Note: Ph.D. students must maintain a 3.5 GPA in coursework taken at GSU.

I. Foundation coursework (0-40 hours)

If any of the following foundation courses in Computer Science or Mathematics have not been taken in another program, these must be completed at the earliest. 4000-level foundation courses must be taken as their 6000-level counterparts by graduate students.

Foundation coursework in computer science with a grade of at least a "B" in each of the following:

• Theoretical Foundations of Computer Science (CSc 2510)
• Data Structures (CSc 3410)
• Computer Architecture (CSc 4210)
• Operating Systems (CSc 4320)
• Programming Languages (CSc 4330)
• Software Engineering (CSc 4350)
• Automata (CSc 4510)
• Design and Analysis of Algorithms (CSc 4520) 

Foundation coursework in mathematics with at least a "B" in each of the following:

• Math 2211 (Calculus I)
• Math 2212 (Calculus II)

II. Ph.D. coursework (48 hours)

Of these 48 hours, no more than 12 hours can be taken at the 6000 level. These 12 hours exclude any of the foundation courses previously listed.

CSc 9900: Seminar in Computer Science (1 hour)

A research training course which must be taken in the first semester. 

Required Coursework (24 hours) 

CORE Coursework (12 hours): Take one from each of the following three groups.

• ALGORITHMS (8520, 8530, 8550, 8560)
• ARCHITECTURE (8210, 8251, 8270)
• SYSTEMS (8220, 8320, 8370)

BREADTH Coursework (12 hours): Take one each from three groups.

• Bioinformatics (8050, 8540, 8630)
• Database and Artificial Intelligence (8710, 8711, 8712, 8810)
• Distributed Computing (8223)
• Graphics and Visualization (8260, 8720, 8820)
• Networks (8221, 8222, 8250)
• Numerical and Scientific Computing (8610, 8620)
• Software Engineering and Simulation/Modeling (8350, 8840)

Electives (23 hours)

• To be chosen in concert with Dissertation committee and approved by Dissertation committee. Should reflect student interest, coursework related to research area, etc.
• A maximum of 8 hours can be directed study or research or seminars (6999, 8950, 8910).
• A minimum of 3 hours and a maximum of 9 hours from outside the department.
• 6 to 20 hours of depth computer science classroom taught non-foundation courses.

III. Qualifying Process

The qualifying process consists of two parts:

CURRICULUM REQUIREMENT

The student is required to complete one course in each of the three CORE areas (ALGORITHMS, ARCHITECTURE, and SYSTEMS) and receive at least 2 A's and 1 B grade in these courses to meet the curriculum requirement of the qualifying process.

RESEARCH EXAMINATION

The objective of the research examination is to assess the student's potential to begin doctoral-level research. The examination will assess the studenr's abilities to:

• Read and understand research papers in their field.
• Formulate a problem clearly and provide the motivation and requirements for a solution.
• Determine if a solution is correct.
• Assess to what extent a presumably correct solution solves the problem.
• Clearly identify potential next research problems and provide solutions.
• Communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Answer questions related to the problem and its solutions.

The student will request the research examination in an area /sub-area of computer science. A committee of three faculty members will choose two advanced research papers and assign to the student. After a period of time, the student will present a written report and schedule an oral defense in which there will be general questioning by the committee. The result of the exam is PASS/FAIL. A student who receives a FAIL in the first attempt will be given a second and final attempt.

TIMELINE: A typical student (one who is admitted to the Ph.D. program with very few foundation courses to take) is expected to qualify by the end of the third semester (excluding summers) after admission.

IV. Dissertation Committee

• Must be formed immediately after completing the qualifying process.
• Major advisor plus at least three other members.
• One member must be from outside the department. Major advisor and at least two other members must be computer science graduate faculty.
• To be formed withing 2 weeks of passing the qualifying examination.
• This committee should be consulted to plan electives and possibly required courses to ensure depth in the research area (If this committee has not been set up, the initial faculty advisor assigned to the student must be consulted).
• Additional technical writing, mathematics, or computer skill courses may also be suggested by this committee based on student's background. 

V. Candidacy Examination (within 2 years of passing the qualifying examination)

The candidacy examination consists of a written proposal on the research to be carried out and an oral presentation to the dissertation committee. Upon successful completion of the candidacy examination, a student is declared a candidate for the doctoral degree. An unsuccessful result in the candidacy examination would require the student to take the candidacy examination a second and last time within 3 semesters (excluding summers).

VI. Dissertation (24 hours of CSc 9999)

Can start registering of CSc 9999 only after passing qualifying examination.

VII. Written Dissertation and Oral Defense