Computer Science, Ph.D.

Each field of specialty sets its course requirements for doctoral students in that field. The computer science program’s minimum requirement is 11 graduate courses (33 credits) and 18 doctoral dissertation research credits (CMSC 899 ). The doctoral student must spend the equivalent of at least three years of full-time graduate study and research, with at least one of the years spent on the UMBC campus. The doctoral dissertation must be an original and substantive contribution to knowledge in the student’s major field. It must demonstrate the student’s ability to carry out a program of research and to report the results in accordance with standards observed in the recognized scientific journals related to that field.

Doctoral students must:

pass the comprehensive exam/portfolio within four semesters of entrance to the program (five semesters for part-time students);
pass the preliminary examination and be admitted to doctoral candidacy within four years of entrance to the program (within five years for part-time students); and
complete all Ph.D. requirements for their field of specialty within four years of admission to doctoral candidacy.

Course Requirements

Students must satisfy the minimum course requirements (11 graduate courses totaling 33 credit hours) excluding doctoral dissertation research credits. In addition, it is recommended that Ph.D. students achieve a minimum of three “A”s and one “B” in the three core courses:

CMSC 641 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms
Plus at least one from the “systems” set
CMSC 611 - Advanced Computer Architecture
CMSC 621 - Advanced Operating Systems
CMSC 661 - Principles of Database Systems
CMSC 681 - Advanced Computer Networks
and at least one from the “applications” set
CMSC 626 - Principles of Computer Security
CMSC 634 - Computer Graphics
CMSC 671 - Principles of Artificial Intelligence
CMSC 678 - Introduction to Machine Learning

Comprehensive Portfolio

The comprehensive portfolio for CMSC doctoral students consists of the following components:

core course requirements
student research statement
independently produced written report
curriculum vitae
copies of important publications
faculty letters of support

The graduate committee will make its decision about the student’s continuation in the doctoral program based on evaluating these materials. The student has to submit the portfolio before the end of completing four semesters (for full-time) or five semesters (for part-time).

Preliminary Examination (Prelim)

Each student must select a dissertation advisor and a dissertation preliminary examination committee. Students present and defend their dissertation proposal to the preliminary committee.

Ph.D. Candidacy

After passing the prelim and completing the course requirements, the graduate program committee recommends to the Graduate School that the student be admitted to doctoral candidacy.

Dissertation Research

Students conduct and report on a significant original research project under the guidance of their dissertation advisor. This research must be completed and defended within four years of admission to candidacy. Students must be admitted to candidacy at least two full sequential semesters before the date on which the doctoral degree is to be conferred.

Residency Requirements

A minimum of three years of full-time graduate study or its equivalent is required. At least one year of full-time study must be completed at UMBC.