PhD Qualifying Exams

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For more information about the qualifying exams follow the link below.
2022-2023 Graduate Bulletin - Program of Study

PhD Common Exam Topics

This is a common two-hour written exam.  Each student, with advice from his/her advisor must choose one of the three subject areas. The Common Exam will be graded as pass/fail. Minimum of 70% is required and serves as passing grade.

Topics Covered

  • Fundamentals of Calculus
  • First-Order Differential Equations
  • Higher-Order Differential Equations
  • Laplace-Transform
  • Fourier-Transform
  • Orthogonal Functions
  • Z-Transform
  • Series Solutions of Linear Differential Equations
  • Vectors
  • Matrices
  • Vector Calculus
  • Systems of Linear Differential Equations
  • Boundary-Value Problems
  • Complex Variables
  • Functions of Complex Variables
  • Series and Residues Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors

Suggested References

  • Dennis G. Zill, "Advanced Engineering Mathematics", Jones and Bartlett
  • B. Noble, J. W. Daniel, "Applied Linear Algebra", Prentice Hall

Recommended Classes @ DU

  • ENEE 3611 - Engineering Mathematics (Fall Quarter)
  • ENGR 3735 - Linear Systems (Fall Quarter)

Topics Covered

  • Kirchhoff's law
  • Node voltage and mesh current analysis technique
  • Circuit reduction (i.e. parallel circuits, series circuits)
  • Thévenin and Norton Equivalent circuits
  • Interface power transfer and maximum power transfer
  • Analysis using dependent sources
  • Basic Op Amps
  • Basic transistors (quiescent point calculations)
  • Basic signals (step, impulse, ramp, sinusoidal functions)
  • RC/RL circuits, RLC circuits
  • Frequency response
  • Laplace
  • Fourier Transforms

Suggested References

  • Thomas and Rosa, "The Analysis and Design of Linear Circuits", any of the book editions from 3 to 8 (Chapters 1 to 13)
  • Irwin and Nelms, "Basic Engineering Circuits Analysis", any book edition from 7 to 9 (Chapters 1 to 9)

Recommended Classes @ DU

  • ENEE 2022 - Circuits II (Spring Quarter)

Topics Covered

  • Signals and Amplifiers
  • Operational Amplifiers
  • Semiconductors
  • Diodes
  • MOS Filed-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs)
  • Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs)
  • Transistor Amplifiers
  • Power Amplifiers

Suggested References

  • Adel S. Sedra and Kenneth C., "Microelectronics Circuits", any of the book editions above 7th (Part I Devices and Basic Circuits)

Recommended Classes @ DU

  • ENEE 2211 - Electronics (Fall Quarter)

Topics Covered

  • Binary number system
  • Boolean algebra, combinational logic, and logic gates
  • Simplifications of Boolean expressions
  • Flip Flops, counters, and registers Logic Design with MSI, PLDs, etc. components
  • Advanced techniques for simplifications of Boolean Expressions (High order K-maps, Quine McCluskey, …)
  • Circuit Timing and Timing Hazards
  • Synchronous Sequential Networks
  • Asynchronous Sequential Networks
  • Algorithmic State Machines

Suggested References

  • Stephen Brown, and Zvonko Vranesic "Fundamentals of Digital Logic with Verilog Design", McGraw-Hill

Recommended Classes @ DU

  • ENCE 3100 - Advance Digital Design (Fall Quarter)

Topics Covered

  • Converting between binary representations
  • Binary arithmetic with finite and infinite precision
  • IEEE 754 floating point format and rounding
  • Casting implications in C
  • Compiling C code into assembly
  • Writing procedure calls in assembly that make appropriate use of the stack
  • Given an ISA, convert between machine language (byte codes) and assembly language
  • Design a simple sequential processor given an Instruction Set Architecture (ISA)
  • Compute the data characteristics of a disk drive given physical parameters of a disk drive
  • Design a cache memory (direct-mapped, set associative) of a given configuration
  • Given a cache, trace a series of memory accesses and note cache misses and hits

Suggested References

  • D. A. Patterson and J. L. Hennessy, "Computer Organization and Design: The Hardware / Software Interface", Elsevier

Recommended Classes @ DU

  • ENCE 3241 - Computer Organization and Architecture (Winter Quarter)

Topics Covered

  • Digital design flow
  • Verilog language concepts
  • Combinational circuit description
  • Sequential circuit description
  • Component test and verification
  • Switch level modeling

Suggested References

  • Samir Palnitkar, "Verilog HDL", Prentice Hall

Recommended Classes @ DU

  • ENCE 3100 - Advanced Digital Design (Fall Quarter)

PhD Specific Area Exam Topics

This part of the exam will consist of two written subject area texts lasting two hours each.  Students must pick two specific subject areas and cannot be the same subject area as the topic chosen for the PhD Common Exam.  The Specific Area Exam will be graded as pass/fail; Minimum of 70% is required and serves as passing grade.

