PhD

Computer Science

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Local:$ 48.9 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 48.9 k / Year(s) Deadline: Dec 15, 2024
9 place StudyQA ranking:3282 Duration:5 years

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The doctoral program in computer science combines course work and participation in original research. Most students enter the program with an undergraduate degree in computer science, mathematics, or a related discipline. Some entering students may have a master’s degree, but that is not necessary for success in the program. Every admitted Ph.D. student is given financial support in the form of a first-year fellowship. In addition, all admitted Ph.D. students are automatically considered for the prestigious Wu and Upton Fellowships.

In preparation for the general examination, the doctoral candidate, in consultation with a faculty adviser, develops an integrated program of study in one of the departmental areas of research. Such preparation usually requires two academic years for students entering with a bachelor’s degree, and one year for students entering with a master’s.

All students must fulfill the programming and competency requirements(link is external) by the end of the second year, demonstrating minimum competence in four main areas of computer science: computer systems, software systems, intelligent computing, and theory.

Programming

This requirement can be satisfied in either of two ways - through successful completion of a project that involves substantial programming (done under faculty supervision) or by taking a course and receiving a satisfactory grade (normally B+ or higher). Acceptable courses are COS 318, 320, 425, 426, 429, 461, 526, 561, or any approved graduate course. Taking only the course exam does not give programming credit.  This requirement must be completed by the end of the fourth year.

Breadth

A total of 6 courses will be required. The first three constitute the core breadth requirement. You must take one course from each group -- AI, Systems, and Theory -- from the courses listed below. The remaining three courses can be any 400- or 500-level course from any department in the University, with approval required from your academic advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies for courses outside of Computer Science.

All courses must be taken for a grade. A grade of A- or higher will normally be expected. However, all grades will be reviewed by the faculty and a lower grade may be acceptable based on your total record.

Individual research areas may set additional requirements for their students; they may specify certain courses to be taken or may require that courses in excess of the departmental requirement be taken.

Students are expected to complete the breadth requirement by the end of the second year. In special circumstances, a student's adviser may request an additional year, provided that four of the six courses have been completed. The programming requirement must be completed by the end of the second year.

Individual research areas may set additional course requirements for their students; they may specify certain courses to be taken or may require that courses in excess of the departmental requirement be taken.

Core Course List

Artificial Intelligence

  • 402 Artificial Intelligence
  • 424 Interacting with Data
  • 511 Theoretical Machine Learning
  • 513 Foundations of Probabilistic Modeling

Systems

  • 475 Computer Architecture (See ELE 475)
  • 518 Advanced Computer Systems
  • 561 Advanced Computer Networks

Theory

  • 510 Programming Languages
  • 516 Automated Reasoning About Software
  • 521 Advanced Algorithm Design
  • 522 Computational Complexity

General Exam:

The general examination consists of a research seminar prepared under the supervision of a faculty member, followed by an in-depth oral examination on the contents of the seminar and the associated general area of research. The oral tests the student's knowledge in a number of topics relevant to the student's research area. These topics are specified beforehand by an examining committee in consultation with the student. The seminar is open to the public, and at least three computer science faculty members must attend. Two are invited by the student; the other is selected by the director of graduate studies. The examining committee and the student agree upon a reading list for the exam. This document is to be made available to anyone present in the oral examination, and only questions pertaining to either the material described in the document or presented during the research seminar can be asked during the oral. Original research results do not have to be presented, but problems whose solution may lead to a thesis should be discussed. In many cases, the student’s thesis is in the same area as the research seminar, but this is not required.

Qualifying for the M.A.:

The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree is normally an incidental degree on the way to full Ph.D. candidacy and is earned after a student successfully completes the programming competency and the three basic area competencies, and presents an acceptable research seminar.

Teaching:

Teaching experience is considered to be a significant part of graduate education. All Ph.D. candidates are therefore required to assist with course instruction for the equivalent of two terms.

Post-Generals Requirement(s):

Preliminary Public Defense

In preparation for the final public oral examination, the candidate participates in a preliminary public oral examination to be held at least six months prior to the expected completion date. It covers results to-date and planned research, and serves as a preliminary critique of the proposed dissertation. It is attended by the adviser, two dissertation readers, and two faculty members who serve on the final public oral examination committee, and it is open to the public.

Dissertation and FPO:

The Ph.D is awarded after the acceptance of the dissertation and completion of the final public oral.

  • Application Fee: $90
  • Statement of Academic Purpose
  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  • Recommendation Letters
  • Transcripts
  • Fall Semester Grades
  • Prerequisite Tests
  • English Language Tests
  • Statement of Financial Resources
  • GRE : General test
  • Applicants are required to select a subplan when applying.

For Ph.D. candidates, tuition and fees during a student’s regular period of enrollment are provided in full from a student’s graduate student financial support, in the form of tuition support from fellowships, assistantships, or external sources.

The annual stipend amount provided to Ph.D. candidates during their regular enrollment is intended to support a single graduate student based on estimated costs. Master’s students or students with spouses and/or dependents may require additional resources to support their living expenses 

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