phd with computer science

Email forwarding for @cs.stanford.edu is changing. Updates and details here .

PhD Admissions

Main navigation.

The Computer Science Department PhD program is a top-ranked research-oriented program, typically completed in 5-6 years. There are very few course requirements and the emphasis is on preparation for a career in Computer Science research. 

Eligibility

To be eligible for admission in a Stanford graduate program, applicants must meet:

• Applicants from institutions outside of the United States must hold the equivalent of a United States Bachelor's degree from a college or University of recognized good standing. See detailed information by region on  Stanford Graduate Admissions website. 
• Area of undergraduate study . While we do not require a specific undergraduate coursework, it is important that applicants have strong quantitative and analytical skills; a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science is not required.

Any questions about the admissions eligibility should be directed to  [email protected] .

Application Checklist

An completed online application must be submitted by the CS Department application deadline and can be found  here .

Application Deadlines

The online application can be found here  and we will only one admissions cycle for the PhD program per respective academic term.

Departments

• Applied Physics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Center for Urban Science and Progress
• Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• Civil and Urban Engineering
• Computer Science and Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Finance and Risk Engineering
• Mathematics
• Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Technology, Culture and Society
• Technology Management and Innovation

Degrees & Programs

• Bachelor of Science
• Master of Science
• Doctor of Philosophy
• Digital Learning
• Certificate Programs
• NYU Tandon Bridge
• Undergraduate
• Records & Registration
• Digital Learning Services
• Teaching Innovation
• Explore NYU Tandon
• Year in Review
• Strategic Plan
• Diversity & Inclusion

News & Events

• Social Media

Looking for News or Events ?

Computer Science, Ph.D.

• Request Information

We have a thriving Ph.D. program with approximately 80 full-time Ph.D. students hailing from all corners of the world. Most full-time Ph.D. students have scholarships that cover tuition and provide a monthly stipend. Admission is highly competitive. We seek creative, articulate students with undergraduate and master's degrees from top universities worldwide. Our  current research strengths  include data management and analysis, cybersecurity, computer games, visualization, web search, graphics, vision and image processing, and theoretical computer science.

This degree program offers interested students opportunities to do their research abroad, under the supervision of faculty at NYU Shanghai or  NYU Abu Dhabi .

• View the Computer Science Ph.D. program flyer
• Admissions requirements for the Ph.D. Program.
• Find out more about general  Admission Requirements .

To receive a Ph.D. in Computer Science at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, a student must:

• satisfy a breadth course requirement, intended to ensure broad knowledge of computer science,
• satisfy a depth requirement, consisting of an oral qualifying exam presentation with a written report, to ensure the student's ability to do research,
• submit a written thesis proposal and make an oral presentation about the proposal,
• write a Ph.D. thesis that must be approved by a dissertation guidance committee and present an oral thesis defense, and
• satisfy all School of Engineering requirements for the Ph.D. degree, as described in the NYU Tandon School of Engineering bulletin, including graduate study duration, credit points, GPA, and time-to-degree requirements.

Upon entering the program, each student will be assigned an advisor who will guide them in formulating an individual study plan directing their course choice for the first two years. The department will hold an annual Ph.D. Student Assessment Meeting, in which all Ph.D. students will be formally reviewed.

Note: for pre-fall 2015 Ph.D. students, please see the pre-fall 2015 Ph.D. Curriculum.

Program Requirements

Details about Breadth and Depth Requirements, Thesis Proposal and Presentation, and Thesis Defense can be found in the NYU Bulletin.

Program Details

Each incoming Ph.D. student will be assigned to a research advisor, or to an interim advisor, who will provide academic advising until the student has a research advisor. The advisor will meet with the student when the student enters the program to guide the student in formulating an Individual Study Plan. The purpose of the plan is to guide the student’s course choice for the first two years in the program and to ensure that the student meets the breadth requirements. The plan may also specify additional courses to be taken by the student in order to acquire necessary background and expertise. Subsequent changes to the plan must be approved by the advisor.

Sample Plan of Study

In order to obtain a Ph.D. degree, a student must complete a minimum of 75 credits of graduate work beyond the BS degree, including at least 21 credits of dissertation. A Master of Science in Computer Science may be transferred as 30 credits without taking individual courses into consideration. Other graduate coursework in Computer Science may be transferred on a course-by-course basis. Graduate coursework in areas other than Computer Science can be transferred on a course-by-course basis with approval of the Ph.D. Committee (PHDC). The School of Engineering places some limits on the number and types of transfer credits that are available. Applications for transfer credits must be submitted for consideration before the end of the first semester of matriculation. 

All Ph.D. students will be formally reviewed each year in a Ph.D. Student Assessment Meeting. The review is conducted by the entire CSE faculty and includes at least the following items (in no particular order):

• All courses taken, grades received, and GPAs.
• Research productivity: publications, talks, software, systems, etc.
• Faculty input, especially from advisors and committee members.
• Student’s own input.
• Cumulative history of the student's progress.

As a result of the review, each student will be placed in one of the following two categories, by vote of the faculty:

• In Good Standing: The student has performed well in the previous semester and may continue in the Ph.D. program for one more year, assuming satisfactory academic progress is maintained.
• Not in Good Standing: The student has not performed sufficiently well in the previous year. The consequences of not being in good standing will vary, and may include being placed on probation, losing RA/GA/TA funding, or not being allowed to continue in the Ph.D. program.

Following the review, students will receive formal letters which will inform them of their standing. The letters may also make specific recommendations to the student as to what will be expected of them in the following year. A copy of each student’s letter will be placed in the student’s file.

Quick Links

• Graduate Admissions
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Pre-Fall 2015 Ph.D. Curriculum

Program Admissions Chair

Justin Cappos

Program director.

Rachel Greenstadt

Periwinkle Doerfler

Nektarios Tsoutsos

PhD in Computer Science

The PhD in Computer Science program provides students with the advanced coursework and groundbreaking research opportunities they need to contribute at the forefront of the world’s fastest-growing fields. Forging knowledge in 15 core areas like artificial intelligence, data science, programming languages, and human-centered computing, you’ll gain significant expertise in conducting and presenting the results of your research. Ultimately, you’ll produce and defend original work that contributes to critical discourse in your chosen area.

• Explore plan of study
• View program requirements
• How to apply
• Request info

Khoury College doctorate students gain deep knowledge and invaluable experience—preparing you for a research career in academia or industry.

Khoury Computer Science PhD graduates have found prestigious positions across industry and academia.

Tenure-track faculty:

• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• University of British Columbia (UBC)
• Indiana University
• University of Maryland
• University College London
• NC State University
• UMass Boston
• City University of Hong Kong

Postdoc research scientists:

• University of Paris
• Virginia Tech
• Microsoft Research
• GE Global Research

Senior software engineers and industry leaders:

Students graduating with a PhD in Computer Science will:

• Gain a broad understanding of computer science fundamentals, spanning a substantial portion of the following core areas: artificial intelligence and data science, human-centered computing, software, systems, and theory
• Gain significant expertise in at least one research area in computer science
• Produce and defend original research in an area of computer science
• Be able to communicate research results effectively in both oral and written forms

Our flagship campus in Boston is just minutes away from esteemed universities, exciting start-ups, and leaders in tech, finance, health care, and more.

FEATURED RESEARCH

August 1, 2024

Khoury Graduate Admissions Team

• Financial support

January 1, 1066

January 1, 1492

Khoury Align Admissions Team

• How to Apply
• Cost & Financial Aid

Khoury Social

Contact Khoury

I'm seeking information for

Computer Science PhD

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS) offers two graduate programs in Computer Science: the Master of Science (MS), and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Master of Science (MS)

The Master of Science (MS) emphasizes research preparation and experience and, for most students, is a chance to lay the groundwork for pursuing a PhD.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Berkeley PhD in EECS combines coursework and original research with some of the finest EECS faculty in the US, preparing for careers in academia or industry. Our alumni have gone on to hold amazing positions around the world.

Contact Info

[email protected]

253 Cory Hall

Berkeley, CA 94720

At a Glance

Department(s)

Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences

Admit Term(s)

Application Deadline

December 11, 2023

Degree Type(s)

Doctoral / PhD

Degree Awarded

GRE Requirements

• Research & Faculty
• Offices & Services
• Information for:
• Faculty & Staff
• News & Events
• Contact & Visit
• About the Department
• Message from the Chair
• Computer Science Major (BS/BA)
• Computer Science Minor
• Machine Learning and Data Science Minor
• Combined BS (or BA)/MS Degree Program
• Intro Courses
• Special Programs & Opportunities
• Student Groups & Organizations
• Undergraduate Programs
• Undergraduate Research
• Senior Thesis
• Peer Mentors
• Curriculum & Requirements
• MS in Computer Science
• PhD in Computer Science
• Admissions FAQ
• Financial Aid
• Graduate Programs
• Courses Collapse Courses Submenu
• Research Overview
• Research Areas
• Systems and Networking
• Security and Privacy
• Programming Languages
• Artificial Intelligence
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Vision and Graphics
• Groups & Labs
• Affiliated Centers & Institutes
• Industry Partnerships
• Adobe Research Partnership
• Center for Advancing Safety of Machine Intelligence
• Submit a Tech Report
• Tech Reports
• Tenure-Track Faculty
• Faculty of Instruction
• Affiliated Faculty
• Adjunct Faculty
• Postdoctoral Fellows
• PhD Students
• Outgoing PhDs and Postdocs
• Visiting Scholars
• News Archive
• Weekly Bulletin
• All Public Events
• Seminars, Workshops, & Talks
• Distinguished Lecture Series
• CS Colloquium Series
• CS + X Events
• Tech Talk Series
• Honors & Awards
• External Faculty Awards
• University Awards
• Department Awards
• Student Resources
• Undergraduate Student Resources
• MS Student Resources
• PhD Student Resources
• Student Organization Resources
• Faculty Resources
• Postdoc Resources
• Staff Resources
• Purchasing, Procurement and Vendor Payment
• Expense Reimbursements
• Department Operations and Facilities
• Initiatives
• Student Groups
• CS Faculty Diversity Committee
• Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC) Plan
• Northwestern Engineering

Academics   /   Graduate PhD in Computer Science

The doctor of philosophy in computer science program at Northwestern University primarily prepares students to become expert independent researchers. PhD students conduct original transformational research in extant and emerging computer science topics. Students work alongside top researchers to advance the core CS fields from Theory to AI and Systems and Networking . In addition, PhD students have the opportunity to collaborate with CS+X faculty who are jointly appointed between CS and disciplines including business, law, economics, journalism, and medicine.

