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For the designers & makers of tomorrow
For the designers & makers of tomorrow
Degrees designed for real-world success
For the designers & makers of tomorrow
It's hard to imagine life today without chips. They power everything from healthcare and transportation to the energy grid, making them one of the most important technologies of our time. As the demand for smarter and more efficient chips continues to grow, so does the need for research that pushes semiconductor innovation forward.
When it comes to that kind of innovation, think Minnesota . Faculty from the University of Minnesota’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE at Minnesota) are actively shaping the future of modern technology.
Professor Gang Qiu is exploring energy-efficient memory technologies to support more powerful AI models. Professor Jian-Ping Wang leads the Spin Technology Center , a collaboration between the university, Polar Semiconductor, and Honeywell Aerospace, that develops new memory devices, sensors, and spin-based technology.
Professor Mehmet Akçakaya uses AI and advanced imaging methods to improve biomedical imaging, particularly MRI.
If this sounds like the kind of work you want to be part of, the department offers two graduate degrees that’ll help you do just that: the Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MSECE) and the Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) .
Electrical and Computer Engineering for real-world impact
Read more
Top 20
electrical and computer engineering programmes in the US
Ranked among the
graduate students from 36 countries
HOME TO
US$ 182,500
median salary for MS graduates
US$ 193,636
median salary for PhD graduates
The path to industry and research excellence
Success in engineering today requires both technical expertise and the ability to see the bigger picture. At ECE at Minnesota, you'll build those skills in state-of-the-art labs and research facilities , such as the Minnesota Nano Centre, the Earl E Bakken Medical Devices Centre, the Characterisation Facility, and more. As the field continues to evolve, the department stays ahead of industry needs by introducing new learning opportunities.
Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering
If your goal is to push the boundaries of what's possible, ECE at Minnesota's PhD can help you get there. Most complete the programme in three to four years with a relevant master's degree, or four to five years when entering directly from a relevant undergraduate degree.
An example is the one-year Microelectronics Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, launching in Spring 2027. Focused on microelectronics and semiconductor technologies, it opens pathways to PhD study and careers in one of the fastest-growing sectors in the US and can be stacked on to a UMN Masters or PhD with no additional coursework.
Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Flexible and industry-relevant, the MSECE can be completed either online or on campus. Full-time students finish the programme within one and a half to two years, gaining in-demand, specialised expertise in chip design and next-generation computing technologies.
1856
Founded in
Top 5
student organisations
Top Scoring
student organisations
Top 5
student organisations
TOP 5
in the UK for student satisfaction - Complete University Guide 2026
TOP 5
in the UK for creative facilities - Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024 & 2025
TOP SCORING
arts university in the UK - National Student Survey 2022 - 2025
1856
Founded in
in the UK for student satisfaction - Complete University Guide 2026
TOP
Scoring
arts university in the UK - National Student Survey 2022 - 2025
TOP
1856
Founded in
in the UK for creative facilities - Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024 & 2025
TOP
Conduct research that matters
At ECE at Minnesota, you'll learn from some of the most accomplished researchers in the field. Faculty members include recipients of Nobel Prizes, Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellowships, as well as members of the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Institute of Medicine. Among their research strengths are:
Computer engineering, VLSI, and circuits
Read more Faculty are exploring VLSI Computer-Aided Design (CAD), digital VLSI design, and quantum-inspired computing technologies that power modern computing.
Fields, photonics, and magnetics
Whether exploring the interaction between light and graphene or using fluids to tune radio frequency circuits, ECE at Minnesota faculty members are constantly redefining the boundaries of electromagnetics research.
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Micro/Nano Electronics and Structures
ECE faculty are exploring how Micro/Nano Electronics and Structures can contribute to breakthroughs in healthcare, information processing, renewable energy, environmental monitoring and remediation, and security.
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Explore other research areas at ECE at Minnesota As a PhD student, you'll have the opportunity to join these exciting research projects that go beyond the boundaries of a single discipline. Thanks to the university's unique mix of engineering, law, medicine, veterinary medicine, and agriculture on one campus, collaboration comes naturally. What’s more, faculty members actively help you establish research partnerships locally and globally.
Professor Murti Salapaka, Director of Graduate Studies and Vincentine Hermes-Luh Chair in Electrical and Computer Engineering
"Through rigorous coursework and hands-on research guided by world-class faculty, we develop each student's individual strengths. Our faculty are not only exceptional researchers and educators, but dedicated mentors who invest in shaping the next generation of technical leaders, cultivating the deep engineering and scientific foundations that define expertise while preparing students to tackle the complex, multi-disciplinary challenges shaping tomorrow's technological landscape.”
