Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering - Computer Hardware

Electrical and computer engineers shape the future through innovation. They develop and improve systems that serve everyday needs of society spanning from high-voltage engineering and sustainable energy, to breakthroughs in wireless technology. Our faculty and students do everything from creating low-cost digital x-ray imagers to combat tuberculosis in developing countries, to building real-time embedded systems to advance the design and reliability of commercial products. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) is founded on leading engineering education and research, a world-renowned co-operative study program, and a bold history of innovation. Waterloo Engineering is ranked among the top 50 engineering schools in the world, our ECE department is committed to sustaining that excellence in our areas of research while venturing into growing areas of opportunity. We attract the best and brightest students and faculty from around the globe, and our graduates are recruited worldwide by leading engineering firms, corporations, government agencies, and research-intensive universities. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is ideal for students pursuing a career in fundamental or applied research in academia, government, or corporate environments.

The computer hardware research area involves the design, analysis and modeling of complex systems on a chip, including gates, architectures, and networks. Sub-areas include: energy/reliability/security-aware very-large-scale integration (VLSI) systems, configurable computing, distributed computing, autonomic computing, IC design for low power/voltage, co-operative intelligent system design, computer architecture, 3D IC design, design automation, distributed real time systems, cyber-physical/hybrid systems, embedded and real-time processors/systems, hardware and software co-design methodologies, formal verification methodologies, models of computation, cryptographic hardware and embedded systems, side channel attacks, computer arithmetic and computer/network security.

Admission to the program is based upon the student's academic record and evidence of ability to pursue independent research.
Normally an overall standing equivalent to 83% in either a relevant thesis-based Master's degree or a University of Waterloo Master of Engineering (MEng) degree that includes a completed ECE 699 Master of Engineering Project course.
At the time of admission, each student must have a faculty supervisor who has endorsed the recommendation for admission.
Three references, at least two academic
Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable. TOEFL 80 (writing 22, speaking 20, reading 20, listening 18) IELTS 6.5 (writing 6.0, speaking 6.0)