Electrical and Computer Engineering

Program Overview

The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is consistently ranked the top electrical and computer engineering department in Canada and among the top 15 in the world by many ranking organizations. Among our professors are 39 Fellows of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 6 Fellows of the Optical Society, 10 Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada and 18 Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Engineering. ECE holds more than 40% of all U of T Engineering invention disclosures — in 2020 alone, we authored 142 patents. Our collaborative relationships with industry partners such as Google, Fujitsu, Ericsson, and LG help our students contribute to the department’s history of ground-breaking discoveries, patents and many spinoffs.

Our ECE graduate students are known for their innovation and problem-solving; approximately nine out of ten of our department invention disclosures each year involve a student, and dozens of our students receive major awards from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and other agencies. Last year our research-stream students received funding totalling more than 12.5 million dollars and our 8:1 graduate student-to-faculty ratio provides our students with an excellent opportunity to build professional relationships with our faculty members. Upon graduation our students are primed for success in many fields, not only in engineering but also business, health care, law and more.

Our degree programs

We offer three degree programs: the Master of Engineering (MEng), the Master of Applied Science (MASc), and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — with courses and research that encompass the theory and application of all aspects of the electrical and computer engineering.

The MEng is a course-based master’s degree intended to provide students with the training and expertise needed to succeed in today’s information economy. MEng students can choose from an expansive list of courses, with lectures and labs from both our faculty and industry experts. Research projects supervised by our world-class faculty are also available to some students.

Our MASc program is intended to give students an opportunity to develop their research skills; in addition to taking courses, their research activity is supervised by one of our faculty members. We expect that our MASc students will finish their studies and defend a thesis within a 24-month period, during which they will receive financial support from the department and their research advisor, as long as they maintain satisfactory progress. Many of our MASc students publish their research results in scientific journals and conferences.

Our PhD program provides students with the opportunity to develop an in-depth understanding of a particular field — it is a serious commitment to a given area or topic, and students are expected to make novel and significant contributions to their area of study. In addition to conducting research under the supervision of one or more members of our faculty, PhD students take relevant courses and must complete a qualifying examination. We expect that our PhD students will finish their study and research within a 48-month period. If maintaining satisfactory progress, they will receive financial support from the department and their research advisor for four years. We expect that our PhD students will publish their research results in internationally recognized and reputable scientific journals and conferences.


Please visit https://www.ece.utoronto.ca/graduates/admission/ for more information. Inquiries can be directed to grad.admissions.ece@utoronto.ca.


Quick Facts

Domestic International
Application deadline MASc, PhD:

Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 entry

04-Jan-2024

MEng:

31-May-2024, Fall 2024 entry

31-May-2024, Winter 2025 entry

MASc, PhD:

Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 entry

04-Jan-2024

MEng:

15-Mar-2024, Fall 2024 entry

31-May-2024, Winter 2025 entry

Minimum admission average MASc, MEng:

Mid-B  in the final year

PhD:

B+ average in Master’s

MASc, MEng:

Mid-B  in the final year

PhD:

B+ average in Master’s

Direct entry option from bachelor's to PhD? PhD:

Yes (minimum A-minus average in bachelor’s degree)

PhD:

Yes (minimum A-minus average in bachelor’s degree)

Is a supervisor identified before or after admission? MASc, PhD:

Before

MASc, PhD:

Before

If a supervisor is identified after admission (as per question above), is admission conditional upon securing a supervisor? MASc, MEng, PhD:

N/A

MASc, MEng, PhD:

N/A

Is a supervisor assigned by the graduate unit or secured by the applicant? MASc, PhD:

Applicant

MASc, PhD:

Applicant

Are any standardized tests required/recommended? MASc, MEng, PhD:

N/A

MASc, MEng, PhD:

N/A


Master of Applied Science

Program Description

The MASc provides students with an opportunity to pursue advanced studies in the particular area of interest and an opportunity to engage in research.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor's degree in electrical and computer engineering or its equivalent from a recognized university.

  • High academic standing equivalent to a mid-B or better, normally demonstrated by an average grade in the final year or over senior-level courses.

Program Requirements

  • Each student's program of study must receive the approval of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and, in general, shall consist of a research or design project on which a thesis must be submitted.

  • During Year 1, students are required to attend the ECE Colloquium and complete JDE1000H Ethics in Research (0.0 FCE).

