REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PH.D. DEGREE
Course Requirements
This degree requires at least 72 credits. The specific program of study should be approved in advance by the Student's Research Committee
(described below) and include the following three components.
Core courses (12 credits): each student must complete at least four courses from the core subdisciplines listed below such that at least one course is
chosen from each area, and one additional course from any of of the areas.
- Computer Architecture
- CS 2410 Computer Architecture
- ECE 2162 Computer Architecture
- Software Systems
- CS 2210 Compiler Design
- CS 2510 Computer Operating Systems
- CS 2310 Software Engineering
- ECE 2186 Software Engineering
- Hardware Systems
- ECE 2160 Embedded Systems
- ECE 2192 Introduction to VLSI Design
- ECE 2120 Hardware Design Methodologies
CoE Courses: (27 credits minimum) must be chosen from the list of CoE graduate
courses, or from pre-approved CS or EE courses not cross-listed as CoE courses.
Electives/Non-Dissertation Research: (21 credits minimum) are elective and may be other courses from ECE. CS. or other disciplines including research/project courses not part of the students dissertation research.
Dissertation:(12 - 18 credits)
Examinations
Each student must pass the following examinations
Preliminary Examination: This is an oral examination conducted by the Student's Research Committee.
The Master of Science Thesis Oral Examination will satisfy the Preliminary Examination requirements.
Comprehensive Examination: Each student must pass three written comprehensive examinations, one in each of the three core areas listed above. An acceptable comprehensive exam normally covers any of the topics corresponding to the courses listed in the core areas. Comprehensive exams on these topics administered by the program, the CS, or the ECE departments will be acceptable for this requirement. A student will not be allowed more than two attempts to pass an exam in each area.
Dissertation Proposal: Each student must present his/her plan for dissertation research to be
approved by the Student's Research Committee. This is after the student has completed all other
Ph.D. requirements.
Dissertation Defense: Each student must orally defend his/her dissertation research to be approved
by the Student's Research Committee.
Composition and role of the Student's Research Committee.
The Student's Research Committee will consist of a primary advisor and at least three graduate faculty
members from the Computer Engineering Graduate Faculty. One additional graduate faculty member from
outside of the CS and EE areas will also serve on the committee.
The Student's Research Committee has two responsibilities, the approval of the program of study, and the
oversight of the dissertation research.
