Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering

The department offers opportunities for study in a broad spectrum of areas within the disciplines of electrical and computer engineering. Research in the department is generally organized into research themes including biocomputing and biomedical devices and systems, circuits and systems, computer architecture and systems, nanosystems, devices and materials, photonics, quantum computing, sensing and signals, and waves and metamaterials. Students typically affiliate with one of four areas of specialization: computer engineering, information physics, microelectronics, photonics and nanotechnology, and signal and information processing. Detailed descriptions of course offerings, faculty research interests, and degree requirements may be found on the department's website. Interdisciplinary opportunities that connect the ECE program with other engineering departments, computer science, the natural sciences, and the medical school are available. Students in the department may also be involved in research conducted in one of the Duke centers. Further, under a reciprocal agreement with neighboring universities, a student may include some courses offered at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Since an important criterion for admitting new students is the match between student and faculty research interests, applicants are strongly encouraged to indicate the specialization area(s) in which they are interested.