full form of phd in computer

Department of Computer Science

School of Engineering & Applied Science

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PhD in Computer Science

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The Ph.D. in Computer Science aims to build the next generation of scholars in computer science research. At GW, doctoral students can expect to work closely with a faculty advisor in their chosen research area to create a curriculum plan and guidance for the doctoral dissertation. Students have the opportunities to teach introductory-level courses to undergraduates, present conference papers, and work with faculty on research grant applications.

With its unique location of Washington, D.C., GW maintains access and connections to one of the highest concentrations of tech companies in the country, as well as research-granting federal institutes, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), NASA , National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Naval Research Laboratory . 

For Prospective Students:

Admissions requirements.

• If an applicant has obtained a master’s degree, a minimum grade point average of 3.5 (on a scale of 4.0) is required.
• If an applicant has only obtained a bachelor’s degree, the minimum grade point average must be a 3.3 (on a scale of 4.0).
• Completion of two math courses beyond pre-calculus.
• Strong academic background that includes courses in structured programming language, discrete structures and data structures.
• Successful submission of online application form, exam scores and other documents as outlined in the admissions requirements .

Faculty Advisor & Research Area

We strongly recommend that prospective doctoral students determine a faculty member in the department with whom they would like to work, as well as the research area of interest.

Top research areas of the department:

• Algorithms and theory
• Computer architecture, networks, parallel and distributed computing
• Computer security and information assurance
• Database and information retrieval systems
• Machine intelligence and cognition
• Multimedia, animation, graphics and user interface
• Software engineering and systems

Download Faculty & Research Factsheet (PDF)

For Current Students: 

The general requirements are stated under School of Engineering, Doctoral Program Regulations . 

Program Requirements

Relevant Forms

• Preliminary examination form
• Proposal defense report form
• Final examination approval form
• Dissertation completion form
• Additional forms and resources from SEAS

PhD Course Guidelines:

PhD students must work with their advisors to develop a program of study that meets the following requirements.

• For direct Ph.D. degree students: 54 credit hours (minimum of 42 credit hours of course work available for graduate credit and minimum of 12 credit hours of dissertation research credits (CSCI 8999)) are required. Additionally, a student should continue to enroll in Continuing Research - Doctoral (SEAS 0940) until their dissertation is completed.
• For post-Master’s Ph.D. students: 18 credit hours of course work available for graduate credit and 12 credit hours of dissertation research credits (CSCI 8999) are required. Additionally, a student should continue to enroll in Continuing Research - Doctoral  (SEAS 0940) until their dissertation is completed. 
• A maximum of 15 credits outside of the department for direct Ph.D. students; a maximum of 9 credits outside of the department for post-Master’s Ph.D. students.
• Algorithms and theory;
• Software and systems
• See details in the Preliminary Examination section below. 

Preliminary Examination

Failure of full-time students to pass the preliminary examination by the end of the fourth semester will lead to dismissal from the program.

Students who register for 6 credits or fewer in three consecutive semesters are part-time. Part-time students are required to pass the preliminary examination within their first three years, or 30 credits, of enrollment in the PhD program. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program.

To demonstrate competency, students may take one course in each of the following areas:

• Algorithms and theory: CSCI 6212 Design and Analysis of Algorithms or CSCI 6311 Theory of Computation
• Software and systems: CSCI 6221 Advanced Software Paradigms, or CSCI 6431 Computer Networks, or CSCI 6461 Computer System Architecture

Competency is demonstrated in one of two ways:

• By completing the course with a minimum grade of A-; or,
• By taking only the written, in-class examinations in the course. With this option, students must pass all exams given during a semester, earning a minimum grade of A- in each. 

Students who prove, via their official transcript, that they earned the requisite grades as part of their master’s degree may apply that result to the preliminary exam requirement. 

Students must submit a Preliminary Examination Form to the Department of Computer Science after completing the requirements for the preliminary exam. 

Publication Requirements

Students must have at least one peer-reviewed conference or journal paper accepted for publication at the time of the dissertation defense.

As a guideline, students are expected to have at least two or three conference or journal papers accepted for publication by the time of their dissertation defense, and the material from those papers should be the core of the dissertation.

Dissertation

Dissertation advisor and co-advisor(s).

Every PhD dissertation must be supervised by a faculty advisor who must be (1) a regular full-time faculty member of GW with a primary or secondary appointment in the CS Department, or (2) a research faculty member of the CS Department. Besides the dissertation advisor, a PhD student may have one or more co-advisor(s), who may be full-time or part-time faculty at GW, or professionals from outside the university. Co-advisors are expected to hold a terminal degree.

Forming a dissertation committee

• The dissertation committee must consist of at least three members, including the major advisor. Additional advisor(s) and co-advisors are optional and additional to the three members.
• The committee must have a presiding chair who is a regular full-time faculty member whose primary appointment is in the Department of Computer Science. The committee chair may not be the student's research advisor or co-advisor.
• Faculty with secondary appointments in the Department of Computer Science are not considered regular full-time faculty members in the Department.
• At least one member of the committee must be an external reviewer. The external reviewer must hold a doctoral degree. They may not be a research advisor or co-advisor of the student. They should have a primary appointment in another GW department or outside the University.
• The dissertation committee must be approved by the Chair of the Department of Computer Science.
• The committee membership is normally the same for the dissertation proposal examination and the dissertation defense. However, the membership may change with the approval of the advisor and department chair.

Dissertation proposal defense

• The defense may not take place before the student has passed the preliminary examination.
• The student’s advisor must approve the scheduling of the dissertation proposal defense.
• The student submits a written proposal, in the style of a dissertation, to the members of the dissertation committee. The proposal should contain preliminary results.
• The dissertation committee evaluates the proposal and conduct an oral examination of the student. The committee conveys its recommendation of pass/fail to the Department of Computer Science.
• A proposal defense report should be filed.  