  • Circuits and Electronics
    (only if NOT taken for the common component)
  • Digital Design, Computer Organization, and HDL
    (only if NOT taken for the common component)

Topics Covered

  • Architectures & Instruction Set
  • Instruction Set Usage Examples
  • Programming with C and Assembly
  • Memory System
  • Digital Input and Output
  • Exceptions and Interrupts
  • Power management and Timing Operations
  • Mixed Signals (Comparator, ADC, DAC)
  • Digital Communications (UART, I2C, SPI)
  • Wireless Communication
  • Flash Memory and RAM Operations Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS)

Suggested References

  • Cem Unsalan and H. Deniz Gurhan and M. Erkin Yucel, "Programmable Microcontrollers - Applications on the MSP432 Launchpad", McGraw-Hill
  • Joseph Yiu, "The definitive Guide to ARM Cortex-M0 and Cortex-M0+ Processors", Elsevier

Recommended Classes @ DU

  • ENCE 3231 - Embedded Systems Design (Spring Quarter)

Topics Covered

  • greedy algorithms
  • dynamic programming
  • divide-and-conquer
  • randomized algorithms
  • network flow
  • NP-completeness
  • computability theory
  • approximation algorithms
  • randomized algorithms

Suggested References

  • Thomas H. Cormen and Charles E. Leiserson ,"Introduction to Algorithms", 3rd Edition

Recommended Classes @ DU

  • COMP 2370 - Introduction to Algorithms and Data Structures (Spring Quarter)

Topics Covered

  • Elementary Continuous- and Discrete- Time Signals and Systems
  • Linear Time-Invariant Systems (LTI)
  • Differential and Difference LTI Systems
  • Laplace-, Fourier- and z- Transform
  • Filtering
  • Mathematical Modeling of Dynamic Systems
  • Impulse and Step Responses
  • Convolution
  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd Order Systems
  • State Models of LTI Systems
  • Open-Loop, Closed-Loop Systems
  • Application of Transform Techniques to LTI Feedback Control Systems
  • Transient-Response Analysis
  • Root-Locus Analysis
  • Control Systems Design by the Root-Locus Method
  • Frequency-Response Analysis
  • Control Systems Design by Frequency Response
  • Classical PID Control
  • PID Controller Design
  • State Space Analysis of Control Systems
  • Design of Control Systems in State Space
  • Stability

Suggested References

  • B. C. Kuo,"Automatic Control Systems", Prentice Hall
  • G. C. Goodwin and S. F. Graebe, and M. E. Salgado,"Control System Design", Pearson Education
  • Note: any book on the subject may serve as reference for the above topics

Recommended Classes @ DU

  • ENGR 3721 - Controls (Winter Quarter)

Topics Covered

  • Discrete time and continuous time signal synthesis and analysis
  • Linear system analysis
  • Fourier transform theory and application to signal and system analysis
  • Laplace transform for system analysis
  • Discrete time signal and system analysis using z-transform techniques
  • Discrete Fourier transform
  • Fast Fourier transform

Suggested References

  • Gopalan,"Introduction to Signals and Systems Analysis", Cengage Learning
  • Oppenheim, Willsky, and Nawab,"Signals and Systems", Prentice-Hall
  • McClellan, Schafer, and Yoder,"Signal Processing First", Prentice-Hall
  • Roberts,"Fundamentals of Signals and Systems", McGraw Hill
  • Note: any basic signals and systems textbook

Recommended Classes @ DU

  • ENEE 3111 - Signals and Systems (Fall Quarter)

Topics Covered

  • Waves and Phasors
  • Transmission Lines
  • Vector Analysis
  • Electrostatics
  • Magnetostatics
  • Maxwell’s Equations for Time-Varying Signals
  • Plane-Wave Propagation
  • Wave Reflection and Transmission
  • Radiation and Antennas
  • Satellite Communication Systems and Radar Sensors

Suggested References

  • Fawwaz T. Ulaby and Umberto Ravaioli, "Fundamentals of Applied Electromagnetics", Pearson

Recommended Classes @ DU

  • ENEE 2611 - Engineering Electromagnetics (Fall Quarter)

Topics Covered

  • The physical basis of electromagnetics and electro-mechanics
  • Three phase power
  • Transformers
  • AC machinery fundamentals
  • The synchronous machine
  • Induction motors
  • Power system modeling for power flow studies
  • Power flows

Suggested References

  • Stephen Chapman, "Electric Machinery and Power System Fundamentals", Chapters 1 to 5, 7, 9, 10, and 11
  • J. Duncan Glover, Mulukutla S. Sarma, and Thomas Jeffrey Overbye, "Power System Analysis and Design", 5th Edition, Chapters 1 to 6

Recommended Classes @ DU

  • ENGR 3530 - Intro to Power and Energy Systems (Fall Quarter)

(It will be updated soon)

  • Optoelectronics and Optical Fiber Communication
  • Communication & DSP
  • Robotics
  • Image Processing & Computer Vision
  • Pattern Recognition

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