Mar 29, 2024  
UofM 2020-2021 Graduate Catalog * 
    
UofM 2020-2021 Graduate Catalog * [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Computer Science, (PhD)


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PhD Degree


Admission Requirements


  1. GRE scores are required and are an important factor for admission.
  2. All prerequisites must be satisfied. Students with up to two unsatisfied prerequisites may be granted admission; however, students will be required to remove such deficiencies.
  3. Three letters of recommendation.
  4. An undergraduate degree in an appropriate discipline with a minimum GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent preparation.
  5. A score of at least 550 on the paper-based TOEFL, or 79 on the internet-based TOEFL, or 6 on IELTS (for students whose native language is not English).
  6. A statement of purpose.

Prerequisites


  1. One year (8 credit hours) of calculus and one semester (3 credit hours) of linear algebra (Students without the calculus and/or linear algebra prerequisites will be considered on an individual basis and, if admitted, must correct the deficiencies within the first semester.) 
  2. Satisfactory completion of the following courses (or their equivalents): COMP 1900 - CS1:Intro Comp Science, COMP 2150 - CS2: OOP and Data Structures, COMP 2700 - Discrete Structures, COMP 3410 - Computer Org/Architecture. (None of these courses may be used to fulfill degree requirements.)

Program Requirements


Coursework Requirements


  1. Graduate Credit Requirement: Students must complete at least 72 credit hours of graduate coursework in total.
  2. Core Requirement: Students must complete the following Core Courses: COMP 7012 - Fndtns/Software Engr , COMP 7212 - Operating/Distrib Sys , COMP 7612 - Foundations of Computing , COMP 7712 - Algorithms/Prob Solv . Students must complete the Core Courses within the first 36 hours of credit in the program, unless an extension is approved by the student’s advisor. Students must obtain a grade of B or better in each of the Core Courses.
  3. 8000-Level Requirement: At least 12 credit hours must be completed in courses at the 8000 level, other than COMP 8901 .
  4. Dissertation Requirement: Students must complete at least 9 credit hours of Dissertation (COMP 9000 ).

Coursework Limitations


Coursework used to satisfy the degree requirements is also subject to the following restrictions:

  1. Dissertation Credit Limit: At most 15 hours of Dissertation (COMP 9000 ) are allowed.
  2. Independent Studies Credit Limit: At most 18 credit hours of Independent Studies (COMP 7901 /COMP 8901 ) are allowed.
  3. 6000-Level Credit Limit: At most 6 credit hours of 6000-level courses are allowed.
  4. Excluded Courses: None of the following courses are allowed:COMP 6001 COMP 6005 COMP 6014 COMP 6030 COMP 6040 COMP 6270 COMP 6601 COMP 7960 /COMP 8960  

Approved Master’s Degree


Holders of a master’s degree in computer science may, during the first semester in the program, petition the department to have their degree accepted as an Approved Master’s Degree. For an Approved Master’s Degree, the department designates up to 36 credits as Approved Master’s Degree Credits. The Graduate Credit Requirement for a student with an Approved Master’s Degree is reduced by the number of Approved Master’s Degree Credits. However, for students with an Approved Master’s Degree, coursework used to satisfy the degree requirements is also subject to the following restrictions: (1) only course credits at the 8000 level or above are allowed, and (2)  at most 15 credit hours of Independent Studies (COMP 8901 ) are allowed.

Transfer Credits


Students who are requesting credit transfer from another graduate program must submit an application during the student’s first semester in the program. The application will be evaluated by the student’s advisor and the Graduate Coordinator to determine the number of credits that can be transferred towards completion of the degree requirements. The number of credit hours transferred is limited by the Graduate School.

Examinations


  1. Qualifying Examination: Satisfactory completion of the Core Requirement is deemed as passing the qualifying examination.
  2. Comprehensive Examination: Given and evaluated by a committee composed of departmental and university representatives upon presentation of a dissertation proposal.
  3. Dissertation and Final Examination: Given and evaluated by a committee composed of departmental and university representatives upon completion of a dissertation. Dissertations must follow the Thesis/Dissertation Preparation Guide.

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