Joining a Track

Doctor of philosophy in computer science students follow the course requirements, qualifying exam structure, and thesis process specific to one of five tracks :

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Computer Engineering

Within each track, students explore many areas of interest, including programming languages , security and privacy and human-computer interaction .

Learn more about computer science research areas

Curriculum and Requirements

The focus of the CS PhD program is learning how to do research by doing research, and students are expected to spend at least 50% of their time on research. Students complete ten graduate curriculum requirements (including COMP_SCI 496: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Computer Science ), and additional course selection is tailored based on individual experience, research track, and interests. Students must also successfully complete a qualifying exam to be admitted to candidacy.

CS PhD Manual Apply now

Request More Information

Download a PDF program guide about your program of interest and get in contact with our graduate admissions staff.

Request info about the PhD degree

Opportunities for PhD Students

Cognitive science certificate.

Computer science PhD students may earn a specialization in cognitive science by taking six cognitive science courses. In addition to broadening a student’s area of study and improving their resume, students attend cognitive science events and lectures, they can receive conference travel support, and they are exposed to cross-disciplinary exchanges.

The Crown Family Graduate Internship Program

PhD candidates may elect to participate in the Crown Family Graduate Internship Program. This opportunity allows the doctoral candidate to gain practical experience in industry or in national research laboratories in areas closely related to their research.

Management for Scientists and Engineers Certificate Program

The certificate program — jointly offered by The Graduate School and Kellogg School of Management — provides post-candidacy doctoral students with a basic understanding of strategy, finance, risk and uncertainty, marketing, accounting and leadership. Students are introduced to business concepts and specific frameworks for effective management relevant to both for-profit and nonprofit sectors.

Career Paths

Recent graduates of the computer science PhD program are pursuing careers in industry & research labs, academia, and startups.

• Georgia Institute of Technology
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Northeastern
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Rochester
• University of Washington
• Naval Research Laboratory
• Northwestern University

Industry & Research Labs

• Adobe Research
• Narrative Science
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory

More in this section

• Engineering Home
• CS Department

Related Links

• The Graduate School
• Graduate Funding
• International Office
• Graduate Housing
• Meet Our Faculty

Contact Info

Admissions Questions

Help for Current PhD Students

Director of Graduate Studies for PhD Program

What Students Are Saying

"One great benefit of Northwestern is the collaborative effort of the CS department that enabled me to work on projects involving multiple faculty, each with their own diverse set of expertise.

Northwestern maintains a great balance: you will work on leading research at a top-tier institution, and you won't get lost in the mix."

— Brian Suchy, PhD Candidate, Computer Systems

What Alumni Are Saying

"In the early stage of my PhD program, I took several courses from the Department of Economics and the Kellogg School of Management and, later, I started collaborating with researchers in those areas. The experience taught me how to have an open mind to embrace and work with people with different backgrounds."

— Yiding Feng (PhD '21), postdoctoral researcher, Microsoft Research Lab – New England

Read an alumni profile of Yiding Feng

"My work at IBM Research involves bringing together symbolic and deep learning techniques to solve problems in interpretable, effective ways, which means I must draw upon the research I did at Northwestern quite frequently."

— Maxwell Crouse (PhD '21), AI Research Scientist, IBM Research

Read an alumni profile of Maxwell Crouse

The theory group here is very warm and close-knit. Starting a PhD is daunting, and it is comforting to have a community I can lean on.

— Vaidehi Srinivas, PhD Candidate, CS Theory

Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science

Doctoral programs.

In any of the Ph.D. programs across our seven departments, you'll be matched with an advisor based primarily on mutual research interests and begin a research project on day one. All our Ph.D. students receive full financial support while in good academic standing, which helps ensure freedom to explore regardless of funding hurdles. We also believe that it's vital for advisors and students to work as peers, and the inherent flexibility of our programs means students often work with more than one faculty member and many other students during their time in SCS.

Together, our research environment and interdisciplinary mindset produce graduates who emerge into the world ready to tackle its biggest problems.

• Doctoral Programs Home

Interested in Applying?

• Graduate Admissions Overview
• Frequently Asked Questions

Program Contact

Robert Frederking Associate Dean for Doctoral Programs

Explore Our Ph.D. Programs

Ray and stephanie lane computational biology department, computer science department, human-computer interaction institute.

Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction

Language Technologies Institute

Ph.D. in Language and Information Technologies

Machine Learning Department

Robotics institute.

Ph.D. in Robotics

Software and Societal Systems Department

Ph.D. in Societal Computing (SC) Ph.D. in Software Engineering (SE)

Dual Degree Ph.D. Programs

The carnegie mellon portugal program (cmu portugal), ph.d. in computer science/dual degree portugal, ph.d. in human-computer interaction/dual degree portugal, ph.d. in language and information technologies/dual degree portugal, ph.d. in robotics/dual degree portugal, ph.d. in software engineering/dual degree portugal.

• Values of Inclusion
• 2020 Antiracism Task Force
• 2022 DEI Report
• Research News

Department Life

• Listed by Recipient
• Listed by Category
• Oral History of Cornell CS
• CS 40th Anniversary Booklet
• ABC Book for Computer Science at Cornell by David Gries
• Books by Author
• Books Chronologically
• The 60's
• The 70's
• The 80's
• The 90's
• The 00's
• The 2010's
• Faculty Positions: Ithaca
• Faculty Positions: New York City
• Lecturer Position: Ithaca
• Post-doc Position: Ithaca
• Staff/Technical Positions
• Ugrad Course Staff
• Ithaca Info
• Internal info
• Graduation Information
• Cornell Learning Machines Seminar
• Student Colloquium
• Fall 2024 Colloquium
• Conway-Walker Lecture Series
• Salton 2023 Lecture Series
• Spring 2024 Artificial Intelligence Seminar
• Spring 2024 Robotics Seminar
• Spring 2024 Theory Seminar
• Big Red Hacks
• Cornell University - High School Programming Contests 2024
• Game Design Initiative
• CSMore: The Rising Sophomore Summer Program in Computer Science
• Explore CS Research
• ACSU Research Night
• Cornell Junior Theorists' Workshop 2023
• Researchers
• Ph.D. Students
• M.Eng. Students
• M.S. Students
• Ph.D. Alumni
• M.S. Alumni
• List of Courses
• Course and Room Roster
• CS Advanced Standing Exam
• Architecture
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computational Biology
• Database Systems
• Human Interaction
• Machine Learning
• Natural Language Processing
• Programming Languages
• Scientific Computing
• Software Engineering
• Systems and Networking
• Theory of Computing
• Contact Academic Advisor
• Your First CS Course
• Technical Electives
• CS with Other Majors/Areas
• Transfer Credits
• CS Honors Program
• CPT for International CS Undergrads
• Graduation Requirements
• Useful Forms
• Becoming a CS Major
• Requirements
• Game Design Minor
• Co-op Program
• Cornell Bowers CIS Undergraduate Research Experience (BURE)
• Independent Research (CS 4999)
• Student Groups
• UGrad Events
• Undergraduate Learning Center
• UGrad Course Staff Info
• The Review Process
• Early M.Eng Credit Approval
• Financial Aid
• Prerequisites
• The Application Process
• The Project
• Pre-approved Electives
• Degree Requirements
• The Course Enrollment Process
• Advising Tips
• Entrepreneurship
• Cornell Tech Programs
• Professional Development
• Contact MEng Office
• Career Success
• Applicant FAQ
• Computer Science Graduate Office Hours
• Exam Scheduling Guidelines
• Graduate TA Handbook
• MS Degree Checklist
• MS Student Financial Support
• Special Committee Selection
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Contact MS Office
• Ph.D. Applicant FAQ
• Graduate Housing
• Non-Degree Application Guidelines
• Ph. D. Visit Day
• Business Card Policy
• Cornell Tech
• Curricular Practical Training
• A & B Exam Scheduling Guidelines
• Fellowship Opportunities
• Field of Computer Science Ph.D. Student Handbook
• Field A Exam Summary Form
• Graduate School Forms
• Instructor / TA Application
• Ph.D. Requirements
• Ph.D. Student Financial Support
• Travel Funding Opportunities
• Travel Reimbursement Guide
• The Outside Minor Requirement
• CS Graduate Minor
• Outreach Opportunities
• Parental Accommodation Policy
• Special Masters
• Student Spotlights
• Contact PhD Office

Search form

Computer Science Ph.D. Program

You are here.

The Cornell Ph.D. program in computer science is consistently ranked among the top six departments in the country, with world-class research covering all of computer science. Our computer science program is distinguished by the excellence of the faculty, by a long tradition of pioneering research, and by the breadth of its Ph.D. program. Faculty and Ph.D. students are located both in Ithaca and in New York City at the Cornell Tech campus . The Field of Computer Science also includes faculty members from other departments (Electrical Engineering, Information Science, Applied Math, Mathematics, Operations Research and Industrial Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Computational Biology, and Architecture) who can supervise a student's Ph.D. thesis research in computer science.

Over the past years we've increased our strength in areas such as artificial intelligence, computer graphics, systems, security, machine learning, and digital libraries, while maintaining our depth in traditional areas such as theory, programming languages and scientific computing.  You can find out more about our research here . 

The department provides an exceptionally open and friendly atmosphere that encourages the sharing of ideas across all areas. 

Cornell is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. This beautiful area provides many opportunities for recreational activities such as sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, both downhill and cross-country skiing, ice skating, rock climbing, hiking, camping, and brewery/cider/wine-tasting. In fact, Cornell offers courses in all of these activities.

The Cornell Tech campus in New York City is located on Roosevelt Island.  Cornell Tech  is a graduate school conceived and implemented expressly to integrate the study of technology with business, law, and design. There are now over a half-dozen masters programs on offer as well as doctoral studies.

FAQ with more information about the two campuses .

Ph.D. Program Structure

Each year, about 30-40 new Ph.D. students join the department. During the first two semesters, students become familiar with the faculty members and their areas of research by taking graduate courses, attending research seminars, and participating in research projects. By the end of the first year, each student selects a specific area and forms a committee based on the student's research interests. This “Special Committee” of three or more faculty members will guide the student through to a Ph.D. dissertation. Ph.D. students that decide to work with a faculty member based at Cornell Tech typically move to New York City after a year in Ithaca.

