Electrical and Systems Engineering, PhD

The ESE PhD program is designed to provide sufficient structure to help you build a strong foundation and to have sufficient flexibility to accommodate the direction of your creativity. You will collaborate closely with your faculty advisor on the direction of your research and develop skills needed to perform independent research and teaching in an exciting, intellectual environment. Current concentration areas are circuits and computer engineering, nanodevices and nanosystems, and information and decision systems. ESE research is focused on the development and application of systems theory to the design of physical, biological, and socio-technical artifacts that improve the human condition. 

For more information: http://www.ese.upenn.edu/current-students/doctoral/index.php

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2026 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

Course Requirements

ESE Doctoral students must complete a required series of 16 course units (CUs) of graduate-level courses and research units. 

10 CUs of Coursework: these graduate level courses are organized by depth, breadth, critical thinking and elective categories. The student must discuss with their advisor the courses that would best suit each of these categories for their specific PhD career at Penn. Course plans for ESE PhDs are very individualized and must be approved by their Faculty Advisor.

University PhD Benchmarks

In addition to Program requirements, the following milestones must be completed:

For more information view the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs.

¹

The courses may be thematically linked in a 5000-6000 sequence or may represent two 5000 level courses both distinct from the major research area. Independent Studies cannot be used in this category.

²

Courses from other departments may be used provided they have a clear focus on mathematical reasoning and techniques and have been pre-approved.  Independent study Research cannot be used in this category.

³

Doctoral students are expected to maintain full-time status and to enroll in ESE 9999 independent study research credits each semester while conducting research, in consultation with their advisor. In their final semester, they are required to enroll in ESE 9950.

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CPT courses cannot count towards degree: EAS 8980

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Doctoral students are expected to maintain full-time status and to enroll in ESE 9999 independent study research credits each semester while conducting research, in consultation with their advisor. Students typically take a minimum of 10 CU’s of ESE 9999 before registering for ESE 9950. 

Sample Plan of Study

¹

Students should view the 'Course Requirements' to view courses listed for the Depth, Breadth, and Critical Thinking Requirements. 

²

The Candidacy Examination should be completed by August of the student's fifth year. The student's Dissertation Defense/Oral Exam should be completed by August of the student's sixth year.