Professor Murti Salapaka, Director of Graduate Studies and Vincentine Hermes-Luh Chair in Electrical and Computer Engineering
"Through rigorous coursework and hands-on research guided by world-class faculty, we develop each student's individual strengths. Our faculty are not only exceptional researchers and educators, but dedicated mentors who invest in shaping the next generation of technical leaders, cultivating the deep engineering and scientific foundations that define expertise while preparing students to tackle the complex, multi-disciplinary challenges shaping tomorrow's technological landscape.”
Where ECE graduates go
A graduate degree from ECE at Minnesota opens doors to various career opportunities. Graduates have landed internships and full-time roles at industry leaders, including Nvidia, IBM, Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, Google, Amazon, and Samsung. CEO Jim Anderson of Coherent, a global leader in materials and networking, for example, is an ECE at Minnesota graduate.
“Our PhD students’ tuition, stipend, and benefits are fully funded throughout their doctoral journey,” Professor Salapaka adds. “This is so they can focus entirely on becoming thought leaders who drive innovation as faculty at top research universities and as principal scientists and technical directors at respected organisations in the industry.”
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Qi Jia PhD in Fields, Photonics, and Magnetics
While pursuing his undergraduate physics degree in China, a mentor introduced Jia to experimental magnetism. Fascinated, he eventually made his way to the University of Minnesota and joined the research group led by Robert F. Hartmann Chair and Distinguished McKnight University Professor Jian-Ping Wang . This experience “shaped my path toward magnetic tunnel junction research,” he says. “Professor Wang’s guidance and vision for spintronics have deeply inspired me.”
His research achievements have been equally impressive. In 2025, he earned the Best Poster Award at the 70th Annual Conference on Magnetism and Magnetic Materials for his work on a magnetic tunnel junction-based true random number generator . Jia has interned at Seagate (a leader in mass-capacity data storage) and Micron (a global leader in innovative memory solutions) as well, which broadened his perspective on how spintronics technologies translate to real world applications.
Hear from the students
Hear from the students
Leister Hui Long, Hong Kong BA Illustration
Sepideh Takshi, Iran Master of Fine Arts
Zeynep Korun, Turkey BA (Hons) Craft & Material Practices
Hear from the students
Madhusudan joined the graduate programme in Fall 2017 under the supervision of Professor Ramesh Harjani .
“I was always interested in analogue design,” she says. “I started with an internship at Analog Devices (a global leader in the design and manufacturing of analogue, mixed signal, and DSP integrated circuits), which eventually turned into a full-time position.”
The position has proven to be a perfect fit, closely aligning with the research she pursued during her PhD.
Meghna Madhusudan PhD in Computer Engineering, VLSI, and Circuits
When choosing a US university to pursue her master’s degree, Ramkumar was particularly drawn to the flexibility of choosing classes across different areas, collaborating with diverse students and faculty, and having 24-hour access to labs and research resources — opportunities she found at the University of Minnesota. “I also appreciate all the student support resources the university offers,” adds the student from Chennai, India.
Ramkumar is currently conducting research in VLSI design under the supervision of Professor Katie Zhao. The training she received through her courses, as well as classes taught by Professor Kevin Cao, has helped her secure an internship with Qualcomm, an American multinational known for its chips in smartphones.
Navametha Ramkumar Master’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Qi Jia PhD in Fields, Photonics, and Magnetics
While pursuing his undergraduate physics degree in China, a mentor introduced Jia to experimental magnetism. Fascinated, he eventually made his way to the University of Minnesota and joined the research group led by Robert F. Hartmann Chair and Distinguished McKnight University Professor Jian-Ping Wang . This experience “shaped my path toward magnetic tunnel junction research,” he says. “Professor Wang’s guidance and vision for spintronics have deeply inspired me.”
His research achievements have been equally impressive. In 2025, he earned the Best Poster Award at the 70th Annual Conference on Magnetism and Magnetic Materials for his work on a magnetic tunnel junction-based true random number generator . Jia has interned at Seagate (a leader in mass-capacity data storage) and Micron (a global leader in innovative memory solutions) as well, which broadened his perspective on how spintronics technologies translate to real world applications.
Join a community of future technology leaders at ECE at Minnesota .