The Field believes that certain areas are so fundamental to Computer Science that all students should be competent in them. Ph.D. candidates are expected to demonstrate competency in four areas of computer science at the high undergraduate level: theory, programming languages, systems, and artificial intelligence.

Each student then focuses on a specific topic of research and begins a preliminary investigation of that topic. The initial results are presented during a comprehensive oral evaluation, which is administered by the members of the student's Special Committee. The objective of this examination, usually taken in the third year, is to evaluate a student's ability to undertake original research at the Ph.D. level.

The final oral examination, a public defense of the dissertation, is taken before the Special Committee.

To encourage students to explore areas other than Computer Science, the department requires that students complete an outside minor. Cornell offers almost 90 fields from which a minor can be chosen. Some students elect to minor in related fields such as Applied Mathematics, Information Science, Electrical Engineering, or Operations Research. Others use this opportunity to pursue interests as diverse as Music, Theater, Psychology, Women's Studies, Philosophy, and Finance.

The computer science Ph.D. program complies with the requirements of the Cornell Graduate School , which include requirements on residency, minimum grades, examinations, and dissertation.

The Department also administers a very small 2-year Master of Science program (with thesis). Students in this program serve as teaching assistants and receive full tuition plus a stipend for their services.

Secondary Menu

Phd program, find your passion for research.

Duke Computer Science gives incoming students an opportunity to investigate a range of topics, research problems, and research groups before committing to an advisor in the first year. Funding from the department and Duke makes it possible to attend group meetings, seminars, classes and colloquia. Students may work on multiple problems simultaneously while finding the topic that will motivate them through their first project. Sharing this time of learning and investigation with others in the cohort helps create lasting collaborators and friends.

Write a research proposal the first year and finish the research the second under the supervision of the chosen advisor and committee; present the research results to the committee and peers. Many students turn their RIP work into a conference paper and travel to present it.

Course work requirements are written to support the department's research philosophy. Pass up to four of the required six courses in the first two years to give time and space for immersing oneself in the chosen area.

Years three through five continue as the students go deeper and deeper into a research area and their intellectual community broadens to include collaborators from around the world. Starting in year three, the advisor funds the student's work, usually through research grants. The Preliminary exam that year is the opportunity for the student to present their research to date, to share work done by others on the topic, and to get feedback and direction for the Ph.D. from the committee, other faculty, and peers.

Most Ph.D students defend in years five and six. While Duke and the department guarantee funding through the fifth year, advisors and the department work with students to continue support for work that takes longer.

Teaching is a vital part of the Ph.D. experience. Students are required to TA for two semesters, although faculty are ready to work with students who want more involvement. The Graduate School's Certificate in College Teaching offers coursework, peer review, and evaluation of a teaching portfolio for those who want to teach. In addition, the Department awards a Certificates of Distinction in Teaching for graduating PhD students who have demonstrated excellence in and commitment to teaching and mentoring.

• CS 50th Anniversary
• Computing Resources
• Event Archive
• Location & Directions
• AI for Social Good
• Computational Social Choice
• Computer Vision
• Machine Learning
• Natural Language Processing (NLP)
• Reinforcement Learning
• Search and Optimization
• Computational Biochemistry and Drug Design
• Computational Genomics
• Computational Imaging
• DNA and Molecular Computing
• Algorithmic Game Theory
• Social Choice
• Computational Journalism
• Broadening Participation in Computing
• CS1/CS2 Learning, Pedagogy, and Curricula
• Education Technology
• Practical and Ethical Approaches to Software and Computing
• Interdisciplinary Research in Data Science
• Security & Privacy
• Architecture
• Computer Networks
• Distributed Systems
• High Performance Computing
• Operating Systems
• Quantum Computing
• Approximation and Online Algorithms
• Coding and Information Theory
• Computational Complexity
• Geometric Computing
• Graph Algorithms
• Numerical Analysis
• Programming Languages
• Why Duke Computer Science?
• BS Concentration in Software Systems
• BS Concentration in Data Science
• BS Concentration in AI and Machine Learning
• BA Requirements
• Minors in Computer Science
• 4+1 Program for Duke Undergraduates
• IDM in Math + CS on Data Science
• IDM in Linguistics + CS
• IDM in Statistics + CS on Data Science
• IDM in Visual & Media Studies (VMS) + CS
• Graduation with Distinction
• Independent Study
• Identity in Computing Research
• CS+ Summer Program
• CS Related Student Organizations
• Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) Information
• Your Background
• Schedule a Visit
• All Prospective CS Undergrads
• Admitted or Declared 1st Majors
• First Course in CS
• Duties and Commitment
• Compensation
• Trinity Ambassadors
• Mentoring for CS Graduate Students
• MSEC Requirements
• Master's Options
• Financial Support
• MS Requirements
• Concurrent Master's for Non-CS PhDs
• Admission & Enrollment Statistics
• PhD Course Requirements
• Conference Travel
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Additional Graduate Student Resources
• Graduate Awards
• Undergraduate Courses
• Graduate Courses
• Spring 2024 Classes
• Fall 2023 Classes
• Spring 2023 Classes
• Course Substitutions for Majors & Minors
• Course Bulletin
• Course Registration Logistics
• Assisting Duke Students
• For Current Students
• Alumni Lectures - Spring 2024
• News - Alumni
• Primary Faculty
• Secondary Faculty
• Adjunct and Visiting Faculty
• Emeriti - In Memoriam
• Postdoctoral Fellows
• Ph.D. Program
• Masters in Computer Science
• Masters in Economics and Computation
• Affiliated Graduate Students

Doctoral Degree in Computer Science

Carnegie Mellon's Ph.D. in Computer Science is, above all, a research degree. When the faculty award a Ph.D., they certify that the student has a broad foundation and awareness of core concepts in computer science, has advanced the field by performing significant original research and has reported that work in a scholarly fashion.

When you begin our Ph.D. program, you’ll take the Introductory Course for Doctoral Students — an intense two week program that orients you to the department, introduces you to research and education topics our faculty are interested in, helps you find a faculty advisor and familiarizes you with Carnegie Mellon’s resources. Next, you’ll gain a broad understanding of fundamental research issues in major areas of computer science through coursework and original research. Finally, you’ll write and orally defend a thesis that guarantees you understand the area well enough to advance the state of knowledge in the field.

During the first two years of the program, you’ll gain the foundation of knowledge that will allow you to become an expert researcher in computer science, primarily by

Mastering a body of graduate material, achieved by passing 96 university units worth of graduate courses (equivalent to eight full-time courses).

Learning how to organize and begin to carry out original research, achieved by participating in directed research.

You will also serve as a teaching assistant, hone your writing and speaking skills and maintain your programming prowess. You’ll also receive periodic evaluation of your progress, and must make satisfactory progress to continue in the program.

Time Commitment:

As a Ph.D. student in computer science at CMU, you'll spend roughly five years acquiring a body of technical knowledge that includes a familiarity with the breadth of the field, as well as a deep understanding of your research area. From your second month in the program, you'll work closely with your faculty advisor, who is charged with guiding your education and monitoring your progress through the program. You'll take courses, teach and perform directed research — all to ensure that you leave Carnegie Mellon as an expert in your field. For a complete breakdown of our program requirements, read our Ph.D. Handbook .

Financial Information:

The Computer Science Department offers all Ph.D. students full financial support while they are in good academic standing in their respective programs. To learn more about Ph.D. funding, visit the SCS  Doctoral Programs  webpage.

Graduate Tuition: https://www.cmu.edu/sfs/tuition/graduate/scs.html

Student Fees: https://www.cmu.edu/sfs/tuition/fees/index.html

Carnegie Mellon Graduate Student Financial Aid: https://www.cmu.edu/sfs/financial-aid/graduate/index.html

• Bachelor's Programs
• Master's Programs
• Ph.D. in Computer Science
• Ph.D. in ACO
• Doctoral - How to Apply
• Degrees Conferred
• Other SCS Doctoral Programs
• Student Resources

Ph.D. in Computer Science

Please visit the UVA Graduate Record webpage for Ph.D. degree requirements. 

Application Requirements

Computer science background requirements.

The Department of Computer Science does not require that applicants hold a bachelor's degree in Computer Science. However, applicants are expected to have a strong background in Computer Science. A suitable background would include courses in the following core areas:

• Data Structures
• Discrete Mathematics
• Assembly Language and Computer Organization
• Programming in a procedural language such as C, C#, C++, or Java.

Applicants are also expected to have taken several (but not necessarily all) courses in specialized areas:

• Operating Systems
• Programming Languages
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Networks
• Automata and Formal Languages
• Software Engineering

A year of college-level Calculus is also required. In general, experience gained working is not considered equivalent to successful completion of the courses listed above.

Grade Point Average

There is no minimum GPA required for admission. However, most applicants who are offered admission to our program have a GPA of at least 3.3 (out of 4.0). The grades in Computer Science, mathematics and related courses are more important than the overall GPA.

GRE scores are optional. 

Letters of Reference

If possible, letters of references should be written by faculty at a university previously attended. Letters of reference from Computer Science faculty are preferred, but references from employers are welcome. References should pay particular attention to academic achievements and evidence of independent, creative problem solving.

TOEFL/IELTS Scores

• If you are a permanent resident of the U.S., TOEFL is not required
• If you received a 4-year degree at an English-speaking institution (whether or not the institution is in the U.S.), TOEFL/IELTS is not required.
• If you received a 4-year degree at a non -English-speaking institution and a Master's degree from an English-speaking institution, TOEFL/IELTS is required. 
• Note that if you have a solid command of written and spoken English, TOEFL/IELTS waivers are possible! Contact via email,  [email protected] , explaining why you believe TOEFL/IELTS can be waived (include evidence such as verification of duties as a Teaching Assistant that required significant interactions in English, copies of expired TOEFL/IELTS scores, presentations at conferences in English, etc.). 

It is unusual that we offer admission to an applicant with an overall TOEFL score below 90 / IELTS below 6.5. Scores can be sent electronically to UVa at institution code B875. Some students with lower scores may be required to complete the UVA Summer English for Academic Purposes Program prior to admission.

Application Evaluation

Applications are evaluated based on the following factors:

• Background in Computer Science (including project work)
• Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Letters of reference
• Personal statement
• TOEFL/IELTS scores

Applications are evaluated in their entirety. A weakness in one factor might be mitigated by strength in another.

