PhD Degree

About the Degree

This degree requires at least 72 credits of formal coursework, independent study, directed study, and dissertation research. A student interested in earning the PhD must be admitted directly into that program.

Following are the specific degree requirements:

Four courses, one from each of the following specialization areas: Architecture and Compilers (CS2410 or CS2210), Operating Systems and Networks (CS2510 or CS2520), Artificial Intelligence and Database Systems (CS2710 or CS2550), and Theory and Algorithms (CS2110 or CS2150).

Any additional eight graduate courses, including at least two at the 3000-level.

CS2001/2002

Students who joined the department in the fall of 2000 or later are required to take CS2001, which will count as one of the eight additional courses. All PhD students must pass a total of 10 graduate level courses plus the mandatory CS 2001 and CS 2002 (for a total of 12 courses).

Preliminary examinations

Individual preliminary examinations are given in each of the eight topics that make up the four specialization areas. Each student must pass one preliminary examination in each specialization area for a total of four exams.

comprehensive examination

This examination is oral. It is designed to determine that a student has sufficient depth of knowledge in a specialized area of computer science to undertake dissertation research on a topic within that area.

A student must pass this exam within three calendar years of passing the last one of the preliminary exams. Normally, the comprehensive exam should be completed within one to two years of completing the preliminary exams.

dissertation proposal

After passing the PhD comprehensive examination, the student prepares a proposal for dissertation research. This must be done under the direction of a faculty advisor. Also, a faculty committee must be selected. Presentation of the dissertation proposal and an examination on the research topic and methods provide opportunities for substantive feedback from the student's committee.

Research and oral defense

After obtaining approval of the dissertation proposal from the faculty committee, a student gains the official status of a PhD candidate. Now the proposed research must be carried out. Upon its completion and subject to agreement from faculty advisor and committee, the candidate schedules an open meeting at which the research results are presented and defended.

General Requirements

The student must:

• Take only 2000- or 3000-level courses, as 1000-level courses and below do not count toward the PhD;
• Take all 12 (core and elective) courses for a letter grade;
• Earn a B or better in each of the required courses;
• Receive a grade of C or better in all other courses;
• Maintain an overall average of B or better.

Other requirements and procedures are detailed in the Regulations for Graduate Study.