Electrical Engineering

Academic Year: 
2019-20
Address: 
Engineering Quadrangle
Phone: 
609-258-6728
Website: 
Department of Electrical Engineering
Program offerings: 
Ph.D.
M.Eng.
Director of Graduate Studies
Kaushik Sengupta
Graduate Program Administrator
Colleen Conrad

Academic department detail

Overview

The Department of Electrical Engineering doctoral program draws students from all over the world, with most candidates entering the program directly after completing an undergraduate degree in disciplines such as electrical engineering, computer science or physics.  Although our doctoral program is one of the largest at Princeton, its scale still allows students to receive personal attention and extensive faculty interaction.

Research in the Department is collaborative and interdisciplinary. The current main themes of research span areas from applied physics, devices, advanced circuits, and high-performance computing to security, information theory, and artificial intelligence. Details on those research themes and related application domains can be found on the Department’s website under the Research link as well as on faculty and research group websites. There are also a variety of interdisciplinary research centers at Princeton that enhance and broaden educational and research opportunities. 

New graduate students spend the first semester on coursework and typically select a thesis research advisor at the start of the spring semester, based on a match of research interests. The program combines a balance of preliminary and advanced coursework (400/500 numbered courses) and innovative research leading to a doctoral dissertation and award of the Ph.D. degree. Candidates earn a Masters of Arts degree en route to the Ph.D. degree.  The nominal length of the program is five years. Students maintaining good progress will be provided with full financial support during the duration of the program. This support covers university tuition and fees and provides a stipend for living expenses. It is awarded through a combination of university fellowships and research/teaching assistantship positions. Housing is available for all first-year graduate students, and most students are accommodated in university housing for the duration of their regular enrollment. Many additional details about the program can be found in the Graduate Student Handbook.

 

Courses

Permanent Courses

Courses listed below are graduate-level courses that have been approved by the program’s faculty as well as the Curriculum Subcommittee of the Faculty Committee on the Graduate School as permanent course offerings. Permanent courses may be offered by the department or program on an ongoing basis, depending on curricular needs, scheduling requirements, and student interest. Not listed below are undergraduate courses and one-time-only graduate courses, which may be found for a specific term through the Registrar’s website. Also not listed are graduate-level independent reading and research courses, which may be approved by the Graduate School for individual students.

