Ph.D. in Computer Science

Curriculum

Ph.D. Program Requirements

Students must complete 54 credits of course work beyond the bachelor’s degree in addition to 18 credits for the doctoral dissertation. A student entering the program with an M.S. degree in computer science or a related area may be granted up to 30 credits toward the Ph.D. in computer science.

Course Groups

For the purpose of describing degree requirements, Computer Science courses are organized into the following groups:

Mathematical Foundations

  • CSC 541 – Advanced Topics in Algorithms (4cr)
  • CSC 542 – Mathematical Analysis of Algorithms (4cr)
  • CSC 544 – Theory of Computation (4cr)
  • CSC 550 – Computer Algebra (4cr)

Programming Languages

  • CSC 402 – Compiler Design (4cr)
  • CSC 501 – Programming Language Semantics (4cr)
  • CSC 502 – Theory of Compilers (4cr)

Architecture and Systems

  • CSC 511 – Advanced Computer Organization (4cr)
  • CSC 512 – Topics in Distributed Systems (4cr)
  • CSC 519 – Computer Networks (4cr)

Students must complete two courses from mathematical foundations, one course from programming languages, two courses from architecture and systems, plus three more approved CSC courses or equivalents. Other courses must be selected in order to meet the 54-credit minimum and will be selected in consultation with the student’s advisor or major professor.