Computer Science, PhD < Northeastern University Academic Catalog (2024)

The PhD in Computer Science is designed to prepare students for careers in academia, industrial and national research labs, and technical leadership in industry and government.The rigorous curriculum provides a broad background in the fundamentals of computer science, advanced courses in a wide range of focus areas, and opportunity to make an impact at the forefront of computing. The program provides training in conducting research, publishing and presenting papers, developing systems, and establishing science and technology policy.

Coursework

A minimum of 48semester hours of coursework beyond the BS/BA degree is required of all students.

All students must demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the fundamentals of computer science, as well as the ability to carry out research in an area of computer science.

The student must maintain a minimum grade-point average of3.500among the six core courses and receive a grade of B or better in each of these courses. Students who have taken equivalent courses in other institutions may petition to be exempted from the course(s)(subject to the approval of the PhD computer science curriculum committee). Each student may repeat a course once for no more than three out of the six courses if they do not receive a B or better in the course. Students with a Master of Science in Computer Science may petition to the PhD computer science curriculum committee for an exemption from these courses. Petition forms are available on the college website.

The fields listed do not necessarily represent areas of specialization or separate tracks within the PhD program. Rather, they attempt to delineate areas on which the student must be examined in order to measure their ability to complete the degree. Therefore, they may be adjusted in the future to reflect changes in the discipline of computer science and in faculty interests within the Khoury College of Computer Sciences. Similarly, these fields do not represent the only areas in which a student may write their dissertation. They are, however, intended to serve as a basis for performing fundamental research in computer science.

Paper Requirement

To demonstrate research ability, the student is required to submit to the PhD committee a research or a survey paper in an area of specialty under the supervision of a faculty advisor. A submitted paper from a student is considered to have fulfilled the paper requirement if:

1. The paper has been accepted by a selective conference.
2. The student has made a substantial contribution to the paper.
3. The advisor has endorsed the paper with a written statement indicating the student’s contribution.
4. The PhD computer science curriculum committee has voted on a positive recommendation. The committee may require a presentation from the student before making a recommendation.

Admission to Candidacy

Upon completion of the course and the research paper requirements, the student is admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree. It is highly recommended that the student complete the candidacy requirement by the end of their second year but no later than the third year.

Residency

One year of continuous full-time study is required after admission to the PhD candidacy. It is expected that during this period the student will make substantial progress in preparing for the comprehensive examination.

Teaching Requirement

All computer science PhD students must satisfy the teaching requirement in order to graduate. This requirement is fulfilled when the student works as a teaching assistant or instructor of record for one semester and during this semester:

• Teaches at least three hours of classes
• Prepares at least one assignment, or quiz, or equivalent

PhD students are expected to satisfy the teaching requirement some time after completing their first year and at least one semester prior to scheduling their PhD defense.

Comprehensive Examination/Dissertation Proposal

After the student has achieved sufficient depth in a field of study, they prepare a proposal for the PhD dissertation. This process should take place no later than the end of the fifth year in residence. The student prepares a dissertation proposal, which describes the proposed research, including the relevant background materials from the literature. The proposal should clearly specify the research problems to be attacked, the techniques to be used, and a schedule of milestones toward completion.

The dissertation proposal must be approved by the dissertation committee. With the help of the advisor, a student selects the committee, consisting of at least four members, to be approved by the PhD computer science curriculum committee. The four members must include the advisor, two internal members, and an external member.

Upon approval of the written proposal, the student has to present the proposed work orally in a public forum, followed by a closed-door oral examination from the dissertation committee. The student may take the dissertation proposal examination twice, at most.

Doctoral Dissertation

Upon successful completion of solving the research proposed in the dissertation proposal, the candidate has an opportunity to prepare the dissertation for approval by the dissertation committee. The dissertation must contain results of extensive research and make an original contribution to the field of computer science. The work should give evidence of the candidate’s ability to carry out independent research. It is expected that the dissertation should be of sufficient quality to merit publication in a reputable journal in computer science.

Doctoral Committee

With the help of the advisor, a student selects the committee, consisting of at least four members, to be approved by the PhD computer science curriculum committee. The four members must include the advisor, two internal members, and an external member.

Dissertation Defense

Thedissertation defense is held in accordance with the regulations of the University Graduate Curriculum Committee. It consists of a lecture given by the candidate on the subject matter of the dissertation. This is followed by questions from the dissertation committee and others in attendance concerning the results of the dissertation as well as any related matters. The defense is chaired by the PhD advisor.

Time and Time Limitation

After the establishment of degree candidacy, a maximum of five years will be allowed for the completion of the degree requirements, unless an extension is granted by the college graduate committee.

• Concentrations and course offerings may vary by campus and/or by program modality. Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for the course availability each term at your campus or within your program modality.
• Certain options within the program may berequiredat certain campuses or for certain program modalities. Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for requirements at your campus or for your program modality.

Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.

Milestones

Coursework
Paper requirement
Admission to candidacy
Residency
Teaching requirement
Comprehensive examination/dissertation proposal
Doctoral dissertation
Doctoral committee
Dissertation defense

Course Area Requirements

A grade of B or higher is required in each course. A cumulative 3.500 GPA is required for the core requirement.

Students should refer to the course numbering table for graduate course leveling.

Electives

Dissertation

Program Credit/GPA Requirements

48total semester hours required
Minimum overall 3.000GPA required

Sample Plan of Study

• Concentrations and course offerings may vary by campus and/or by program modality. Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for the course availability each term at your campus or within your program modality.
• Certain options within the program may berequiredat certain campuses or for certain program modalities. Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for requirements at your campus or for your program modality.

Coursework

Incoming PhD in Computer Science students who have already completed a Master of Science in Computer Science or an adjacent field may petition to the PhD in Computer Science program administration for advanced entry. Advanced entry petitions are reviewed by the program administration on a case-by-case basis. Please note that advanced standing does not waive by itself any part of the PhD coursework requirements.

As a degree conferral requirement, a minimum of 16 semester hours of coursework beyond the 32 semester hours of the master’s degree is required of advanced entry PhD students (48 semester hours is required of standard entry PhD students). Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.500 as well as earn a grade of B or better in each course.

Paper Requirement

Refer to the Computer Science, PhD, overview, for research/survey paper requirements.

Admission to Candidacy

Refer to the Computer Science, PhD, overview, foradmission to candidacyrequirements.

Residency

Refer to the Computer Science, PhD, overview, forresidencyrequirements.

Teaching Requirement

Refer to the Computer Science, PhD, overview, forthe teachingrequirement.

Comprehensive Examination/Dissertation Proposal

Refer to the Computer Science, PhD, overview, forcomprehensive examinationrequirements.

Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.

Milestones

Annual review
Course requirements
Paper requirement
Comprehensive exam
Teaching requirement
Doctoral candidacy
Dissertation committee
Dissertation proposal
Dissertation defense

Core Requirements

Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.500 as well as earn a grade of B or better in each course.

Dissertation

Program Credit/GPA Requirements

16 total semester hours required
Minimum overall 3.500GPA required