Postgraduate programs / Application and Finance / Postgraduate Courses

The Department of Electrical Engineering offers postgraduate degrees in specialized research fields. The popularity of the programs is evidenced by its large number of postgraduate students and also the large number of inquiries from international applicants.

The program in broadband communication / telecommunications / wireless networks is currently under rapid expansion.

Postgraduate Programs

The Department of Electrical Engineering offers the following postgraduate programs:

Postgraduate program flowchart

Note: 1 SAQA credit = 10 notional hours of work for a student. Assuming that students work at least 40 hours per week, one year of fulltime work is about 180 SAQA credits.

PhD

by thesis research only, with a minimum of 360 SAQA credits.

Student will register in the thesis research course EEE6000W which carries 180 SAQA credits each year. Coursework is not required for the degree but many students will need to take some courses to prepare themselves towards thesis research. The PhD degree must be completed in a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 5 years. In general, a highly qualified students working very hard is expected to complete in 3 years. A PhD student is required to present a detailed thesis proposal within the first 6 months. Throughout the study, the PhD student should try to establish expertise position in one's field, as evidenced through a number of peer-reviewed publications of the research results in both journals and high-quality conference proceedings. A PhD candidate with paper accepted in a good conference may apply for financial support to present the work at one international conference and one regional conference during the course of the PhD program.

Master of Science: MSc in Electrical Engineering

with research thesis (minimum 120 SAQA credits) and coursework (minimum 60 SAQA credits)

Student may register for postgraduate courses and also register in the master thesis research course EEE5002W which carries 120 SAQA credits each year to conduct thesis research under the guidance of a faculty member. The master degree must be completed in a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 3 years. In general, a well qualified students working very hard is expected to complete the work within 1.5 years in order to graduate before the end of the second year. A master research thesis is usually accompanied by a peer-reviewed publication in a journal or a good quality conference. Practicing to publish early is encouraged and is important to one's career, and many of our students have indeed been able to start publishing research results within the first year. A MSc candidate with paper accepted in a good conference may apply for financial support to present the work at one regional conference during the second year of the MSc program.

Master of Science: MSc in Electrical Engineering

with research thesis (minimum 180 SAQA credits)

Student will register in the master thesis research course EEE5000W which carries 180 SAQA credits each year to conduct thesis research under the guidance of a faculty member. Coursework is not required for the degree but many students will need to take some courses to prepare themselves towards thesis research. The master degree must be completed in a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 3 years. In general, a well qualified students working very hard is expected to complete the work within 1.5 years in order to graduate before the end of the second year. A master research thesis is usually accompanied by a peer-reviewed publication in a journal or a good quality conference. Practicing to publish early is encouraged and is important to one's career, and many of our students have indeed been able to start publishing research results within the first year. A MSc candidate with paper accepted in a good conference may apply for financial support to present the work at one regional conference during the second year of the MSc program.

Master of Engineering: MEng in Telecommunication (beginning in 2007)

with coursework (minimum 120 SAQA credits) and research thesis (60 SAQA credits)

A candidate may obtain the degree by completing advanced study by coursework (as prescribed) of a minimum value of 120 credits AND a technical paper on the subject of a research project of a minimum value of 60 credits (EEE5004Z). The course requirements are published annually in the student handbook. At least 90 credits from the 120 credits of coursework for both MEng (Telecom) and PgDipEng (Telecom) must be from the list of elective core courses. The remaining will be from the list of elective courses.

120 credits of fulltime work usually spans from late February to early December. The 60 credits (600 hours) of thesis research may span at least 3 months of fulltime work.

The master degree must be completed in a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 3 years.

See the list of elective core courses and elective courses .

The courses are described at the communication network website .

Postgraduate Diploma of Engineering: PGDipEng in Telecommunication (beginning in 2007)

with coursework (minimum 120 SAQA credits)

The diploma must be completed in a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 3 years.

A candidate may obtain the diploma by completing advanced study by coursework (as prescribed) of a minimum value of 120 credits. The course requirements are published annually in the student handbook.

At least 90 credits from the 120 credits of coursework for both MEng (Telecom) and PgDipEng (Telecom) must be from the list of elective core courses. The remaining will be from the list of elective courses.

See the list of elective core courses and elective courses .

The courses are described at the communication network website .

120 credits of fulltime work usually spans from late February to early December.

A postgraduate diploma student who has successful completed the above coursework may apply for upgrade the program to master of engineer by adding a research thesis (60 SAQA credits). Yet upgrade is not guaranteed and is also subject to availability of resources in thesis supervision.