Dissertation defense

• The dissertation defense may not be scheduled before the student has passed the dissertation proposal defense.
• The student’s advisor must approve the scheduling of the dissertation defense.
• The student submits a written dissertation to the members of the dissertation committee, normally two or more weeks in advance of the defense. The writing should follow the dissertation writing guidelines .
• The committee evaluates the dissertation and conducts an oral examination of the student. The committee conveys its recommendation to pass or fail to the Department of Computer Science.
• The final examination approval form and the dissertation completion form should be filed.

University Graduation and Scholarship Requirements

Students are responsible for knowing the University’s graduation and scholarships requirements. Consult the University Regulations section of this Bulletin. Students should consult the department for additional information and requirements.

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PhD Full Form – What is a PhD?

The full form of Ph.D is Doctor of Philosophy and is an advanced degree that is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated a high level of expertise in a specific field of study. The full form of PhD is “Doctor of Philosophy,” which refers to the origins of the degree as a program of study in philosophy. However, today, PhD programs are offered in a wide range of fields, including sciences, humanities, social sciences, and professional disciplines such as business and law.

To obtain a PhD, individuals must complete a significant amount of coursework, pass comprehensive exams, and complete original research in the form of a dissertation or thesis. This research is typically conducted under the supervision of a faculty member and must make a substantial and original contribution to the field of study.

The meaning of the degree is that the individual is expected to have a thorough understanding of their field of study and to be able to conduct independent research. Individuals who hold a PhD degree are considered experts in their field and are able to contribute to the advancement of knowledge through research and teaching.

History of the PhD Degree

• The origins of the PhD degree can be traced back to the medieval universities of Europe, where the Doctor of Philosophy (Philosophiae Doctor, or PhD) was established as a higher degree in the field of philosophy.
• The first PhDs were awarded in the early 19th century in Germany, and the degree quickly spread to other European countries and the United States.
• Initially, the PhD was primarily awarded in the field of philosophy, but over time it expanded to include other disciplines, such as the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
• The development of research-based PhD programs in the 20th century established the degree as a requirement for a career in academia and research.
• The growth of PhD programs in the second half of the 20th century led to an increase in the number of PhD graduates and a diversification of career opportunities for PhD holders.
• Today, PhD programs are offered in a wide range of fields, and the degree is considered a terminal degree in many academic and professional disciplines.

Requirements for a Ph.D in India

• Hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in a related field from a recognized university.
• Clear a national-level entrance test such as UGC-NET or CSIR-NET or a university-level entrance test.
• Complete coursework, which typically includes core courses, electives, and seminars.
• Pass comprehensive exams, which test the candidate’s knowledge in the subject area and readiness for independent research.
• Conduct original research, typically under the supervision of a faculty member, which results in a dissertation or thesis.
• Defend the dissertation or thesis in front of a committee of faculty members.
• Meet any other program-specific requirements as set by the university or academic institution.

Different Fields and Types of PhD

Phds are offered in a wide range of fields, including:.

• Sciences such as biology, physics, chemistry, and computer science
• Humanities such as history, literature, and philosophy
• Social Sciences such as economics, sociology, psychology, and political science
• Professional fields such as business, law, education, and engineering 

Additionally, there are different types of Ph.D. programs, including:

• Traditional Ph.D.: This is the most common type of Ph.D. program. It typically involves completing coursework, passing comprehensive exams, and conducting original research that results in a dissertation or thesis.
• Professional Doctorate: This type of Ph.D. is more applied in nature and is often offered in professional fields such as business, law, and education. It typically involves coursework, a professional project, and a dissertation.
• Online Ph.D.: This type of Ph.D. is conducted entirely online and is becoming increasingly popular. It typically involves coursework, a dissertation, or a thesis and may involve some on-campus visits. 
• Interdisciplinary Ph.D.: This type of Ph.D. allows students to study across multiple disciplines and provides a broader perspective on a specific research area.

The Process of Earning a PhD

The process of earning a PhD can vary depending on the field and program, but generally, it involves the following steps:

• Application and Admissions: Applying to a PhD program typically involves submitting transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and test scores such as GRE or TOEFL. After the application is reviewed, the applicant may be invited for an interview before being accepted into the program.
• Coursework: After being accepted into a program, students typically begin by completing coursework, which typically includes core courses, electives, and seminars. The coursework is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the field and to prepare them for independent research.
• Comprehensive Exams: After completing coursework, students typically take comprehensive exams, which test their knowledge in the subject area and readiness for independent research.
• Research Proposal: After passing comprehensive exams, students typically develop and present a research proposal, which outlines the topic, research questions, and methods for their dissertation or thesis.
• Research and Data Collection: After the proposal is approved, students begin conducting original research, typically under the supervision of a faculty member. This may involve collecting data, analyzing data, and writing up results.
• Writing and Defending the Dissertation/Thesis: After completing research, students write and defend their dissertation or thesis in front of a committee of faculty members. The dissertation or thesis is a detailed document that presents the research findings and conclusions.
• Graduation: After successfully defending the dissertation or thesis, students graduate with a PhD degree.

Career Opportunities with a PhD

• Academia: Many PhD graduates choose to pursue a career in academia, either as a professor at a college or university or as a researcher at a research institution. These positions typically involve teaching, conducting research, and publishing scholarly work.
• Research: PhD graduates can also find employment as researchers in government, private industry, or non-profit organizations. These positions may involve conducting basic or applied research in a specific field and may include laboratory work, data analysis, and report writing.
• Industry: Some PhD graduates choose to work in industry, typically in roles such as research and development, consulting, or management. These positions may involve applying research findings to solve real-world problems or working on product development.
• Entrepreneurship: A PhD degree can also open opportunities to start your own business or venture.
• Public service: PhD graduates can also pursue careers in public services, such as working in government agencies, non-profit organizations, or international organizations. These positions may involve policy analysis, program evaluation, or research.
• Science Communication: Many PhD graduates are also interested in science communication and may work in journalism, science policy, science education, or science outreach.

