New Student Resources
EECS New Graduate Student Orientation
Program Requirements
• Complete five courses.
○ at least four courses must be non-integrated graduate courses (course number starts with a 6)
○ at most one may be an integrated graduate course (course number starts with a 5)
○ at least one course from the theory of computing and scientific computing group (group 1 – the second digit of the course number is a 1 or 2)
○ at least one course from the AI and interactive systems group (group 2 – the second digit of the course number is a 3)
○ at least one course from the software systems and hardware systems group (group 3 – the second digit of the course number is a 4 or 5)
• Defend a thesis.
○ at least four courses must be non-integrated graduate courses (course number starts with a 6)
○ at most one may be an integrated graduate course (course number starts with a 5)
○ at least one course from the theory of computing and scientific computing group (group 1 – the second digit of the course number is a 1 or 2)
○ at least one course from the AI and interactive systems group (group 2 – the second digit of the course number is a 3)
○ at least one course from the software systems and hardware systems group (group 3 – the second digit of the course number is a 4 or 5)
• Defend a thesis.
• Complete six courses.
− at most two may be integrated courses (EECS course number starts with a 5)
• Complete at least three courses from the following list:
EECS 5326, EECS 5327, EECS 6127, EECS 6327, EECS 6412
• Complete least two courses from the following list:
EECS 5323, EECS 5324, EECS 5326, EECS 5327, EECS 5326, EECS 6127,
EECS 6154, EECS 6320, EECS 6322, EECS 6323, EECS 6325, EECS 6327,
EECS 6328, EECS 6332, EECS 6333, EECS 6340, EECS 6390A, EECS
6412, EECS 6414
• Complete either:
PHIL 5340 (not integrated) OR EECS 6320
• Courses must also satisfy the group requirements for the MSc generally MScAI students must take either EECS 6127 or EECS 6154
• Identify a supervisor and a supervisory committee member by your third
term (12 months)
• Complete a research project in Artificial Intelligence in
collaboration with an external partner
− at most two may be integrated courses (EECS course number starts with a 5)
• Complete at least three courses from the following list:
EECS 5326, EECS 5327, EECS 6127, EECS 6327, EECS 6412
• Complete least two courses from the following list:
EECS 5323, EECS 5324, EECS 5326, EECS 5327, EECS 5326, EECS 6127,
EECS 6154, EECS 6320, EECS 6322, EECS 6323, EECS 6325, EECS 6327,
EECS 6328, EECS 6332, EECS 6333, EECS 6340, EECS 6390A, EECS
6412, EECS 6414
• Complete either:
PHIL 5340 (not integrated) OR EECS 6320
• Courses must also satisfy the group requirements for the MSc generally MScAI students must take either EECS 6127 or EECS 6154
• Identify a supervisor and a supervisory committee member by your third
term (12 months)
• Complete a research project in Artificial Intelligence in
collaboration with an external partner
• Complete four courses.
○ at least three of those four courses must be non-integrated graduate courses (course number starts with a 6)
○ at most one may be an integrated course (course number starts with a 5)
○ at least three of those four courses are normally EECS graduate courses (course starts with rubric EECS)
• Defend a thesis
○ at least three of those four courses must be non-integrated graduate courses (course number starts with a 6)
○ at most one may be an integrated course (course number starts with a 5)
○ at least three of those four courses are normally EECS graduate courses (course starts with rubric EECS)
• Defend a thesis
• Complete three courses
○ at least two of the courses must be non-integrated graduate courses (course number starts with a 6)
○ at most one may be an integrated course (course number starts with a 5)
• Attend departmental seminars.
• Attend at least one professional development workshop per year
• Pass a qualifying examination.
• Prepare a dissertation proposal.
• Complete an industrial internship (3 to 6 months) or a teaching practicum.
• Defend a dissertation.
○ at least two of the courses must be non-integrated graduate courses (course number starts with a 6)
○ at most one may be an integrated course (course number starts with a 5)
• Attend departmental seminars.
• Attend at least one professional development workshop per year
• Pass a qualifying examination.
• Prepare a dissertation proposal.
• Complete an industrial internship (3 to 6 months) or a teaching practicum.
• Defend a dissertation.
Student Forms
Course Selection Proposal Form (.pdf)
Masters Term Progress Report Form (.pdf)
Link to Thesis Proposal Form – To be submitted at least 3 months before the thesis defence date.
Project Proposal Form (.pdf)
Masters Term Progress Report Form (.pdf)
Link to Thesis Proposal Form – To be submitted at least 3 months before the thesis defence date.
