Doctor of Philosophy Degree

The department has the following requirements for the doctoral degree, in addition to those requirements of the Graduate School:

1. To be confirmed in their candidacy for the Ph.D. degree, students must submit a portfolio of accomplishments, including coursework, evidence of research ability, a project demonstrating synthesis of topics in computer science, and faculty recommendations. Most students are allowed five semesters to complete their portfolios; special arrangements are made for students who enter the program with coursework deficiences or with M.S. degrees.

2. The student must subsequently pass the dissertation proposal exam within two semesters after passing the portfolio exam.

3. There are two doctoral tracks within the Computer Science Department. Students entering with an appropriate M.S. degree in Computer Science (or equivalent) may be admitted to the Ph.D. track. Students entering with only a B.A. or B.S. degree are generally admitted to the combined M.S./Ph.D. track. In addition to the requirements for the M.S. degree, each M.S./Ph.D. student must complete 6 additional course credits at the 600 level or higher (excluding CMPSCI 899), with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better. Ph.D.-only track students do not complete the M.S. requirements, but must complete 18 course credits. As part of the candidacy exam, M.S./Ph.D. and Ph.D. students must satisfy six “core” requirements, usually by achieving a B+ or better in courses (18 credits) selected from the set of “core” courses as part of their overall curriculum.

4. The student must complete at least 18 credits of CMPSCI 899 (Doctoral Dissertation).

5. Each student must perform the equivalent of one semester as a teaching assistant or teaching associate prior to completion of the degree.

For more detail see: www.cs.umass.edu/grads/overview.