Financial Aid / Tuition 

Occasionally, the school of Engineering offers Master Fellowships. More information can be found on the Engineering Cost Aid webpage: https://engineering.virginia.edu/future-grads/graduate-admissions/cost-aid , and you can learn more about UVA Fellowships here: https://citizenscholars.virginia.edu/fellowships  

PhD students are usually admitted with a financial aid package in the form of a First-Year Research Assistantship that allows students to explore research with various faculty members and find their best match. It is expected that students will join a research group by the end of their first year and then be supported as a Research Assistant (RA). This financial aid package includes a competitive stipend, tuition, fees, and health insurance coverage. Details of this award are given at the time of your notification of acceptance into the Computer Science PhD program.  

You are encouraged to apply to outside sources for fellowships or you can apply for federal assistance by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid .

The UVA Tuition and Fees page includes the costs per academic year by school. 

CS Admissions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do i apply.

Please visit this Web page to apply.

When is the application deadline?

See details in the section above (Admissions).

How much does it cost to apply? Can this fee be waived?

Visit this UVA Engineering FAQ page for details on the cost to apply, and learn if your fee can be waived.

Is the TOEFL/IELTS required?

International students must have an outstanding command of the English language in order to enroll at the University of Virginia. The TOEFL/IELTS exam is required of all applicants if the language first learned and spoken in the home is not English, and they are not permanent residents. However, TOEFL/IELTS is not required if the applicant has received a 4-year degree at an English-speaking institution (whether or not the institution is in the U.S.). (If the applicant has a 4-year degree from a non-English-speaking institution and a Master's degree from an English-speaking institution, TOEFL/IELTS is still required.) It is unusual that we offer admission to an applicant with an overall TOEFL score below 90 / IELTS below 6.5. 

I scored less than 22 on the Speaking section of TOEFL. Can I still apply?

We review all applications thoroughly, along a number of dimensions. It is unusual that we offer admission to an applicant with an overall TOEFL score below 90/ IELTS score of 6.5.

Where do I send my GRE and/or TOEFL/IELTS scores?

The Institution code for School of Engineering and Applied Science of the University of Virginia for the GRE is 5820. The code for TOEFL is  B875. There is not a specific code for the Department of Computer Science.

I'm taking TOEFL/IELTS or GRE after your deadline (Dec 15). If I apply will these scores make it into my application and be seen by the admissions committee?

We will start evaluating applications soon after the Dec 15 deadline. Applicants should submit the most complete application they can, based on the information they have at the time (e.g., current test scores, even if new test scores are anticipated).Those applications that are complete will be considered first. We will continue to evaluate applications into early next year, until we have completed our offers. As we are reviewing applications, we will certainly consider updated scores as the arrive at the University of Virginia. There is no need to email us to tell us that new scores are being sent.

Should I mail or should I upload my materials with my application?

We strongly discourage applicants from mailing in any items that can be uploaded to avoid delays in your application review, and we ask that you not send duplicate copies of previously uploaded documents. If you still need to mail documents to our office, please send them to: For US Postal: Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Science Admissions P.O. Box 401103 Charlottesville, VA 22904 For UPS/FEDEX:      Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Science Admissions      1001 Emmet Street North      Room 209B Carruthers Hall      Charlottesville, VA 22903

I’ve submitted my application and all supporting materials. Why does my application status still show as incomplete?

We will fully review your application with unofficial test scores and unofficial transcripts. Your application will only show as "complete" when your application has been submitted, your official scores and transcripts have been received and all three letters of recommendations have been received. An application is complete for review with unofficial transcripts and self-reported scores, though the checklist will still show incomplete. Please note that all official transcripts are received in our main admissions office and scanned or entered into our system manually. If you feel that your materials should have been received by now, but are NOT showing up when you login to your account, please note that the Graduate Admissions Office processes a very large number of applications and it may take longer than expected for your documents/information to appear online (in your account). It is very likely that your materials have been received, but have not been loaded into our application system yet.

If I email you my information (e.g., GPA, GRE scores, etc.) before I apply, can you tell me the chance of being accepted?

The graduate admissions committee considers many factors in an application, including more than just GPA and test scores. In particular, letters of reference and your personal statement are extremely important. Therefore, we are unfortunately unable to provide any information before the committee considers your full application.

I still have other questions. Is there anyone available to help me?

Yes! For program/degree specific questions, please send an email to [email protected]. For application support and specific questions regarding the application process, please contact: Central Graduate Admissions [email protected] 434-243-0209

The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only.  The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found here .

Department of Computer Science

School of Engineering & Applied Science

• Quick Facts
• Women in Engineering
• Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
• Undergraduate Programs
• Graduate Programs
• Academic Policies & Schedules
• Undergraduate Students
• Graduate Students
• Admissions & Financial Aid
• Academic Integrity Policy
• Course Registration Information
• Faculty Directory
• Research Areas
• Announcements & Position Openings

PhD in Computer Science

The Ph.D. in Computer Science aims to build the next generation of scholars in computer science research. At GW, doctoral students can expect to work closely with a faculty advisor in their chosen research area to create a curriculum plan and guidance for the doctoral dissertation. Students have the opportunities to teach introductory-level courses to undergraduates, present conference papers, and work with faculty on research grant applications.

With its unique location of Washington, D.C., GW maintains access and connections to one of the highest concentrations of tech companies in the country, as well as research-granting federal institutes, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), NASA , National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Naval Research Laboratory . 

For Prospective Students:

Admissions requirements.

• If an applicant has obtained a master’s degree, a minimum grade point average of 3.5 (on a scale of 4.0) is required.
• If an applicant has only obtained a bachelor’s degree, the minimum grade point average must be a 3.3 (on a scale of 4.0).
• Completion of two math courses beyond pre-calculus.
• Strong academic background that includes courses in structured programming language, discrete structures and data structures.
• Successful submission of online application form, exam scores and other documents as outlined in the admissions requirements .

Faculty Advisor & Research Area

We strongly recommend that prospective doctoral students determine a faculty member in the department with whom they would like to work, as well as the research area of interest.

Top research areas of the department:

• Algorithms and theory
• Computer architecture, networks, parallel and distributed computing
• Computer security and information assurance
• Database and information retrieval systems
• Machine intelligence and cognition
• Multimedia, animation, graphics and user interface
• Software engineering and systems

Download Faculty & Research Factsheet (PDF)

For Current Students: 

The general requirements are stated under School of Engineering, Doctoral Program Regulations . 

Program Requirements

Relevant Forms

• Preliminary examination form
• Proposal defense report form
• Final examination approval form
• Dissertation completion form
• Additional forms and resources from SEAS

PhD Course Guidelines:

PhD students must work with their advisors to develop a program of study that meets the following requirements.

• For direct Ph.D. degree students: 54 credit hours (minimum of 42 credit hours of course work available for graduate credit and minimum of 12 credit hours of dissertation research credits (CSCI 8999)) are required. Additionally, a student should continue to enroll in Continuing Research - Doctoral (SEAS 0940) until their dissertation is completed.
• For post-Master’s Ph.D. students: 18 credit hours of course work available for graduate credit and 12 credit hours of dissertation research credits (CSCI 8999) are required. Additionally, a student should continue to enroll in Continuing Research - Doctoral  (SEAS 0940) until their dissertation is completed. 
• A maximum of 15 credits outside of the department for direct Ph.D. students; a maximum of 9 credits outside of the department for post-Master’s Ph.D. students.
• Algorithms and theory;
• Software and systems
• See details in the Preliminary Examination section below. 

Preliminary Examination

Failure of full-time students to pass the preliminary examination by the end of the fourth semester will lead to dismissal from the program.

Students who register for 6 credits or fewer in three consecutive semesters are part-time. Part-time students are required to pass the preliminary examination within their first three years, or 30 credits, of enrollment in the PhD program. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program.

To demonstrate competency, students may take one course in each of the following areas:

• Algorithms and theory: CSCI 6212 Design and Analysis of Algorithms or CSCI 6311 Theory of Computation
• Software and systems: CSCI 6221 Advanced Software Paradigms, or CSCI 6431 Computer Networks, or CSCI 6461 Computer System Architecture

Competency is demonstrated in one of two ways:

• By completing the course with a minimum grade of A-; or,
• By taking only the written, in-class examinations in the course. With this option, students must pass all exams given during a semester, earning a minimum grade of A- in each. 

Students who prove, via their official transcript, that they earned the requisite grades as part of their master’s degree may apply that result to the preliminary exam requirement. 

Students must submit a Preliminary Examination Form to the Department of Computer Science after completing the requirements for the preliminary exam. 

Publication Requirements

Students must have at least one peer-reviewed conference or journal paper accepted for publication at the time of the dissertation defense.

As a guideline, students are expected to have at least two or three conference or journal papers accepted for publication by the time of their dissertation defense, and the material from those papers should be the core of the dissertation.

Dissertation

Dissertation advisor and co-advisor(s).

Every PhD dissertation must be supervised by a faculty advisor who must be (1) a regular full-time faculty member of GW with a primary or secondary appointment in the CS Department, or (2) a research faculty member of the CS Department. Besides the dissertation advisor, a PhD student may have one or more co-advisor(s), who may be full-time or part-time faculty at GW, or professionals from outside the university. Co-advisors are expected to hold a terminal degree.

Forming a dissertation committee

• The dissertation committee must consist of at least three members, including the major advisor. Additional advisor(s) and co-advisors are optional and additional to the three members.
• The committee must have a presiding chair who is a regular full-time faculty member whose primary appointment is in the Department of Computer Science. The committee chair may not be the student's research advisor or co-advisor.
• Faculty with secondary appointments in the Department of Computer Science are not considered regular full-time faculty members in the Department.
• At least one member of the committee must be an external reviewer. The external reviewer must hold a doctoral degree. They may not be a research advisor or co-advisor of the student. They should have a primary appointment in another GW department or outside the University.
• The dissertation committee must be approved by the Chair of the Department of Computer Science.
• The committee membership is normally the same for the dissertation proposal examination and the dissertation defense. However, the membership may change with the approval of the advisor and department chair.

Dissertation proposal defense

• The defense may not take place before the student has passed the preliminary examination.
• The student’s advisor must approve the scheduling of the dissertation proposal defense.
• The student submits a written proposal, in the style of a dissertation, to the members of the dissertation committee. The proposal should contain preliminary results.
• The dissertation committee evaluates the proposal and conduct an oral examination of the student. The committee conveys its recommendation of pass/fail to the Department of Computer Science.
• A proposal defense report should be filed.  