  • Coursework. Normally, completion of 2.5 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) or five half courses. Students whose undergraduate preparation does not include the study of subjects deemed to be necessary for research in the chosen area will be required to complete additional courses.

  • Thesis. This thesis shall demonstrate the student's ability to do independent work in relating, organizing, and extending existing techniques where required, and in suggesting and developing new approaches to problems in an area of applied science and engineering.

  • Students have the option of completing an emphasis in Sustainable Energy as part of their degree program. Please see details in the Electrical and Computer Engineering MASc, MEng, PhD Emphases section.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

Master of Engineering

Program Description

The MEng program is designed to provide professional training beyond the undergraduate level and to accelerate careers with specialized engineering expertise needed in business, government, and industry.

The MEng program can be taken on a full-time, extended full-time, or part-time basis.

 

Full-Time Option

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor's degree in electrical and computer engineering or its equivalent from a recognized university.

  • High academic standing equivalent to a mid-B or better, normally demonstrated by an average grade in the final year or over senior-level courses.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Normally, completion of 4.5 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) or nine half courses for applicants with adequate undergraduate preparation. At least 2.5 graduate FCEs or five half courses must be drawn from graduate courses offered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

  • Students may choose to complete an engineering project with an equivalent value of 1.5 FCEs. Students choosing the project option will be required to complete a total of 3.0 FCEs in addition to the project. In order to pursue the project option, the student must secure a professor who will act as the supervisor throughout the project.

  • Students have the option of completing an emphasis in Analytics; Biomedical Engineering; Communications; Computer Engineering; Electromagnetics; Electronics; Energy Systems; Engineering and Globalization; Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Innovation and Technology in Engineering (ELITE); Identity, Privacy and Security (IPS); Photonics; Robotics; Sustainable Energy; or Systems Control as part of their degree program. Please see details in the Electrical and Computer Engineering MASc, MEng, PhD Emphases section.

Program Length

3 sessions (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years

 

Extended Full-Time Option

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor's degree in electrical and computer engineering or its equivalent from a recognized university.

  • High academic standing equivalent to a mid-B or better, normally demonstrated by an average grade in the final year or over senior-level courses.

Program Requirements

  • Students are expected to complete the requirements in six sessions (two years) and are limited to six half courses per year and three half courses per session.

  • Coursework. Normally, completion of 4.5 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) or nine half courses for applicants with adequate undergraduate preparation. At least 2.5 graduate FCEs or five half courses must be drawn from graduate courses offered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

  • Students may choose to complete an engineering project with an equivalent value of 1.5 FCEs. Students choosing the project option will be required to complete a total of 3.0 FCEs in addition to the project. In order to pursue the project option, the student must secure a professor who will act as the supervisor throughout the project.

  • Students have the option of completing an emphasis in Analytics; Biomedical Engineering; Communications; Computer Engineering; Electromagnetics; Electronics; Energy Systems; Engineering and Globalization; Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Innovation and Technology in Engineering (ELITE); Identity, Privacy and Security (IPS); Photonics; Robotics; Sustainable Energy; or Systems Control as part of their degree program. Please see details in the Electrical and Computer Engineering MASc, MEng, PhD Emphases section.

Program Length

6 sessions (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years

 

Part-Time Option

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor's degree in electrical and computer engineering or its equivalent from a recognized university.

  • High academic standing equivalent to a mid-B or better, normally demonstrated by an average grade in the final year or over senior-level courses.

Program Requirements

  • Students normally complete the requirements in nine sessions (three years). They are limited to four half courses per year and two half courses per session.

  • Coursework. Normally, completion of 4.5 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) or nine half courses for applicants with adequate undergraduate preparation. At least 2.5 graduate FCEs or five half courses must be drawn from graduate courses offered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

  • Students may choose to complete an engineering project with an equivalent value of 1.5 FCEs. Students choosing the project option will be required to complete a total of 3.0 FCEs in addition to the project. In order to pursue the project option, the student must secure a professor who will act as the supervisor throughout the project.

  • Students have the option of completing an emphasis in Analytics; Biomedical Engineering; Communications; Computer Engineering; Electromagnetics; Electronics; Energy Systems; Engineering and Globalization; Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Innovation and Technology in Engineering (ELITE); Identity, Privacy and Security (IPS); Photonics; Robotics; Sustainable Energy; or Systems Control as part of their degree program. Please see details in the Electrical and Computer Engineering MASc, MEng, PhD Emphases section.

