Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science Curriculum & Courses

Course Requirements

12 hours of CS 8000 (Dissertation) are required. In addition, 60 semester hours of graduate work are required, which is equivalent to 20, 3−hour graduate−level courses. Students may satisfy the 60−hour coursework requirement by taking all computer science graduate−level courses, but other options exist within the constraints below. For example, 18 courses in computer science and 2 courses in another department could be taken if that would support the student's program of research better.

45−Hour Constraint:

• A minimum of 45 hours must be taken in computer science (15, 3−hour courses).
• Independent Study Constraint: No more than 18 of the 45 hours may be used for CS 7000 without the permission of the Dissertation Advisor, Graduate Advisor, and the Graduate Program Coordinator.

15−Hour Minor Constraint:

• Up to 15 hours may be used to minor in another department.
• In order to count toward the Ph.D. degree, the minor must support the student's research and must have the approval of the Dissertation Advisor. No minor courses will be counted if an equivalent computer science course exists.

Example Plan of Full−Time Study

• Fall Semester − 6 course hours & CS 7000 with Dissertation Advisor
• Spring Semester − 6 course hours & CS 7000 with Dissertation Advisor
• Summer Semester − 3 course hours & CS 7000 with Dissertation Advisor
• Fall Semester − 6 course hours & CS 7000 with Dissertation Advisor
• Spring Semester − 6 course hours & CS 7000 with Dissertation Advisor
• Summer Semester − 3 course hours & CS 7000 with Dissertation Advisor
• Fall Semester − 6 course hours & CS 8000 with Dissertation Advisor (Qualifying Exam at the end of the semester & dissertation proposal defense)
• Spring Semester − 6 course hours & CS 8000 with Dissertation Advisor
• Summer Semester − CS 8000 with Dissertation Advisor (Final Examination during this semester)