It’s important to note that the above career opportunities are general and may vary depending on the field and program. Additionally, some PhD graduates may choose to pursue multiple career paths over the course of their professional lives.

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Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science

Overview of degree.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Computer Science at  the University of Georgia is an advanced, intensive program offered by the School of Computing and designed to take students to the frontiers of knowledge in one of a number of key areas of Computer Science.  The Ph.D. in Computer Science combines theory and practice in complementary, yet flexible, ways.  The program has been designed to prepare students for careers in research (at universities, or government or industrial research laboratories), teaching (at colleges or universities), or advanced development (at hardware and software companies).

The School presently has many active research groups that cover most areas of Computer Science. (See https://www.cs.uga.edu/research for details.)

Prospective students are advised to consult the University of Georgia Graduate Bulletin  for institutional information and requirements.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general policies set forth in the  Graduate Bulletin , the following school policies apply to all applicants:

A Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree is required, preferably with a major in Computer Science or an allied discipline.  Students with insufficient background in Computer Science must take undergraduate Computer Science courses to remedy any deficiencies (in addition to their graduate program).  A sufficient background in Computer Science must include at least the following courses (or their equivalent):

• Admission to this program is highly selective; students with a record of academic excellence have a better chance of acceptance.  Students with exceptionally strong undergraduate records may apply for admission to the graduate program prior to fulfilling all of the above requirements.
• The GRE is optional beginning spring 2025, for PhD CSCI applications to the School of Computing. International applicants also need TOEFL or IELTS official test scores.
• Three letters of recommendation are required, preferably written by university professors familiar with the student's academic work and potential.  If the student has work experience, one letter may be from his/her supervisor.  Letters should be sent directly from the letter writer.
• An one or two-page personal statement outlining the student's background, achievements, and future goals is required.
• A recent copy of his/her resume as part of the application packet.  

Graduate School Requirements

Additional requirements are specified by the  Graduate School  (application fee, general application forms, all transcripts, etc.).  Please see the  University of Georgia Bulletin  for further information.  Detailed admissions information may be found at  Graduate School Admissions .  Printed information may be obtained by contacting the

University of Georgia Graduate School Brooks Hall 310 Herty Drive Athens, GA  30602

Phone: 706-542-1739 Fax: 706-542-6330  http://grad.uga.edu e-mail:  [email protected]

Applications are processed on a year round basis.  Students can be admitted for either semester (Fall or Spring).  Please visit the  Graduate School  for application submission  deadlines .

There are a number of requirements for the Ph.D. degree.  Two of the requirements, the preliminary focus and the primary focus, are coursework related.  Core Competency Certification, Research Skills, and Doctoral Minor are requirements managed by the student’s advisory committee.  Other requirements deal with advisory committee formation, procedural, and Graduate School requirements.

Preliminary Focus

The preliminary focus consists of at least 12 credit hours of resident graduate coursework.  This includes:

• At least 12 credit hours of Core CSCI graduate coursework at the 6000-level   (see “Core Curriculum” below);

Students who have already earned an M.S. degree in Computer Science may petition the Graduate Coordinator to substitute equivalent graduate-level courses from their M.S. program for one to three Core CSCI graduate courses.  Students with no previous graduate coursework or with graduate coursework that only partially covers the requirement will need to fulfill the rest of the preliminary focus requirement.  Examples of situations in which a student would need to fulfill the preliminary focus requirement include: (a) students with graduate work in another discipline, (b) students with graduate coursework that does not cover all areas of the core listed below, and (c) students without previous graduate coursework.  Regardless of the method used to satisfy the preliminary focus requirement, students are still responsible for Core Competency Certification.

The students must provide relevant information on their Doctoral Core Competency Certification Form .

The preliminary focus requirement is designed to provide a common baseline for all students seeking to earn their Ph.D. degree at UGA.  It is recommended that this requirement be met prior to moving into the primary focus area but it is possible for students to work concurrently on these two requirements.  In any case, the preliminary focus requirement is in addition to the primary focus requirement.  In particular, coursework taken to satisfy the preliminary focus requirement may not be used to satisfy any portion of the primary focus requirement, and vice versa.

Upon core competency certification, doctoral student must submit Annual Progress Reports to their major professor for approval by them and the graduate coordinator.

Core Curriculum (Preliminary Focus Item #1)

At least one course from each of the following three groups must be taken:

Group 1:  Theory

• CSCI 6470 Algorithms
• CSCI 6480 Approximation Algorithms
• CSCI 6610 Automata and Formal Languages

Group 2:  Software Design

• CSCI 6050 Software Engineering
• CSCI 6370 Database Management
• CSCI 6570 Compilers

Group 3:  System Design

•  CSCI 6720 Computer Systems Architecture
•  CSCI 6730 Operating Systems
•  CSCI 6760 Computer Networks: Technology and Application
•  CSCI 6780 Distributed Computing Systems

The core curriculum consists of a total of 12 credit hours .

Core Competency

Foundational computer science knowledge (core competency) in the core areas (Groups 1, 2, and 3, above) must be exhibited by each student and certified by the student’s advisory committee.  This takes the form of achievement in core curriculum and completion of a short essay in their chosen area of research demonstrating technical writing and organization skills.  Students entering the Ph.D. program with a previous graduate degree sufficient to cover this basic knowledge will need to work with their advisory committee to certify their core competency.  Students entering the Ph.D. program without sufficient graduate background to certify core competency must fulfill the preliminary focus requirement, and then pursue certification with their advisory committee.  A grade average of at least 3.56 (e.g., A-, A-, B+) must be achieved for the three core courses.  Students below this average may take an additional core course and achieve a grade average of at least 3.32 (e.g., A-, B+, B+, B).

