Programs in electrical and computer engineering are offered in the areas of analog and digital circuits, computer engineering, intelligent systems, solid state devices, signal and image processing and analysis, robotics, microelectronics, photonics, nanotechnology, and related areas in biomedical engineering.
The master of science degree program requires 30 credit hours, including 18 hours in the major area (within EECE) and 6 hours in a minor area. At least 12 hours in the major area must be taken at or above the 6000 level. The courses taken must also include one of the gateway courses in each of two of the following areas: electronics, computer, and signals and systems. Gateway courses are graduate-level courses with senior-level prerequisite, the list of which is maintained by the DGS. The remainder of the course work in the major must be taken at or above the 5000 level. The minor will be 6 hours of graduate-level course work, typically outside of EECE. A maximum of 3 hours of independent study may be applied to the 18 hours required in the major area. The student's adviser must approve all courses. A research thesis is required. A non-thesis option is also offered, which requires an additional 6 hours of independent study constituting one single unit of research work.
A total of 72 hours is required for the Ph.D. Of these, 36 hours must be in course work with at least 24 of the 36 hours in EECE (exceptions can be made to this rule based on the recommendation of the student's adviser if the student's research topic requires taking additional courses outside EECE). The courses taken must also include one of the gateway courses in each of the three following areas: electronics, computers, and signals and systems. Gateway courses are graduate-level courses with senior-level prerequisites, the list of which is maintained by the EE director of graduate studies, and posted on the EECS department website. Up to 6 hours of independent studies may be taken to fulfill the 36 hours requirement. Up to 24 hours of course work toward the master's degree or in transfer credit will normally be applied to this total on approval by the committee. Up to 12 total hours of course work in the range 5000–5999 are allowed. CS courses in the student's area of research can also be taken for EECE graduate program credit with written approval of the student's adviser. The remainder of the 72 hours may be in dissertation research hours and in additional course work or independent study classes applicable to the student's program of study. Students must complete at least 24 hours while in residence at Vanderbilt. At least 12 of these hours must be in formal course work.
Specific and current degree requirements (including course selection, committee selection, preliminary examination, thesis/dissertation, and dissertation defense policies) are detailed in the Graduate Policy Document. A copy of this document should be obtained from the program office.