Dissertation defense

• The dissertation defense may not be scheduled before the student has passed the dissertation proposal defense.
• The student’s advisor must approve the scheduling of the dissertation defense.
• The student submits a written dissertation to the members of the dissertation committee, normally two or more weeks in advance of the defense. The writing should follow the dissertation writing guidelines .
• The committee evaluates the dissertation and conducts an oral examination of the student. The committee conveys its recommendation to pass or fail to the Department of Computer Science.
• The final examination approval form and the dissertation completion form should be filed.

University Graduation and Scholarship Requirements

Students are responsible for knowing the University’s graduation and scholarships requirements. Consult the University Regulations section of this Bulletin. Students should consult the department for additional information and requirements.

• Menu  Close 
• Search 

PhD Program Admissions

Applying to our PhD Program

We’re thrilled that you are interested in our PhD program in computer science! This page provides an overview of the application process, some guidelines, and answers to specific questions. Please check our FAQ before emailing [email protected] with any questions not answered here.

Our program accepts a large number of applicants each year from a diverse range of backgrounds. Our applicants come directly from undergraduate or master’s programs, as well as industry positions, and from within United States and numerous countries around the world.

Visit the interactive PhD program statistics page   to view historical program data pertaining to admissions, enrollment, retention/attrition/completion, and time to degree conferral. (Select “ Computer Science” from the “Choose Program” drop-down menu.)

Ready to start your PhD application?

We’re ready for you. Click on the link below to start your application to become a PhD student at Johns Hopkins University

The Application: General Advice

The most important question we ask when reviewing applications is "Will this individual excel at research?" Every part of your application is helpful insofar as it answers this question. The three major components of an application are the statement, letters of recommendation, and grades.

This is one of the most important parts of your application; it lets us get to know you and creates a narrative of your academic career and future plans. Before you write your statement, start by thinking about what you want us to learn about you. Make a list of important achievements, perspectives, and goals. Build your statement around this list. We are looking for students who have made the most of the opportunities they have been presented with and who are smart, creative, and motivated. Keep in mind that we also have your CV and letters of recommendation, so we don’t necessarily need a list of all your accomplishments. However, your statement can fill in the narrative around what you did and, more specifically, why you did it. What motivates you? What are your research interests and why? These details aren’t found elsewhere in your application, so focus on them in your statement.

There are a few things we suggest not including in your statement. While it’s tempting to give a rationale for why you are applying to our program, don’t include it if it’s uninformed. Consider: “I want to apply to Johns Hopkins because it’s one of the premiere academic programs.” We know that already! If you do have specific reasons to be interested in our program (e.g. location, a specific project, a faculty member, etc.), be sure to mention them.

In terms of your motivation, be specific! Don’t write: “I’ve wanted to do a PhD in CS since I was six years old.” We don’t trust that six-year-olds make good career decisions. If you write “I have always found AREA X fascinating,” explain why.

Letters of Recommendation

The two most important factors of a recommendation letter are: 1) select someone who knows you well, and 2) select someone who knows how to write a letter.

First, it’s tempting to ask Professor X. to write a letter for you because they are a well-known person in the field. While we can better contextualize letters from people we know, it’s only helpful if the letter contains meaningful information. If Professor X. writes, “I’ve met the applicant a few times and they seem sharp,” that’s not useful information. It’s more important to select someone who knows you well and can discuss your achievements in detail.

Second, your letter writer should know how to write a letter. Academic research programs look for different things than a company. We often read letters from work supervisors that say nice things, but don’t speak to the qualities we find most important.

Of course, it’s a balance. You want someone who knows you well, but they still need to know how to write a good letter of recommendation.

We understand that three letters are a lot, especially for an undergraduate applying directly to a PhD program. We don’t expect each candidate to have three amazing letters. Your choices should be about balance: you want people who know you well, can write good academic letters, and know the research field. Use your choice of your three letter-writers to create this balance.

There isn’t much you can do about your grades—you have the grades you have. However, we do not use any grade cutoffs or thresholds in admissions. We want to see that you did well and excelled in whatever program you were in. Did you push yourself to take upper-level classes? Did you do well in the classes most directly related to your research area? If you have special circumstances that explain some of your grades, please include a description of them in your statement.

The Whiting School of Engineering does not require GRE General Test scores for applications to our PhD programs.

TOEFL or IELTS

Non-native English speakers must take the TOEFL or IELTS exams. Details on accepted exams, scores, and exceptions to this requirement can be found here .

Application Tips

There are many helpful guides for PhD applications. Here are a few we recommend:

• How to be a Successful PhD Student (co-authored by our own Mark Dredze )
• What Readers Look for in a Statement of Purpose
• Student Perspectives on Applying to NLP PhD Programs
• A Survival Guide to a PhD

Application Deadlines

Application Deadline:

The deadline for fall is December 15th. (No recruiting for spring admissions.)

The application will be available for submission on or around August 15.

Vivien Thomas Scholars

The Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI) is an endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields. It provides full tuition, stipend, and benefits while also providing targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities. Students who have attended a historically black college and university or other minority serving institution for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. To be considered for the VTSI, all application and supplementary materials must be received by December 1, 2021.

Study at Cambridge

About the university, research at cambridge.

• Undergraduate courses
• Events and open days
• Fees and finance
• Postgraduate courses
• How to apply
• Postgraduate events
• Fees and funding
• International students
• Continuing education
• Executive and professional education
• Courses in education
• How the University and Colleges work
• Term dates and calendars
• Visiting the University
• Annual reports
• Equality and diversity
• A global university
• Public engagement
• Give to Cambridge
• For Cambridge students
• For our researchers
• Business and enterprise
• Colleges & departments
• Email & phone search
• Museums & collections
• Course Directory

PhD in Computer Science

Postgraduate Study

• Why Cambridge overview
• Chat with our students
• Cambridge explained overview
• The supervision system
• Student life overview
• In and around Cambridge
• Leisure activities
• Student unions
• Music awards
• Student support overview
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Disabled students
• Accommodation
• Language tuition
• Skills training
• Support for refugees
• Courses overview
• Department directory
• Qualification types
• Funded studentships
• Part-time study
• Research degrees
• Visiting students
• Finance overview
• Fees overview
• What is my fee status?
• Part-time fees
• Application fee
• Living costs
• Funding overview
• Funding search
• How to apply for funding
• University funding overview
• Research Councils (UKRI)
• External funding and loans overview
• Funding searches
• External scholarships
• Charities and the voluntary sector
• Funding for disabled students
• Widening participation in funding
• Colleges overview
• What is a College?
• Choosing a College
• Applying overview
• Before you apply
• Entry requirements
• Application deadlines
• How do I apply? overview
• Application fee overview
• Application fee waiver
• Life Science courses
• Terms and conditions
• Continuing students
• Disabled applicants
• Supporting documents overview
• Academic documents
• Finance documents
• Evidence of competence in English
• AI and postgraduate applications
• Terms and Conditions
• Applicant portal and self-service
• After you apply overview
• Confirmation of admission
• Student registry
• Previous criminal convictions
• Deferring an application
• Updating your personal details
• Appeals and Complaints
• Widening participation
• Postgraduate admissions fraud
• International overview
• Immigration overview
• ATAS overview
• Applying for an ATAS certificate
• Current Cambridge students
• International qualifications
• Competence in English overview
• What tests are accepted?
• International events
• International student views overview
• Akhila’s story
• Alex’s story
• Huijie’s story
• Kelsey’s story
• Nilesh’s story
• Get in touch!
• Events overview
• Upcoming events
• Postgraduate Open Days overview
• Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD Study webinars
• Virtual tour
• Research Internships
• How we use participant data
• Postgraduate Newsletter

Primary tabs

• Overview (active tab)
• Requirements
• How To Apply

The PhD is the primary research degree that can be taken in the Department of Computer Science and Technology. The Cambridge PhD is a three to four-year full-time (five to seven-year part-time) programme of individual research on a topic agreed by the student and the Department, under the guidance of a staff member as the student's supervisor. 

All research students are admitted to read for the PhD degree on a probationary basis and will be registered for the Certificate of Postgraduate Study (CPGS) in the first instance. During this year students may do some additional coursework and will write a research report that is likely to form the foundation of the eventual PhD thesis. The CPGS will involve four components:

Research skills training

Practical work

Research report of no more than 10,000 words

Attendance at a research workshops and research seminars

At the end of the third term and on completion of the CPGS, students whose performance indicates that they would be able to complete a PhD in a reasonable time will be upgraded to PhD status. A student who is not upgraded to PhD status, and who has completed three terms of study, will normally be awarded the CPGS alone. They will not submit a thesis for the PhD degree.

There is an expectation that all research students will contribute to teaching in the department for which some training will be provided. Research students will submit a log - or tally-sheet - of teaching activities annually at the end of June. 

Students are expected to complete the substance of their research by the end of their third year, submitting their thesis then or within a few months.

Applicants wishing to apply to undertake a PhD on a part-time basis should refer to the Department's admissions advice for potential part-time students.

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, department of computer science and technology, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, lent 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Michaelmas 2024 (Closed)

Funding deadlines.

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.

Similar Courses

• Advanced Computer Science MPhil
• Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence MPhil
• Linguistics: Theoretical and Applied Linguistics PhD
• Biological Science (EBI) PhD
• Medical Science (Oncology) MPhil

Postgraduate Admissions Office

• Admissions Statistics
• Start an Application
• Applicant Self-Service

At a glance

• Bringing a family
• Current Postgraduates
• Cambridge Students' Union (SU)

University Policy and Guidelines

Privacy Policy

Information compliance

Equality and Diversity

Terms of Study

About this site

About our website

Privacy policy

© 2024 University of Cambridge

• Contact the University
• Accessibility
• Freedom of information
• Privacy policy and cookies
• Statement on Modern Slavery
• University A-Z
• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate
• Research news
• About research at Cambridge
• Spotlight on...

Information for Prospective Ph.D. Students

Phd in computer science.

Our Ph.D. program is designed for individuals aiming to pursue a career in computer science research. Applicants should have a strong background in computer science and demonstrate the ability to conduct research both independently and collaboratively 

PhD Degree Requirements

The Graduate Policy Manual details all of the information on degree requirements, but at a high level:

Our graduate students receive the training and are expected to develop a mastery of their field, gaining a broad familiarity with their discipline by the time they graduate. 