COS 516 Automated Reasoning about Software (also
ELE 516
) An introduction to algorithmic techniques for reasoning about software. Basic concepts in logic-based techniques including model checking, invariant generation, symbolic execution, and syntax-guided synthesis; automatic decision procedures in modern solvers for Boolean Satisfiability (SAT) and Satisfiability Modulo Theory (SMT); and their applications in automated verification, analysis, and synthesis of software. Emphasis on algorithms and automatic tools.
COS 583 Great Moments in Computing (also
ELE 583
) Course covers pivotal developments in computing, including hardware, software, and theory. Material will be covered by reading seminal papers, patents, and descriptions of highly-influential architectures. Course emphasizes a deep understanding of the discoveries and inventions that brought computer systems to where they are today, and class is discussion-oriented. Final project or paper required. Graduate students and advanced undergraduates from ELE, COS, and related fields welcome.
EGR 501 Responsible Conduct in Research: A Course on Ethics in Engineering (Half-term) (also
ELE 501
) This course educates the graduate student of engineering in the responsible conduct of research. The lectures provide theoretical background information as well as case studies about ethics in day-to-day research situations, in publishing and peer-review, in student-advisor relationships, in collaborative research, as well as in the big picture and considerations of long-term impact. The students are provided with resources to consult in ethical questions. In small-group discussions in departmental and research field-specific precepts, the theoretical concepts are made relevant to the individual students situations.
ELE 504 Mixed-signal Circuits and Systems Discuss design and simulation methodologies for realizing robust analog CMOS circuits implementing major building blocks in AID converters. With attention to design specifications, a comprehensive study of single-ended and differential op-amp topologies are covered with an emphasis on: feedback and stability; linear and non-linear settling; distortion; noise; and voltage swing. Conclude with switched-capacitor circuits exploring impact of non-linearity and noise in sampled systems. Design projects using circuit simulators reinforce theoretical concepts.
ELE 511 Quantum Mechanics with Applications This course covers the principles of quantum mechanics, including applications of relevance to students in applied physics, materials science and engineering. Topics include the concept of Hilbert Spaces, Schrodinger and Heisenberg Representations, Bound State problems in one, two and three dimensions, consequences of symmetry, Angular momentum algebra, Approximation methods for stationary states, Many-body systems, Quantum statistics, Time dependent Perturbation Theory, Second Quantization and Electromagnetic Fields.
ELE 514 Extramural Research Internship Full-time research internship at a host institution, to perform scholarly research relevant to student's dissertation work. Research objectives will be determined by advisor in conjunction with outside host. A mid-semester progress review and a final paper are required. Enrollment limited to post-generals students for up to two semesters. Special rules apply to international students regarding CPT/OPT use. Students may register by application only.
ELE 515 Extramural Summer Project Summer research project designed in conjuction with the student's advisor and an industrial, NGO, or government sponsor, that will provide practical experience relevant to the student's research area. Start date no earlier than June 1. A research project and sponsor's evaluation are required.
ELE 518 Selected Topics in Computer Engineering and Information Sciences and Systems Introduction to topics and methods of research in computer engineering and information sciences and systems, providing an overview of current research of the faculty in computer engineering and information sciences and systems. It is meant to help first year graduate students find a research adviser.
ELE 519 Selected Topics in Solid-State Electronics One or more advanced topics in solid-state electronics. Contents vary from year to year. Recent topics have included: electronic properties of doped semiconductors, physics and technology of nanostructures, and organic materials for optical and electronic device application.
ELE 521 Linear System Theory (also
MAE 547
) This course covers the fundamentals of linear system theory. Various topics important for further study in dynamic systems, control and communication and signal processing are presented.
ELE 522 Large-Scale Optimization for Data Science This course introduces optimization methods suitable for large-scale problems in data science and machine learning applications; algorithms efficient for both smooth and nonsmooth problems, including gradient methods, proximal methods, ADMM, quasi-Newton methods and large-scale numerical linear algebra. We discuss the efficiency of these methods in concrete data science problems (e.g. low-rank matrix recovery, dictionary learning, graph matching), under appropriate statistical models. We introduce a global geometric analysis to characterize the nonconvex landscape of the empirical risks in several estimation and learning problems.
ELE 523 Nonlinear System Theory (also
MAE 548
) A study of the mathematical techniques found useful in the analysis and design of nonlinear systems. Topics include stability and qualitative behavior of differential equations, functional analysis and input/output behavior of systems, and "modern'' nonlinear system theory, which uses both geometric and algebraic techniques. Prerequisite: 521.
ELE 525 Random Processes in Information Systems Fundamentals of probability and random processes and their applications to information sciences and systems. The course examines sequences of random variables and convergence; stationarity and ergodicity; second-order properties and estimation; Poisson and renewal processes; and Markov processes.