Core competency is certified by the unanimous approval of the student's Advisory Committee as well as the approval by the Graduate Coordinator.  The student’s advisory committee manages the core competency in cooperation with the student.  Students are required to meet the core competency requirement within their first two enrolled academic semesters (excluding summer semester).  Core Competency Certification must be completed before approval of the Final Program of Study.

Primary Focus

The primary focus consists of at least 31 credit hours of resident graduate coursework. This includes

• at least 8 credit hours of Advanced CSCI graduate coursework at the 6000/8000-level (see “Advanced Coursework” below). This must include 4 credit hours of coursework open only to graduate students exclusive of 6950 and 8990, as per Graduate School Policy. The remaining 4 credit hours can include up to 2 credit hours of 6950;
• at least 16 credit hours of CSCI 8000-level coursework not including 8990 (see “Advanced Coursework” below);
• at least 1 credit hour of CSCI 8990 Research Seminar (see “Research Seminar” below);
• at least 6 credit hours of CSCI 9300 Doctoral Dissertation (see Doctoral Dissertation below).

No course used to fulfill part of the requirements for item #1, #2, or #4 may be used to fulfill part of another requirement (for example, item #1 hours are separate and different from item #2 hours, item #4 hours are separate and different from item #1 hours and item #2 hours).

Typically, full-time students will take 9 to 15 hours per semester.  See the CSCI section of the University of Georgia Bulletin for course descriptions.  A program of study should be a coherent and logical whole; it requires the approval of the student's major professor, the student's advisory committee, and the school's graduate coordinator.

Note:  no course with a grade of C+ or lower may be included on the student’s Program of Study (see the Graduate Bulletin for other GPA constraints).

Advanced Coursework  (Primary Focus Item #1 & #2)

To fulfill the primary focus, students must take at least 24 credit hours of CSCI advanced graduate coursework at the 6000/8000-level with at least 16 credit hours at the 8000-level and 20 credit hours of coursework open only to graduate students, as per Graduate School Policy. The remaining 4 credit hours can include up to 2 credit hours of CSCI 6950.

Note:  In no case shall a 6000-level course used to fulfill part of the advanced coursework requirement count toward the advanced coursework requirement AND the core curriculum requirement. In addition, CSCI 8990 may not be used to fulfill this requirement. 

At most one of the 8000-level courses may be repeated once.  That course must be listed in the catalog as repeatable and syllabi from both offerings of the course must be submitted to the Graduate Coordinator with the Program of Study, showing that the two offerings differ in content.

Research Seminar (Primary Focus Item #3)

All students must take 1 credit hou r of CSCI 8990 Research Seminar, in which they must attend weekly meetings of a research seminar and give presentations.

Doctoral Dissertation (Primary Focus Item #4)

The student's dissertation must represent originality in research, independent thinking, scholarly ability, and technical mastery of a field of study.  The dissertation must also demonstrate competent style and organization (see Guidelines for Theses and Dissertations).  While working on his/her dissertation, the student must enroll for a minimum of 6 credit hours of CSCI 9300 Doctoral Dissertation spread over at least 2 semesters.  Students may not register for this course until they have been admitted to candidacy.  Once the student's major professor has approved the final version of the dissertation, it will be distributed to the other members of the advisory committee, and a dissertation defense scheduled no sooner than three weeks after the distribution.  Given a committee of size n, a student’s dissertation and defense are considered approved by the school if approval has been received from at least n-1 committee members.

Research Skills

The school has no formal research skills requirement, at this time.

Advisory Committee

A doctoral student's advisory committee shall consist of at least three members of the graduate program faculty, including the student's major professor who will chair the committee, and a minor professor from the student's doctoral minor (if the minor option is selected). A member of the graduate program faculty may be appointed as co-major professor in which case the minimum size of the advisory committee shall be four. A majority of the committee must be regular (non-courtesy and non-adjunct) faculty members of the School of Computing. The major professor must be a tenured/tenure-track faculty member of the School. A doctoral student may include a regular/courtesy/adjunct member of the school as a co-major professor. The co-major professor must be a graduate program faculty member. A committee may not have more than two non-UGA affiliated members, at most one of whom may be a voting member. Any such non-UGA affiliated members must hold the terminal degree in their respective fields of study and certify their credentials with a letter and vita. The maximum size of a PhD advisory committee is six, a majority of whom must be members of the graduate program faculty. 

Comprehensive Examination

Before taking the Comprehensive Examination, students must have at least one research paper submitted to a research conference or journal. The student must  have an an approved Program of Study and approved Advisory Committee. The student must have an approved Phd Core Competency form completed. For the Oral/Written Comprehensive exam, all CSCI graduate courses on the Program of Study, cannot exceed the 6 year time limit. 

The student must pass the Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination that covers the student's advanced coursework including the major and minor areas of study.  The examination consists of two parts:  a written part and an oral part.  Students have at most two attempts to pass the written part.  The oral part may not be attempted unless the written part has been passed.  The written part may not be attempted unless the student’s core competency has been certified.  The exams are administered by the student's advisory committee.  For more information see Ph.D. Exams: Form and Timing.

Admission to Candidacy

The student is responsible for initiating an application for admission to candidacy once all requirements, except the dissertation prospectus and the dissertation, have been completed.

The time limit for admission to candidacy is six (6) years.