Requirements for the PhD Degree include:

• Coursework: Six graduate-level courses covering four areas out of {artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, systems, databases, scientific computing, software engineering and programming languages, theory, and visual and geometric computing}, and two more graduate courses from any area. Also, 12 credit hours of CMSC 899 (Dissertation Research).
• Proposal: You must pass an oral Ph.D. Preliminary Examination on a research proposal and prepared readings. This must be completed within five years of entering the program.
• Defense: Finally, you must prepare a dissertation presenting an original contribution to the field of computer science and pass a final oral examination on your dissertation research. This must be done within four years after passing the Preliminary Examination.

Program Duration

Typically, full-time doctoral students will:

• Become engaged in research in their first year.
• Identify a dissertation adviser by the end of their second year.
• Identify a dissertation topic by the end of their third year.
• Secure admission to candidacy within 3-4 years.
• Depend on the standards in their fields, publish at least one paper prior to advancing to candidacy, and several prior to graduating.
• Complete all requirements and graduate within 4-6 years.

Financial Information

We are committed to funding all of our PhD students throughout their program,  contingent on making satisfactory progress. This is made possible with a combination of research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and fellowships. 

Assistantships and Stipends:

• Guaranteed Assistantships: All PhD students are guaranteed assistantships upon admission. These include positions as research assistants (RAs) on funded projects or as teaching assistants (TAs).
• Competitive Stipends: For the 2023-2024 academic year, stipends range from $29,000 to $31,000 for a 9.5-month appointment, based on educational background and experience. Opportunities to earn additional income during the summer are available through further assistantships or internships at external research labs and companies.
• Tuition and Benefits: Teaching and research assistantships cover tuition for up to 10 credits per semester and provide health insurance, paralleling the benefits offered to university staff and faculty.

Tuition and Fees 

PhD students with full-time graduate assistantships receive tuition remission for up to 10 credits per semester, aligning with the typical enrollment of 6-9 credits. Half-time assistantships cover up to 5 credits. For detailed information about tuition rates and related expenses, please visit the Graduate Tuition & Fees .

Fellowships

Fellowships can be sourced both from within the University of Maryland and through external organizations:

• Internal Fellowships: Offered directly by UMD or specific departments within the university. For details on these opportunities, you can check out UMD's Fellowship & Awards website .
• External Fellowships: Examples include prestigious awards like the National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships and Fulbright Fellowships . To apply for these, students should directly contact the administering agencies or seek assistance from the financial aid office at their current or UMD’s Fellowship Office .

To apply for these fellowships, you should contact the agency which administers them, check with the financial aid office in your current university, or contact UMD's Fellowship Office .

• Study Abroad Get upto 50% discount on Visa Fees
• Top Universities & Colleges
• Abroad Exams
• Top Courses
• Read College Reviews
• Admission Alerts 2024
• Education Loan
• Institute (Counselling, Coaching and More)
• Ask a Question
• College Predictor
• Test Series
• Practice Questions
• Course Finder
• Scholarship
• All Courses
• B.Sc (Nursing)

PhD in Computer Science: Admission, Syllabus, Topics, Colleges, Salary in India 2024

Waqar Niyazi

Content Curator

PhD in Computer Science is a 3-year long doctorate level course in computer science and its related aspects. Ph.D. in computer science topics of study include Research Methodology, Data Mining, Machine Learning, Rough Set Theory, etc.

The minimum eligibility criteria for PhD in Computer Science Admissions is M.Phil in computer science or equivalent degree with 55% marks in aggregate. The fee for PhD in Computer Science across the course ranges from INR 10,000 to INR 2.75 Lacs across various PhD computer science colleges in India . The variation in the fee is based on the location and type of universities such as private, deemed, or government.

PhD in Computer Science Quick Facts

• All About PhD in Computer Science

2.1   Why Study?

2.2   Who Should Study?

• Types of PhD in Computer Science

3.1   Full Time

3.2   Part-Time

PhD in Computer Science Admission Process

4.1   Eligibility

4.2   Entrance Exams

PhD in Computer Science Syllabus

• PhD in Computer Science Colleges in India

6.1   Delhi

6.2   Chennai

6.3   Bangalore

6.4   Pune

PhD in Computer Science Abroad

Phd in computer science jobs.

8.1   Salary

8.2   Top Recruiters

• PhD in Computer Science FAQs

What is PhD in Computer Science?

PhD in Computer Science is a 3-year long doctorate level course in computer science and its related aspects. Ph.D. in computer science topics of study include Research Methodology, Data Mining, Machine Learning, Rough Set Theory, etc. 

Why Pursue a PhD in Computer Science?

• The area of application of computer science has seen exponential growth since the advent of the 21st century.
• The increasing growth and expansion of computer science have led to the growth of students opting for academic computer science courses in India to meet the employment demands.
• PhD in Computer Science provides a mechanism for the students to develop expertise in the subject by getting into the insight of the domain.

Who should pursue a PhD in Computer?

• Students who have done M.Phil/Masters in the domain of computer science.
• Individuals who have an interest in software development.
• Candidates who are looking for a career as a web developer.

Individuals looking for a career as a data miner.

Types of PhD in Computer Science Courses

Students can opt PhD in Computer Science as a regular course(Full time) or can go for Part-time depending upon their choice. Below we have discussed these two opportunities in a detailed manner.

PhD in Computer Science Courses Full-time

PhD in Computer Science is a 3-year long doctorate level course in computer science and its related aspects. PhD in computer science topics of study includes Research Methodology, Data Mining, Machine Learning, Rough Set Theory, etc. Individuals are required to take entrance exams to get admission into top colleges in India. In some colleges, admissions to Full-time PhD in computer science are also done based on a merit-list selection process, i.e., the percentage of marks obtained by the candidate at M.Phil or equivalent level.

PhD in Computer Science Course Part-time

PhD computer science is also offered as a part-time course by many institutes to students. This is very beneficial for those who want to pursue some work and want to get a degree. Indira Gandhi National Open University [IGNOU] is a popular university offering Ph.D. computer science as a part-time course. While pursuing a Ph.D. in computer science in distance learning mode, the course duration can go up to 5 years. Private universities like Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar also offer Ph.D. computer science in part-time mode.

Most Universities/Colleges offer admission based on the score of CET (like UGC NET) or conduct their entrance test like entrance exams held for JNU admission into Ph.D. courses hence students would have to make an application for such exams.

• Students have to qualify for these exams (for which they should be eligible to appear) to get admission to the course.
• After the conduct of the test, a merit list of finally qualified candidates is prepared and candidates are invited for the admission process by the respective university or college.

After preparation of the final merit list, the process of final allotment of seats to the candidate takes place and the candidate is asked to deposit the fee for Ph.D. in Computer Science course and register for the respective academic year.

PhD in Computer Science Eligibility

Candidates must have passed their M.Phil or equivalent level examination from a recognized state/private/deemed or central university with at least 55% marks (45% to 50% for reserved category candidates) in the respective domain of study.

• Students shall not be having any backlog or compartment in any of the subjects at M.Phil or equivalent level that is yet to be cleared at the time of taking admission.
• In the case of reserved category students, they would have to present their reservation certificates issued by the competent authorities to avail the benefits applicable to them.

Certain Institutes grant admissions through Common Entrance Test (CET) like CSIR NET etc.

PhD in Computer Science Entrance Exams

The time duration of the course is variable from 3 to 5 years and the syllabus is divided into various domain-related subjects and practical/research modules. A detailed description of the topics in Computer Science is tabled below for your reference.

PhD Computer Science Colleges in India

The top PhD Computer Science colleges across India have been discussed below along with their fee structure.

Studying a PhD in Computer Science abroad is probably the dream of the largest number of aspirants. But, most of the students fail to decide which would be the best college for them in a particular country. Here we have provided the names of the best colleges abroad to pursue PhD in Computer Science.

For those with a computer science major, career opportunities tend to be plentiful.

PhD in Computer Science Salary

Top Recruiters

PhD Computer Science FAQs

Ques. What can I do after PhD Computer Science?

Ans . You can get into various educational institutions to work as a professor or get into any Tech Company. If tech makes you curious you can continue your personal research on Computer Science.

Ques. How hard is a PhD in Computer Science?

Ans . While most PhDs are completed in four to five years, a few go on for a decade or more. Your dissertation work will most likely be in a very specific area, so you'll need the perseverance to keep going when things get boring and the endurance to complete a long and extraordinarily difficult task.

Ques. Why should I pursue a PhD in Computer Science?

Ans. A PhD will help you become an independent thinker in a niche topic first and then enable you to generalize that to almost all avenues, making you a very desirable employee.

Ques. Is Ph.D. Mandatory to be a Computer Programmer?

Ans. A PhD is not required if you wish to be a computer programmer. A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering is the requirement at most companies. Either of those degrees will give you the foundation necessary to understand programming at a deeper level and prepare you to start a career in the industry.

Ques. Is pursuing or practicing a PhD free in the US?

Ans. Most of the PhD programs are almost free in the US. The best part is that they pay you while you are there.

Ques. What to do after PhD?

Ans. PhD is the highest degree till now in Indian academia, so you can go for various types of research jobs.

Most Popular Tags

11 Reviews found

Ashoka University SONIPAT

Loan/ scholarship provisions :.

The fee for PhD is 50000 per month around it is 500000-600000 lakh for PHD in this University . The opportunity for scholarship in this University is not so good . The students have to go to schools near the university for some time by college

Course Curriculum Overview :

All the students are very familiar with each other .the teachers are also very great . The teachers are very helpful to students. I think that at someplace change should be needed for students . At the all this University is good

My dream university, IIT Bhubneshwar.

My PhD program helped me to develop my research capability. I was groomed to be a future leader in research and innovation. The professors were actively engaged in cutting-edge research areas that include communication, signal processing, Microelectronics and semiconductor devices, Power systems, Renewable energy systems, Computer Vision, and Human-Computer interfaces. I even managed to gain immediate, hands-on experience which helped me to overcome my challenges.

Placement Experience :

My alumni found full-time and internship positions with a wide range of international employers, including Adobe, Amazon, Infosys, HCL, Jindal Stainless Ltd, IOCL, Capgemini, KIIT, ISRO, Cognizant, DELL, Microsoft, Thermax, UHG, Flytxt Mobile Solutions, and TATA Steel. The packages offered were around Rs.1500,000 yearly.