Students specializing in broadband communication / telecommunications / wireless networks:

In general, students must first achieve excellent marks in the advanced courses in this specialization before beginning thesis research. Exceptions are for students who have already achieved excellent marks in the advanced courses EEE4002F, EEE4003F, EEE4026F (or their equivalents if coming from other universities), and professional communication during their undergraduate program. These students may apply for the research master by thesis only, subject to availability of thesis supervision. The above courses are offered in the 4th year of the undergraduate program at UCT. For students coming from other universities, they will need to check the course description of the above courses to compare against what they are already studied. Many students from other universities have not studies these course materials. It is then necessary for them to take the postgraduate courses before they start thesis research.

Courses for MEng / PgDip / MSc / PhD in Telecom

Elective core courses for MEng or PgDip in Telecom: at least 90 credits are needed to count towards MEng and PgDip in Telecom.

EEE5024Z (8 credits): Satellite technology
EEE5025Z (15 credits): Wireless data network and systems
EEE5026Z (15 credits): Convergent telecom and data networks
EEE5027Z (15 credits): Network and Internet security
EEE5028Z (15 credits): Optical communication network
EEE5029Z (15 credits): Broadband communication networks
EEE5030Z (15 credits): Formal methods and analysis of networks
EEE5032Z (20 credits): Digital communications
EEE5033Z (12 credits): Advanced topic in communication and network
END5044Z (16 credits): Technical writing
EEE5051Z (10 credits): Applications in Digital Signal Processing

Elective courses for MEng or PgDip in Telecom: at most 30 credits to count towards MEng and PgDip in Telecom.

EEE5005Z (12 credits): Research methods and ethics
EEE5031Z (12 credits): Data modelling, prediction, and optimization
EEE5034Z (8 credits): Special topic in Electrical Engineering
END5049Z (16 credits): Research Methodology and Communication
Other postgraduate courses offered in Electrical Engineering
Other postgraduate courses to be approved on an individual basis
If the student had not taken the fundamental courses in network and communication, the following may be taken as optional courses, but only up to 30 credits of all optional courses may count towards the postgraduate degree requirement.
EEE3080F (20 credits): Communication Network and System Fundamentals
EEE3058F (20 credits): Fundamentals of Communication

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Application and Finance

Postgraduate candidates

PhD admission:
A student who has completed a master may apply for PhD admission.
A student about to complete MEng (coursework) or MSc (research) may apply for PhD admission but the formal admission letter will only be issued after providing official evidence to at least confirm receiving the master degree.
A current MSc (research) student at UCT, who desires to go for PhD without getting MSc, may also apply to upgrade the master thesis to a PhD thesis study at the end of the first year of MSc and upon good progress in research. Yet one who desires to obtain both MSc and PhD should not apply for such upgrade but rather complete the MSc while applying for PhD admission.

Master admission:
For master application, the minimum admission requirement is completion of a 4-year undergraduate program with courses relevant to the intended field of research.

Master admission (Telecommunication):
For master in the field of Telecommunication, the minimum admission requirement is completion of a 4-year undergraduate program in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or information science with courses relevant to telecommunication. The relevant undergraduate courses are listed in the undergraduate section at the Curriculum in Broadband Communications / Wireless Network website.
Students with undergraduate program in other discipline may be required to take some courses listed in above website to better prepare for thesis research.
A student with a 3-year undergraduate program may register as an occassional student to complete any missing pre-requisite courses listed in above website before being considered for admission.

Prospective students may contact the Head of the Department to obtain advice about your proposed study before making a formal application.

Prospective PhD and MSc students may also check your research interests with individual faculty members and try to identify your potential thesis advisor. Both PhD and MSc students need thesis advisor to begin the program. They need to write down their research interests and put down name(s) of prospective thesis advisor on the application form.

Prospective MEng students will start with taking courses and generally do not yet have thesis advisor to start. These students will be taking intensive courses throughout the first semester and part of the second semester. While taking courses, they may sit-in research group meetings and presentations from other more advanced postgraduate students. These interactions give them opportunities to find a match in research interests with a thesis advisor.

The forms needed for application are posted at: http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/applications/forms/ :

The Directions for Applicants can be downloaded at: http://www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/apply/forms/directions.pdf .

An electronic application form (UCT1) can be downloaded at: http://www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/apply/forms/form1.pdf .

If you are currently registered at UCT you must complete a UCT5 application form which can be downloaded at: href="http://www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/apply/forms/form5.pdf .

Please use the following code tables to complete the form: href="http://www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/apply/forms/codetables.pdf .
The program code is ED001 for PhD, EM001 for MSc, and EM017 for MEng.
The academic plan code is EEE for PhD and MSc in Electrical Engineering and is TEL for MEng in Telecommunication.

In addition to indicating your field of interest, please write down on the application form your desired potential thesis advisor(s). (There is no designated space in the form to enter names of advisors. Just write down.)

Selections for postgraduate study are based on academic merit and we are able to admit only a relatively small proportion of the many people who apply for admission. If you decide to proceed with your plans we invite you to send us your application.

