EE Ph.D. Program

Ph.D. Program 

Areas of study include communications; computer networks engineering; photonics engineering, including optical communications, nonlinear optics, remote sensing and LIDAR for atmospheric and environmental studies; atmospheric solid state lasers; optical engineering; parallel processing; VLSI design; robotics and control, control system engineering; image and signal processing; nano/micro devices; and multidimensional filter design.

 

Ph.D. Program Background

Doctoral education in Engineering began in 1963 at the Grove School of Engineering (GSOE) of the City College of New York (CCNY / CUNY City College) under the auspices of the Graduate School and University Center of the City College of New York (CUNY Graduate Center). In August 2008, New York State's Department of Education granted authority to the City College of New York (CUNY City College) to directly offer Ph.D. degrees in Engineering. As the flagship science and engineering campus of the City University of New York, the City College in known for its distinguished faculty, outstanding students and graduates -- nine of twelve CUNY Nobel Laureates graduated from the City College. The Grove School of Engineering is the only engineering school in the CUNY system.

 

Learning Outcomes of the EE Ph.D. Program

Upon completion of the Ph.D. Program in Electrical Engineering, students should be able to:

A.  Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to solve engineering problems and undertake teaching and research

B.   Assume leadership roles in academia, industry and government

C.   Plan and conduct scholarly activities that make original contributions to the knowledge base in one or more areas of specialization within Electrical Engineering discipline

D.  Communicate effectively both as individuals and leaders of multidisciplinary and multicultural teams in a diverse global economy

E.   Recognize the need for and engage in life-long learning as independent professional scholars

F.   Understand the importance of the ethical, safety, socio-economic, and environmental issues related to the Electrical Engineering profession.

 

CCNY Ph.D. Fellowships 

The EE department will grant several Fellowships to new Ph.D. students admitted in the Fall semester of each year. The fellowships will cover first year stipend ($24k), health benefits and full tuition for up to 5 years. The faculty mentor will be required to provide the student stipend after the first year while the student is in the EE Ph.D. Program and shows satisfactory progress. The fellowship is very competitive. Students with excellent academic performance are encouraged to contact faculty members in the EE Department and submit the application package well before the regular graduate admissions deadline.

Timeline to apply for CCNY Ph.D. Fellowships:

February 15, student application deadline for CCNY Ph.D. fellowship

March 15, deadline for faculty nomination of Ph.D. fellowship candidates

Early April, notification of decision

The successful candidates are required to notify the EE Department of their decision on the acceptance of the fellowship within two weeks after the offer letter is received. Students who accept the fellowships are expected to arrive at CCNY before the registration deadline in Fall semester.

 

Requirements for Admission to the Ph.D. Programs

  1. A bachelor’s degree from a college or university of accredited standing in a branch of engineering, or a closely related area, appropriate to the applicant’s intended field of study.
  2. An academic record demonstrating promise of superior performance in advanced study and research.
  3. Adequate preparation in specific courses as may be required by the individual departments.

 

Guidance and Program Planning:
Soon after being notified of admission, and preferably before registration, the student should arrange for an appointment with a departmental advisor. This can be done through the Graduate Engineering Office. This advisor will help the student plan an approved sequence of courses. Soon after completing 30 credits, or soon after admission with this level of work, a student must obtain the consent of a faculty member to act as his or her research mentor and must then request the Dean to assign a guidance committee. The student’s planned program of courses and research program must be submitted to the guidance committee for approval.

Residence Requirements:
The student is required to be in residence for the equivalent of six full-time semesters. The possession of a master’s degree from an accredited institution, or the completion of graduate work equivalent to the master’s degree may, by approval of the Executive Officer, reduce the residence requirement to the equivalent of four semesters. At least two consecutive semesters must be in full-time residence.

Approval of Research:
Prior to undertaking a research program the student must request approval from his or her guidance committee.

University Requirements:
The student will be required to comply with the University “Requirements for Admission and for Graduate Degrees” as printed in the bulletin of The Graduate School of The City University of New York. It is also helpful to consult the Graduate School Student Handbook. These requirements include the following:

  • A student may continue in a doctoral program in The City University after he or she has completed 45 credits only if he or she has passed a First Examination in the area of specialization with a grade of excellence or high pass.
  • Satisfactory completion of 60 credits of approved graduate work, of which at least 30 must be taken at The City University.
  • Completion of the course requirements in the field of specialization.
  • Satisfactory completion of a Second Examination of at least two hours’ duration usually taken after the completion of course requirements. The student may be admitted to the second examination only upon the recommendation of a mentor.
  • The student shall demonstrate proficiency in those research tools considered appropriate by the faculty in the field of specialization.
  • Satisfactory completion, not later than eight years after matriculation, of a dissertation which embodies original research. For a student who is matriculated after the completion of at least 30 credits of acceptable work, this time will be reduced to seven years.
  • The dissertation will be defended at an oral final examination.

 

Contact

For admission forms and further information, consult with or write to:
Executive Officer
Ph.D. Program in Engineering
Graduate Office, School of Engineering ST-209
The City College of New York
160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031
Tel: (212) 650-8030
Fax: (212) 650-8090

 

For specific questions about EE Ph.D. program, consult with or write to:

Dr. Ahmed Mohamed, EE Ph.D. Program Advisor
amohamed@ccny.cuny.edu

Last Updated: 09/30/2021 15:29