Computer Science, PhD

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The department offers a PhD in computer science that prepares students for creative research, teaching, and service. There are two programs leading to the PhD degree, one designed for the applicant entering with bachelor’s degrees, and the other for those who already have master’s degrees. Students may begin their program either in the fall or spring semesters.

Applicants with bachelor’s degrees must first satisfy the admission and degree requirements of the master’s degree in computer science. Advantages to this route are (1) students are admitted at an early stage to the PhD program; (2) the MS portion of the program will prepare students for their qualifying examination; and (3) students who have completed the MS requirements will have the option of obtaining a master’s degree even if they do not continue with the PhD program.

Applicants with master’s degrees in areas other than computer science may be admitted to the program, but will be required to fulfill their program deficiencies with additional course work.

Requirements

Requirements for students to complete the PhD program are:

Passing a qualifying examination demonstrating core competency in computer science no later than the end of the first year of their PhD studies;
Preparing a portfolio showing research readiness by the end of the second year of their PhD studies;
Passing the proposal defense;
Passing the dissertation defense.