university of alabama phd computer science admission requirements

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The PhD is designed to prepare students for academic careers and careers in government and industry research labs. Computer science is a vigorous and exciting field of research and study that continues to grow in importance.

Departmental research strengths include:

• Artificial Intelligence (machine learning, multiagent systems, planning and problem solving),
• Bioinformatics,
• Computational Theory (computational learning theory, design and analysis of algorithms, computability theory),
• Compiler Optimization and Compilation for Parallel Machines,
• Natural-Language Processing, (discourse and dialogue, generation, information extraction, summarization),
• Systems (parallel and distributed computing, grid and volunteer computing, algorithm and architecture design for massive parallelism),
• Networks (distributed computing, transport layer protocols, mobile and wireless networks, algorithm and architecture design for massive parallelism, networks management, security performance modeling, simulation),
• Graphics and Computer Vision,
• Rehabilitation Engineering (augmentative communication, speech recognition and enhancement),
• Software Engineering (program analysis and testing),
• Symbolic Mathematical Computation (algebraic algorithms, parallelization), and

The CIS graduate program provides a solid foundation in the fundamental areas of computer science and provides numerous advanced courses and seminars to acquaint the student with current computer science research.

Degree Requirements

In addition to satisfying the general requirements of the University, candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy degree must satisfy several departmental requirements. One objective of these requirements is to provide flexibility in designing an appropriate plan of study. The PhD is an individualistic degree. As soon as possible in the program, each candidate should find a faculty member to act as adviser and be in charge of the candidate’s research.

The candidate and advisor design a plan of study that satisfies the University and Department requirements. The Department requirements as listed below specify a minimum amount of necessary work. It is expected that additional course work will normally be required by the adviser. A minimum set of requirements provides a large degree of flexibility for each individual candidate.

A. Departmental General Requirements

• A minimum grade average of 3.0 is required in the graduate courses used to satisfy the degree requirements. The University also requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all graduate courses taken including any not used towards the degree requirements. Students are encouraged to explore graduate courses (600 level or higher) in other areas such as electrical engineering, mathematics, linguistics, statistics, and business and economics. Graduate courses outside of Computer and Information Sciences to be used towards meeting degree requirements require written approval of the Graduate Committee.
• Each semester all graduate students must explicitly register for CISC 890 – Colloquium and sign up and satisfactorily participate in one of the Department’s special research interest groups. One faculty member for each group will be responsible for overseeing satisfactory participation for each student on an individual basis (e.g., simply attending, giving a presentation) and will assign a pass/fail grade accordingly.

The Department requires the following:

