Electrical Engineering & Computer Science

The Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science offers the degrees of Master of Science (MSc), Master of Applied Science (MASc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The MSc program covers Computer Science. The MASc program concentrates on computer engineering, electrical engineering and software engineering. The PhD program covers computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering and software engineering.

Admission Requirements

MSc/MASc

PhD

Master of Science Program/Master of Applied Science Program

Master of Science Program
Graduates with an honours degree in Computer Science or equivalent, with at least a B+ average in the last two years of study, may be admitted as candidates for the Masters of Science program in computer science. In addition, those admitted must have completed the equivalent of a senior-level course in the area of theoretical computer science. The following are the minimum English Language test scores (if required): Test of English as a Foreign Language 577 (paper-based) or 90-91 (Internet-based), International English Language Testing System 7, or York English Language Test 4. The Graduate Record Examination general test is strongly recommended, especially for applicants who studied outside of Canada and/or the United States.
Master of Applied Science Program
Graduates with an honours undergraduate degree or equivalent (typically a four-year program with full-time enrolment) from an
accredited university in electrical, computer or software engineering, with at least a B+ average in the last two years of study, may be admitted as candidates for the Master of Applied Science program in electrical and computer engineering. In addition, those admitted must have completed the equivalent of a senior-level project course or thesis in electrical, computer or software engineering. Significant industrial or research experience in electrical, computer or software engineering coupled with an honours undergraduate degree program or equivalent from an accredited university will be considered equivalent to an undergraduate electrical, computer or software engineering thesis. The following are the minimum English Language test scores (if required): Test of English as a Foreign Language 577 (paper-based) or 90-91 (Internet-based), International English Language Testing System 7, or York English Language Test 4. The Graduate Record Examination general test is strongly recommended, especially for applicants who did their studies outside of Canada and/or the United States.

Doctor of Philosophy Program

Applicants must have a master’s degree in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, software engineering, or closely related field, which is equivalent to the MSc degree in computer science (thesis option) or the MASc degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering (thesis option) at York University. A minimum average grade of B+ on all course work is required. Applications must include official copies of all academic transcripts, an extended abstract/copy of the MSc or MASc thesis, three letters of reference and a one-page statement of purpose and previous experience. The statement of purpose should indicate the applicant’s area(s) of interest. The following are the minimum English language test scores (if required): Test of English as a Foreign Language 577 (paper-based) or 90-91 (Internet-based), International English Language Testing System 7, or York English Language Test 4. For applicants to the fields of Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Software Engineering, the Graduate Record Examination general test is strongly recommended, especially for applicants who did their work outside of Canada and the United States.

Degree Requirements

Theory of Computing & Scientific Computing
Artificial Intelligence & Interactive Systems
Systems: Hardware & Software

No more than one-third of the course requirements can be integrated with undergraduate courses.

MSc Degree by Thesis
Candidates for the MSc degree must complete five graduate three-credit courses and successfully defend a master’s thesis. Candidates must conduct a piece of approved research under the general direction of a supervisor. The resulting thesis should demonstrate the Candidates’ research ability in the research subject.

MSc Degree by Project
Candidates for the MSc degree must complete seven graduate three-credit courses and conduct a research project. The research project will have a more limited scope and/or degree of originality than a thesis. The project is under the general direction of a supervisor. A paper describing the project must be submitted and graded by the supervisory committee.

MSc Degree by Artificial Intelligence Specialization
Candidates for the MSc degree must successfully complete:
Philosophy 5340 3.0
AND three courses
from the following list:
Electrical Engineering & Computer Science 5326 3.0, 5327 3.0, 6127 3.0, 6327 3.0, 6412 3.0
AND two other courses from the following list:
Electrical Engineering & Computer Science 5323 3.0, 5324 3.0,
5326 3.0, 5327 3.0, 6127 3.0, 6322 3.0, 6323 3.0, 6324 3.0, 6325 3.0, 6327 3.0, 6328 3.0, 6332 3.0, 6333 3.0, 6340 3.0, 6390A 3.0, 6412 3.0, 6414 3.0
.

No more than one course integrated with an undergraduate course can be used to satisfy degree requirements.

Doctor of Philosophy Program

Candidates for the PhD degree must complete at least three three-credit graduate courses. No more than one-third of the course requirements can be integrated with undergraduate courses. Candidates must successfully complete a qualifying examination consisting of a written report on the candidate’s field of interest and have an oral defence of the report. Candidates must present a dissertation proposal outlining the anticipated results of their dissertation. Each term candidates must attend departmental seminars. Each fall and winter term, candidates must attend one professional development seminar. Candidates must complete either an industrial internship or a teaching practicum. Candidates must conduct a significant body of original research under the supervision of a supervisory committee and successfully defend the resulting dissertation in their field of interest.

Program Entry

The PhD program can be completed on a full-time basis. Entry is fall term.

Program Length

Students are expected to complete their requirements in no more than four years. Courses must be completed within three terms. The qualifying examination must be completed within five terms. The dissertation proposal must be completed within eight terms. The length of time required to complete the PhD is normally four years (12 terms). Doctor of Philosophy students must register and pay fees for a minimum of the equivalent of six terms of full-time registration. All requirements for a doctoral degree must be fulfilled within 18 terms (6 years) of registration as a full-time or part-time doctoral student in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies’ registration policies.