Computer Science

PhD Advising

PhD Requirements

Below is an overview of the Michigan Tech Department of Computer Science Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) requirements. For a full explanation of PhD requirements, please visit the Graduate School's Doctor of Philosophy Requirements page. Please consult the Graduate Handbook for additional information.

Coursework

A minimum of 60 credits of approved coursework and research (30 credits beyond a master's degree) is required. The PhD student must complete an approved PhD program in computer science, the PhD credit requirement, and the graduate-level breadth requirement.

Credits

To complete the PhD credit requirement a student must complete a total of 30 credits of coursework, and/or CS6990 Dissertation Research beyond the MS program requirement. These courses must be approved by the Advisory Committee. The PhD students must earn a grade of B or better in all courses. Use Academic Audit to review degree requirements. A VPN connection is required to access the system.

Examination and Related Forms

Pass the PhD Qualifying Exam

  • The PhD qualifying exam consists of the PhD Breadth Requirement and the PhD Research Qualifying Evaluation (RQE). (See section 3.4.2 of the Graduate Handbook.)
  • Pass the PhD Breadth Requirement.
    • Complete CS5311 and CS5321.
    • Complete three courses from three separate areas out of areas B, C, D, E. (See Section 3.3.1 of the Graduate Handbook for a list of eligible courses.)
    • Complete two specialty courses approved by the advisory committee.
    • Achieve an average GPA of 3.5 across the seven breadth courses.
    • If a student wishes to count non-Michigan Tech courses toward the requirement, complete the PhD Breadth Requirement Waiver form.
    • A student with a BS or MS in computer science or a closely related field must complete the breadth requirement within 3 or 2 years, respectively, from the start of their enrollment in the Department of Computer  Science PhD program. A student without a degree in a field closely related to computer science will be given an additional six months to complete the breadth requirement.
  • Pass the RQE
    • You must have an advisor before taking this exam.
    • Complete a research report.
    • Make a public oral presentation of your research results.
    • A student with a MS in computer science or a closely related field must pass the RQE within three years from the start of enrollment in the Computer Science PhD program. A student with a BS in computer science or a closely related field must pass the RQE within two years from the start of enrollment in the Computer Science PhD program. A student without a degree in a field closely related to computer science must pass the RQE within four years. Funded students are expected to complete the RQE earlier than these deadlines.  See the graduate handbook for more.
    • Submit the Report on Research Qualifying Exam.

Dissertation Research Proposal Defense

  • This is an oral presentation of the student's dissertation proposal and an oral examination on the proposed research by the advisory committee.
  • The proposal defense must be passed within two years of passing the PhD qualifying exam. Students that are funded by the department are expected to complete the proposal within 1 year of completing the RQE.
  • Submit the PhD Proposal Defense Report and the Proposal Assessment form.

Dissertation Defense

Additional Requirements

PhD Procedures

A general overview of the tasks that must be completed each semester follows.

First Semester

  • Plan for the PhD comprehensive exam, including the Breadth Requirement and the RQE.
  • Submit final official transcripts to the Graduate School confirming proof of the completion of your previous degree (if not from Michigan Tech, or unless done previously).
  • Complete the Patent, Research and Proprietary Rights form.
  • Register for second semester courses via Experience.
  • Complete Basic RCR training

Second Semester

  • Choose an advisor.
  • Complete courses to meet the Breadth Requirement.
  • Prepare for the RQE.
  • Complete Advanced RCR training

Third Semester

  • Complete the RQE if you entered the PhD program with an MS in computer science or a related field.
  • Complete Technical Qualifying Exam (TQE) graduate-level breadth requirement. (See the Graduate Handbook, Section 2.3.1.)

Fourth Semester

  • Complete the RQE if you entered the PhD program with a BS in computer science or a related field.
  • Complete the Breadth Requirement if you entered the PhD program with a BS or MS in computer science or a related field.

Fifth Semester

  • Prepare for PhD dissertation proposal.
  • Schedule your degree-required presentation. Refer to Theses and Dissertations FAQs and student and advisor tutorials for additional assistance. This process replaces the "pre-defense" form.
    • Degree-required presentations include MS project defenses, optional MS thesis proposals, and MS thesis defenses.
    • Announcements should be built and sent at least two weeks prior to a presentation. Include an abstract of the presentation and the time, date, and location.
    • To reserve a room, please contact the Computer Science coordinator in Rekhi 213, by phone at 906-487-1833, or email zyesmukh@mtu.edu.
    • Create a Zoom meeting and Google Calendar invitation. Email the invitation to: csgrad-presentations-l@mtu.edu.
    • Creating and sharing detailed invitations is the responsibility of the graduate student, not Computer Science department staff.

Sixth Semester

  • Complete the RQE if you entered the PhD program with a BS or MS in an unrelated field.
  • Schedule your degree-required presentation. (See the section above.)
  • Pass your dissertation proposal defense.

Future Semesters

    • Begin your dissertation/thesis/report, which will be the most challenging document you have ever planned, organized, and written.
    • Follow the Graduate School Guidelines.
    • Follow department and advisor guidelines. (See the Graduate Handbook.)