Computer Science (PhD)

Computer Science Department | College of Science and Mathematics

Program Requirements

Complete 48 credits from seventeen courses including four object-oriented software development courses, two theoretical electives, six applied electives, two additional theory courses, two additional electives and fifteen credits of dissertation research.

The first 30 credits of course work are subject to the requirements of the Computer Science (MS) program.

Doctoral candidacy: Successful completion of a written exam after completion of 30 credits and an oral exam after completion of 48 credits. Both exams may be retaken once.
Dissertation: Compose and defend a dissertation based on original research.

GPA: A minimum GPA of 3.5 must be maintained throughout the program.
Residency: At least one year in the program must be completed as a full-time student.
Statute of limitations: Eight years.

Course Requirements

Object-Oriented Software Development (12 Credits)

CS 680 - Object-Oriented Design and Programming 3 Credit(s)
CS 681 - Object-Oriented Software Development 3 Credit(s)
CS 682 - Software Development Laboratory I 3 Credit(s)

Required Theoretical Courses (6 Credits)

CS 720 - Logical Foundations of Computer Science 3 Credit(s)
CS 724 - Topics in Algorithm Theory and Design 3 Credit(s)

Theoretical Electives (6 Credits)

Take two from below.

CS 620 - Theory of Computation 3 Credit(s)
CS 622 - Theory of Formal Languages 3 Credit(s)
CS 624 - Analysis of Algorithms 3 Credit(s)
Undergraduate Courses (see Undergraduate Catalog for descriptions):
- CS 420 Introduction to the Theory of Computation
- MATH 470 Mathematical Logic

Applied Electives (18 Credits)

Take six from below.

CS 615 - User Interface Design 3 Credit(s)
CS 630 - Database Management Systems 3 Credit(s)
CS 634 - Architecture of Database Systems 3 Credit(s)
CS 636 - Database Application Development 3 Credit(s)
CS 637 - Database-Backed Websites 3 Credit(s)
CS 646 - Computer Communications Networks 3 Credit(s)
CS 648 - Wireless Networks and Mobile Computing 3 Credit(s)
CS 651 - Compiler 3 Credit(s)
CS 670 - Artificial Intelligence 3 Credit(s)
CS 675 - Computer Vision 3 Credit(s)
Undergraduate Courses (see Undergraduate Catalog for descriptions):
- CS 410 Introduction to Software Engineering
- CS 411 Competitive Programming
- CS 444 Operating Systems
- CS 446 Introduction to Internetworking
- CS 450 Structure of Higher Level Languages
- CS 445 Real-Time Systems
- CS 460 Graphics

Additional Electives (6 Credits)

Take two additional computer science courses.

Dissertation Research (15 Credits)

CS 899 - PhD Dissertation Research 1 - 9 Credit(s)