ELE 526 Digital Communications and Systems Digital communications and data transmission. Topics include source coding, signal encoding, representation, and quantization; methods of modulation, synchronization, and transmission; optimum demodulation techniques; and communication through band-limited and random channels.
ELE 528 Information Theory An exploration of the Shannon theory of information, covering noiseless source coding theory of ergodic sources and channel coding theorems, including channels with memory, multiple-access, and Gaussian channels.
ELE 530 Theory of Detection Estimation and Learning Hypothesis testing; detection and estimation of signals in noise; detection of signals with unknown parameters; prediction and filtering of stationary time series; detection of stochastic signals; and nonparametric and robust techniques. Prerequisite: 525 or the equivalent.
ELE 531 Communication Networks Modeling and analysis of high-speed communication networks. Topics include M/M/1, M/G/1, G/M/m, and G/G/1 queues; queueing networks and loss networks; network architectures and protocols; media access control, multiplexing, and switching; resource allocation and congestion control; local area networks, TCP/IP Protocol in Internet, and B-ISDN ATM networks. Prerequisites: 525 or the equivalent and a familiarity with topics in 486 is desirable.
ELE 532 Adaptive Systems The theory and application of adaptive systems in communications and control. Course examines learning techniques and related models; the role of sufficient statistics; recursive and empirical Bayes procedures; and convergence properties. Simultaneous detection and estimation is studied. Topics discussed include intersymbol interference and channel equalization, model-reference adaptive systems, multipath communication, adaptive data compression, decision-directed receivers, adaptive filtering, and arrays. Prerequisite: 525 or the equivalent.
ELE 534 Fiber-Optic Communication Systems Guided wave optical transmission in fibers and planar waveguides; fiber types and their characteristics, such as loss and bandwidth; the performance of light-emitting diodes and semiconductor lasers in fiber-optic systems; modulation techniques; the principles of direct, homodyne, and heterodyne photodetection; noise in optical receivers, including dark current, random carrier multiplication noise, thermal noise, and quantum noise; and system design and performance. Examples of lightwave communication systems are given, including long-haul transmission, fiber-optic local area networks, photonic switching, and VLSI optical micro-area networks.
ELE 535 Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition An introduction to the theoretical foundations of machine learning and pattern recognition. Topics include Bayesian pattern classification; parametric methods; nearest neighbor classification; Kernel methods; density estimation; VC theory; neural networks; stochastic approximation. Prerequisites: ELE525 or the permission of the instructor.
ELE 536 Special Topics in Informations Sciences and Systems No Description Available
ELE 538 Special Topics in Information Sciences and Systems Advanced studies in selected areas in signal processing, communication and information theory, decision and control, and system theory. Emphasis on recent developments and current literature. Content varies from year to year according to the instructor's and students' interests.
ELE 538B Special Topics in Information Sciences and Systems Advanced studies in selected areas in signal processing, communication and information theory, decision and control, and system theory. Emphasis on recent developments and current literature. Content varies from year to year according to the instructor's and students' interests.
ELE 539 Special Topics in Information Sciences and Systems Advanced studies in selected areas in signal processing, communication and information theory, decision and control, and system theory. Emphasis on recent developments and current literature. Content varies from year to year according to the instructor's and students' interests.
ELE 539B Special Topics in Information Sciences and Systems Advanced studies in selected areas in signal processing, communication and information theory, decision and control, and system theory. Emphasis on recent developments and current literature. Content varies from year to year according to the instructor's and students' interests.
ELE 540 Organic Materials for Photonics & Electronics An introduction to organic materials with application to active electronic and photonic devices. Basic concepts and terminology in organic materials, and electronic and optical structure-property relationships are discussed. Charge transport, light emission and photoinduced charge transfer are examined. Finally, archetype organic devices as light emitting diodes, photodetectors and transistors are described.
ELE 542 Solid State Physics II This is a second-semester course with an emphasis on topics of interest to applied physicists and material scientists (e.g., semiconductors, optical properties and dielectrics.) It builds upon the material covered in ELE 441 and extends it to multiple areas. These include electronic structure of solids, electron dynamics and transport, semiconductors and impurity states, electron-electron, electron-phonon, and phonon-phonon interactions, anharmonic effects in crystals, dielectric properties of insulators, magnetism, superconductivity. Prerequisites of ELE 441 or PHY 405 or permission of instructor.
ELE 543 Electronic Materials (also
MSE 551
) The science and technology of materials used in electronics and optoelectronics, with varying emphasis. Subjects include the growth of crystals and of thin films, vacuum technology, phase diagrams, defects and atomic diffusion in semiconductors, techniques for analyzing electronic materials, amorphous silicon, and materials for large-area electronics, displays, and solar cells.