Student's Review On Indira Gandhi National Open University - [IGNOU], New Delhi

All the teachers in our college are good and they help all the students.The fee structure of the college forCourses is quite feasible as per the needs and demand of the course. Hence, it will not be wrong to say that the fees is affordable as per the education and facilities provided by the institution.

College Events :

There some functions are organised by college management each year.College management give equal importance to sports and some other extra curricular activities.The college have a clean library where each book is available for students. Collectively,i want to tell that this college is the best.

Campus Life :

The gender ratio is 1:2 Boys and girls, the college is basically provides all lab, sports facilities and each division are good at their level as per their criteria and norms. The boys and girls equally participate in each activities and Indulge in various national, state, international level tournaments.

HCl, zoho, Tata consultancy, ashok Leyland, Bharath Benz, Bsnl, cognizant, metro rail etc are the regular placement companies visit the campus regularly. 95% ofthe students gets placed every year. Yea the college take special care for placement of students and gives training and lecture session.

Student's Review On Delhi University - [DU], New Delhi

Life is pretty good here. We conduct 4-5 events yearly for students interaction with both the seniors and the alumni. And these events vary, like technical events- Annual festival and hackathons to non tenchnical events like- skits, diwali party, fresher's, farewell, holi party, DJ nights. Recently we went on a trek also. Overall, life is happening here and the environment is good for overall personality development of an individual.

I think the syllabus is updated and up to the mark, professors are quite good and experts in their respective fields. In terms of practical knowledge and infrastructure- like machines, servers- I think we should do better, being computer science department. Prof. Neelima gupta is the chair person right now, I ma working under her. I think she is doing wonderful job and we will see department doing better in coming 1 or 2 year.

Amazing college

The college was beautifully constructed and had students coming from different backgrounds and cultures. They all were friendly to each other and had a good environment at the college. Activities like sports, music, dance, theatre were conducted by various student firms and we all could participate.

The jobs are available at the campus where well-known organisations and companies also came to interview. We could also apply to the college?s campus as a teacher, Dell, Intel came to interview. Almost all of the students got placed with an average package of Rs.15 lakhs Per annum.

My experiences in NITTTR

The course curriculum is pretty chilled out. The class is more student focused and works towards creating an environment that students use for knowledge rather than just knowing a lot of things. The curriculum also prepares students for anything in the industry.

Students are required to participate in various activities and workshops. On top of that students are allowed to work part-time as consultants to outside companies. There are many sports activities the students can participate in if they are interested.

National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research Review

The faculty of my course and others were brilliantly intelligent and considerate. They would know when to rush to complete the portion and when to keep us stress-free. They never put burden on us. They would always say that a clear mind could do better than a stressed one.

Job placements were pretty easy after this course was completed in any industry or educational institution for almost all of us, because we already had atleast one year experience of teaching/working in industry. This was a beneficial add-on training.

The Hub For Carreer

The institute is extremely great and is exceptionally strict with regard to teach. It is likewise agreeable with its understudies and causes them in each issue. It likewise directs different social exercises to include understudies in concentrates as well as in different viewpoints.

Fee Structure And Facilities :

I can say it’s worth it to pay each penny to the management with the facilities they provide. With all the lab facilities, job opportunities, training given here it’s really feasible when compared to others. They assure you that you will be benefited from each penny you pay.

Confronting smart people

Well we cannot openly comment on any faculty as far as I know. But still going vaguely over this matter, I can state that, the Good and Bad are everywhere. One can get to know people who are excellent in academics or research or both, while some are in none. It is up to an individual as to how he/she can use these resource (here Faculties) and to what extent. One thing I can say is that, especially in an IIT, every individual Faculty or Student wants to stand out, be that special one. It is only in the hands of each one as to how far you make the effort to work everything out.

Admission :

Getting into PhD in IIT Indore requires a written exam (after your name is on the eligible list), followed by 1-3 face-to-face interviews (depending on your luck I guess) on the same day most of the time. When they are satisfied by your credentials and previous work done, they let you know in a couple of weeks if you are selected. The same is listed on the college website, so you know if you have been rejected.

Shreyas J's Review On University Visvesvaraya College Of Engineering - [UVCE], Bangalore

Entrance preview :.

University entrance exam, Rank 21 Because of its popularity and good guide, it is 100 years old college, hence i have selected this college/university to purse my higher education.

College celebrated many fest like kagada fest , milagro fest, IEEE event and many more is celebrated in my college.

Ph.D. (Chemistry)

Ph.d. (physics), ph.d. (mathematics), ph.d. (biotechnology), ph.d. (zoology), bachelor of arts [ba], ph.d. (business management), master of science [ms], master of science [m.sc] (nursing), certificate course in stock market, bachelor of science [b.sc] (nautical science), ph.d. (computer science), master of laws [l.l.m.], diploma in web designing, master of technology [m.tech] (data analytics), ph.d. (computer science) colleges in india.

Jamia Millia Islamia University-[JMI]

Banaras Hindu University - [BHU]

Anna University - [AU]

Panjab University - [PU]

Acharya Nagarjuna University - [ANU]

Jawaharlal Nehru University - [JNU]

Presidency College

Ramakrishna Mission Residential College - [RKMRC]

Subscribe to our news letter.

We use cookies to provide you with the best experience and to help improve our website. View Privacy Statement

• About College of Arts & Sciences Message from the Dean Meet the Staff Awards & Recognition News & Events CAScade Magazine Job Opportunities Centers & Research Center for Family and Demographic Research Center for Neuroscience, Mind & Behavior Center for Photochemical Sciences Center for Popular Culture Studies Center of Science and Mathematics Education Institute for the Study of Culture and Society Lake Erie and Watershed Studies National Center for Family & Marriage Research Learning Communities Arts Village Finding Your Voice in Social Justice Global Village La Comunidad Outreach Language Learning Center Psychology Service Center Institute for Psychological Research and Application State Fire School BG Ideas Podcast
• Undergraduate Areas of Study Acting/Directing Actuarial Science Advertising American Culture Studies Applied Mathematics Art Education Art History Asian Studies Biochemistry Biology Chemistry Classical Civilization Communication Computational Data Science Computer Science Creative Writing Data Science Design/Technical Theatre Digital Arts Digital Forensics Ecology and Conservation Biology Economics English Environmental Science Environmental Policy & Analysis Ethnic Studies Film Production Film Studies Fire Administration Forensic Chemistry Forensic Science: Forensic DNA Analysis Forensic Science: Forensic Drug Analysis Forensic Science: Forensic Examination French Geography Geology German Graphic Design History Individualized Planned Program International Studies Journalism Latin Latin American Culture Studies Liberal Studies Marine and Aquatic Biology Mathematics Media Production & Studies Microbiology Music Musical Theatre Neuroscience Paleobiology Philosophy Philosophy, Politics, Economics & Law Physics Popular Culture Political Science Pre-Health Biology Public Relations Psychology Russian Sociology Software Engineering Spanish Statistics Studio Art Theatre Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies Youth Theatre Pre-Professional Programs Dentistry Law Medicine Mortuary Science Occupational Therapy Optometry Osteopathy Pharmacy Physician Assistant Veterinary Medicine
• Graduate Doctoral Programs American Cultural Studies Biological Sciences English (Rhetoric and Writing) Mathematics and Statistics Media and Communication Philosophy - Applied Photochemical Sciences Psychology Sociology Theatre Masters Programs American Culture Studies Art Art History Biological Sciences Chemistry Computer Science Creative Writing English (online) English Teaching European Studies Forensic Science French Geology Geospatial Sciences - Applied German Masters Programs History Literature & Textual Studies (English) Mathematics and Statistics Media and Communication Philosophy Physics Popular Culture Sociology Professional Writing & Rhetoric Public Administration Spanish Strategic Communication (Online) Theatre Graduate Certificates Ethnic Studies Geospatial Technology International/Intercultural Communication International Scientific and Technical Communications Performance Studies Public History Social & Interactive Media Spanish TESOL Women's Studies
• Academic Units Departments Africana Studies American Culture Studies Asian Studies Biological Sciences Chemistry Computer Science English Ethnic Studies History International Studies Mathematics & Statistics Philosophy Physics & Astronomy Political Science Popular Culture Psychology Sociology Theatre & Film Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies World Languages and Cultures Schools School of Art School of Cultural & Critical Studies School of Earth, Environment & Society School of Media & Communication Learning Communities Arts Village Finding Your Voice in Social Justice Global Village La Comunidad
• Students Current Students Bachelor of Liberal Studies Degree Audit Reporting System Faculty Mentors Find Your Advisor GPA Calculator Helpful Links Honors College Internships/Co-ops Learning Communities Majors and Checksheets Pre-Professional Programs Scholarships Transfer Credit Evaluation Undergraduate Student Handbook Future Students Advanced Placement Apply Now Degree Audit Reporting System Helpful Links Honors College Learning Communities Majors and Checksheets Pre-Professional Programs Scholarships University Orientation Welcome Future Falcons Misc. Links Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections Education Abroad MyBGSU Parent and Family Resources Residence Life Student Financial Aid " role="menuitem" tabindex="-1">Searchable Scholarship Guide and Application
• Faculty/Staff Chairs & Directors Handbook Job Openings in the College Schedule Development Packet College Forms Software Site License Agreements Staff Links Human Resources Administrative Staff Council Classified Staff Council Arts & Sciences Committees Arts & Sciences Council Arts and Sciences Staff Council Council of Chairs & Directors Curriculum Committees Distinguished Teaching Award Committee Diversity and Inclusion Committee Promotion and Tenure Review Committee University Committees Faculty Senate Representatives Graduate Council Undergraduate Council Representatives University-Level Review Committee
• Alumni Accomplished Graduates Alumni Connections Transformations Magazine

Data Science PhD Students

Jaryt Salvo

Expected Graduation Date: 2028-2029

Advisor: Dr. Eric Cooke

Research Topic: TBD

Publications: None

Internships/Job Experience: NASA (2012), YALI (2017), TEA (2018), Oklahoma City Math Camp (2020)

Current Employer: College of Health and Human Services (Center for Justice Research)

