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Program Details

Graduate Program: Computer Science (PHD)

General Information

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Program/Degree
Computer Science (PHD)  
Program Description

The Ph.D. program is designed to provide students with advanced coursework and substantive research experience to prepare graduates to be the leaders in industry and academia. There is an emphasis on producing original work to present at conferences or published in peer-reviewed journals. Students who successfully complete the Ph.D. program go on to take leadership, entrepreneurial, and scholarly positions.

PhD students progress through four phases in their study.  Initially, students are required to begin coursework while identifying a faculty mentor to serve as their research advisor.  As students progress in coursework and research, they will be evaluated each semester on their progress towards their Qualifying Exam by the completion of a Portfolio (initially evaluated in the 3rd semester and completed by their 5th semester).  Students are required to complete a minor either as a CS internal minor or in another degree program at the UA (see coursework).  As research progresses and coursework is completed, students next identify their committee and propose their dissertation work during their Comprehensive Exam, completed by their 7th semester.  Finally, once students complete their research, they will defend their Dissertation.

 
Department/Academic Unit(s)

Computer Science

The Department of Computer Science offers programs leading to the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees with a major in computer science. The department's programs prepare graduate students for positions in the design and development of computer systems and applications in business and industry and for scientific positions in industrial or academic computing research. Areas of research interest within the department currently include algorithms (bioinformatics, geometric, graph), artificial intelligence (natural language processing, machine learning, vision), parallel, distributed, and high performance computing, programming languages and compilers, security, systems (operating systems, networking, storage, databases), and visualization and graphics.

 
College

College of Science

 
Campus where offered

University of Arizona - Main - Tucson

 
Contacts
Admissions Contact
Tina R Mendoza
520-626-8470
Graduate Program Coordinator
Tina R Mendoza
520-626-8470
Director of Graduate Studies
Mihai Surdeanu
520-626-2706
Graduate College Degree Counselor
Hayley Jean Kral
520-621-3484
 
Tuition and Fees
Please refer to the UA Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees Calculator for up-to-date information about tuition and fees. 
Please refer to the UA Registrar's's Office Special Course Fees for up-to-date information about special course fees. 

Admissions Information

Admissions Requirements

Please review the Graduate College Admission Requirements, which are in addition to the departmental admission requirements below.

Admission to the program is determined by high scores on standardized tests, an adequate background in computer science, strong letters of recommendation, high-level grades from a strong undergraduate program, and research interests shared with the faculty. Each applicant is evaluated carefully based on the entire application package, taking into account test scores, previous educational achievement, letters of recommendation, and the statement of purpose.  The admissions committee also considers an applicant’s previous research, publications, and work experience. The stated minimums are guidelines. An applicant whose record is weak in one aspect (e.g., GRE scores) may be considered for admission if a strength exists in another area (e.g., excellent GPA, letters). In evaluating students applications, the committee looks for the following: (1) adequate math and computer science background, (2) excellent academic performance, (3) good communication skills, and (4) intellectual potential. The admissions committee will also consider whether applicants have researched the University of Arizona Computer Science program and are applying to work in research areas and with the expertise of the faculty currently in the Department of Computer Science.

Academic Requirements

Applicants for admission are evaluated on the basis of academic record, preparation, and other relevant qualifications. Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in computer science or a closely related field. A well-prepared applicant should be proficient in a high-level programming language such as C, C++, or Java, and have a solid background in the following areas: (1) mathematics, including calculus and discrete mathematics; (2) machine architecture; (3) programming languages, including exposure to a variety of high-level languages (e.g., Java, LISP); (4) data structures; (5) algorithm analysis; (6) theory of computation; and (7) software systems, including compilers and operating systems. In particular, all students must have at a minimum demonstrated advanced undergraduate studies in Systems (i.e. through an operating systems or compilers course) and Theory (i.e. through an algorithms or theory of computation course).

If an applicant lacks the academic background to apply to the graduate program, prerequisites can be completed at another institution or at UA as a non-degree-seeking graduate student prior to application. Non-degree-seeking graduate students can take undergraduate and graduate level courses at the University of Arizona’s campus, if space is available.

