Information for Applicants to ECE Graduate Programs
This page provides an Overview of Department of ECE Graduate Programmes, including a special note for civilian applicants. It then discusses each program offered in detail, namely the Doctorate (PhD), Master of Applied Science (MASc), Master of Engineering (MEng), Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security (GCCS) and studies as an Interest-Only (IO) student. Finally, the page discusses application details such as Required academic preparation, Compentency in English, Referees, Requirement for Supervisor and Admission Decision.
Overview
The Royal Military College of Canada offers a full range of graduate degrees at the Master's and Doctoral levels. Graduate enrolment is open to both civilian and military students. Civilian students are treated the same as at any other Canadian university: there are no military duties and there is no offer or obligation to join the Canadian Armed Forces.
The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department offers the Master of Applied Science and Doctoral degrees in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Software Engineering/Cybersecurity. All of our graduate degrees are fully accredited by the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies.
As a graduate student, you can work in any area in which we have an active program of research. Our faculty members’ interests span the full range of electrical, computer and software engineering/cybersecurity, with current work in electromagnetics, antennas, communications, digital signal processing, navigation, power, control, robotics, network security, real-time systems, human-computer interaction, and many other areas.
Note for Civilian Applicants
Admission for civilian graduate students is competitive and spaces are limited, so meeting our minimum entry standards does not guarantee admission. Please review this page thoroughly, in particular the sections on the requirement for a supervisor and competency in English below.
Programs Offered
The Department of ECE offers admission into programs leading to the MEng, MASc and the PhD. The Calendar describes program requirements.
Doctorate (PhD)
PhD programs in the Department of ECE require a total of ten one-term courses or the equivalent at the graduate level, some of which may have been taken during studies at the Masters level. For example, a Doctoral student who completed six courses at the Masters level will normally be required to take four more courses during the Doctoral program. Doctoral students are also required to complete comprehensive examinations, a formal thesis proposal, and the thesis. This is normally accomplished in a thirty-three month program.
The PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering is offered in the field of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Cybersecurity
Master of Applied Science (MASc)
MASc programs in the Department of ECE require six one-term courses or the equivalent at the graduate level, plus a thesis. EE502 Applied Research in Electrical and Computer Engineering is a required course for the MASc. The MASC program is normally twenty-one months long.
The MASc is offered in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Cybersecurity.
Master of Engineering (MEng)
MEng programs in the Department of ECE require eight one-term courses or the equivalent at the graduate level, plus a project (PR500 Project), in which students must be registered for at least two semesters.
Normally, candidates apply for direct entry into the MEng program. Under exceptional circumstances, students who are already registered in the MASc may request a transfer to the MEng; this request for transfer must be supported by the ECE GSC who will make a recommendation to the Dean of Graduate Studies (DGS).
Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security (GCCS)
The GCCS is a non-degree granting certificate program granted for students who have completed a number of graduate courses in cyber security. The details of the GCCS are found in this section of the RMC Graduate Calendar.
Interest Only (IO) Students
It is possible to undertake up to two graduate courses wihtout being registered in a graduate program.
Application
Application to graduate programs in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department may be made at any time of year. Application, and related correspondence, is made through the Office of Graduate Studies and Research, not through the Department of ECE. Admission requirements are found below.
Further guidance on applying to the RMC Graduate School can be found in the Graduate Calendar and through the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. You should also see the Application to Graduate Studies Form and the current RMC Academic Fees. The Calendar is the ultimate source of information and can answer most questions.
The Calendar describes admissions guidelines and requirements.
Required Academic Preparation
To be admitted to study in the Department of ECE as a “Regular” Master’s Graduate Student the applicant must hold a degree from a recognized university with at least second class honours (a B- or 70% or the GPA equivalent) in an appropriate field of Engineering or Applied Science. In exceptional cases, applicants with an honours degree in a related field of undergraduate study or those who do not receive second class honours in their undergraduate studies may be accepted as a “Provisional” Graduate Student. Such an acceptance will require successful completion of additional graduate or undergraduate courses beyond the usual degree requirement.
To be admitted to study as a Doctoral student, the applicant must normally hold a research-oriented, thesis-pattern Masters degree in an appropriate field of Engineering or Applied Science.
Competency in English
For applicants whose first language is neither English nor French, sufficient evidence of competency in English must be provided, normally in the form of a certified Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test record. Equivalent tests (e.g., IELTS) may also be considered.
The minimum TOEFL score for admission is 600 for the paper-based test (pbt), 250 for the computer-based test (cbt) or 100 for internet-based test (ibt). An IELTS score of band 7 is considered equivalent.
Referees
All applicants must provide names, titles and full contact information of three persons who have knowledge of their academic ability, to serve as referees.
In addition, applicants to the PhD, MASc, MEng or GCCS must ask these referees must provide letters of recommendation; letter of recommendation are not required for those applying as Interest Only students. Recommendation letters must be received using the appropriate forms, which are made available by the Online Admission Form.
Requirement for Supervisor
Sponsored Applicants
Applicants directly sponsored by the Canadian Armed Forces are not required to have selected a supervisor prior to admission, and they should not indicate one on the application form. These applicants are required to meet all other conditions for admission.
Unsponsored Applicants
Any applicant not directly sponsored by the Canadian Armed Forces will be considered for admission only if an Department of ECE faculty member has agreed to act as the applicant’s supervisor. The supervisor is responsible for advising the applicant on a course of study, supervision of research work, and for providing financial support for the initial period of the applicant’s study.
If a faculty member has agreed to supervise you, indicate the name of the supervisor on your application; the Chair of the ECE Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) confirms willingness with any faculty member named on the form.
If you have not found a supervisor, your application will not be recommended for acceptance until a faculty member agrees to act as supervisor, including provision of financial support for your initial period study.
Admission Decision
All applications will be fully reviewed by the ECE GSC.
Admission to all of our programs is competitive, with priority given to applicants directly sponsored by the Canadian Armed Forces. Other students meeting our criteria for admission may be accepted on a space-available basis. Note that even if the basic admission criteria are satisfied, acceptance into a graduate degree program is not guaranteed and is at the entire discretion of the ECE GSC and the DGS.
Admission decisions will be communicated by formal letter from the Office of the DGS.
More Information
For more information about ECE graduate programs, please contact the Chair of the ECE Graduate Studies Committee, Dr Sylvain P. Leblanc.
Any suggestions for updates or improvements to this page should be directed to Dr Sylvain P. Leblanc.