The department offers programs leading to the Master of Science, Master of Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees with a major in electrical and computer engineering. These programs prepare students for careers in research and development in such areas as biomedical engineering; circuit design, VLSI, & CAD; communication systems; computer networks, distributed computing & computer architecture; computer vision & robotic systems; control systems; digital signal & image processing; electromagnetics, microwave & antennas; microelectronic devices & processing; microelectronic packaging & interconnects; optics; remote sensing & telemetering; software, simulation & information systems. The Master of Science degree requires 30 credit units, including 24 units of coursework, 6 units of thesis, and a final oral defense of the thesis. There is no qualifying examination for the M.S. program. See the ECE Graduate Handbook for additional M.S. requirements. The Master of Engineering degree requires 30 credit units. The project option requires 21 units of ECE coursework, 3 units of applied math, 3 units of engineering management, and 3 units of a practice-oriented project. There is a final oral presentation of the project. The non-project option requires 24 units of ECE coursework, 3 units of applied math, and 3 units of engineering management. In lieu of a final examination, students must meet specific grade requirements. There is no qualifying examination for the M.Eng. program. See the ECE Graduate Handbook for additional M.Eng. requirements. The Ph.D. program requires 36 units in the major technical area, including at least 18 units beyond the master's degree, as well as 12 units in a minor field, including at least 6 units beyond the master's. Also, 18 units of dissertation are required. Students must pass a qualifying examination, which is taken during the first semester of study. Students must pass a written and oral comprehensive examination covering topics in the major and minor fields when essentially all coursework has been completed. There is a final oral defense of the dissertation. There is no foreign language requirement. See the ECE Graduate Handbook for additional Ph.D. requirements. To apply for admission, follow the Graduate College application procedures. In addition, submit the following materials directly to the ECE Graduate Studies Office: (1) copy of the Graduate College application form, (2) ECE Application for Graduate Admission, (3) copies of transcripts (Transcripts from India must include an official sum of total marks and marks obtained for each semester), (4) official report of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores, (5) copy of TOEFL results for international students, (6) a "Statement of Purpose," (7) three letters of recommendation. For M.S. applications, recommendation letters are required only if seeking financial support or if the scores are marginal. For M.Eng applications, one of the letters must be from the applicant's current employer. For Ph.D. applications, the letters must be from faculty from the student's master's program. For domestic students seeking financial support the application deadline is February 1 for summer or fall enrollment, and August 1 for spring enrollment. Otherwise, the Graduate College deadlines apply. See the ECE Graduate Handbook for forms, deadlines, and further requirements. For further information about the ECE graduate program, see the ECE Graduate Handbook (http://www.ece.arizona.edu/~grad) or contact the ECE Graduate Advisor (GradAdvisor@ece.arizona.edu).