Once you have accessed the form, completed and signed it, the form must be posted together with the undermentioned documentation together with your application fee (R90 or R300) to the following address: Attention: Tracy Petersen, Admissions Office, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, 7701 RONDEBOSCH, Cape Town, South Africa. Please note that if the following documents are not submitted it will cause a delay in the processing of your application.

school leaving certificate;

a curriculum vitae;

a certified photocopy of all your academic transcripts and a certified photocopies of your degree certificates (these documents must be translated and certified if they are not in English);

a letter of reference from one of the professors under whom you have studied;

a brief statement describing your proposed field of study/research;

if applicable, your score in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - refer to the section on English language proficiency on our Web Page, under the section on Admissions.

Fees

Information on fees can be found at: http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/fees/

Fees for international students

Information on fees for international students can be found at: http://www.uct.ac.za/students/international/fees/fds/
Check also living cost estimates .

Accommodation

Please check both the student accommodation office .
You may also send your inquiries to E-mail: vcdewaal@protem.uct.ac.za Tel: +27 21 650-3002

Please note that most campus housing are not really on-campus, but are in the vicinity served by campus shuttle (called Jammie Shuttle).

Campus housing are filled up very early. One must then look for off-campus housing.

Adverisement of some off campus housing can be found at: http://cal.uct.ac.za/generic.php?m=/offcampus/findaccom.php
The areas near the university include: Rondebosch, Rosebank, Mowbray, Observatory, etc. You need to check whether they are close to the university shuttle.

The cost for off-campus housing is comparable to that of on-campus housing.

Questions

For further information about your application, you may contact Janine Buxey at the following e-mail address: Janine.Buxey@uct.ac.za

Financial support for postgraduate students

Limited research funding are available to support highly qualified students doing research towards postgraduate thesis. Good research proposals are generally required. You may discuss with your potential thesis advisor.
The department also has a limited number of teaching assistantship positions for highly qualified postgraduate students. After you are admitted, you may discuss with your potential thesis advisor.
In addition, there are some tutor positions in some courses. Tutors are compensated at hourly rate. Admitted students may check with the instructors of individual courses.

For information on various forms of postgraduate financial assistance offered please contact: Postgraduate Center and Funding Office , Otto Beit Building (Old Student Union Building), Upper Campus, UCT, Rondebosch 7701, FAX: +27 21 650-4352, TEL: +27 21 650-2206, email: gradcentre@its.uct.ac.za Internet: http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/funding/postgraduate/contacts
The Financial Assistance handbook is also available at the above website.

South Africa citizens may apply for the NRF scholarship. Please check the announcements and the manual at the NRF website.

In addition, there are Telkom bursary applications for South African citizens. Please check with your potential thesis advisor to apply.

International postgraduate students

International applicants please visit the website of the International Academic Programmes Office : Contact Details Tel: +27 21 650-2822 / 3740, Fax: +27 21 650-5667, Email: carol.ojwang@uct.ac.za

In particular, a limited number of UCT International student scholarship are awarded each year on academic basis. The deadline to apply is end of July each year.

There are also other Fellowships awarded by other resources:

Staff members of African Network of Scientific and Technological Institutions (ANSTI) member institutions may consult with your insitutions to nominate you for the Postgraduate fellowships with the support of DAAD of Germany Please check the application forms and instructions at ANSTI website . Nomination from you host institution is needed. The deadline is around end of April to end of May each year.

Postgraduate Training Fellowships for Women Scientists in Sub-Saharan Africa and Least Developed Countries (LDC) at Centres of Excellence in the South. Please check the application forms and instructions at TWOWS website . The deadline is around 30 May of each year.

Although the tuition for international students are higher than those for southern African students, international students with good academic records are encouraged to apply for the UCT International Postgraduate Academic Scholarship to lower the tuition fee. Application for these scholarships should be made by means of a letter of motivation which is to be included with the application form. Students may apply for this scholarship in addition to the research or teaching assistantship.

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Postgraduate Courses

There is a wide range of different courses in broadband communications and networks, in Power, and in general areas. The courses combine the analytic strength from the academia with the practical experience from the industry. The course materials are constantly updated to reflect the fast changes in these areas.

Postgraduate courses in General Areas

EEE5005Z (12 SAQA credits): Research Methods and Ethics
Lecture Dates: 2-5 March 2004

EEE5031Z (12 SAQA credits): Data Modelling, Prediction and Optimsation
Lecture Dates: 31 August - 3 September 2004

Postgraduate courses in Power

A range of courses in Power are offered each year. The courses in 2004 are as follows. In 2005, some of the courses offered in 2004 will be repeated, and some new ones will be introduced.