Project Proposal Form (.pdf)
Industry Internship Request Form (.pdf) – To be submitted before initiating an internship.
Industry Internship Report Form (.pdf) – To be submitted immediately after completion of an internship.
Industry Internship Report Form (.pdf) – To be submitted immediately after completion of an internship.
Annual Progress Report Form (.pdf) – see instructions in the form.
PhD Term Progress Report Form (.pdf) – Progress Report #1 is due December 31. Progress Report #2 is due August 31.
Qualifying Exam Policy (.pdf)
Qualifying Exam Request Form (.pdf)
Qualifying Exam Report Form
Link to Dissertation Proposal Form – To be submitted at least 6 months before the dissertation defence date.
Industry Internship Request Form (.pdf) – To be submitted before initiating an internship.
Industry Internship Report Form (.pdf) – To be submitted immediately after completion of an internship.
Teaching Practicum Request Form (.pdf) – To be submitted before initiating a teaching practicum.
Teaching Practicum Report Form (.pdf) – To be submitted immediately after completion of a teaching practicum.
PhD Term Progress Report Form (.pdf) – Progress Report #1 is due December 31. Progress Report #2 is due August 31.
Qualifying Exam Policy (.pdf)
Qualifying Exam Request Form (.pdf)
Qualifying Exam Report Form
Link to Dissertation Proposal Form – To be submitted at least 6 months before the dissertation defence date.
Industry Internship Request Form (.pdf) – To be submitted before initiating an internship.
Industry Internship Report Form (.pdf) – To be submitted immediately after completion of an internship.
Teaching Practicum Request Form (.pdf) – To be submitted before initiating a teaching practicum.
Teaching Practicum Report Form (.pdf) – To be submitted immediately after completion of a teaching practicum.
Degree Milestones
Degree Requirements below for thesis/project-based programs only.
| Master’s Degree Milestones | Term Completion Requirement | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Supervisor Selection Progress Report #1 | Term 1 | Graduate SSC Portal |
| Supervisory Committee Selection Progress Report #2 | Term 2 | Graduate SSC Portal |
| Complete Courses (Maintain B+ Average) | Term 3 | Registration and Enrolment Module |
| Thesis Proposal and Ethics Review Submitted Progress Report #3 | Term 4 | Proposal/Research Ethics Portal |
| Complete Thesis Four Weeks Before Scheduling Exam Thesis Defense | Term 5 | Recommendation for Oral Exam Portal |
| PhD Degree Milestones | Term Completion Requirement | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Supervisor Selection | Term 1 | Graduate SSC Portal |
| Supervisory Committee Selection | Term 2 | Graduate SSC Portal |
| Complete Three Courses (Maintain B+ Average) | Term 3 | Registration and Enrolment Module |
| Qualifying Examination | Term 4 | Qualifying Exam Request Form (.pdf) |
| Annual Progress Report #1 | Term 5 | PhD Student Annual Progress Report |
| Thesis Proposal and Ethics Review Submitted | Term 7 | Proposal/Research Ethics Portal |
| Annual Progress Report #2 | Term 8 | PhD Student Annual Progress Report |
| Internship or Teaching Practicum Complete Thesis Four Weeks Before Scheduling Exam | Term 12 | Industry Internship Request Form Teaching Practicum Request Form |
| Dissertation Defense | Term 12 | Recommendation for Oral Exam Portal |
Milestone Guidelines
Please Visit: Graduate Supervision
A supervisor is established before admission. A supervisory form listing your principal supervisor must be submitted through the SSC portal in the students first term.
Graduate Supervisor and Supervisory Committee Portal
Visit the SSC Portal
Master’s thesis supervisory committees consist of a minimum of two faculty members (including principal supervisor) appointed to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, at least one of whom must be from the program in which the student is enrolled. The committee member must be identified no later than the students second term and submitted through the SSC portal.
A supervisor is established before admission. A supervisory form listing your principal supervisor must be submitted through the SSC portal in the students first term.
Graduate Supervisor and Supervisory Committee Portal
Visit the SSC Portal
Master’s thesis supervisory committees consist of a minimum of two faculty members (including principal supervisor) appointed to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, at least one of whom must be from the program in which the student is enrolled. The committee member must be identified no later than the students second term and submitted through the SSC portal.
The qualifying exam must be completed by all PhD students no later than their fourth term. The students supervisory committee must agree before submitting the Qualifying Exam Scheduling Form.
Please Visit:
Master’s Thesis
Masters students must submit their thesis to their supervisory committee before requesting an oral exam. Always refer to the Important Dates calendar to ensure you’re scheduled oral exam falls within the deadlines.
