University of California, Riverside

How this program compares

Benchmark this program against our national recognition pages and use the key guides below to evaluate ROI, admissions difficulty, and outcomes.

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: Applicants typically hold a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related field with a strong GPA (3.5+). A master's degree in electrical engineering is preferred but not always required; applicants should demonstrate research experience, strong mathematical foundations, and clear research interests aligned with intelligent systems.

About This Program

This doctoral program focuses on advanced research in intelligent systems that can sense, reason, and act in real-time within complex environments like smart grids.

Career Outcomes

Drive advanced AI Research Scientist in Engineering AI through machine learning

• 1. Research Scientist in Robotics and Autonomous Systems
• 2. Controls Engineer for Industrial Automation
• 3. Machine Learning Engineer for Embedded Systems
• 4. Academic Researcher or University Faculty Member

What You'll Learn

• Design, develop, and optimize intelligent control systems and autonomous agents for real-world applications
• Apply machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to electrical systems and embedded platforms
• Conduct original research in signal processing, robotics, and sensor networks
• Integrate hardware and software components to create autonomous and adaptive systems

Curriculum Highlights

The research-focused curriculum includes a minimum of nine graduate courses, a preliminary exam, and a significant original thesis in a specialized area.

Top Employers

Top employers include Tesla, Boston Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, NASA, defense contractors, major technology firms like Google and Microsoft, and leading robotics and automation companies.

Admissions

Applicants typically hold a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related field with a strong GPA (3.5+). A master's degree in electrical engineering is preferred but not always required; applicants should demonstrate research experience, strong mathematical foundations, and clear research interests aligned with intelligent systems.

Application Materials

• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Letters of Recommendation: 3
• Resume: Required
• Transcripts: Official transcripts required
• Research proposal or statement of research interests: Often required

Academic Requirements

• Degree Required: PhD in Electrical Engineering
• GRE: Required (Quantitative score typically 155+)
• TOEFL/IELTS: Required for international students (TOEFL 80+ / IELTS 6.5+)