• Each candidate must complete all requirements of a University of Delaware MS degree in Computer and Information Sciences. A candidate with a master’s degree in a related field (e.g., EE, Math) must put together a program that meets the CIS Graduate Committee’s approval. Using courses taken for the related graduate degree plus courses taken at Delaware, the candidate must satisfy the Computer Science course requirements for the MS degree, and show the equivalent of the 30 credit MS degree offered by the CIS Department.
• Each candidate is required to complete a minimum of 6 additional credits beyond the master’s degree. At least 3 of the 6 additional credits must be in 800-level CISC courses. The 6 additional credits do not include the following courses: CISC 666, CISC 866, CISC 868, CISC 969. Normally, in meeting the University’s requirement for a major area, a candidate will be required by the adviser to complete more than 6 credits. (Note that the University requires a candidate to complete 9 credits of CISC969 after admission to candidacy.)
• Research Ability . PhD candidates are strongly encouraged to get involved in research as early as possible in their program. As part of the process of finding an adviser, and as early as possible, candidates must demonstrate the potential to perform research. Demonstration may be in the form of independent study ( CISC 666 , CISC 866 ), research ( CISC 868 ), working as a research assistant, or writing an MS thesis.
• Preliminary Requirements . These requirements ensure that each Ph.D. candidate (1) has significant breadth of knowledge in core areas of computer science, and (2) has demonstrated the ability to perform research in a specific computer science area. The breadth requirement is met by taking 5 breadth courses, which may include the 4 breadth courses from the breadth requirement of the MS degree, and obtaining a minimum 3.5 GPA on these breadth courses. See Prelim Course Selection Process for detail. The research requirement is met by working with a committee of 2 CIS faculty members on a research project, culminating in a written report and presentation/oral exam. A pass or fail decision for the preliminary exam will be made by the faculty in a faculty meeting that will take place after the end of each semester. Candidates must fulfill the Preliminary Requirements within 2 years, counted from the date the student enters the graduate program. Candidates may request an extension in exceptional circumstances (such as serious illness or injury) subject to approval by the Faculty. The student will be dismissed from the Ph.D. program if the Preliminary Requirements are not satisfied within the allowed time period. ( further information )
• Advisory Committee . Each candidate, with the advice of the PhD advisor, needs to establish an advisory committee (usually following the successful completion of the preliminary exam). In accordance with the University requirements, the committee consists of 4-6 members nominated and approved by the CIS Department faculty. The committee chair is the candidate’s PhD advisor in charge of the candidate’s research and dissertation and must be a member of the CIS faculty. The candidate may have a co- advisor who must be a UD faculty, possibly from another department. A co-advisor is a member of the advisory committee. At least two members represent the area of proposed research. The committee must also include at least one member of the CIS faculty working outside the main area of the proposed research. At least one member must be from outside the CIS Department. The proposed advisory committee must be submitted to the Graduate Committee for approval. It must then be approved by the CIS faculty. In the above, CIS faculty means tenure-track faculty whose primary appointment is in the CIS Department or who have a joint appointment in CIS, but not including continuing track faculty, research faculty, affiliated faculty, visiting faculty, secondary faculty, or adjunct faculty.
• Qualifying Examination . Each candidate must pass a qualifying exam. The advisory committee prepares an examination (oral and/or written) testing a candidate’s knowledge in the area of proposed research. Part of the examination includes an oral presentation of a candidate’s proposed dissertation research. A student passes the qualifying exam as long as there is no more than one negative vote. Prior to taking the qualifying exam, candidates must submit a dissertation proposal and a written plan describing their background and research interests. The proposal and plan are submitted to the advisory committee and are considered as input to the qualifying examination. Copies of “Discussion on PhD Thesis Proposals in Computing Science” are available in the CIS Department Office. The qualifying exam is normally taken one year after passing the preliminary exam. During this year a student should actively investigate research possibilities and select a dissertation topic.
• Dissertation . Each candidate must complete a dissertation demonstrating results of original and significant research written in a scholarly and competent manner worthy of publication. Upon completion of the dissertation, a final oral public examination must be passed, consisting of a defense of the dissertation and a test of the mastery of a candidate’s research area. The final oral examination is directed and evaluated by the student’s advisory committee.
• Facility of Expression in English . As part of satisfying the University’s requirement that PhD graduates demonstrate an ability to orally express themselves clearly and forcefully, each candidate must present his or her research results in a departmental colloquium, or one of the Department’s special research interest groups within six months of the defense.
• Foreign Language . There is no foreign language requirement.

Graduate Recruitment Contacts

Li Liao Email: cis [email protected] Phone : 302-831-2783

Chiamesha Carey Graduate Academic Advisor II Email: [email protected] Phone : 302-831-4467

UD Graduate Admissions Email : [email protected] Phone : 302-831-2129

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Admission Steps

Computer science - phd, admission requirements.

Terms and Deadlines

Degree and GPA Requirements

Prerequisites

Additional standards for non-native english speakers, additional standards for international applicants.

For the 2023-2024 academic year

See 2024-2025 requirements instead

Fall 2023 quarter (beginning in September)

Priority deadline: February 15, 2023

Final submission deadline: June 1, 2023

Winter 2024 quarter (beginning in January)

Final submission deadline: November 1, 2023

Spring 2024 quarter (beginning in March)

Final submission deadline: February 1, 2024

Summer 2024 quarter (beginning in June)

Final submission deadline: May 1, 2024

Priority deadline: Applications will be considered after the Priority deadline provided space is available.

Final submission deadline: Applicants cannot submit applications after the final submission deadline.

Degrees and GPA Requirements

Bachelors degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution.

Grade point average: The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree. An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution supersedes the minimum standards for the baccalaureate. For applicants with graduate coursework but who have not earned a master’s degree or higher, the GPA from the graduate work may be used to meet the requirement. The minimum GPA is a cumulative 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework undertaken.