Note: 1) International applicants are usually not eligible for non-degree seeking status because of visa requirements. 2) There is no guarantee of admission to the graduate program based on completion of the prerequisites at the University of Arizona.

GPA

The typical minimum undergraduate GPA for PhD applicants is 3.5 and for applicants with a Master's degree in a related field, the minimum graduate GPA is typically 3.7.

GRE

***The GRE has been waived for Fall 2023 admission.***The department requires the GRE general test. Admission requirements do not set specific score cut-offs in each section. Typical minimum scores for admitted applicants are 156 verbal (domestic applicants) and 158 quantitative.

English Proficiency

International applicants should review the Graduate College's minimum English proficiency requirements.

The departmental typical minimum TOEFL listening score is 25.  All teaching assistants must have a minimum TOEFL speak score of 24 or a minimum IELTS speak score of 7.5.

Note: We do not consider students for conditional admission.

 

Checklist for Applying

Please review the Graduate College Admissions website in addition to the departmental application checklist below.

✓ Online Application: Apply Now

The admissions committee will only review complete online applications, which will include letters of recommendation and test scores, that are submitted by the admission deadline. Materials that are not submitted online will be disregarded.

✓ Transcripts

Upload unofficial pdf versions of all transcripts to the online application. If a grading scheme other than the conventional 0-4 is used by an institution, submit a scanned copy of the key to the transcript to include the grading scheme used by each such institution. If transcripts are in a language other than English, upload both the original and its English translation.

✓ GRE score ***The GRE has been waived for Fall 2023 admission.***

Each applicant will need to submit GRE test scores (general test only). These scores must be sent directly to the University by ETS (code for UA is 4832).

Note: Students who earn a UA BA/BS/MS CS degree aren't required to submit GRE scores.

✓ English Proficiency score

International applicants must submit valid English proficiency scores. The University of Arizona's institution code for sending official electronic score reports from ETS is 4832.

Note: Exemptions to this requirement.

✓ Letters of Recommendation

A minimum of two confidential letters of recommendation must be submitted online (by the recommender). The letters should be written by a faculty member or employer who can testify to an applicant’s research abilities and potential for success in graduate studies. The online application also requires recommenders' names, institutions, and email addresses. The recommenders will be sent an email with information on how to submit the letter. Recommenders must submit the letters online by the application deadline.

We recommend students seek out letter writers for whom they have developed a relationship, ideally beyond just having taken a course.  Additionally, to give letter writers appropriate time and materials, one should start building these connections long before the application deadline and be prepared to discuss their application with their letter writers.  The following websites offer additional advice on how to identify and communicate with potential letter writers:

  • https://career.arizona.edu/cs-blog-post/dos-donts-asking-recommendation
  • http://www.pgbovine.net/PhD-application-tips.htm 
  • http://matt.might.net/articles/how-to-apply-and-get-in-to-graduate-school-in-science-mathematics-engineering-or-computer-science/

✓ Statement of Purpose

This is an opportunity for each applicant to tell us about themselves and why they would make an excellent addition to the graduate program. The statement of purpose is a one-page personal essay that addresses the following prompts:

  • Why you want to pursue a MS/PhD in computer science.

  • What specific areas of computer science within the department most interest you (shown on the left of that webpage).

  • Areas in which you have completed research.

  • Areas in which you want to pursue research.

  • Why you are specifically interested in the University of Arizona.

  • What you plan to do once you have completed your degree.

  • Indicate which faculty you are interested in working with, and why.

✓ Resume or Curriculum Vitae

Include the following information:

  • Describe any major research activities or programming projects, outlining the project and the role you played in the project.

  • List of peer-reviewed journal publications or any published papers.

  • List of conference presentations or posters (include the conference date, location, and the name of the presentation).

  • Include any work experience in Computer Science (such as relevant internships, volunteer positions, part-time jobs, full-time jobs, etc.)

Important: It is not possible for the admissions committee to pre-evaluate an applicant. Applicants must submit the entire online application with all supporting documents via the official applications process. The decision to recommend or deny admission is made by the Department of Computer Science. When the recommendation for admission is made, the Graduate College will perform a quality control check on each application after the department has made its recommendation to admit. The formal notification of admission or denial will come from the Graduate College.