Program Length

9 sessions

Time Limit

6 years

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The PhD program is designed for exceptional individuals who intend to pursue a career in fundamental or applied research.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of three routes: 1) following completion of the University of Toronto master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering or its equivalent from a recognized university; 2) transfer from the University of Toronto MASc program; or 3) direct entry for exceptionally qualified students with an appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university.

 

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Admission may be granted for applicants with a University of Toronto master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering with an overall average of at least B+, or its equivalent from a recognized university.

  • The department must be satisfied of the student's ability to do advanced research before admission may be granted.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Normally, students who enter the PhD with a master's degree will complete 2.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) not previously used for other degree credit. Students may receive a course reduction of up to 1.0 FCE depending on their PhD research needs in relation to their studies at the master's level. The number of required courses will be determined by the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies, in consultation with the PhD supervisor.

  • During Year 1, each student must:

    • pass a qualifying oral examination in the area of research;

    • attend the ECE Colloquium;

    • complete JDE1000H Ethics in Research (0.0 FCE) if they have not already done so in a previous University of Toronto master's program.

  • Thesis.

  • Students have the option of completing an emphasis in Sustainable Energy as part of their degree program. Please see details in the Electrical and Computer Engineering MASc, MEng, PhD Emphases section.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

 

PhD Program (Transfer)

Transfer Requirements

  • Admission may be granted to applicants via transfer from the MASc to the PhD program, upon completion of 2.5 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) with an overall average of at least B+.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Normally, students who transfer from the MASc to the PhD will complete 1.5 graduate FCEs, in addition to courses completed while registered in the MASc program. Students may be required to complete up to 1.0 additional FCE depending on their PhD research needs in relation to their studies at the master's level. The number of required courses will be determined by the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies, in consultation with the PhD supervisor.

  • During Year 1, each student must:

    • pass a qualifying oral examination in the area of research;

    • attend the ECE Colloquium;

    • complete JDE1000H Ethics in Research (0.0 FCE) if they have not already done so in a previous University of Toronto master's program.

  • Thesis.

  • Students have the option of completing an emphasis in Sustainable Energy as part of their degree program. Please see details in the Electrical and Computer Engineering MASc, MEng, PhD Emphases section.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

 

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Admission may be granted by direct entry for exceptionally qualified students with an appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university.

  • The department must be satisfied of the student's ability to do advanced research before admission may be granted.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete 4.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs).

  • During Year 1, each student must:

    • pass a qualifying oral examination in the area of research;

    • attend the ECE Colloquium;

    • complete JDE1000H Ethics in Research (0.0 FCE) if they have not already done so in a previous University of Toronto master's program.

  • Thesis.

  • Students have the option of completing an emphasis in Sustainable Energy as part of their degree program. Please see details in the Electrical and Computer Engineering MASc, MEng, PhD Emphases section.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

Emphasis: Analytics (MEng only)

To be admitted to the emphasis in Analytics, MEng students must first successfully complete a prerequisite course APS1070H (0.5 full-course equivalent [FCE]).

Subsequently, to earn the emphasis, students must successfully complete four additional half courses (2.0 FCEs) from the list of core courses or elective courses. These must include at least one core course; the remaining courses must be selected from the list of elective courses.

Students must have completed the prerequisite course APS1070H before taking any of the core courses.

Prerequisite Course

APS1070H Foundations of Data Analytics and Machine Learning.

Core Courses

CHE1147H Data Mining in Engineering
ECE1513H Introduction to Machine Learning (exclusions: CSC311H1, CSC2515H, ECE421H1, ECE1504H)
MIE1624H Introduction to Data Science and Analytics (exclusion: MIE1626H)
MIE1626H Data Science Methods and Statistical Learning (exclusion: MIE1624H)
MSE1065H Application of Artificial Intelligence in Materials Design (exclusion: MSE1063H).

