Doctoral program · Rossin College
PhD in Electrical Engineering
The PhD in Electrical Engineering at Lehigh University’s P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science is a research doctorate in which every student builds breadth and depth through a departmental core before specializing in optoelectronics, wireless systems or nanoelectronics.
- Degree awardedDoctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering
- DepartmentElectrical and Computer Engineering
- Credit hours72 minimum
- Fall deadlineDecember 15
- GRENeither accepted nor reviewed
- Application fee$50 USD
Overview
What the PhD in Electrical Engineering is
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering sets a core curriculum for each of its graduate degrees so that every student gains an appropriate breadth and depth of knowledge in the discipline, and it works to give graduate students a successful and rewarding experience at Lehigh. The program is positioned to advance the enabling technologies behind nanotechnology, biotechnology, optical technologies, information and communications technologies, and sensors and sensor networks.
Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Office of Naval Research, the Army Research Office, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Northrop Grumman Corp., Raytheon Systems, ArkLight, Inc., and other corporations. A master’s degree is preferred but not required for admission.
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering maintains the authoritative program detail. See the department page.
Research
Research from photonics to wireless networks
Faculty and doctoral students in electrical engineering work on large, complex problems: moving information by light and over wireless links, sensing the world through networks of sensors, and building electronic and biomedical devices at very small scales.
Optoelectronics and biophotonics
Light can carry information quickly and can reveal what is happening inside biological systems. Researchers in this area design the devices and systems that generate, guide and detect light, and they pursue this work in conjunction with Lehigh’s Institute for Functional Materials and Devices.
Focus topics: Compound semiconductor optoelectronic devices, Silicon photonics, Optical communications.
Wireless communications, networking, and sensing
More devices and sensors are joining wireless networks every year, and each depends on signals that can be sent, shared and understood. Work here develops the communications, networking and signal processing methods that let wireless systems carry information and sense their surroundings.
Focus topics: Wireless communications and networking, Sensing, Signal processing, Code-division multiple access, Space-time coding.
Nanoelectronics, MEMS, flexible displays, and biotechnology
Making electronic devices smaller, more flexible and more closely tied to biology opens new ways to sense, display and treat. Researchers in this area fabricate and study microelectronic and mechanical devices at very small scales and apply them to displays and bioengineering.
Focus topics: Microelectronics fabrication, MEMS, Displays, Bioengineering.
Degree requirements
What the doctorate requires
72 credits beyond a bachelor’s degree, or 48 credits for students entering with a technical master’s degree from another institution. Lehigh publishes the following complete set of requirements.
- Credit hours
A minimum of 72 credits beyond a bachelor’s degree, or a minimum of 48 credits for students who enter with a technical master’s degree from another institution. The credits that remain after the core come from electives and from research, through dissertation credits or maintenance of candidacy credits. No course graded below C- counts toward the degree. Once you are admitted to candidacy and past the credit minimum, you register for one credit of Maintenance of Candidacy.
- Required core courses
Nine credits: three courses from three different course areas, each completed with a B- or better. Area 1: Digital System Design (ECE 319), Embedded Systems (ECE 336), Computer-Aided Design of Digital Systems (ECE 363) or Advanced Computer Architecture (ECE 401). Area 2: Advanced Electromagnetics (ECE 402) or Fundamentals of Photonics (ECE 448). Area 3: Advanced Circuits and Systems (ECE 420). Area 4: Statistical Decision Making and Machine Learning Theory (ECE 414) or Fundamentals of Wireless Communications (ECE 441). Area 5: Physics and Models of Electronic Devices (ECE 308) or Physics of Semiconductor Devices (ECE 451). Area 6: Power Electronics (ECE 413), Introduction to Power Systems (ECE 421), Communications and Networking for Smart Grids (ECE 427) or Smart Grid Operation and Control (ECE 473).
- Qualifying examination
Take the appropriate qualifying exam within two years of entering the program, preferably within your first year. The exam asks you to show competency in six areas: Bio Electronics and Bio Photonics; Communications, Signal Processing and Networking; Nano Electronics and MEMS; Optoelectronics and Photonics Systems; Power Systems and Power Electronics; and Computer Architecture and VLSI Design. Most areas have an assigned faculty member who oversees the examination. Exams typically consist of reading assigned research papers, writing a response paper and taking an oral exam with an Examining Committee of at least three faculty members from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, or both. You have two weeks to write the paper, and the oral exam follows one week after you submit it.
- If you do not pass the qualifier
You may retake the exam after a 5-month waiting period. If you do not retake it within a 12-month period, you are removed from the PhD program and must reapply. A second unsuccessful attempt ends your path in the PhD program.
- Doctoral committee and admission to candidacy
After you pass the qualifier, you form a Doctoral Committee of at least 4 members and submit a written program plan that discusses your intended dissertation research. Once the committee accepts the plan, you may apply for candidacy.