Dissertation Planning and Prospectus

The major professor and advisory committee shall guide the student in planning the dissertation.  The student will prepare a dissertation prospectus in the form of a detailed written dissertation proposal.  It should clearly define the problem to be addressed, critique the current state-of-the-art, and explain the contributions to research expected by the dissertation work.  CSCI 9000 Doctoral Research is taken for the exploratory research leading to the prospectus.  When the major professor certifies that the dissertation prospectus is satisfactory, it must be formally considered by the advisory committee in a meeting with the student.  This formal consideration may not take the place of the comprehensive oral examination.

Approval of the dissertation prospectus signifies that members of the advisory committee believe that it proposes a satisfactory research study.  Approval of the prospectus requires the agreement of the advisory committee with no more than one dissenting vote as evidenced by their signing an appropriate form, which, together with the approved prospectus, is filed with the graduate coordinator.

Before presentation of the prospectus, students must have at least one research paper accepted for publication in the proceedings of a research conference or in a journal.

Non-Departmental Requirements

Non-departmental requirements are set forth by the Graduate School (see the Graduate Bulletin).  They concern residence, time limits, programs of study, acceptance of transfer credits, minimum GPAs, dissertation, and examinations.

Graduation Requirements

A student admitted to the Ph.D. degree program will be advised by the graduate coordinator until a major professor is chosen.

Before the end of the second semester in residence, a student must begin submitting to the Graduate School, through the graduate coordinator, the following forms: (i) a Preliminary Program of Study Form and (ii) an Advisory Committee Form.  The Program of Study Form indicates how and when degree requirements will be met and must be formulated in consultation with the student's major professor.  An Application for Graduation Form must also be submitted directly to the Graduate School.

Forms and Timing must be submitted as follows:

• Advisory Committee Form (G130)  -  end of second semester
• Core Competency Form (Departmental)  -  beginning of third semester
• Preliminary Doctoral Program of Study Form  -  third semester
• Final Program of Study Form (G138)  -  before Comprehensive Examination
• Application for Admission to Candidacy (G162)  -  after Comprehensive Examination
• Application for Graduation Form ( in Athena)  -  beginning of last semester
• Approval Form for Doctoral Dissertation (G164)  -  last semester
• ETD Submission Approval Form (G129)  -  last semester

See “Important Dates and Deadlines” on the Graduate School’s website. https://grad.uga.edu/index.php/current-students/important-dates-deadlines/

See Graduate Coordinators office about announcing Oral Comprehensive Examination and announcing Doctoral Dissertation Examination, at least two weeks in advance of the date.

Need more guidance?

Dr. Liming Cai and Dr. Kyu H. Lee

Graduate Coordinator [email protected] (706) 542-2 911

Samantha Varghese Graduate Student Affairs Coordinator [email protected] 706) 542-3477

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PhD students in the Department of Computer Science may focus their research in the following areas:

• Artificial Intelligence:  computer vision, decision theory/game theory, knowledge representation and reasoning, intelligent user interfaces, machine learning, natural language understanding and generation, robotics and haptics.
• Computer Graphics:  animation, imaging, modeling, rendering, visualization.
• Data Management and Mining:  business intelligence, data integration, genomic analysis, text mining, web databases.
• Formal Verification and Analysis of Systems:  analog, digital and hybrid systems, VLSI, protocols, software.
• Human Centered Technologies:  human computer interaction (HCI), visual, haptic and multimodal interfaces, computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW), visual analytics.
• Networks, Systems, and Security:  high performance computing/parallel processing, networking, operating systems and virtualization, security.
• Scientific Computing:  numerical methods and software, differential equations, linear algebra, optimization.
• Software Engineering and Programming Languages:  development tools, foundations of computation, middleware, programming languages, software engineering.
• Theory: algorithm design and analysis (including empirical), algorithmic game theory, discrete optimization, graph theory, computational geometry

For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website

What makes the program unique?

The UBC Department of Computer Science has many contacts in the computing industry. A strong rapport between the industry and research communities is beneficial to both, especially in cases where the department focuses its research to developing real-world applications.

I love Vancouver! It's the greatest city in the world. I love the integration of nature into the city; it has all of the mountains, forests, and oceans. In addition, the city is a melting pot of cultures, and that's definitely reflected at UBC. It feels like there's a place for everyone at UBC.

Michael Yin

Quick Facts

Program enquiries, admission information & requirements, 1) check eligibility, minimum academic requirements.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

• Canada or the United States
• International countries other than the United States

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement : 100

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 7.0

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

The GRE is not required.

2) Meet Deadlines

September 2025 intake, application open date, canadian applicants, international applicants, january 2026 intake, deadline explanations.

Deadline to submit online application. No changes can be made to the application after submission.

Deadline to upload scans of official transcripts through the applicant portal in support of a submitted application. Information for accessing the applicant portal will be provided after submitting an online application for admission.

Deadline for the referees identified in the application for admission to submit references. See Letters of Reference for more information.

3) Prepare Application

Transcripts.

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

• Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.

Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD)

Citizenship verification.

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Tuition & Financial Support

Financial Support

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.

Program Funding Packages

All full-time PhD students will be provided with a funding package of at least $31,920 for each of the first four years of their PhD program. The funding package consists of any combination of internal or external awards, teaching-related work, research assistantships, and graduate academic assistantships. This support is contingent on full-time registration as a UBC Graduate student, satisfactory performance in assigned teaching and research assistantship duties, and good standing with satisfactory progress in your academic performance. CS students are expected to apply for fellowships or scholarship to which they are eligible.

Average Funding

• 40 students received Teaching Assistantships. Average TA funding based on 40 students was $6,950.
• 77 students received Research Assistantships. Average RA funding based on 77 students was $20,513.
• 18 students received Academic Assistantships. Average AA funding based on 18 students was $6,167.
• 81 students received internal awards. Average internal award funding based on 81 students was $11,015.
• 8 students received external awards. Average external award funding based on 8 students was $19,625.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .

Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)

Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Outcomes

111 students graduated between 2005 and 2013. Of these, career information was obtained for 106 alumni (based on research conducted between Feb-May 2016):

Sample Employers in Higher Education

Sample employers outside higher education, sample job titles outside higher education, phd career outcome survey, career options.

Our faculty and students actively interact with industry in numerous fields. Via internships, consulting and the launching of new companies, they contribute to the state-of-the-art in environmental monitoring, energy prediction, software, cloud computing, search engines, social networks, advertising, e-commerce, electronic trading, entertainment games, special effects in movies, robotics, bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, and more.

Alumni on Success

Job Title Senior Director, Product & Business Development

Employer NGRAIN

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.

ENROLMENT DATA

Completion Rates & Times

Upcoming doctoral exams, monday, 9 september 2024 - 4:00pm - x836, icics building, 2366 main mall, friday, 27 september 2024 - 9:00am, friday, 4 october 2024 - 9:30am - x836, icics building, 2366 main mall.

• Research Supervisors

Advice and insights from UBC Faculty on reaching out to supervisors

These videos contain some general advice from faculty across UBC on finding and reaching out to a supervisor. They are not program specific.

This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.

• Achermann, Reto (Computing systems; Computer systems engineering; Systems software; resilient and efficient systems; intersection of operating systems, applied formal methods and hardware models.)
• Beschastnikh, Ivan (Computer and information sciences; software engineering; distributed systems; cloud computing; software analysis; Machine Learning)
• Bowman, William (Computer and information sciences; Programming languages and software engineering; Programming languages; Compilers; programming languages)
• Carenini, Giuseppe (Artificial intelligence, user modeling, decision theory, machine learning, social issues in computing, computational linguistics, information visualization)
• Clune, Jeff
• Conati, Cristina (artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, affective computing, personalized interfaces, intelligent user interfaces, intelligent interface agents, virtual agent, user-adapted interaction, computer-assisted education, educational computer games, computers in education, user-adaptive interaction, Artificial intelligence, adaptive interfaces, cognitive systems, user modelling)
• Condon, Anne (Algorithms; Molecular Programming)
• Ding, Jiarui (Bioinformatics; Basic medicine and life sciences; Computational Biology; Machine Learning; Probabilistic Deep Learning; single-cell genomics; visualization; Cancer biology; Computational Immunology; Food Allergy; neuroscience)
• Evans, William (Computer and information sciences; Algorithms; theoretical computer science; Computer Sciences and Mathematical Tools; computational geometry; graph drawing; program compression)
• Feeley, Michael (Distributed systems, operating systems, workstation and pc clusters)
• Friedlander, Michael (numerical optimization, numerical linear algebra, scientific computing, Scientific computing)
• Friedman, Joel (Computer and information sciences; Algebraic Graph Theory; Combinatorics; Computer Science Theory)
• Garcia, Ronald (Programming languages; programming languages)
• Greenstreet, Mark (Dynamic systems, formal methods, hybrid systems, differential equations)
• Greif, Chen (Numerical computation; Numerical analysis; scientific computing; numerical linear algebra; numerical solution of elliptic partial differential equations)
• Gujarati, Arpan (Computer and information sciences; Systems)
• Harvey, Nicholas (randomized algorithms, combinatorial optimization, graph sparsification, discrepancy theory and learning theory; algorithmic problems arising in computer networking, including cache analysis, load balancing, data replication, peer-to-peer networks, and network coding.)
• Hoang, Nguyen Phong (networking; security & privacy; network security; online privacy; Internet measurement)
• Holmes, Reid (Computer and information sciences; computer science; open source software; software comprehension; software development tools; software engineering; software quality; software testing; static analysis)
• Hu, Alan (Computer and information sciences; formal methods; formal verification; model checking; nonce to detect automated mining of profiles; post-silicon validation; security; software analysis)
• Hutchinson, Norman (Computer and information sciences; Computer Systems; distributed systems; File Systems; Virtualization)
• Kiczales, Gregor (MOOCs, Blended Learning, Flexible Learning, University Strategy for Flexible and Blended Learning, Computer Science Education, Programming Languages, Programming languages, aspect-oriented programming, foundations, reflections and meta programming, software design)
• Lakshmanan, Laks (data management and data cleaning; data warehousing and OLAP; data and text mining; analytics on big graphs and news; social networks and media; recommender systems)
• Lecuyer, Mathias (Machine learning systems; Guarantees of robustness, privacy, and security)
• Lemieux, Caroline (Programming languages and software engineering; help developers improve the correctness, security, and performance of software systems; test-input generation; specification mining; program synthesis)

Doctoral Citations

Sample Thesis Submissions

• Discrete optimization problems in geometric mesh processing
• Privacy, experts, and martingales : an investigation on the use of analytical tools
• Utilizing short-read, long-read and single-cell RNA sequencing for isoform discovery and detection
• AI-powered methods for academic assessment : overcoming scalability challenges in large university classrooms and conference review
• Flexible conditioning in generative models of images and video
• On effective learning for multimodal data
• From devices to data and back again : a tale of computationally modelling affective touch
• Towards alleviating human supervision for document-level relation extraction
• Methods for design of efficient on-device natural language processing architectures
• A formal framework for understanding run-time checking errors in gradually typed languages
• Understanding semantics and geometry of scenes
• Computational tools for complex electronic auctions
• From videos to animatable 3d neural characters
• Structured representation learning by controlling generative models
• Versatile neural approaches to more accurate and robust topic segmentation

Related Programs

Same specialization.

• Master of Science in Computer Science (MSc)

Same Academic Unit

• Master of Data Science (MDS)

At the UBC Okanagan Campus

Further information, specialization.

