General Requirement

The degrees of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are degrees by research work. While formal coursework constitutes a small portion of the programme, the candidate is mainly required to undertake a research project which proves the ability of the candidate in understanding the state-of-the-art in the candidate's field of studies. In addition, candidates pursuing the MPhil degree should demonstrate the potential to pursue an innovative research work. For PhD, moreover, the candidate is expected to undertake a complete research project which proves the ability of the candidate in generating a piece of original research work which represents a significant contribution to his/her own area of study.

Entrance Requirement

Candidates applying for admission to the MPhil programme should have a good honours degree in relevant disciplines such as electronic engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, information engineering, computer science and physics. For the PhD programme, additional qualifications demonstrating a similar level of research experience up to the MPhil level, or equivalent, are required.

Length of Candidature and Financial Support

The usual length of the candidature is two years for MPhil and four years for PhD. During the period of candidature, the candidate is usually supported by a studentship. The candidate is also encouraged, and where possible supported by the department, to attend major international conferences in the relevant fields.

Confirmation of Study

During the first 12 months of candidature, the candidate is compulsorily required to present a seminar reporting on the progress of the project. Upon successful demonstration of satisfactory progress, which has to be endorsed by a review committee chaired by the supervisor, the candidate will be confirmed as being formally admitted to the MPhil or PhD programme.

Transfer from MPhil to PhD

MPhil candidates who demonstrate outstanding performance in their research work may apply to be transfered to the PhD programme. All candidates applying for such transfer are required to pass a qualifying examination which typically consists of an oral presentation and a written report. Approval will be granted on the basis of resesarch progress and outputs at the time of the application.

Assessment

The candidate will be examined by the standard of her/his written dissertation, in the form of an MPhil or PhD Thesis, as well as an oral defence session. The Board of Examiners consists of a Chairman who is the Head of the Department or his designate, and two external examiners, usually one local and one overseas. The examiners make recommendations to the Chairman who then makes final decision as to the award of the degree to the candidate.

Current Areas for Research Study

Research interests of the department cover a broad range of topics in electronic and information engineering. In particular, the department is active, and admits research students, in the following areas:

• Multimedia Signal Processing (Inquiry: Dr. Kenneth Lam)
  Please refer also to the Multimedia Signal Processing Centre homepage.
  • Intelligent Video Conferencing System for Multimedia Application
  • IVCS Realization Based on Microsoft DirectShowTM
  • Machine Reading of Forms
  • On-line speaker verification system
  • MPEG-4: Demonstration of Functionalities
  • Video Segmentation for Moving Objects
  • MPEG-4 Still Image Coding for Noisy Images
  • Progressive Image Coding Based on Visually Important Features
  • Functional Imaging Processing System (FIPS)
  • Video Data Management Systems
  • Remote Monitoring System Through Internet
  • Error Resilient Video Coding for H.263 Sequences
  • Applications of 3-D Halftoning in Various Aspects
  • Internet Phone
• Power Electronics
  • Integrated magnetics and soft switching (Inquiry: Prof. Y.S. Lee)
  • Converter topologies, modelling and analysis (Inquiry: Prof. C.K. Tse)
  • Power quality and efficient power modules (Inquiry: Dr. Martin Chow)
  • Magnetic devices and transformers (Inquiry: Dr. David Cheng)
• Communications
  • Mobile and chaos-based communications (Inquiry: Dr. Francis Lau/Prof. C.K. Tse)
  • Microwaves and RF systems (Inquiry: Dr. W.Y. Tam)
  • Optical fibres (Inquiry: Prof. Alex Wai)
  • Coding and information theory (Inquiry: Dr. M.Z. Wang)
• Microelectronics
  • Silicon, ferroelectric and electro-optic thin films (Inquiry: Mr. K.Y. Tong)
  • III-V nitride based devices (Inquiry: Prof. Charles Surya)
  • Theoretical physics (Inquiry: Dr. W.S. Li)
• Computers and Control
  • Distributed Computing (Inquiry: Dr. C.K. Li)
  • Fuzzy and intelligent control (Inquiry: Dr. Frank Leung)
  • Adaptive systems and sliding mode control (Inquiry: Dr. Peter Tam)
• Others
  • Chaos and nonlinear circuits and systems (Inquiry: Prof. C.K. Tse)
  • Nonlinear systems and modelling (Inquiry: Dr. Michael Small)
  • Analog circuits fault analysis (Inquiry: Dr. Mike Wong)
  • Circuit simulation (Inquiry: Dr. S.W. Ng)
  • Neural network applications (Inquiry: Dr. Zheru Chi/Dr. M.W. Mak)
  • Interactive video (Inquiry: Dr. Jimmy To)

General inquiry about admission should be directed to the University's Research Office. General inquiry about research areas in this department may be addressed to Dr. Peter Tam, Executive Secretary of Departmental Research Committee.

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Last updated by Michael Tse on January 2002