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Degree Requirements for the Ph.D. Program
Note: Ph.D. students must maintain a 3.5 GPA in coursework
taken at GSU.
1. Foundation Coursework
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.
1. Foundation coursework in computer science with a grade of at least a
"B" in each.
1. Data Structures (CSc 3410)
2. Computer Architecture (CSc 4210)
3. Operating Systems (CSc 4320)
4. Programming Languages (CSc 4330)
5. Software Engineering (CSc 4350)
6. Automata (CSc 4510)
7. Design and Analysis of Algorithms (CSc 4520)
2. Foundation coursework in mathematics that includes a standard elementary
calculus sequence and Discrete Mathematics (Math 2420), with at least a
"B" in each.
2. 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)
Choose six of the following seven topics (take classroom-taught CSc courses):
1. Algorithms
2. Computer Architecture
3. Operating Systems
4. Parallel and Distributed Computing
5. Programming Languages
6. Software Engineering
7. Theory of Computation
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 11 hours can be directed study or research. |
| A minimum of 3 hours and a maximum of 9 from outside the department. |
3. Qualifying Examination (by 3rd semester, excluding summers)
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Offered each Fall (October) and Spring (April); written examination.
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3 areas: Computer Architecture, Automata and Formal Languages, Algorithm Analysis and Design.
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Maximum 2 attempts; 3 grades (Pass, Marginally Pass, Fail). Must pass all three. If two
pass and one marginally pass in first attempt then repeat only
marginally pass otherwise repeat all.
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Second attempt must be taken at the next available examination date. |
4. Dissertation Committee
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Major advisor plus at least three other members.
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One member must be from outside the department. Major advisor and at least two other members must be computer science graduate faculty.
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To be formed as soon as a potential research area and a major advisor has been identified.
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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).
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Additional technical writing, mathematics, or computer skill courses may also be suggested by this committee based on student's background.
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5. Candidacy Examination (within 2 years of Qualifying Examination)
The candidacy examination consists of two parts, both administered at around the same time:
Research Proficiency
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To be administered by the dissertation committee to assess student's ability to conduct independent research
in and around student's research area.
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Format and content to be determined by dissertation committee; typically would be a combination of written and oral components in some
courses related to the research area and may involve literature surveys and critical reviews.
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Research Proposal
Written proposal on 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).
6. Dissertation (24 hours of CSc 9999)
7. Written Dissertation and Oral Defense
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