Program GPA requirement: The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for this program is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale

Prerequisite courses for the PhD include: COMP 1671 Introduction to Computer Science I, COMP 1672 Introduction to Computer Science II, COMP 2673 Introduction to Computer Science III, COMP 2300 Discrete Structures in Computer Science, COMP 2370 Introduction to Algorithms & Data Structures, and COMP 2691 Introduction to Computer Organization (or equivalent).

Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), C1 Advanced or Duolingo English Test are required of all graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language. Your TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test scores are valid for two years from the test date.

The minimum TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test score requirements for this degree program are:

Minimum TOEFL Score (Internet-based test): 80

Minimum IELTS Score: 6.5

Minimum C1 Advanced Score: 176

Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 115

English Conditional Acceptance Offered: In cases where minimum TOEFL/IELTS/CAE scores were not achieved or no English proficiency test was taken, the program may offer English Conditional Admission (ECA) to academically qualified non-native English speakers.

Read the English Language Proficiency policy for more details.

Read the Required Tests for GTA Eligibility policy for more details.

Per Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulation, international applicants must meet all standards for admission before an I-20 or DS-2019 is issued, [per U.S. Federal Register: 8 CFR § 214.3(k)] or is academically eligible for admission and is admitted [per 22 C.F.R. §62]. Read the Additional Standards For International Applicants policy for more details.

Application Materials

Transcripts, letters of recommendation.

Required Essays and Statements

We require a scanned copy of your transcripts from every college or university you have attended. Scanned copies must be clearly legible and sized to print on standard 8½-by-11-inch paper. Transcripts that do not show degrees awarded must also be accompanied by a scanned copy of the diploma or degree certificate. If your academic transcripts were issued in a language other than English, both the original documents and certified English translations are required.

Transcripts and proof of degree documents for postsecondary degrees earned from institutions outside of the United States will be released to a third-party international credential evaluator to assess U.S. education system equivalencies. Beginning July 2023, a non-refundable fee for this service will be required before the application is processed.

Upon admission to the University of Denver, official transcripts will be required from each institution attended.

Three (3) letters of recommendation are required.  Letters should be submitted by recommenders through the online application.

Essays and Statements

Personal statement instructions.

A personal statement of at least 300 words is required. Your statement should include information concerning your life, education, experiences, interests and reason for applying to DU.

Résumé Instructions

The résumé (or C.V.) should include work experience, research, and/or volunteer work.

Start the Application

Online Application

Financial Aid Information

Start your application.

Your submitted materials will be reviewed once all materials and application fees have been received.

Our program can only consider your application for admission if our Office of Graduate Education has received all your online materials and supplemental materials by our application deadline.

Application Fee: $65.00 Application Fee

International Degree Evaluation Fee: $50 Evaluation Fee for degrees (bachelor's or higher) earned from institutions outside the United States.

Applicants should complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15. Visit the Office of Financial Aid for additional information.

The Harold Loyd Murphy Graduate School at Alabama State University offers various graduate-level programs leading to advanced degrees in education, accountancy, general sciences, health sciences, history, and social work. ASU's graduate programs are designed to prepare constituents to be part of a vanguard of professionals through the 21st century.

How to Apply

• Click here to  Apply Onlin e
• $63 application fee
• GRE/MAT test scores (Waived for 2023 Fall term)
• GMAT scores for Master of Accountancy only  (Waived for 2023 Fall term)
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Three professional letters of recommendation from persons qualified to evaluate your ability to do graduate-level work in your field of study
• Statement of Purpose specifying your purpose and objective in pursuing graduat e study at ASU and relevant employment and academic experiences to your chosen field of study.
• Alternative, Educational Specialist, Doctoral, Instructional Leadership and Social Work programs require additional documents.

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for graduate admission at Alabama State University, you must hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university and a minimum GPA of 2.5. A grade point average of 2.5 is required for the Alternative A and Traditional Master’s program in Education.  The Master of Accounting program requires a minimum 2.75 GPA (undergraduate) and 3.0 GPA (graduate).

(To see the complete disclaimer,  refer to the title page of the Graduate Bulletin.) 

