Program Overview
Introduction to the Doctoral Program
The Doctoral Program in Computer Science at Purdue University is designed to prepare students for a career in computer science research. The program includes coursework to provide core computer science knowledge, coursework to provide knowledge in the intended area of research, and extensive research training and experience.
Program Requirements
The doctoral program requirements are as follows:
- Research orientation
- One research orientation course
- Ethics Training
- Two initial research courses
- Core course requirement
- Plan of Study
- Advisory Committee
- Courses
- Area-specific requirements
- Research
- Research credits
- Preliminary Examination
- Thesis
- Annual Review
- Graduation Candidacy Information
Research Orientation
The research orientation requirement consists of three parts:
- Research Orientation Course: Students must take "CS 59100 Research Seminar for First-Year Graduate Students" in their first year.
- Ethics Training: Students must complete this multiple-part training in the first year.
- Initial Research Courses: Students must take two initial research courses by the end of their third semester.
Core Course Requirement
Students must satisfy this requirement by the end of their fourth semester by passing one theory core course and one systems core course with an average grade of at least 3.5.
Plan of Study
Students must submit a draft plan of study by the end of the fifth week of their fifth semester and are expected to revise it and submit it as final by the end of classes that semester. The plan of study lists the student's advisory committee and the courses the student plans to use to fulfill the degree requirement.
Area-Specific Requirements
Students must satisfy any additional requirements specific to their area of research. Students must consult with their major professor to ascertain area-specific requirements.
Research
Ph.D. research experience is planned, supervised, accumulated, and demonstrated by forming an advisory committee, taking graduate-level computer science courses, conducting thesis research, passing a preliminary examination, and writing and defending a thesis.
Annual Review
Each doctoral student's academic and research progress is evaluated annually by their major professor and the Graduate Committee. Students receive written feedback and guidance to support progress.
Graduation Candidacy Information
To graduate, students must declare candidacy for the semester in which they intend to graduate by the designated deadline. Students declare candidacy by using the Scheduling Assistant within myPurdue and registering for either CAND 99100 or 99200.
Sample Ph.D. Timeline
A sample timeline for the Ph.D. program is provided, outlining the courses to register for and the tasks to complete within each semester.
Additional Information
The Ph.D. requirements described above apply to all students entering or re-entering the Department of Computer Science at West Lafayette as degree-seeking graduate students in the summer session of 2016 or later. Students are governed by the degree requirements in effect when they enter the Department as degree-seeking students. For students re-entering, the date of the most recent re-entry determines the degree requirements. Students who wish to take advantage of subsequent changes may apply to the Graduate Committee to be governed by all degree requirements in effect at a specified subsequent time. Choosing features from different sets of requirements is not permitted.