Iman Khazrak

Expected Graduation Date: 2028

Advisor: Dr. Shuteng Niu

Research Topic: Transfer Learning, Image generation, Neural Symbolic

Publications: List at Google Scholar

Internships/Job Experience: Data Scientist, First Solar, Summer 2023

Current Employer: BGSU

Aleksei Luchinsky

Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2025

Advisor: Dr. Umar Islambekov

Research Topic: Topology Data Analysis

Publications:

• Kit C Chan, Umar Islambekov, Alexey Luchinsky, Rebecca Sanders, " A computationally efficient framework for vector representation of persistence diagrams", Journal of Machine Learning Research, 2022, 1-33

Internships/Job Experience:

• Adjunct instructor, Calculus/Discrete Math/Business Calculus/Physics/Predictive statistics, BGSU
• Software Developer, Senico Corporation, Bowling Green, Ohio

Current Employer: Student Success Analytics and Technologies at BGSU

Jung Im "Amy" Choi

Expected Graduation Date: December 2024

Advisor: Dr. Qing Tian

Research Topic:  Enhancing Object Detection and Adversarial Robustness through Deep Network Pruning

• Qizhen Lan*, Jung Im Choi*, and Qing Tian, “Aligning Location-aware Discriminants for Structured Pruning of Deep Visual Detectors,” IEEE Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), 2024, under review. (*: equal contributions
• Jung Im Choi and Qing Tian, “Saliency and Location Aware Pruning of Deep Visual Detectors for Autonomous Driving,” Neurocomputing, under review.
• Jung Im Choi and Qing Tian, “Visual-Saliency-Guided Channel Pruning for Deep Visual Detectors in Autonomous Driving,” IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium (IV), 2023, pp. 1-6.
• Jung Im Choi and Qing Tian, “Adversarial Attack and Defense of YOLO Detectors in Autonomous Driving Scenarios,” IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium (IV), 2022, pp. 1011-1017.
• Jung Im Choi, Jinha Lee, Arthur Yeh, Qizhen Lan, and Hyojung Kang, “Spatial Clustering of Heroin-Related Overdose Incidents: A Case Study in Cincinnati, Ohio,” BMC Public Health, 2022, 22(1):1253.
• Jinha Lee, Jung Im Choi, Arthur Yeh, Qizhen Lan, and Hyojung Kang, “Geospatial Clustering Analysis on Drug Abuse Emergencies,” Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS) 2022, pp. 5715-5724.

Ryan Renken

Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2027

Advisor: TBD

Internships/Job Experience: N/A

Current Employer: Graduate Assistant at BGSU

Expected Graduation Date: Summer 2025

Research Topic:  Human-object Interaction Detection; Knowledge Graph

• SKGHOI: Spatial-Semantic Knowledge Graph for Human-Object Interaction Detection(ICDMW2023)

Internships/Job Experience: None

Current Employer: Dr. Niu and Office of Institutional Research at BGSU

Expected Graduation Date: Spring/Summer 2025

Advisor: Dr. Yan Wu

Research Topic:   Transfer Learning for Vulnerability Detection

• Jingyi Su and Yan Wu, Optimizing Pre-trained Language Models for Efficient Vulnerability Detection in Code Snippets, ICCC 23
• Yan Wu, Jingyi Su, David D. Moran and Chris D. Near, Customized Security Triage from Analysis Tools: Current State of the Art, ICCC 23
• Jingyi Su, Shan He and Yan Wu, Features Selection and Prediction for IoT Attacks in High-Confidence Computing Volume 2, Issue 2, June 2022, 100047
• Jingyi Su, Mohd Arafat, Robert Dyer, Using consensus to automatically infer post-conditions, ICSE 18

Current Employer: Heidelberg University, Tiffin, OH

Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2026

Research Topic: Diffusion Model and Transfer Learning

Publications: N/A

Internships/Job Experience: First Solar, Perrysburg, OH

Current Employer: N/A

Department of Computer Science

Dr. Jong Kwan "Jake" Lee, Chair Department of Computer Science Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, OH 43403 [email protected]

Department Office Hayes 221 Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, OH 43403 419-372-2337 [email protected]

The BGSU BS in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org

The BGSU BS in Software Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET,  https://www.abet.org

Updated: 06/28/2024 02:06PM

What's the best college degree in the AI era? It's up for debate.

The rise of artificial intelligence technology, including chatgpt, is looming large over college-goers while challenging popular assumptions about the value of some degrees..

Josephine Perl knows from experience that most college students pursuing humanities degrees inevitably get asked a version of the same question: What will you do to make a living?

It’s an inquiry the 20-year-old philosophy major at Boston University said especially troubles students like her since the launch of ChatGPT. Some predict the artificial intelligence-powered chatbot will decrease the worth of the refined language skills of workers with humanities degrees, credentials that have been declining for the past decade.

As AI has begun to reshape the job market, the types of jobs that could be most impacted by its rise to prominence are slowly becoming more apparent. Though research into the topic is nascent, there are indications that the career prospects for workers in communications and computer coding could be relatively more endangered than other professions.

For now, conclusions about which fields will be hardest hit by bots remain speculative.

“I suspect we’re going to be going through some sort of sea change,” said Manav Raj, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania who has studied ChatGPT’s effects on the workforce. "It’s hard for me to tell you exactly what those skills are that will maintain value.” 

The uncertainty is looming large over college-goers while challenging popular assumptions about the value of some degrees. The federal government at the same time is gearing up to slap fresh regulations on colleges to ensure students get their money’s worth.

The discourse will surely endure as students return to campuses this fall. But Perl, the philosophy major in Boston, hasn’t been deterred by what she calls the “hype” around AI. She’s been writing novels since she was 11 and hopes to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing. She feels compelled to go after her dreams of becoming a novelist and wants to write the kind of young adult fiction she read as a kid – a skill she thinks AI won't be capable of simulating. 

Other philosophy students she knows are banking on going to law school. She considers that option at times, especially as a student who relies on scholarships to pay tuition.

“Some people are more concerned with being able to make a living," she said.

Are computer science degrees still a safe bet? 

The debate over which college degrees will translate into the highest-paying jobs has persisted for decades, particularly as enrollment in higher education became more widespread in the latter half of the last century. 

In recent decades, the skyrocketing cost of college and a crisis over student loan debt have forced students and families to consider more carefully which programs will give them the best results. This fall, the number of undergraduates studying computer and information sciences surpassed the number of humanities majors after years of the techies trailing behind. 

Six-figure median annual incomes aren’t uncommon for computer science majors who become software developers. New data published Thursday by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center also shows student retention in computer science programs was rising in the fall of 2022 when ChatGPT was introduced. 

Yet in the past year, chatter on social media has brimmed with anxiety-filled pondering over whether advancements in AI could render programming degrees useless. Some of that fear is understandable, said Todd Thibodeaux, the president of the tech trade group CompTIA, which tracks industry trends. 

He doesn’t think radical shifts in the industry will happen quite as quickly as some fear. But the brisk evolution of marketable skills will force students to be pickier about which colleges they attend, he said.

“Don’t go to a school where they’re using books that were written five years ago,” he said. 

All the hand-wringing hasn’t phased Arpita Pandey, a 19-year-old computer science major at the University of California, San Diego. She chose the career path out of a lust for a stable job. There’s a familiarity to the profession, too. Her dad has been a software developer for more than two decades. Like her sister, who also studied computer science, Pandey plans to pursue a master’s degree to make herself more competitive in the job market. 

“Having entry-level coding experience isn’t really cutting it anymore,” she said. “We’ve had to start picking up new skills that AI can’t beat us at.” 

A lifeline for the liberal arts?

Even billionaire Mark Cuban, who made his fortune selling his technology companies in the early days of the internet, has waded into the discourse. The mogul has long argued that, in the coming decades, AI will bolster employers' desirability for students who study the humanities. In February, Cuban doubled down on that prediction. 

“I said this years ago and I’ll say it again, in an AI world, being trained in those liberal arts can be very valuable,” he wrote on X . 

College programs in the humanities – which includes subjects such as English and philosophy – have been in crisis for years. Since 2012, the number of students in those majors has declined precipitously , from roughly 240,000 to less than 180,000 a decade later, according to federal data. 

“There’s obviously a lot of cause for concern,” said Robert Townsend, the co-director of a project at the American Academy of Arts & Sciences that keeps tabs on the drop in humanities majors. 

Data indicates that students at four-year colleges who graduate with humanities degrees earn more on average than workers with just a high school diploma. And despite the often-opaque cost, undergraduate degrees typically set young people on the path to higher earnings over their lifetimes. (Whether other types of college degrees are worth the expense is a trickier subject.)

But return on investment is a complicated notion. Whether students and their parents ultimately feel they've spent their college funds wisely depends on many variables, including which school they attended and how much financial aid they received. 

Dennis Ahlburg, an economist and former Texas college president who wrote a book on the humanities crisis, tends to agree with the billionaire entrepreneur. More than anything, Ahlburg said, businesses value good workers who can think critically. 

It's hard for families to anticipate which degrees will pay off, he acknowledged – especially when the sticker prices can vary so widely. The advice he gave his 18-year-old son, who is headed off to college soon, was to study something he’s passionate about. 

“Life is often a hell of a long stretch to be doing something that you hate,” he said. 

Biden plans more college oversight

As the agonizing over AI continues, the Biden administration is preparing to implement regulations to hold colleges more accountable for providing degrees that set students up for success. The policies , which would force schools to provide more detailed information to students about whether certain programs are a wise investment, are commonly referred to as "gainful employment" and "financial value transparency" regulations .

A Supreme Court decision handed down last week weakening federal government agencies could jeopardize those rules, however, by making them more vulnerable to court challenges. The policies are still set to go into effect in October.

Read more: Supreme Court curbs power of federal regulators, overturning 40-year precedent

By that time Katie Priest, a philosophy and communications major at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, will be in her senior year. A lot has changed for Priest since ChatGPT was first launched in November 2022. The app's arrival left her terrified about whether she had set herself on the right career path. 

“It was like the end of the world,” she said. But doing some research on AI with one of her professors calmed her nerves, leading her to conclude it won’t be able to fully replace her or others hoping to teach philosophy at the college level.

She hasn't fully escaped the technology's implications, though. Her mom relies on a crafting blog as an extra source of income, she said, and ever since Google introduced new AI features in May, web traffic to the site has plummeted. So has the money her mom was making from it.

Zachary Schermele covers education and breaking news for   USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at [email protected]. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele .