Program Leading to the Doctor of Philosophy Degree
The purpose of the program is to prepare the student for a career as a productive research scholar in computer science. The program is intended for students with career interests in universities, industrial research and development, or government research agencies.
The program is designed to develop the student's ability to recognize and formulate significant research problems, to express them using appropriate abstract models, to apply theoretical and/or experimental techniques for their solution, and to transmit the results to the scientific community. The program develops a broad understanding of computer science, a deep understanding of the major field of interest, mastery of the research methods appropriate for this major field, and the versatility to enter new fields as they emerge.
The program of study and research requires at least three academic years of full-time study and research or the equivalent over a longer period beyond the baccalaureate and, typically, may involve four years.
Requirements for Admission
An applicant must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. A bachelor's degree in computer science or mathematics is desirable, but not necessary. Deficiencies in computer science or mathematics, as determined by the departmental faculty, must be made up during the first year of graduate study. Applicants are ordinarily admitted in the fall semester but those with unusually good qualifications may be admitted at any time. Applicants are required to submit scores for the verbal, quantitative, and analytic portions of the Graduate Record Examination. The submission of an Advanced Test score in computer science or mathematics is encouraged.
Program of Study and Research
(60 credits, minimum)
Dissertation
The student must submit an acceptable dissertation which represents a significant and original research contribution to computer science.
The student must select a dissertation advisor who is willing to assume primary responsibility for supervising the student's research. The dissertation topic is selected in consultation with the student's dissertation advisor, and then a dissertation committee for the student is formed. The committee will decide on review procedures, such as design reviews or oral presentations, appropriate to the topic.
Departmental Examinations
Research Tool Requirement
The student must demonstrate proficiency in a research skill appropriate to the student's field of research. Examples of approved research skills include a foreign language (French, German, or Russian), mathematical logic, queueing models, statistics, and electronics.
Full Time Study in Residence
Each student in a doctoral program must engage in full-time study beyond the master's degree or equivalent at the University in at least two sessions after admission to the advanced program. This requirement is designed to insure for each doctoral student a sustained period of intensive intellectual growth. For this purpose, a student will enroll in full-time study (9 credits) taken in each of two sessions, or in a regular session and a summer session, not necessarily consecutive, which must be completed satisfactorily.
Admission to Candidacy
A student is admitted to candidacy for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy upon the following:
Please note: This program offers an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience in the course listing as an option to fulfill course requirements. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If you have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of your intended academic program.