EEE5008V (12 SAQA credits): Electrification Technology and Policy
Lecture Dates: 10-13 February 2004

EEE5001Z (12 SAQA credits): Electricity Pricing and Market Operation
Lecture Dates: 5-8 April 2004

EEE5023Z (12 SAQA credits): Distribution System Protection
Lecture Dates: 25-28 May 2004

EEE5003Z (8 SAQA credits): Analysis, Operation and Control of Power Systems
Lecture Dates: 19-21 October 2004

(8 SAQA credits) HV Insulation
Lecture Dates: 2005

EEE5007Z (8 SAQA credits) HV Distribution System Planning and Design
Lecture Dates: 30 Aug - 1 Sept 2005

Postgraduate courses in Broadband Communication / Telecommunications / Wireless Networks

EEE5025Z (15 SAQA credits): Wireless Data Networks and Systems:
Dates: 1st semester (February - May) 2005
Wireless network technoloy: wireless applications, wireless links, mobility in different wireless systems, wireless security.
Wirless network systems: Architecture, components, protocols, and standards; Cellular technology, GSM and General Packet Radio Service 2.5G Wireless, 3G Wireless: UMTS and CDMA2000, 3.5G and 4G Wireless, WirelessLAN, Bluetooth, ad hoc networks, Sensor area networks.

EEE5026Z (15 SAQA credits): Convergent Telecommunication and Data Networks:
Dates: 1st semester (February - May) 2005
Network Convergence: Network Overview, Telecommunication standards, Network evolution from Telecommunication network to IP network, API.
Voice in Telecommunication: Transmission, Multiplexing, Signaling, Routing, Switching.
Broadband access network: Cable modem, DSL, Fiber-To-The-Home.
Multimedia in data network: Network requirements for multimedia services, QoS in Voice network, Coding, Signaling in data network H.323/SIP/MGCP, Internetworking with PSTN, Transport in data network (including RTP, MPLS), Voice over Frame Relay, Voice over ATM, Voice over IP, FAX over data network.

EEE5027Z (15 SAQA credits): Networks and Internet Security:
Dates: 1st semester (February - May) 2005
Security services; conventional encryption (classical encryption techniques, DES/AES, key distribution, key generation); public-key cryptology (RSA algorithm, key management, certification hierarchies); authentication and digital signatures; LDAP directory services for authentication & authorization ; security protocol analysis; intruders, viruses and worms (intrusion detection); cryptographic algorithms (MD5, SHA, IDEA, SKIPJACK); authentication and key exchange (Kerberos, Diffie-Hellman); electronic mail security (PEM/PGP); world-wide web authentication (Basic, Digest, Mediated, RPA); world-wide web security (S-HTTP, SSL, capabilities); secure electronic commerce (SET/iKP); web-services security (WS-Security, SAML)

EEE5028Z (15 SAQA credits): Optical Communication Networks:
Propagation of Signals in optical fiber; photonic components, free-space communication, optoelectronic and all-optical systems; Modulation and demodulation, transmission system engineering; Client layers of the optical layer; WDM network elements; WDM network design; Control and management; Network survivability; Access networks; Photonic packet switching.

EEE5029Z (15 SAQA credits): Broadband communication networks
Dates: 2nd semester (July - November) 2005
High-speed switching and router, MPLS, ATM; High speed Metropolitan area networks, high speed local area networks; Traffic control in high speed networks, performance considerations in high speed networks, multimedia transmission.

EEE5030Z (15 SAQA credits): Formal Methods and Analysis of Computer Network
Basic Markov theory and queuing theory, Poisson processes and Bernoulli and Poisson Modulated Markov Processes for network traffic models. Finite state machine methods with SDL, UML, MSC. Also modelling network protocols with Ordinary and Stochastic Petri nets, process algebras and LOTOS.

EEE5032Z (20 SAQA credits): Digital Communications
Propagation: radio wave propagation, antenna gain, channel characteristics, multipath fading and signal modelling, Fresnel zones, link budgeting, instrumentation and measurements, delay spread measurements. Modulation-Demodulation Methods: Advances in baseband and bandpass digital modulation, MODEM architectures and performance, noise and interference, modem performance for coherent and non-coherent systems without coding, multilevel modems, adaptive equalisation, synchronisation. Error Control Coding: the error control problem, interleaving, block coding, convolutional coding, advanced error control coding, effects of coding on throughput, automatic repeat request; trade-offs between modulation and coding. Spread-Spectrum Systems: elements of spread-spectrum systems, pseudo-noise sequences, direct sequence spread-spectrum system performance, direct sequence and frequency hopping code division multiple access, synchronisation, applications, detection and estimation. Diversity Techniques: diversity branch and signal paths, techniques for combining and switching, antenna diversity and space-time coding, performance improvement. Optical Communication Systems: optical fibre fundamentals, modulation schemes, line codes, wavelength division multiplexing. Systems Engineering: concepts, access schemes, performance comparison of advanced modulation techniques, radio link design, spectrum utilisation, capacity and throughput, digital wireless personal communications.

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