Computer Science covers Bayesian statistics and applications, bioinformatics, computational intelligence (computational vision, automated reasoning, multi-agent systems, intelligent interfaces, and machine learning), computer communications, databases, distributed and parallel systems, empirical analysis of algorithms, computer graphics, human-computer interaction, hybrid systems, integrated systems design, networks, network security, networking and multimedia, numerical methods and geometry in computer graphics, operating systems, programming languages, robotics, scientific computation, software engineering, visualization, and theoretical aspects of computer science (computational complexity, computational geometry, analysis of complex graphs, and parallel processing).

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What's the difference between a Doctor of Computer Science and a Ph.D. in Computer Science?

I'll be starting a Masters of Science program soon and wanted to make plans for my professional/educational future. I've been looking at different doctorate level degree programs and I'm having a bit of trouble in understanding the difference between a Doctor of Computer Science program and a Ph.D. in Computer Science program. I've seen it listed both ways which leads me to believe that they're two separate programs.

Could someone explain what the differences between the two are and identify which is more appropriate for someone with a development and software engineering background?

Here are two programs that show the difference in titles. These are not necessarily the programs I have in mind but they're the first ones I could find that show the title difference.

Colorado Technical University - Doctor of Computer Science

Nova Southeastern University - Ph.D. in Computer Science

• 1 Do you have specific links you can point to ? –  Suresh Commented Aug 3, 2013 at 2:41
• Updated the question with links. –  Michael Celey Commented Aug 3, 2013 at 2:57
• 1 The Colorado Technical University D of CS porogram takes 3 years and no dissertation required at the end. Nova Southeastern University PhD program requires dissertation. –  Nobody Commented Aug 3, 2013 at 3:39
• 1 Here is the wikipedia page on the DCompSci: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_of_Computer_Science . The talk page seems to have some disagreement about whether this is a "legitimate" degree. Seems like this unfamiliarity and skepticism among a fraction of people, which would affect how your degree is viewed by employers etc., would be something to keep in mind in making a choice. –  Kallus Commented Aug 3, 2013 at 3:45
• 10 I'm guessing the difference is about $30,000. –  JeffE Commented Aug 3, 2013 at 5:18

4 Answers 4

This is the first I've heard of a "Doctor of Computer Science" degree. Not having a dissertation requirement is a clear sign that this is different from a "standard" Ph.D program. A Ph.D (in any discipline) requires you to produce an original piece of research that you defend to a committee of experts. In addition, most Ph.D programs will have course requirements, residency requirements and so on.

Update : Some googling led me to the Wikipedia entry on ' professional doctorates ', which most closely match the nature of the degree the OP describes. As Austin Henley points out, this is close in spirit to an MD (USA) and JD.

• In some european countries you can only obtain a doctorate, they usually still call it a ph.d though (here in Belgium this is the case). –  sxd Commented Aug 5, 2013 at 10:14
• 7 @sxd In the US, a PhD is a doctorate. But not vice versa. There are other doctorates such as MD and JD. –  Austin Henley Commented Nov 13, 2013 at 20:06
• A Ph.D is a Doctor of Philosophy. A Doctor of Computer Science is likewise a doctorate, but it is not a Doctor of Philosophy. Likewise, one could get a Ph.D in law, which is a doctorate but not quite the same as a Juris Doctor which is what most lawyers have. There's nothing suspect or illegitimate about it though. –  Keith Tyler Commented Oct 24, 2022 at 9:53

If you are interested in a career in research, I would strongly recommend avoiding "executive-format" programs such as the one you've linked to. A program like that is not a standard PhD program, in that you are not required to produce a piece of original research, and therefore cannot claim to have met the standard of being an independent researcher (and problem-solver) at the end of your program.

If your long-term interests, however, run more toward being in management and other non-technical careers, then perhaps this would be an option—but I would only recommend it if you were already working in industry.

The Doctor of Computer Science program at Colorado Technical University has a dissertation requirement. At one point there was an optional four paper option but it is really a dissertation broken out into three papers that are the dissertation chapters broken out separately. The fourth paper is a publishable journal article. Thus you are doing much more work if you elect not to do the dissertation. The current program has removed the four paper option and is now dissertation only.

I am an alumni of the program and currently in a tenure track role at a state university while also holding an honorary position at a Tier 1 (top 100) institution. When I was in the program we had three residencies per year and now they have two. Remember that not all institutions are allowed to have a PhD but may have another terminal (doctoral) program. My Research Gate profile is below however you may contact me on LinkedIn to ask any questions. Additionally, I can point you towards other alumni who are professors West Point Military Academy, George Fox, Alabama A&M University, The Oklahoma State University, and other institutions.

Research Gate Profile https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Maurice_Dawson2

LinkedIn Profile http://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricedawson

Both programs are great but you have to look at publishing peer reviewed research immediately to bring value to your terminal degree. Again feel free to reach out to me.

• "optional four paper option". One of those "option"s is redundant. –  Faheem Mitha Commented Nov 13, 2013 at 22:37

Sorry for late response but was busy with grades and research activities. Colorado Technical University has always had the dissertation option however they had the four paper option as well. The four paper option has been phased out completely. The dissertations can be found on the IEEE Digital Library and through the institution's library. Also the 12 research and writing courses are the dissertation courses for the three year period. If you view the catalog and do a search on dissertation the word comes up a 144 times. See http://catalog.careered.com/~/media/Catalogs/ctu_6/course_catalog.pdf On pg 36 where you will see the following for the Doctor of Computer Science degree plan and description.

Graduation Requirements In addition to the successful completion of the above 96 credits with an acceptable GPA, students must also satisfactorily complete and defend their research proposal and final dissertation.

Since the program and degree is relatively small it is easy to come to conclusions. It should be noted that the college has the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accreditation and is a National Security Agency (NSA) & Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education Program (CAE/IAE). Additionally, the most similar degree would be the Doctor of Science (D.Sc. or Sc.D.) which very few institutions have. I hope this assist and thanks for checking as well.

