Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science

You have an unquenchable thirst for computer knowledge, and you want to be an expert in a field that drives today's economy. A PhD can help you prepare for a career in academia, research, forensics, and more.

In fact, many of our graduates have gone on to find new ways to mine big data, solve cybercrime, create innovative visualization and graphics solutions, advance modern IT infrastructure, and more. As part of your education, we're going to give you the real-world experience you need to follow in their footsteps. As a student, you'll play a critical role in our research program. In our labs, we research shape modeling, data mining, computer forensics, high-performance computing, collaborative computing, computer security, machine learning, and bioinformatics. There are three levels of this program you'll need to complete in order to earn your degree. The first is devoted to coursework and preparing for your exam. As you transition to the second, you'll continue your coursework, but you'll also begin your research. You'll finish the program with the third level, which consists of the completion and defense of your dissertation.

Admission into the Ph.D. program is competitive. All academic and scholarly achievements are employed in the evaluation process. The typical B.S. applicant to the Ph.D. program will have done a major project as an undergrad, and the typical M.S. applicant to the Ph.D. program will have some research background. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): for foreign students, 610 (paper exam), 253 (computer exam), or 100 (internet exam) on the TOEFL OR overall band score of 7 or better on International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The TOEFL/IELTS exam is waived for students whose native (first) language is English. Grade Point Average (GPA): GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) overall (or for the last 60 hours; preferably higher in computer science courses). A clear statement of study plan, including specific graduate study objectives, discussion of research experience, and 1-2 areas of research interest. A strong academic background in computer science and mathematics, including certain prerequisites.