PhD in Computer Engineering
PhD in Computer Engineering
Overview
Northeastern’s PhD program in Computer Engineering offers the opportunity to pursue cutting-edge research in the following areas: computer architecture, parallel computing, fault tolerance, performance analysis and modeling, security, embedded systems, VLSI, algorithms, data mining, testing, machine learning, machine vision and software engineering.
Innovative Curriculum
Northeastern offers a PhD in Computer Engineering that is research-based with minimal and flexible course requirements which can be pursued as full-time or part-time. Applicants can enter the PhD program with either a BS or an MS degree in computer engineering or a closely related field. Students entering the program with a BS degree need to also complete MS requirements, which includes selecting a concentration.
As a computer engineering student at Northeastern, you will study computer architecture, software engineering, computer-aided design (VLSI), microprocessor-based design, and applied algorithms. In addition to a broad background in mathematics, physics, and chemistry, this curriculum gives you solid foundation in both hardware and software design. RISC microprocessors, object-oriented Java, and cellular networks are just three of the technologies you will encounter in the program.
The internet has revolutionized all aspects of our lives, from the way we communicate to the way we do business. Wireless communication, online commerce, medicine, and multimedia are examples of new applications that have transformed our world. Computer engineers developed the fundamental technologies that made the web possible, including high-performance microprocessors, gigabit networks, and object-oriented computer languages. Students with a strong background in computer engineering are aggressively recruited by cutting-edge computer companies nationwide.
The ECE department offers a variety of graduate courses giving students the flexibility in planning their course requirements according to their research requirements and personal interests. Many graduate courses are offered in two sections; in-class and streaming video. Part-time students who have schedule conflicts can register in the streaming video sections.
- Northeastern ECE is the host or major partner in 10 state-of-the-art research centers
- Financial support available
- Internationally-recognized Internships and co-op opportunities
- Professional Development Workshop series to complement the research and classroom experiences
- Northeastern ECE is a research powerhouse in the Boston area and beyond
- An Ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems.
- An ability to produce solutions that meet specified end-user needs.
- Ability to explain and apply engineering design principles, as appropriate to the program’s educational objectives.
- An ability to apply analytical, numerical, and/or experimental methods to analyze and design complex engineering systems, and to identify, formulate, and solve new challenging electrical engineering problems.
- An ability to direct independent scientific research in electrical engineering and related fields.
- An ability to formulate new research plans and communicate the research outcomes through oral and written communication.
- Qualifying exam: Students who already hold an MS degree and matriculate in the fall semester must take the qualifying exam in the spring semester of their first year. Students matriculating in spring semester, or students who hold a BS degree and matriculate in the fall semester, can postpone the exam to the second spring semester. Those who fail the exam the first time, have one more chance to take the exam. These students must take the exam the next spring after their first attempt.
- Research advisor: Students should have a research advisor one year after their matriculation.
- Thesis committee: The Dissertation Committee must be formed not later than six months after passing the qualifying exam.
- Comprehensive exam: The deadline for comprehensive exam is two years after passing the qualifying exam.
- Dissertation defense: The dissertation defense should be scheduled at least one year after taking the comprehensive exam.
A variety of graduate courses gives students flexibility of planning their course requirements according to their research requirements and personal interests.
Full-time and part-time. Many graduate courses are offered in two sections; in-class and streaming video. Part-time students who have schedule conflicts can register in the streaming video sections.
Our graduates pursue careers within academia and beyond.
- Ditto Labs
- Louisiana Tech University
- Draper Laboratories
- National Institutes of Health
- Intel
- Bose Corp.
- The Mathworks
Experiential Learning
With a large number of high-tech firms in and around Boston, both start-ups and large multinational corporations, many PhD students do an internship during their program while remaining right here in Boston. Often their advisor is instrumental in identifying the internship position, with a funding sponsor or research collaborator, be they in Boston or elsewhere in the United States. Internships can be informally arranged for several months at any time during the calendar year.
PhD students can also take advantage of the more formally arranged co-op program which entails up to 8 months of work experience preceded by several professional development courses to prepare students. The Cooperative Education Program, also known as a “co-op,” is one of the largest and most innovative in the world, and Northeastern is one of only a few that offers a co-op program for graduate students. Through this program, students gain professional experience, employed in their field of interest as part of the academic curriculum. Northeastern has more than 3,000 co-op employer partners. Another option for PhD students is the university’s Experiential PhD program.
Academic Advising
The Academic Advisors in the Graduate Student Services office can help answer many of your questions and assist with various concerns regarding your program and student record. Use the link below to also determine which questions can be answered by your Faculty Program Advisors and OGS Advisors.
Admissions & Aid
Ready to take the next step? Review degree requirements to see courses needed to complete this degree. Then, explore ways to fund your education. Finally, review admissions information to see our deadlines and gather the materials you need to Apply.
Student News
2025 COE Outstanding Graduate Student Awards
The COE Outstanding Graduate Student Awards for 2025 recognize graduate students for their exceptional achievements in research, teaching, leadership, and service. The award winners are: Outstanding Graduate Research Award (PhD) […]
ECE Student Receives Outstanding PhD Student Award in Research
Ruyi Ding, PhD’25, computer engineering, is the recipient of an Outstanding PhD Student Award in Research, which recognizes those who have shown an exceptional ability to conduct high-level research and make contributions to the scholarly literature in their fields.
RoboTwin Wins Best Demo Award at ACM HotMobile 2025
RoboTwin, technology that could enable human workers to seamlessly collaborate in real time with robotic systems from anywhere in the world over non-specialized networks, earned the Best Demo Award at HotMobile 2025.
2025 Laurel and Scroll 100 Inductees
Twenty-nine engineering graduate students were inducted into the Laurel and Scroll 100, a society established in 2024 to honor exceptional graduate and professional students across Northeastern’s global university system.