项目介绍

2022年4月28日

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The doctoral program in computer science combines coursework and participation in original research. Most students enter the program with an undergraduate degree in computer science, mathematics, or a related discipline. Some entering students may have a master’s degree, but that is not necessary for success in the program. Every admitted Ph.D. student is given financial support in the form of a first-year fellowship. In addition, all admitted Ph.D. students are automatically considered for the prestigious Wu and Upton Fellowships.COURSES:

In preparation for the general examination, the doctoral candidate, in consultation with a faculty adviser, develops an integrated program of study in one of the departmental areas of research. Such preparation usually requires two academic years for students entering with a bachelor’s degree, and one year for students entering with a master’s. Students are required to stand for the general examination at the end of the second year.

A total of 6 courses are required. Three courses must be taken to satisfy the core breadth requirement, with one course from each of three main areas of computer science: Systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Theory.  All students must fulfill the core breadth requirements plus one additional course by the end of the second year, demonstrating minimum competence in three main areas. The remaining three courses can be any 400- or 500-level course from any department in the University. Courses taken outside the Department of Computer Science require approval from the student’s academic adviser and the Director of Graduate Studies.

All courses must be taken for a grade. A grade of B+ or higher is required to get credit towards course requirements, although at most one B will be accepted for a course that does not satisfy the core breadth requirements. Individual research areas may request additional courses in excess of departmental requirements or may require students in that subfield to complete specific required courses in fulfillment of course requirements.

Breadth requirement core course list:

Systems

• 475 Computer Architecture (See ELE 475)
• 518 Advanced Computer Systems
• 561 Advanced Computer Networks
• 563 Wireless Networks

Artificial Intelligence

• 511 Theoretical Machine Learning
• 513 Foundations of Probabilistic Modeling
• 524 Fundamentals of Machine Learning
• 529 Advanced Computer Vision
• 584 Advanced Natural Language Processing

Theory

• 510 Program Languages
• 516 Automated Reasoning About Software
• 521 Advanced Algorithm Design
• 522 Computational Complexity
• 585 Information Theory and Applications

GENERAL EXAM:

The general examination consists of a research seminar prepared under the supervision of a faculty member, followed by an in-depth oral examination on the contents of the seminar and the associated general area of research. The oral examination tests the student’s knowledge in a number of topics relevant to the student’s research area. These topics are specified beforehand by an examining committee in consultation with the student. The seminar is open to the public, and at least three computer science faculty members must attend. Two are invited by the student; the adviser chooses a  third faculty member who could be in any area of Computer Science or related fields.  The examining committee and the student agree upon a reading list for the exam. This document is to be made available to anyone present in the oral examination, and only questions pertaining to either the material described in the document or presented during the research seminar can be asked during the oral examination.

Original research results do not have to be presented, but problems whose solution may lead to a thesis should be discussed. In many cases, the student’s thesis is in the same area as the research seminar, but this is not required.QUALIFYING FOR THE M.A.:

The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree is normally an incidental degree on the way to full Ph.D. candidacy once a student has successfully completed the general examination. The M.A. may also be awarded to students who, for various reasons, leave the Ph.D. program, provided the student has successfully completed the six required courses from the Breadth Requirement. Please note, students admitted to the Ph.D. program who do not wish to complete the program may be considered for an M.S.E. degree with approval from the department and the Graduate School. Ph.D. students who have already been awarded the incidental M.A. are not eligible to earn an M.S.E.TEACHING:

Teaching experience is considered to be a significant part of graduate education. All Ph.D. candidates are therefore required to assist with course instruction for the equivalent of two terms.POST-GENERALS REQUIREMENT(S):

Pre-FPO

The preliminary FPO is a research talk given to the anticipated FPO committee approximately six months before the FPO date.  The pre-FPO covers results to date and planned research, and serves as a preliminary critique of the proposed dissertation. 

Graduate students will present a public talk followed by a private meeting with the committee.  The outcome of the pre-FPO is not graded. Graduate students are provided with valuable feedback to the committee expects will guide any final work and will be incorporated into the dissertation.

FPO Committee must be identical to the Pre-FPO committee; any subsequent changes to the committee require approval from the DGS.DISSERTATION AND FPO:

The Ph.D. is awarded after the acceptance of the dissertation and completion of the final public oral.