- General examination
The general examination tests your capacity and proficiency in your field of study, and it is not limited to the content of courses you have taken at Lehigh University or elsewhere. Your doctoral committee runs the exam, which may be written, oral or both. It must take place no later than seven months before the date you plan to receive the degree. If you do not pass, the committee may allow a second attempt within 5 to 7 months, and an unsatisfactory second result ends your path in the PhD program.
- Teaching
All PhD students serve as a half or full teaching assistant for a minimum of one semester.
- Dissertation and defense
Independent research under the guidance of a faculty advisor and a doctoral committee, defended in a public presentation.
- Time limit
Complete the degree within 10 years.
- Foreign language
Competence in a foreign language is not required.
Curriculum
Core and required courses
| Code | Course | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 319 | Digital System Design | Design techniques at the register transfer level. |
| ECE 336 | Embedded Systems | Use of small computers embedded as part of other machines. |
| ECE 363 | Computer-Aided Design of Digital Systems | Digital chip design with EDA tools. |
| ECE 401 | Advanced Computer Architecture | Design, analysis and performance of computer architectures. |
| ECE 402 | Advanced Electromagnetics | Electromagnetic fields for practical applications. |
| ECE 448 | Fundamentals of Photonics | Wave optics, Gaussian beams and photonics. |
| ECE 420 | Advanced Circuits and Systems | Advanced circuit and systems theory. |
| ECE 414 | Statistical Decision Making and Machine Learning Theory | Statistical theory of machine learning. |
| ECE 441 | Fundamentals of Wireless Communications | Characterization of mobile radio channels. |
| ECE 308 | Physics and Models of Electronic Devices | Physics and models of semiconductor devices. |
| ECE 451 | Physics of Semiconductor Devices | Crystal structure and semiconductor device physics. |
| ECE 413 | Power Electronics | Power semiconductor devices and circuits. |
| ECE 421 | Introduction to Power Systems | Power generation, transmission and distribution. |
| ECE 427 | Communications & Networking for Smart Grids | Overview of smart grid electricity systems. |
| ECE 473 | Smart Grid Operation and Control | Smart grid and microgrid control. |
Careers
Where graduates work
Electrical engineering alumni design the chips, communication systems and devices that connect and power modern life.
A doctorate in electrical engineering prepares you for research leadership, research and development, and academic and industry research roles. Lehigh alumni in this field work mostly in engineering and information technology, with others in electronics manufacturing, defense and space, education, telecommunications, finance and life sciences. Roles include research scientist, member of technical staff, hardware and process engineer, RFIC design engineer, postdoctoral researcher, machine learning engineer and founder.
Employers where our alumni most often work include:
- Apple
- Intel
- Meta
- Lockheed Martin
- Northrop Grumman
- Broadcom
- Amazon
Alumni also work at Qualcomm, Siemens, AMD, Qorvo China, Skyworks Solutions, Micron Technology and NVIDIA.
Based on current employers of Lehigh electrical engineering alumni, all degree levels, who graduated between 1996 and 2025.
Funding
Financial support
All PhDs at the Rossin College are 100% fully-funded, however, funding sources may vary by department. Funding covers PhD tuition and a stipend.
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering does not publish program-specific stipend or assistantship figures; ask the graduate contact below what funding looks like for this program.
- PhD applicants wishing to be considered for financial assistance should submit a complete application no later than December 15 for a fall semester start.
- Named opportunities open to Rossin College doctoral students include the Rossin Research Scholars program, Pasteur PhD Partners (P3), and the SEED-EF NSF National Research Traineeship, see special opportunities for Lehigh PhD students.
- Financial aid for Lehigh’s graduate programs consists mainly of fixed-rate federal student loans through the Office of Financial Aid.
- Loan eligibility requires enrollment at least half-time, six credits during the academic year, three credits in summer.
- Emergency loans and grants are available through the Graduate Life Office.
Admissions
How to apply
Applications for admission, all semesters, all levels, are completed online. Applications open September 1; PhD applications for fall admission are due December 15 for financial aid consideration.
Application open dates and deadlines are determined by individual departments. Contact the department concerning relevant deadlines and available start terms.
What to submit
- Completed online application
- Official transcripts (with English translation for international applicants)
- Statement of purpose / essay
- Letters of recommendation (typically three)
- Résumé or CV
- Application fee of $50 USD
Electrical and Computer Engineering requirements
- Prior degree: A master’s degree is not required, but it is preferred. Applicants may enter with a bachelor’s degree or with a master’s degree, and the program welcomes backgrounds in computer or information science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mathematics or the physical sciences.
- GPA: The preferred minimum GPA is 3.0 out of 4.0.
- Deadline: The application deadline is December 15.
GRE scores are neither accepted nor reviewed for any Rossin College graduate program.
English proficiency minimums
| Test | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | Overall 81 (old scale) / 4 (new scale); Speaking 22/4, Writing 20/4, Reading 20/4, Listening 16/4 |
| IELTS | Overall 6.5; Speaking 6.5, Writing 6, Reading 6.5, Listening 6 |
| Duolingo English Test | Overall 125; Speaking 125, Writing 120, Reading 125, Listening 110 |
| Cambridge | Overall 176; Speaking 176, Writing 169, Reading 176, Listening 169 |
| Pearson (PTE) | Overall 68, with 53 or higher on each band |
Scores expire two years from the test date. MyBestScore and One Skill Retake formats are not accepted. Waivers are available for applicants who are citizens or permanent residents of an English-speaking country, earned a U.S. degree with two or more years of in-person study, earned a degree taught in English in an English-speaking country, or studied or worked full-time in an English-speaking country for two or more years within the last five.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Which department at Lehigh offers the PhD in Electrical Engineering?
The PhD in Electrical Engineering is offered by Lehigh University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, within the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. Full program detail, faculty and current requirements are maintained on the department’s own page: https://engineering.lehigh.edu/ece/graduate/electrical-engineering-phd
How many credits does the PhD in Electrical Engineering require?
72 credits beyond a bachelor’s degree, or 48 credits for students entering with a technical master’s degree from another institution.
Do I need a master’s degree to apply to the PhD in Electrical Engineering?
No. A master’s degree is not required, but it is preferred. You can enter with a bachelor’s degree and complete a minimum of 72 credits, or enter with a technical master’s degree from another institution and complete a minimum of 48 credits.
What GPA do I need for the PhD in Electrical Engineering?
The preferred minimum GPA is 3.0 out of 4.0.
Is the GRE required for the PhD in Electrical Engineering?
No. GRE scores are neither accepted nor reviewed for any P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science graduate program.
What is the application deadline for the PhD in Electrical Engineering?
The application deadline is December 15. At the college level, PhD applications for fall admission are due December 15 for financial aid consideration, and applications open September 1. Application open dates and deadlines are determined by individual departments. Contact the department concerning relevant deadlines and available start terms.
How much is the application fee?
The application fee is $50 USD. Applications for admission at all levels are completed online through Lehigh’s graduate application portal.
How does the core curriculum work in the PhD in Electrical Engineering?
You complete nine credits: three courses from three different course areas, each with a B- or better. The six areas cover digital systems and computer architecture, electromagnetics and photonics, circuits, machine learning and wireless communications, semiconductor devices, and power systems and smart grids.
What areas does the qualifying examination cover?
Six areas: Bio Electronics and Bio Photonics; Communications, Signal Processing and Networking; Nano Electronics and MEMS; Optoelectronics and Photonics Systems; Power Systems and Power Electronics; and Computer Architecture and VLSI Design. Most areas have an assigned faculty member who oversees the exam.
What is the format of the qualifying examination, and can I retake it?
You take it within two years of entering, preferably in your first year. You read assigned research papers, write a response paper within two weeks, and take an oral exam about one week after you submit it. If you do not pass, you may retake it after a 5-month wait, and a retake must happen within 12 months. A second unsuccessful attempt ends your path in the program.
What comes after the qualifying examination?
You form a Doctoral Committee of at least 4 members, submit a written program plan on your dissertation research and, once the committee accepts it, apply for candidacy. You then pass a general examination, no later than seven months before you plan to receive the degree, and defend your dissertation in public.
How long do I have to finish the PhD in Electrical Engineering?
The degree is to be completed within 10 years.
Do PhD students in Electrical Engineering teach?
Yes. All PhD students serve as a half or full teaching assistant for a minimum of one semester.
Is the PhD in Electrical Engineering funded?
All PhDs at the Rossin College are 100% fully-funded, however, funding sources may vary by department.
What research areas can I work in as a PhD in Electrical Engineering student?
Research from photonics to wireless networks published by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Optoelectronics and biophotonics; Wireless communications, networking, and sensing; Nanoelectronics, MEMS, flexible displays, and biotechnology.
What English proficiency scores are required?
International applicants must meet Lehigh’s minimum scores: TOEFL iBT overall 81 (old scale) or 4 (new scale); IELTS overall 6.5; Duolingo English Test overall 125; Cambridge overall 176; or Pearson (PTE) overall 68. Scores expire two years from the test date. Waivers are available in defined circumstances.
Who do I contact about the PhD in Electrical Engineering?
Graduate Coordinator is the graduate contact for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The department can be reached at engineering@lehigh.edu or (610) 758-4070. General Rossin College graduate inquiries go to engineering@lehigh.edu.
What courses do students take in the PhD in Electrical Engineering?
Required courses include Digital System Design, Embedded Systems, Computer-Aided Design of Digital Systems, Advanced Computer Architecture and Advanced Electromagnetics, among others. Other courses students can choose from include Accelerated Computing for Deep Learning, Memory Systems, Autonomous Driving and Robotic Racing, Information Theory, VLSI Signal Processing, and Introduction to Internet of Things, among others. Coursework is planned with your advisor and doctoral committee, and the Lehigh course catalog carries the current requirements.
Contact
Talk to the department
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Graduate contact
Graduate Coordinator · (610) 758-4072
Address
Packard Laboratory
19 Memorial Drive West
Bethlehem, PA 18015-3084
Phone and email
(610) 758-4070
engineering@lehigh.edu
P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science
19 Memorial Drive West
Bethlehem, PA 18015
engineering@lehigh.edu
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