Doctorate in Computer Engineering (Ph.D.) University of Cyprus

Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) is a key discipline, at the heart of the technology frontier. It deals with the design and analysis of electrical, magnetic and optical devices, and the processing, control, and transmission of information and energy.

The tools used in electrical and computer engineering include electrical, electromagnetic and optical phenomena, systems theory, and computational hardware and software. The discipline can be divided in the fields of Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering.

Specifically, Computer Engineering is a broad field that covers many diverse areas of study such as computer networks, computational intelligence and robotics, computer hardware systems, embedded and real-time systems, computer software design, operating systems, algorithms, etc. Students and faculty in Computer Engineering also develop synergies with disciplines outside of engineering; for example, with medicine and the life sciences that can lead to education and research in biomedical engineering.

The main objective of the Ph.D. program in Computer Engineering is to advance the existing knowledge in the various areas of Computer Engineering and enable students of exceptional ability to undertake advanced study and conduct original research. The program focuses on technology issues for cutting-edge technologies. Students can conduct research in an area of concentration that is related to one, or more, areas of Computer Engineering offered at the department such as:

• Computer Networks
• Biomedical Engineering
• Computational Intelligence and Robotics
• Embedded Systems and Computing Hardware

The program prepares graduates with in-depth knowledge and research competence of the highest caliber to fill positions in research organizations, universities, governmental organizations and the industry. The program consists of advanced studies and research leading to new/original knowledge and significant contribution beyond the current state-of-the-art in the chosen research area.

The successful completion of the candidates’ research is demonstrated via their doctoral dissertations, which must showcase both the ability to perform independent research as well as the candidates’ competence towards the production of new knowledge and novel results that are of the highest quality and academic standards and exhibits academic excellence. A Ph.D. dissertation in the field of Computer Engineering is expected to present original research of advanced level for a significant problem in the field, and should provide the basis for publishable contributions to the research literature in the field.

Structure

• Compulsory: 184 ECTS
• Recognition of prior studies: 32 ECTS
• Restricted Elective: 24 ECTS
• Total ECTS: 240

Graduation Requirements

• Successful completion of the requirements of the Program
• Up to 60 ECTS may be exempted from postgraduate courses

When graduating from the Ph.D. program in Computer Engineering, students should have the following abilities and skills:

• Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to identify, formulate, and solve computer engineering problems.
• Advanced knowledge of electrical and electronic components and their use in computing systems.
• Ability to model, design, analyze and evaluate components and systems.
• Understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
• Use modern engineering tools and techniques to successfully practice the computer engineering profession in a broad spectrum of areas.
• Use oral and written communication to convey technical concepts and research results to engineers and non-engineers, in the form of conference papers, journal papers, and/or oral presentations.
• Achieve and demonstrate a deep knowledge of the discipline and significantly advance the state of art through original research.
• Ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems using techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
• Ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs and to design, conduct experiments as well as analyze and interpret data.
• Ability to address advanced engineering problems.
• Ability to function in, and lead multidisciplinary teams and to communicate effectively.
• Ability to identify emerging trends and challenges in Computer Engineering, and apply the acquired knowledge in mathematics, science, and engineering, to address the technological challenges of the future.
• Adhere to the highest professional and ethical responsibility standards.
• Broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global/societal context. Recognition of the need for and ability to engage in lifelong learning.

The program has been approved by the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK - the statutory Technical Advisor to the State and is the umbrella organization for all Cypriot Engineers). Graduates of the Department can register with ETEK as Electronic Engineers and this gives them the right to work as engineers.

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is considered to be one of the most active departments at the University of Cyprus due to (a) the number and level of Cypriot students that it attracts annually and (b) its developed teaching and research activities. The ECE department offers a wide range of knowledge and specialization to its students through a) highly-qualified academic staff, and b) a course of study that is organized as per international standards of leading academic institutions abroad.

Specialized knowledge in the fields of Electrical and Computer Engineering is a powerful tool for the graduates of the department in their efforts for professional success, within a constantly changing working environment at a global level. In particular, the trend towards more intelligent systems, through specialized hardware and software, the increase in the connectivity of all devices on the Internet, etc., highlight a series of challenges that future Computer Engineering graduates will be called upon to address and offer workable solutions to emerging issues. For example, according to Eurostat, in the European Union, 5.8% of all employment in 2016 concerned skilled workers in high-tech specialties. This percentage is rising and is expected to be much higher in the next few decades.

Despite the fact that the Cypriot market is at an embryonic stage in creating such jobs (according to the same Eurostat survey, the corresponding high-tech jobs in Cyprus fluctuated to around 1% in 2016), the combination of the high expenditure of the Cypriot government in the field of Education with the recent increase in Research and Development funding allocation and with the rising employment rate of recent graduates, is expected to provide a big push to Cyprus's effort to create a knowledge-based society. The ECE Department at UCY is therefore expected to play a leading role in this transition. In particular, according to the Human Resource Development Authority (HRDA) of Cyprus, the forecast for Cyprus is that the number of total jobs per sector related to the broader field of Computer Engineering is capable of absorbing the expected annual number of graduates of the ECE department.