Your application and all other admissions documents should be received by The Harold Loyd Murphy Graduate School by the dates for each enrollment term listed below in order to be given priority processing for admission consideration; however, the application process will remain open:

>> Fall -- April 15

>> Spring -- October 15

>> Summer -- March 15

International Students

If you are an international student, you must submit the following items in addition to the regular application materials to be considered for graduate admission to Alabama State University:

• Satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Original copy of college transcript, evaluated in English on a 4.0 scale, from World Education Services ( www.wes.org ) or any other accredited international transcript evaluation agency. 

Affidavit of financial support that documents your ability to pay for all expenses

Notice Regarding Online Programs and International Applicants:  

Currently, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Service (USICS) does not provide F-1 or M-1 visa for nonimmigrant students enrolled in an online degree program after March 9, 2020, "As a result, new or initial nonimmigrant students who were not previously enrolled in a program of study on March 9, 2020 and intend to pursue a full course of study that will be conducted completely online should not be granted an F-1 or M-1 visa." (https://www.ice.gov/doclib/coronavirus.covid19faq.pdf) 

Nonimmigrant students that wish to apply and participate in an online degree program at Alabama State University may do so while located outside of the U.S. but are responsible for understanding several conditions and specific requirements related to international authorization and licensure within their home country. 1.) Degree recognition and ability to secure licensure varies by country for online degrees, and 2.) the home country's laws and regulations may not permit students from accessing online content.

Special Admissions

If you are interested in taking graduate-level classes at ASU but do not wish to pursue an advanced degree, you may apply for admission as a special student non-degree. To do so, you must:

• Apply Online  (Application Only)  
• $25 application fee
• Official transcript verifying you have obtained a bachelor's degree

The admission policies of Alabama State University are predicated upon the presumed competence of the individual rather than upon any consideration whatsoever of race, color, sex, religion or national origin.

Financial Aid Information/ Tuition Fees

https://www.alasu.edu/cost- aid/tuition-costs/student- accounts/tuition-and-fees

Alabama State University 915 S. Jackson Street Montgomery, AL 36104

(334) 229-4800

FACULTY, STAFF & STUDENT RESOURCES

Alabama State University (ASU) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award Bachelor’s, Master’s, education specialist and doctorate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of ASU may be directed in writing to SACSCOC at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Ga., 30033-4097, or by calling 404-679-4500 or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website ( www.SACSCOC.org )

Copyright © 2024 Alabama State University. All Rights Reserved.

Computer Science

Bachelor of arts in computer science.

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in computer science requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including at least 41 s.h. of work for the major. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major and in all UI courses for the major. A cumulative g.p.a. of at least 2.00 is required for graduation. Students also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences  GE CLAS Core .

The computer science major for the Bachelor of Arts is designed for students who would like to gain considerable knowledge in computer science and have flexibility in choosing electives. Students preparing for careers in the computing field are encouraged to supplement the base requirements with additional computer science courses. The program's flexibility makes it suitable for combination with other majors.

Coursework for the major includes computer science courses as well as courses in mathematics, statistics, and other supporting disciplines. Work for the major may not be taken pass/nonpass.

Bachelor of Arts students considering a switch to the Bachelor of Science program should choose their GE CLAS Core Natural Sciences courses carefully since students may be able to use the same courses to satisfy the computer science major natural science sequences requirement for the B.S. degree. See "Natural Science Sequences" under Requirements in the  B.S. in computer science  section of the Catalog.

Students who major in computer science may not also major or minor in computer science and engineering, data science, or informatics.

Listed below are the general categories of coursework required to earn the degree; for more specific information on courses, curriculum, and requirements of the Bachelor of Arts in computer science, visit the UI General Catalog .

Prerequisite Structure of Core Courses

Early Admission to the Graduate College

Undergraduate computer science students who have 6 s.h. or less to earn toward graduation may apply for early admission to the Graduate College. Early admission allows students in their final undergraduate semester to take courses for graduate credit in addition to the courses they need to complete their bachelor's degrees.

BA in Computer Science (General Catalog)

NOTICE: The University of Iowa Center for Advancement is an operational name for the State University of Iowa Foundation, an independent, Iowa nonprofit corporation organized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, publicly supported charitable entity working to advance the University of Iowa. Please review its full disclosure statement.