Important Dates
Oral Exam requests for Masters Students must be submitted through the online Recommendation for Oral Exam form (found on e-class) no later than 21 business days in advance. A date must be established and agreed to by each member before submitting the request.
A thesis exam committee includes the following members:
1. Chair (cannot be the students supervisor or co-supervisor)
2. Internal Member (This is a faculty member with no primary or secondary appointment in the EECS department and does not have any prior relationship with the student including teaching a course)
3. Member 3 (Typically the students supervisor)
Additional members are optional.
Master’s Thesis
Masters students must submit their thesis to their supervisory committee before requesting an oral exam. Always refer to the Important Dates calendar to ensure you’re scheduled oral exam falls within the deadlines.
Important Dates
Oral Exam requests for Masters Students must be submitted through the online Recommendation for Oral Exam form (found on e-class) no later than 21 business days in advance. A date must be established and agreed to by each member before submitting the request.
A thesis exam committee includes the following members:
1. Chair (cannot be the students supervisor or co-supervisor)
2. Internal Member (This is a faculty member with no primary or secondary appointment in the EECS department and does not have any prior relationship with the student including teaching a course)
3. Member 3 (Typically the students supervisor)
Additional members are optional.
If you are in the last term of your program and expect to graduate, you must apply to graduate before the deadline. Please visit York Convocation – Apply to Graduate for more information.
If you need a completion letter from the department, please note this can only be sent to you AFTER you’ve submitted your final thesis to FGS and after they’ve confirmed your completion with the department. There is a link to request a completion letter on e-class.
If you need a completion letter from the department, please note this can only be sent to you AFTER you’ve submitted your final thesis to FGS and after they’ve confirmed your completion with the department. There is a link to request a completion letter on e-class.
Masters students must submit a term progress report in terms 2 to 5. Masters students only need to complete the Course Selection Proposal in the first term.
The due dates are:
Fall term – December 31st
Winter term – April 30th
Summer term – August 31st
PhD Students must submit an annual progress report starting in the second year onwards by the end of each Winter term. A term report should be submitted in Fall and Summer terms when the annual report is not due.
The due dates are:
Fall term – December 31st
Winter term – April 30th (Annual Report)
Summer term – August 31st
The due dates are:
Fall term – December 31st
Winter term – April 30th
Summer term – August 31st
PhD Students must submit an annual progress report starting in the second year onwards by the end of each Winter term. A term report should be submitted in Fall and Summer terms when the annual report is not due.
The due dates are:
Fall term – December 31st
Winter term – April 30th (Annual Report)
Summer term – August 31st
Please Visit: Research Ethics
Thesis Proposal and Ethics Review must be submitted to the portal no later than the beginning of the students final term.
Graduate Proposal Milestone Portal
Visit the Proposal Milestone Portal
Approval from FGS and the research ethics committee may take up to 4 months or longer. Students must have an approved proposal/ethics package BEFORE requesting an oral exam.
Type A – submissions do not require TD forms. After submission, your proposal milestone is sent to your graduate program and supervisory members for review and approval within the system.
Types B-G – submissions require the attachment of TD and other relevant forms. These forms must first be signed by your supervisor/supervisory committee and Graduate Program Director before they are uploaded in the system. Please gather the necessary signatures and attach the signed forms. Your submission will be sent to your Graduate Program Assistant for review before coming directly to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Thesis Proposal and Ethics Review must be submitted to the portal no later than the beginning of the students final term.
Graduate Proposal Milestone Portal
Visit the Proposal Milestone Portal
Approval from FGS and the research ethics committee may take up to 4 months or longer. Students must have an approved proposal/ethics package BEFORE requesting an oral exam.
Type A – submissions do not require TD forms. After submission, your proposal milestone is sent to your graduate program and supervisory members for review and approval within the system.
Types B-G – submissions require the attachment of TD and other relevant forms. These forms must first be signed by your supervisor/supervisory committee and Graduate Program Director before they are uploaded in the system. Please gather the necessary signatures and attach the signed forms. Your submission will be sent to your Graduate Program Assistant for review before coming directly to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Please Visit: Doctoral Dissertation
Doctoral students must submit their thesis or dissertation to their supervisory committee before requesting an oral exam. Always refer to the Important Dates calendar to ensure you’re scheduled oral exam falls within the deadlines.
Important Dates
Oral Exam requests for Doctoral students must be submitted through the online Recommendation for Oral Exam form (found on e-class) no later than 27 business days in advance. A date must be established and agreed to by each member before submitting the request.