 
Standardized Tests

Required - GRE General (all applicants*) and TOEFL (international applicants; see alternative English proficiency exams and exemptions to this requirement here)

*Note: Students who earn a UA BA/BS/MS CS degree aren't required to submit GRE scores. ***The GRE has been waived for Fall 2023 admission.***

 
Funding Opportunities

Enrolled doctoral students making satisfactory progress are guaranteed funding for four years, with either a teaching or research assistantship. All assistantships carry competitive stipends as well as tuition waivers (see tuition cost) and cover the cost of student health insurance. Top applicants to our program may be granted an additional Graduate College Fellowship.

 
Admissions Deadlines

Domestic & International Applicants:

  • Fall: January 15 (opens October 15)
  • Spring: Applications are not accepted.
 
International Conditional Admission

International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.

Other Information
The GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832

ETS Major Field Code(s) for this program: 0402

NRC Taxon(a) for this program: Computer Sciences

Completion Requirements

Minimum Credit Units

64 

Core Coursework Requirements

Complete six courses from the core curriculum - 18 units

Foundations of Systems – Must complete one course

  • CSC 525 Principles of Computer Networking, 3 units
  • CSC 552 Advanced Operating Systems, 3 units
  • CSC 553 Principles of Compilation, 3 units
  • CSC 576 Computer Architecture, 3 units

Foundations of Theory – Must complete one course

  • CSC 545 Design and Analysis of Algorithms, 3 units
  • CSC 573 Theory of Computation, 3 units

Applications of Computing

  • CSC 520 Principles of Programming Languages, 3 units
  • CSC 522 Parallel and Distributed Computing, 3 units
  • CSC 533 Computer Graphics, 3 units
  • CSC 535 Probabilistic Graphical Models, 3 units
  • CSC 536 Software Engineering, 3 units
  • CSC 537 Geometric Algorithms, 3 units
  • CSC 544 Advanced Data Visualization, 3 units
  • CSC 547 Green Computing, 3 units
  • CSC 550 Algorithms in Bioinformatics, 3 units
  • CSC 560 Database Systems Implementation, 3 units
  • CSC 566 Computer Security, 3 units
  • CSC 577 Introduction to Computer Vision, 3 units
  • CSC 580 Principles of Machine Learning, 3 units
  • CSC 583 Text Retrieval and Web Search, 3 units
  • CSC 585 Algorithms for Natural Language Processing, 3 units
  • CSC 588 Machine Learning Theory, 3 units

Minimum GPA in core coursework: 3.5 (only A's and B's)

 
Elective Coursework

6 units of 5xx/6xx elective coursework selected from*:

  • CSC 520 Principles of Programming Languages, 3 units
  • CSC 522 Parallel and Distributed Computing, 3 units
  • CSC 525 Principles of Computer Networking, 3 units
  • CSC 533 Computer Graphics, 3 units
  • CSC 535 Probabilistic Graphical Models, 3 units
  • CSC 536 Software Engineering, 3 units
  • CSC 537 Geometric Algorithms, 3 units
  • CSC 544 Advanced Data Visualization, 3 units
  • CSC 545 Design and Analysis of Algorithms, 3 units
  • CSC 547 Green Computing, 3 units
  • CSC 550 Algorithms in Bioinformatics, 3 units
  • CSC 552 Advanced Operating Systems, 3 units
  • CSC 553 Principles of Compilation, 3 units
  • CSC 560 Database Systems Implementation, 3 units
  • CSC 566 Computer Security, 3 units
  • CSC 573 Theory of Computation, 3 units
  • CSC 576 Computer Architecture, 3 units
  • CSC 577 Introduction to Computer Vision, 3 units
  • CSC 580 Principles of Machine Learning, 3 units
  • CSC 583 Text Retrieval and Web Search, 3 units
  • CSC 585 Algorithms for Natural Language Processing, 3 units
  • CSC 588 Machine Learning Theory, 3 units
  • CSC 696A Advanced Topics in Programming Languages and Compilers, 3 units
  • CSC 696B Advanced Topics in Parallel, Distributed, and High-Performance Computing, 3 units
  • CSC 696C Advanced Topics in Computer Science, 3 units
  • CSC 696D Advanced Topics in Visualization and Graphics, 3 units
  • CSC 696E Advanced Topics in Algorithms, 3 units
  • CSC 696F Advanced Topics in Computer Systems, 3 units
  • CSC 696H Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence, 3 units
  • CSC 696I Advanced Topics in Security, 3 units

