements, all PhD students must enroll for an additional 32 units (8 courses) at the graduate level (500 level or above). Post-master’s PhD students are required to complete 32 graduate units (eight courses) beyond their MS work. In addition to an oral prospectus defense and final dissertation defense, students must satisfy a Technical Preparation Criterion (TPC) and a Research Preparation Criterion (RPC), which together constitute the PhD Qualifying Process of the ECE Department. The TPC requires a student to demonstrate excellent performance in certain graduate courses (four for post-bachelor’s, two for post-master’s), mostly related to the student’s area of specialization. Post-bachelor’s PhD students are required to satisfy the TPC by the end of their third semester in the PhD program. Post-master’s PhD students are required to satisfy the TPC by the end of their second semester in the PhD program. Students who are not able to satisfy the TPC within their allocated time are not allowed to remain in the PhD program. At least one of the courses used to satisfy TPC must require a significant component involving the formulation, analysis, and solution of mathematical models. This course also satisfies the College of Engineering’s math requirement. The RPC requires a student to pass an oral examination related to a research article (chosen by the student and approved by the ECE Graduate Committee) and its background material. All PhD students are required to satisfy the RPC by the end of the summer that immediately follows the completion of two regular semesters (Fall/Spring) in the PhD program. If a student fails the oral examination on the first attempt, he/she is given a make-up oral examination several weeks later. Unless a student passes the oral examination on either the first or the second attempt, the student will not be allowed to stay in the PhD program

Admission requirements

Undergraduate

7+

Tuition fee and scholarships

One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.

In this guide you will find:
opportunities

Where to look for scholarship opportunities

how_to

How to apply to scholarships relevant to you

list

A list of available scholarships around the world

checklist

A scholarship application checklist

banner
download_icon Download Scholarship Guide

More programs from the university

One of the largest private universities in the country, Boston University educates approximately 16,000 undergraduate students each year. Nearly 3,900 faculty members teach in 250 programs of study at 17 schools and colleges.

In 2018, U.S. News & World Report ranked BU 37th in the nation and 39th among global universities. The faculty features a Pulitzer Prize winner, a MacArthur fellow, a former US Poet Laureate, and dozens of Guggenheim fellows. The student-faculty ratio is 10:1 and the average class size is 27.
BU is a member of the Association of American Universities, an invitation-only group of North America’s most prestigious research universities. One of only four Boston-area members, BU boasts particular interdisciplinary breadth and depth of excellence in cloud computing and cyber security; engineering biology; infectious diseases; neuroscience; photonics; urban policy; education; and the humanities. It’s not unusual to find undergraduates in the cutting-edge labs and work spaces of prominent researchers tackling life-changing challenges.

Recognized around the world, the University fields applications for admission from students representing over 150 countries. By the same token, thousands of Terriers get their passports stamped every year for study, research, and internships on all seven continents. Once they graduate, BU students are among the most employable in the country and the world—5th and 6th, respectively, according to Times Higher Education.
BU is implementing a University-wide general education curriculum called the BU Hub, which ensures every graduate will possess the essential knowledge, skills, and habits of mind needed to think deeply, generate new ideas, and put them into action, particularly within the context of a hyper-fast, globally connected world.

On campus, daily life is a swirl of languages, faces, and religions, with 450+ student clubs, countless shows and lectures, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a slew of pubs and restaurants, and 22 varsity athletic teams, including the thrills and spills of Terrier hockey.

The University is nestled in the heart of Boston, a hotbed of high tech and biomedicine, and the birthplace of American history, serving as an extended classroom for students, offering study, internships, and professional opportunities with some of the world’s most influential leaders in fields from art to finance to biotech. It’s no wonder BU is called “Boston’s university.”

BA in Archaeology

::type_cta_button:: View Details

BA in History

::type_cta_button:: View Details

BA in Latin

::type_cta_button:: View Details

BA in Music

::type_cta_button:: View Details

B.A. in Biology

::type_cta_button:: View Details

BA in Psychology

::type_cta_button:: View Details

BS in Biology

::type_cta_button:: View Details

BA in English

::type_cta_button:: View Details

BA in Religion

::type_cta_button:: View Details

BA in Sociology

::type_cta_button:: View Details

BS in Economics

::type_cta_button:: View Details

The largest university in Boston and the fourth-largest private educational institution in the country, Boston University counts some 15,000 graduate students among its student body.

Nearly 3,900 faculty members teach at 17 schools and colleges and when not at the front of the classroom, they can be found at BU’s 125+ research centers and institutes and 2,326 laboratories spread across three city campuses. The faculty features a Pulitzer Prize winner, a MacArthur fellow, a former US Poet Laureate, and dozens of Guggenheim fellows.
BU is a major, global research institution and a member of the Association of American Universities, an invitation-only group of 62 of North America’s most prestigious research universities. One of only four Boston-area members, BU boasts particular interdisciplinary breadth and depth of excellence in cloud computing and cyber security; engineering biology; infectious diseases; neuroscience; photonics; urban policy; education; and the humanities. Home also to a medical school and teaching hospital, in FY2017 BU landed more than $400M in federal research dollars. In the commercial sector, some 200 companies are developing and selling products based on BU discoveries.

U.S. News & World Report for 2019 ranked numerous BU graduate programs among the country’s top 50: Sargent College’s occupational therapy program (#1), School of Public Health’s program (#10), Business (#42), Education (#34), Law (#22), Engineering (#34), Biomedical Engineering (#12), Medical Research (#29), Medical Primary Care (#26), Social Work (#10), as well as graduate programs in Computer Science, Math, Physics, Economics, Psychology, and Sociology.

The University is nestled in the heart of Boston, a hotbed of high tech and biomedicine, and the birthplace of American history, serving as an extended classroom for students, offering study, internships, and professional opportunities with some of the world’s most influential leaders in fields from art to finance to biotech. It’s no wonder BU is called “Boston’s university.”

JD/MA in English

::type_cta_button:: View Details

JD/MA in History

::type_cta_button:: View Details

MA in Archaeology

::type_cta_button:: View Details

MA in Composition

::type_cta_button:: View Details

MA in History

::type_cta_button:: View Details

MA in Philosophy

::type_cta_button:: View Details

MA in Pathology

::type_cta_button:: View Details

Ph.D. in English

::type_cta_button:: View Details

PhD in History

::type_cta_button:: View Details

PhD in Philosophy

::type_cta_button:: View Details
PHD programs