A thesis exam committee includes the following members:
1. Chair (cannot be the students supervisor or co-supervisor)
2. Internal Member (This is a faculty member with no primary or secondary appointment in the EECS department and does not have any prior relationship with the student including teaching a course)
3. External Member (This is a faculty member from outside of York University. The student cannot have any prior contact with this faculty member and it coordinated by the supervisor.)
4. Member 4 (Typically the students supervisor).
Additional members are optional.
Doctoral students must submit their thesis or dissertation to their supervisory committee before requesting an oral exam. Always refer to the Important Dates calendar to ensure you’re scheduled oral exam falls within the deadlines.
Important Dates
Oral Exam requests for Doctoral students must be submitted through the online Recommendation for Oral Exam form (found on e-class) no later than 27 business days in advance. A date must be established and agreed to by each member before submitting the request.
A thesis exam committee includes the following members:
1. Chair (cannot be the students supervisor or co-supervisor)
2. Internal Member (This is a faculty member with no primary or secondary appointment in the EECS department and does not have any prior relationship with the student including teaching a course)
3. External Member (This is a faculty member from outside of York University. The student cannot have any prior contact with this faculty member and it coordinated by the supervisor.)
4. Member 4 (Typically the students supervisor).
Additional members are optional.
Academic Honesty
All students must complete the Academic Integrity Module in their first term. Failure to complete will result in a blocked registration until it is complete. A personalized link will be sent to each student. Familiarize yourself with York’s Academic Honesty Policy and Academic Integrity guidelines. Behave academically honest, not doing so may have serious consequences.
Research Ethics
All University-based research involving human participants, including thesis and dissertation research, is subject to the ethics review process. Research ethics approval must be granted BEFORE commencing the research. Consult your supervisor and the Graduate Program Director for information on the process. Information sessions about research ethics will be held in the Fall and Winter terms at the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Guidelines and Policies
All students must register as active in each term regardless of whether you plan to enroll in courses. Failure to do so will result in delayed funding.
Please Visit:
Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) academic regulations
FGS Registration Procedures: Important Information
Please Visit:
Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) academic regulations
FGS Registration Procedures: Important Information
Health & Safety
Health & Safety training is mandatory for all members of the University. Depending on your activities, there may be more advanced training modules that will be required BEFORE commencing your work (i.e. working with hazardous materials). This is relevant for both research and teaching assistantship activities. Training sessions need to be repeated once their validity lapses. The following is a list of common training modules, but your individual case will vary according to the activities that you plan to do.
Complete the first module (Health & Safety Orientation for Faculty & Staff, online).
Complete WHMIS I (Login online)
Complete WHMIS I (Login online)
Complete Biosafety training (in class) if you plan to work with biological materials and/or supervise workers with biological materials (e.g., viruses, bacteria, cell culture, etc.) in a certified containment level laboratory.
Complete WHMIS II (in class). This is mandatory to work with chemicals or biological agents. Students needing to take WHMIS II can skip WHMIS I training, as WHMIS I information will be included in the WHMIS II training.
Complete Chemical Handling & Volatile Rooms training (in class) if you will be working in Chemistry and Biology labs.
Complete Laser Safety training (in class) if you will be working with any laser.
See this link for additional training modules.
Complete WHMIS II (in class). This is mandatory to work with chemicals or biological agents. Students needing to take WHMIS II can skip WHMIS I training, as WHMIS I information will be included in the WHMIS II training.
Complete Chemical Handling & Volatile Rooms training (in class) if you will be working in Chemistry and Biology labs.
Complete Laser Safety training (in class) if you will be working with any laser.
See this link for additional training modules.
How to Succeed in Graduate School Part 1 | Part 2
Advice on Research and Writing
Hints on Writing a Thesis
Advice on Research and Writing
Hints on Writing a Thesis
EECS Graduate Student Association
We represent the students of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the graduate program at York University.
EECS-GSA Executive Committee for 2024-245
President – Avi Feygin
VP Finance – Aiza Bajwa
VP External – Shahak Rozenblat
VP Internal – Elmira Onagh
VP Organization – Shalom Asbel
CUPE 3903 Steward in EECS – Abdullah Tauqeer
Department Contacts
Graduate Program Directors
- John Lam (PhD, MASc CENG)
- Manos Papagelis (MSc COSC, MSc COSC AI)
Email: eecs-gpd@yorku.ca
Graduate Program Coordinator
- Ciara Campbell
Email: eecs-gradasst@yorku.ca