Computer Science, (PhD)

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PhD Degree

Program Admission and Requirements

The admission requirements for this program are as follows:

GRE scores.
Three letters of recommendation.
An undergraduate degree in an appropriate discipline with a minimum GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent preparation.
A score of at least 87 on TOEFL, 6.5 on IELTS, 59 on PTE, or 110 on Duolingo, for students from countries where English is not the primary language. Students with a lower score may still be admitted if their application is strong in other aspects.
A statement of purpose.

Additionally, students must satisfy the following prerequisites:

One year (8 credit hours) of calculus and one semester (3 credit hours) of linear algebra.
Satisfactory completion of the following courses (or their equivalents): COMP 1900, COMP 2150, COMP 2700, and COMP 3410.

Students without some of the prerequisites may be admitted on an individual basis, but any deficiency must be corrected within their first semester. None of these prerequisite courses may be used to fulfill graduate degree requirements.

Program Requirements

Coursework Requirements

Graduate Credit Requirement: Students must complete at least 72 credit hours of graduate coursework in total.
Ph.D. Core Requirement: Students must complete the following Core Courses within the first 36 hours of credit, 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.
8000-Level Requirement: At least 12 credit hours must be completed in courses at the 8000 level, other than COMP 8901.
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:

Dissertation Credit Limit: At most 18 hours of Dissertation (COMP 9000 ) are allowed.
Independent Studies Credit Limit: At most 21 credit hours of Independent Studies (COMP 7901 /COMP 8901 ) are allowed.
6000-Level Credit Limit: At most 6 credit hours of 6000-level courses are allowed.
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 33 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 18 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

Qualifying Examination: Satisfactory completion of the Ph.D. Core Requirement is deemed as passing the qualifying examination.
Comprehensive Examination: Given and evaluated by a committee composed of departmental and university representatives upon presentation of a dissertation proposal.
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.