Elective Courses

APS502H1, APS1005H, APS1017H, APS1022H, APS1040H, APS1050H, APS1051H, APS1052H, APS1053H, APS1080H,
CEM1002H,
CHE507H1, CHE1108H, CHE1148H, CHE1434H,
CIV1504H, CIV1506H, CIV1507H, CIV1532H, CIV1538H,
ECE537H1, ECE1504H (exclusions: CSC311H1, CSC2515H, ECE421H1, ECE521H1, ECE1513H), ECE1505H, ECE1657H, ECE1778H, ECE1779H, ECE1786H,
MIE562H1, MIE1077H, MIE1413H, MIE1501H, MIE1512H, MIE1513H, MIE1517H, MIE1620H, MIE1621H, MIE1622H, MIE1623H, MIE1625H, MIE1628H, MIE1653H, MIE1666H, MIE1721H, MIE1723H, MIE1727H, MIE1769H,
MSE1063H (exclusion: MSE1065H).

 

Emphasis: Biomedical Engineering (MEng only)

MEng students must successfully complete at least four courses from those listed below. Students may double-count one course at most towards any ECE emphasis.

  • Any JEB14XXH course

  • ECE1774H Sensory Cybernetics

  • ECE2500Y Master of Engineering Project (topic in biomedical engineering; counts as one course towards the emphasis).

Students may include other biomedical engineering-related courses subject to the approval of the ECE Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.

 

Emphasis: Communications (MEng only)

MEng students must successfully complete at least four courses from those listed below. Students may double-count one course at most towards any ECE emphasis.

  • ECE537H1 Random Processes

  • Any ECE15XXH course

  • ECE2500Y Master of Engineering Project (topic in communications; counts as one course towards the emphasis).

 

Emphasis: Computer Engineering (MEng only)

MEng students must successfully complete at least four courses from those listed below. Students may double-count one course at most towards any ECE emphasis.

  • ECE516H1 Intelligent Image Processing

  • ECE532H1 Digital Systems Design

  • ECE552H1 Computer Architecture

  • ECE568H1 Computer Security

  • Any ECE17XXH course

  • ECE2500Y Master of Engineering Project (topic in computer engineering; counts as one course towards the emphasis).

 

Emphasis: Electromagnetics (MEng only)

MEng students must successfully complete at least four courses from those listed below. Students may double-count one course at most towards any ECE emphasis.

  • Any ECE12XXH course

  • ECE2500Y Master of Engineering Project (topic in electromagnetics; counts as one course towards the emphasis).

 

Emphasis: Electronics (MEng only)

MEng students must successfully complete at least four courses from those listed below. Students may double-count one course at most towards any ECE emphasis.

  • Any ECE13XXH course

  • ECE2500Y Master of Engineering Project (topic in electronics; counts as one course towards the emphasis).

 

Emphasis: Energy Systems (MEng only)

MEng students must successfully complete at least four courses from those listed below. Students may double-count one course at most towards any ECE emphasis.

  • Any ECE10XXH course

  • ECE2500Y Master of Engineering Project (topic in energy systems; counts as one course towards the emphasis).

 

Emphasis: Engineering and Globalization (MEng only)

MEng students must successfully complete four half courses (2.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs]) from the following lists, with at least two half courses (or one full course) taken from Group A.

Group A

APS510H1, APS530H1, APS1420H, JCR1000Y (full-year course).

Group B

APS1015H, APS1020H, APS1024H, CHL5700H, CIV1399H.

Note: Students who choose to pursue an MEng project in their home department that aligns with the Centre for Global Engineering (CGEN)'s disciplinary focus, as deemed by the CGEN Director, may count the project as one required Group B course.

Students who complete the requirements of the emphasis in Engineering and Globalization and wish to obtain a notation on their transcripts should contact the Faculty Graduate Studies office.

 

Emphasis: Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Innovation and Technology in Engineering (ELITE) (MEng only)

MEng students must successfully complete any four of the following courses (2.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs]):

Leadership

TEP1010H, TEP1011H, TEP1026H, TEP1027H, TEP1029H, TEP1030H, TEP1501H, TEP1502H, TEP1601H.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

APS511H1, APS1012H, APS1013H, APS1015H, APS1023H, APS1033H, APS1035H, APS1036H, APS1041H, APS1061H, APS1088H.

Finance and Management

AER1601H, APS500H1, APS502H1, APS1001H, APS1004H, APS1005H, APS1009H, APS1016H, APS1017H, APS1020H, APS1022H, APS1028H, APS1032H, APS1038H, APS1039H, APS1040H, APS1043H, APS1049H, APS1050H, APS1051H, APS1052H.

