<p>Microsystems and Electronic Design are probably the two most well-funded areas. For circuits, you have GEDC which takes up a whole floor or two in TSRB and is extremely well-funded. For Microsystems (where I work), I don’t know if there is a single large group, but you have probably the best cleanroom facilities within 500 miles between MiRC and Marcus. I would imagine most of the jobs grad students at Tech get are related to these two areas. As for how much funding Microsystems or any of the other TIGs get I cannot be sure as I do not interact with many ECE students anymore (I work in a different department).</p>
<p>I think telecommunications is a little theoretical which is why it isn’t funded as well. Same with Systems/Controls, Electromagnetics and Electrical Energy.</p>
<p>With RF, I think you should sit in on the Microwave Design class a couple times this semester to see if it’s right for you. The lab is killer (I think 7 credit hours over the summer), but gives you real experience in designing RF devices. I know a lot of people hate this class, so I thought you might also want to know that you need to take graduate Electromagnetism to get into the class.</p>