On successful completion of the MPhil program, graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a solid understanding of scientific theory and methods relevant to ECE;
2. Demonstrate sound knowledge of relevant scientific literature;
3. Apply theories, methodologies, and knowledge to address important research questions relevant to ECE;
4. Demonstrate practical skills in designing or developing ECE systems;
5. Demonstrate the ability to independently pursue original research and innovation; and
6. Demonstrate oral and written communication skills sufficient for a professional career in ECE disciplines.

On successful completion of the PhD program, graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive and deep understanding of scientific theory and methods relevant to Electronic and Computer Engineering (ECE);
2. Demonstrate mastery of, and critical understanding of, relevant scientific literature;
3. Critically apply theories, methodologies, and knowledge to address important fundamental questions relevant to ECE;
4. Demonstrate the ability to independently conduct original research and make significant scientific contributions to the ECE discipline; and
5. Demonstrate competency in oral and written communication skills at a level sufficient for disseminating the results to the scientific community.

1. Minimum Credit Requirement

MPhil/PhD: 15 credits

2. Required Courses

MPhil:
15 credits of approved coursework, of which at least 9 in the area of Electronic and Computer Engineering.

PhD:
15 credits of approved postgraduate coursework, of which at least 9 in the area of Electronic and Computer Engineering.

The credit(s) earned from ELEC 6900 Independent Study cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.

3. School Requirements on PhD Programs

In addition to the program requirements, all full-time and part-time PhD students are required to complete the school requirements, which aim to help students gain a wider exposure to multidisciplinary areas, and attain all-rounded learning by broadening their knowledge base.

PhD students are required to take at least a 3-credit course at 5000-level or above outside their programs offered by the School of Engineering. The 3 credits may be satisfied by courses from other Schools upon approval.

In some exceptional cases where students can provide sufficient justifications and obtain prior approval from their supervisors, PG Coordinators, and Heads of Department/Program Directors or designees, they are allowed to take the 3-credit course within their home departments/programs but the course must be in areas outside their specialty.

Details of the requirements are available on the website of the School of Engineering.

4. Graduate Teaching Assistant Training

All full-time RPg students are required to complete PDEV 6800. The course is composed of a 10-hour training offered by the Center for Education Innovation (CEI), and session(s) of instructional delivery to be assigned by the respective departments. Upon satisfactory completion of the training conducted by CEI, MPhil students are required to give at least one 30-minute session of instructional delivery in front of a group of students for one term. PhD students are required to give at least one such session each in two different terms. The instructional delivery will be formally assessed.
 

5. Professional Development Course Requirement

Students are required to complete PDEV 6770. The 1 credit earned from PDEV 6770 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
 

PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have completed PDEV 6770 or other professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking PDEV 6770, subject to prior approval of the School.

Students are required to complete ENGG 6780. The 1 credit earned from ENGG 6780 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
 

PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have completed ENGG 6780 before may be exempted from taking ENGG 6780, subject to prior approval of the School.

6. English Language Requirement

Full-time RPg students are required to take an English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) Speaking Test administered by the Center for Language Education before the start of their first term of study. Students whose ELPA Speaking Test score is below Level 4, or who failed to take the test in their first term of study, are required to take LANG 5000 until they pass the course by attaining at least Level 4 in the ELPA Speaking Test before graduation. The 1 credit earned from LANG 5000 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
 

Full-time students are required to complete LANG 5005 and advised to complete it in the first year of study. The 1 credit earned from LANG 5005 cannot be counted toward the program credit requirements. Students may be considered for exemption from this course, subject to the approval of the Department Head and/or PG Coordinator/Program Director.

7. Postgraduate Seminar

Full-time PhD students are required to enroll for ELEC 6950, which consists of both "Departmental Seminar I" and "Departmental Seminar II", for two terms, and present at least once in ELEC 6950 during their study.

8. PhD Qualifying Examination

PhD students are required to pass a qualifying examination within two years after admission, with a maximum of two attempts.
 

9. Thesis Research

MPhil:

1. Registration in ELEC 6990; and
2. Presentation and oral defense of the MPhil thesis.

PhD:

1. Registration in ELEC 7990; and
2. Presentation and oral defense of the PhD thesis.

1. Energy Technology Concentration

In addition to the existing program requirements, students who opt for the Energy Technology concentration are required to:
 

1. Take one ENEG course.
    
2. Complete ENEG 6010 for one term.
    

3. Conduct research in energy area.

2. Nanotechnology Concentration

In addition to the existing program requirements, students who opt for the Energy Technology concentration are required to:
 

1. Take one NANO course.
    
2. Complete NANO 6010 for one term.
    

3. Conduct research in nano area.

3. Scientific Computation Concentration

In addition to the existing program requirements, students who opt for the Scientific Computation concentration are required to:
 

1. MPhil:
   Complete a minimum of 7 credits from the following course lists.
   PhD:
   Complete a minimum of 10 credits from the following course lists.
   
   The credits earned under the concentration will be counted toward the total credit requirements of the programs.
   
   All students must take MATH 6915 and MATH 6916. Credits earned from MATH 6915 can be repeated for up to 2 credits.
   
   All students must take at least one course of other departments (excluding MATH 6915 and MATH 6916) or one CSIC course.

Elective Courses

2. Conduct research in the area of scientific computation.

To qualify for admission, applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Admission is selective and meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Apply online before the application deadlines.

 * Applicants are considered as non-local students if they hold (i) student visa/ entry permit; or (ii) visa under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG); or (iii) dependent visa/entry permit who were 18 years old or above when they were issued with such visa/ entry permit by the Director of Immigration. For details on student visa/ entry permit requirements, please click here.