Engineering and Society

APS510H1, APS1018H, APS1024H, APS1025H, APS1031H, APS1034H, APS1101H, APS1420H.

 

Emphasis: Identity, Privacy and Security (IPS) (MEng only)

MEng students must successfully complete four half courses (2.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs]) as follows:

  • JIE1001H/ECE1518H Seminar in Identity, Privacy, and Security (0.5 FCE)

  • Two courses (1.0 FCE) from:

    • ECE568H1, ECE1517H, ECE1529H, ECE1776H, ECE1778H

  • And one course (0.5 FCE) from:

    • INF2124H, INF2181H, INF2241H.

 

Emphasis: Photonics (MEng only)

MEng students must successfully complete at least four courses from those listed below. Students may double-count one course at most towards any ECE emphasis.

  • Any ECE14XXH course

  • ECE2500Y Master of Engineering Project (topic in photonics; counts as one course towards the emphasis).

 

Emphasis: Robotics (MEng only)

Students must successfully complete four courses (2.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs]) chosen from at least two of the following groups, and no more than two in any given group:

Group 1: Planning and Control

AER1516H, AER1517H,
ECE557H1 (exclusion: ECE410H1), ECE1635H, ECE1636H, ECE1647H, ECE1653H, ECE1657H,
MIE1064H.

Group 2: Perception and Learning

AER1513H, AER1515H,
CSC2503H, CSC2506H, CSC2515H, CSC2541H, CSC2548H,
ECE516H1, ECE1511H, ECE1512H,
JEB1433H,
ROB501H1.

Group 3: Modelling and Dynamics

AER506H1, AER1503H, AER1512H,
JEB1444H,
MIE1001H.

Group 4: Systems Design and Integration

AER525H1 (exclusion: ECE470H1), AER1216H, AER1217H,
CSC2621H,
ECE470H1 (exclusion: AER525H1),
MIE505H1, MIE506H1, MIE1070H, MIE1075H, MIE1076H, MIE1080H, MIE1809H,
ROB521H1, ROB1514H.

 

Emphasis: Sustainable Energy (MASc, MEng, PhD)

MASc and PhD students must successfully complete:

  • At least three half courses (1.5 full-course equivalents [FCEs]) from either of the following lists below.

  • A thesis towards their degree on a topic related to sustainable energy. Topics must be approved by the steering committee of the Institute of Sustainable Energy. Contact: emphasis@cpe.utoronto.ca.

MEng students must successfully complete:

  • Four half courses (2.0 FCEs) from either of the following lists below, including at least one core course (0.5 FCE).

Core Courses

APS1032H Introduction to Energy Project Management
MIE515H1 Alternative Energy Systems
MIE1120H Current Energy Infrastructure and Resources.

Elective Courses

AER507H1, AER1304H, AER1315H, AER1415H,
CHE568H1, CHE1053H, CHE1118H, CHE1123H, CHE1142H, CHE1143H,
CIV575H1, CIV576H1, CIV577H1, CIV1303H, CIV1307H,
ECE1030H, ECE1055H, ECE1057H, ECE1059H, ECE1085H, ECE1086H, ECE1092H, ECE1094H, ECE1476H,
MIE516H1, MIE517H1, MIE1128H, MIE1129H, MIE1130H, MIE1240H, MIE1241H, MIE1715H,
MSE1023H, MSE1028H, MSE1058H.

Contact

All students are asked to register with Climate Positive Energy (CPE) at emphasis@cpe.utoronto.ca, at the beginning of their studies, to receive information about energy-related activities and opportunities on campus. CPE also administers a number of awards and scholarships for which students may be eligible.

 

Emphasis: Systems Control (MEng only)

MEng students must successfully complete at least four courses from those listed below. Students may double-count one course at most towards any ECE emphasis.

  • ECE557H1 Linear Control Theory

  • Any ECE16XXH course

  • ECE2500Y Master of Engineering Project (topic in systems control; counts as one course towards the emphasis).

Vincent Cheung

“I am discovering my calling as an entrepreneur.”

Vincent Cheung
Alumnus, PhD (2013), Electrical & Computer Engineering
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