*Note: At most one elective course may be a CSC cross-listed course/non-department course from the approved electives list or an independent study (599/699) with prior approval. Internship credit will not count toward degree requirements.

12 units of CSC 900 Research (3 units max per semester)

CSC 695A Graduate Colloquium, 1 unit

18 units of CSC 920 Dissertation (9 units max per semester)

 
Additional Requirements

Graduation Requirements

  • Meet all Graduate College Degree Requirements, including the submission of GradPath forms
  • A minimum of 12 units of regular grades taken at the University of Arizona are required to establish the Grade Point Average (GPA).
  • Earn A's and B's in the six required core courses, 3.5 cumulative GPA in the six required core courses
  • 3.33 cumulative GPA overall in all coursework
  • Courses with a C grade can only count as an elective. D or E grades do not count toward degree. While a grade of D or E does not earn units for a graduate student, they still count in the cumulative GPA.
  • For an internal minor, must have at least one course at the University of Arizona to establish a minor GPA; the minor GPA must be 3.0 or higher.
  • Complete and pass the 3rd Semester Portfolio, 5th Semester Portfolio (Qualifying Exam), and Comprehensive Exam
  • Complete 36 units of coursework in the area of the major subject (36 units includes required 12 units of 900) and 9 or more units in the minor subject. A Graduate College policy requires that at least 22 units (i.e. half the required coursework across the major and minor) must be in courses in which regular grades (A, B, C) have been earned.
  • Complete the 64 or more units required for the degree
  • Successfully defend the dissertation
  • Submission of Final Dissertation for Archiving
  • Verify current address via UAccess Student Center to receive diploma
 
Minor Requirements for Doctoral Students in this Program

Ph.D. students must complete a minor. Students may select an internal minor in computer science or an external minor in another department. A minor program typically consists of 9 or more units of coursework. The minor department determines minor course work and the extent to which they participate in Ph.D. examinations. The minor and course work must be approved by the student’s advisor. Minor courses must be completed before Ph.D. students take the Comprehensive Exam.

Internal Minor

An internal minor consists of at least 9 units of coursework. Prior approval from a student's major advisor is required to select an internal minor and before beginning minor coursework. A student’s major advisor can also serve as the minor advisor, but must meet the Graduate College requirements for committees. A student cannot count a course as part of both their major and their minor. A student must have at least one course at the University of Arizona in the minor to establish a minor GPA; the minor GPA must be 3.0 or higher. D or E grades cannot be used in the minor.

The student works with their advisor to come up with a minor plan of study. At most two courses can be independent studies, and at least one course must be a graded/in-class CSC course or approved elective taught by a faculty member with a primary, shared, or joint (courtesy) tenure-track appointment in the Department of Computer Science.

Students completing an internal minor will need to discuss with their advisor how the minor will factor into the comprehensive exam.

 
Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.

 

Program StatisticsInformation about these numbers

Program-level Information
Application Acceptance Rate 28.16%
Avg. Time-to-degree (years) 5.30
 
Department-level Information
Enrollment Percent Male 74.16%
Enrollment Percent Female 25.84%
Enrollment Percent International 64.04%
Enrollment Percent URM 7.87%

Back to statistics
  • All application, admit, and enrollment data are from Fall 2022.
  • Average Time to Degree calculates how long graduates in the last 5 years (2018-2022) took to complete their degrees, counting back to the first semester entering their program.
  • Underrepresented Minorities (URM) includes domestic students of ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education: African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders.

Persistent link: https://grad.arizona.edu/catalog/programinfo/COSCPHD
Last revised 27 Sep 2022
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