ELE 544 Physics & Technology of Low-Dimensional Electronic Structures A broad overview of materials science and physics of low-dimensional electronic structures will be presented. Emphasis is on the fabrication and physics of high-mobility carrier systems in modulation-doped structures. Examples include two-dimensional, one-dimensional (quantum wire), and zero-dimensional (quantum dot) systems.
ELE 545 Electronic Devices The physics and technology of electronic devices; junctions, junction transistors, and field-effect transistors; and MOS; and integrated circuits, and special microwave devices.
ELE 546 Subwavelength Nanophotonics and Plasmonics An introductory course for the first and second year graduate students to understand the theory and application of a new class of the photonic materials and devices, termed "subwavelength optical elements" (SOE) or "subwavelength photonics" (SWP), that are fundamentally different from bulk materials and devices. A striking property of the SOEs or SWPs, which have feature size smaller than the wavelength of light, is that it makes an optical system thinner than a paper.
ELE 547 Selected Topics in Solid-State Electronics One or more advanced topics in solid-state electronics. Contents vary from year to year. Recent topics have included: electronic properties of doped semiconductors, physics and technology of nanostructures, and organic materials for optical and electronic device application.
ELE 547B Selected Topics in Solid-State Electronics (also
MSE 557
) One or more advanced topics in solid-state electronics. Content may vary from year to year. Recent topics have included electronic properties of doped semiconductors, physics and technology of nanastructures, and organic materials for optical and electronic device application.
ELE 547C Selected Topics in Solid-State Electronics (also
EGR 547C
) One or more advanced topics in solid-state electronics. Content varies from year to year. Recent topics have included electronic properties of doped semiconductors, physics and technology of nanostructures, and organic materials for optical and electronic device application.
ELE 548 Selected Topics in Solid-State Electronics One or more advanced topics in solid-state electronics. Contents vary from year to year. Recent topics have included: electronic properties of doped semiconductors, physics and technology of nanostructures, and organic materials for optical and electronic device application.
ELE 554 Nonlinear Optics (also
MSE 553
) An introduction to nonlinear optics, second-harmonic generation, parametric amplification and oscillation, electrooptic effects, third-order nonlinearities, phase-conjugate optics, photorefractive materials, and solitons.
ELE 557 Solar Cells: Physics, Materials, and Technology (also
ENE 557
/
MSE 558
) Photovoltaic materials and devices are discussed. Topics covered: solar flux distribution & spectra, photovoltaic parameters, loss mechanisms, Shockley-Queisser detailed balance approach, stability, light management, module design & various solar cell technologies, drawing distinctions between heterojunction & homojunction devices including crystalline Si and III-V, & thin film cells such as CIGS, CdTe, dye sensitized, & organic. In-depth treatment of organic solar cells including lab to fabricate & analyze an organic solar cell. We present methods to go beyond classical limits, such as intermediate band solar cells & multijunction devices.
ELE 558 Photonics and Lightwave Communications Introduction to fiber-optic communication systems. The basic principles of optical fibers, lasers, and detectors. In-depth analysis of noise and signal degradation in optical communication systems. The design and performance of fiber optic receivers and communication links. Introduction to optical amplifiers, dispersion management and soliton transmission. Technologies and architectures for wavelength division multiplexed long haul transmission systems and metropolitan area networks. In-depth lab project or paper on a topic of the student's choice with a class presentation.
ELE 559 Photonic Systems Rapid advances in photonic chip integration has enabled the development of increasingly sophisticated photonic systems for communications and computing. This course covers: Photonic system fundamentals, including device limitations, noise characteristics & performance requirements; Photonic system design & technology, based on off-the-shelf components & integrated silicon photonic platforms; Photonic systems applications, including communication networks & intra-chip interconnects, analog signal processors for cyber-physical systems & cryptography, and neuromorphic computing for nonlinear optimization & real-time signal analysis.
ELE 562 Design of Very Large-Scale Integrated (VLSI) Systems Analysis and design of digital integrated circuits using deep sub-micron CMOS technologies as well as emerging and post-CMOS technologies (Si finFETs, III-V, carbon). Emphasis on design, including synthesis, simulation, layout and post-layout verification. Analysis of energy, power, performance, area of logic-gates, interconnect and signaling structures.
ELE 563 Electronic Design Automation Case studies in electronic design automation. Focus on fundamental techniques with applications in multiple problems. Current topics include two-level logic minimization, Boolean function representation and manipulation, technology mapping for logic circuits, floor planning, cell placement and routing, timing verification, behavioral synthesis. Work includes research paper presentations, assignments and a final project.
ELE 567 Advanced Solid-State Electron Physics (also
PHY 567
) Electron localization in disordered structuresAnderson model and scaling theory of localization; correlated electron systemsHubbard model, Mott transition; metal-insulator transitions in correlated and disordered materials; quantum hall effectinteger and fractional; and quantum phase transitions.
ELE 568 Implementations of Quantum Information Course begins with an overview of DiVincenzo criteria for physical implementation of algorithms, then moves to consideration of leading contenders for a physical system, including superconducting qubits, electron spins in semiconductors and on liquid helium, and ion-trap-based quantum computers. A variety of possible quantum architectures will be considered. Weekly problem sets. Knowledge of quantum mechanics at the undergraduate level will be assumed.
ELE 571 Deep Learning Networks Various fundamental aspects of neurocomputing, including theory, modeling, algorithms, architectures, and applications. The course introduces various working network models and the corresponding learning algorithms. It then derives a unification of existing neural nets and basic building blocks of neural computers. The course explores the important future prospects on neural modeling and the potential impacts on conventional algorithm/architecture design as well as promising applications to various image/vision processing and pattern recognition problems.
ELE 575 Computer Architecture Modern computer processor architecture. I/O Architecture. Instruction-set architecture and high-performance processor organization including pipelining and data and instruction parallelism. Cache, memory, and storage architectures. Multiprocessors and multicore processors. Coherent caches. Interconnection and network infrastructures.
ELE 579 Pervasive Information Systems (also
COS 579
) Devices and systems that provide information anywhere, anytime. Goals of pervasive information: business, entertainment, government, etc. Components of pervasive information systems: low power electronics, audio/video, networking, etc. Human/computer interaction. Geographically distributed systems.
ELE 580 Advanced Topics in Computer Engineering Selected research topics in computer engineering. Emphasis is on new results and emerging areas. (More detailed outlines are contained in the booklet Course Outlines, issued by the department each year.)
ELE 580A Advanced Topics in Computer Engineering Selected research topics in computer engineering. Emphasis is on new results and emerging areas. (More detailed outlines are contained in the booklet Course Outlines, issued by the department each year.)
ELE 580B Advanced Topics in Computer Engineering Course foundation is built on linear algebra, statistical learning theory, pattern recognition and artificial intelligence. It provides a diversified learning experience for graduate students in computer science, electrical engineering, financial engineering and applied statistics. Students with prior exposure to linear algebra, statistical theory and convex optimization learn an integrated understanding of the underlying principles and potential applications of kernel-based unsupervised and supervised learning models. This course demonstrates how machine learning models can be integrated into a recognition application system.
ELE 580U Advanced Topics in Computer Engineering (also
COS 598U
) Selected research topics in computer engineering. Emphasis is on new results and emerging areas. (More detailed outlines are contained in the booklet Course Outlines, issued by the department each year.)
ELE 581 Principles of Power Electronics (also
ENE 581
) This course presents fundamental principles and design techniques of power electronics. Topics include 1) circuit elements: semiconductor devices, magnetic components, and filters; 2) circuit topology: canonical switching cells of power converters, inverters, rectifiers, dc-dc converters and ac-dc converters; 3) system modeling and control: small signal modeling, feedback control and system stability analysis; 4) design methods: gate drive, magnetic optimization, electromagnetic interference and thermal management. Numerous practical design examples are presented in class.
ELE 582 Wireless and High Speed Integrated Circuits and Systems This course aims to cover the fundamentals of the wireless and high-speed integrated circuits for future wireless technology. We cover analysis and design of high-speed and wireless ICs that enables modern wireless communication across device-circuits-system level abstractions. The understanding of these fundamental concepts prepares students for a wide range of advanced topics from circuits and systems for communication to emerging areas of sensing and biomedical electronics.
ELE 585 Parallel Computation The class reads seminal papers on different parallel programming models and computer architectures. In addition, we explore different parallel programming models via programming assignments. Finally the course culminates in a project where students create a research-grade experiment and write a full length conference-style paper. One of the goals of this class is to get students introduced to writing a complete conference style computer architecture/CS paper.
ELE 591 High Tech Entrepreneurship (also
EGR 591
) A course designed for graduate students in the sciences and engineering, particularly those in the masters of engineering program, who are interested in starting up high tech companies early in their careers or who want to join as key contributors new emerging technology companies after graduation. Class sessions are with the undergraduate students enrolled in ELE491. Graduate students will be required to meet and participate in four 90-minute seminars, with special readings and assignments, to address in more detail the techniques for analyzing technologies for commercial feasibility and developing new products that create commercial success
ELE 597 Electrical Engineering Master's Project Under the direction of a faculty member, each student carries out a master's-level project and presents their results. For M. Eng. student, 597, fall term; 598 spring term.
ELE 598 Electrical Engineering Master's Project Under the direction of a faculty member, each student carries out a master's-level project and presents their results. For M. Eng. student, 597, fall term; 598 spring term.
ORF 570 Special Topics in Statistics and Operations Research (also
ELE 578
) Advanced topics in statistics and operations research or the investigation of problems of current interest.