See ABET accreditation at http://main.abet.org/aps/AccreditedProgramsDetails.aspx?OrganizationID=192

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Ph.D. in Computer Science overview

Looking to make your mark on the computer science community? Our doctoral program prepares students for careers focused on research and innovation. Whether you dream of working in the industry or in academia, a Ph.D. in computer science is the jumping off point for ground breaking discovery.

• General degree information
• Credit Requirements
• Thesis credits
• Things to remember
• Degree Progress

The Ph.D. in Computer Science is a research degree which culminates in a unique dissertation that demonstrates original and creative research. The program consists of three components: coursework, research, and thesis preparation.

Early on in your career as a graduate student, you will take courses to fulfill background, breadth and supporting program requirements. You will also take courses that help to develop and refine your research writing skills; these skills include information analysis and synthesis as well as written and verbal presentation capabilities. This part of your graduate career ends when you cross the threshold presented by the  Preliminary Oral and Written Examinations  (WPE and OPE). Taken in conjunction, these examinations serve as an early test of your research ability.

Once you have passed the WPE and OPE, you will be formally admitted to Ph.D. candidacy and are ready to begin the second phase of your career as a doctoral student. During this phase, your coursework lightens and your research increases as you focus on the definition and pursuit of your specific thesis topic and begin to prepare for your  Thesis Proposal Examination . The Thesis Proposal Examination should be taken 1-2 years after passing the Preliminary Oral Examination and is a presentation pertaining to research directly related to your thesis proposal. This examination will test the full range of your expertise regarding your thesis topic in order to evaluate your preparation for thesis research and the suitability of your thesis research plan.

Once you pass the Thesis Proposal Examination, you will be in the full swing of research. During this stage, you will synthesize all of the skills you have learned up to this point and use them to distill the material that will become the core of your doctoral thesis. Your days and nights will be filled with intense thesis preparation and research into your thesis topic and finally you will produce a complete thesis dissertation document which you will defend orally during your  Final Oral Examination and Thesis Defense .  The successful completion of these activities yields your Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Computer Science!

Throughout your career as a doctoral student you will receive support from your Academic Advisor(s), peer and research groups, and the departmental program administrator as well as a number of individuals across campus who work to best facilitate your progress through your degree program. Our primary goal is to make sure that your experience is positive, productive, and prepares you for a successful career beyond the University of Minnesota. The entirety of the Ph.D. process is complex and at times, rife with academic and administrative requirements. If you have questions regarding your individual degree plan, please do not hesitate to reach out to your advisor, the Director of Graduate Studies or the Graduate Program Coordinator for help.

A total of 55 credits are required to complete the Ph.D. in Computer Science. This includes 31 coursework credits and 24 thesis credits with a GPA of 3.45 or higher.

Coursework credits

Each student must complete 31 credits of graduate coursework, including:

• 16 graduate credits from 5xxx or 8xxx courses with a CSCI designator (with a grade of C- or better)
• 15 credits of  breadth courses  (5 courses), at least one from each category.
• 1 credit of CSCI colloquium (CSCI 8970)
• 6 credits of supporting program coursework or 12 credits from a minor program
• CSCI 8001/8002 unless advised otherwise by research advisor (Introduction to Research in Computer Science I and II)
• Other graduate-level credits to reach a total of at least 31 credits which may include related field courses from programs other than CSCI or courses for a graduate minor

Students have eight calendar years to complete their degree per University requirements.

Transfer credits from a previously acquired M.S. degree may apply to your Ph.D. program. Please speak with the Graduate Program Coordinator for information on transfer credit.

Breadth  coursework consists of five (5) courses (typically 15 credits) taken within three (3) subject areas. The breadth requirement exists to help expose the student to diverse computer science research topics and methods. There is 3.45 GPA minimum requirement for this coursework.

Supporting program courses

Supporting program courses are defined as a minimum of six (6) credits from a supporting program outside of the computer science department. These six credits can be a part of the 12 credits counted towards a minor. A minor is optional for the Ph.D. in Computer Science.

Background knowledge

Background knowledge  courses cover concepts that are integral to a minimal core body of knowledge that all computer science Ph.D. students are expected to posses. These concepts are required prerequisites and all students in the Ph.D. program are required to fulfill these background requirements.

In addition to coursework credits, a minimum of 24 thesis credits are required in order to complete the Ph.D. program. These courses may only be taken following the completion of the WPE/OPE and admission of a student to Ph.D. candidacy.

It is the recommendation of the department that you maximize the thesis credits you take each semester and it is our hope that you will complete the thesis credits in two (2) semesters. Most students will be able to take half in one semester and the other half the next semester. If you still have some classes to take, you can register for the class(es) and then register thesis credits for the rest of the credits, up to the maximum allowed each semester of 14 credits total

When you have completed all of your thesis credits, you will be put in a reduced fringe classification, which allows you to only register for one credit, CSCI 8444 which is designated as the Ph.D. full-time equivalent credit. This credit gives you full-time status for your visa requirements for international students and also full-time status if you hold a graduate assistantship. Your assistantship will only pay for one credit, so if you take any additional credits after you have completed all of your thesis credits, the tuition for those credits will be your responsibility.

For international students who wish to do CPT during the summer and to register for CPT in the fall, you should not register for CSCI 8444 but instead request a reduced course  load  and submit to ISSS. For those who hold an assistantship, you must also submit a  Special Graduate Assistant Registration Tuition Benefits Status Request  form. This form must be submitted before the semester begins and is to be signed by your advisor, your employer (your advisor if an RA, by the DGS if TA) and then by the DGS. It should be submitted to the office and we will make sure it has the DGS signature and then fax it to the Grad Assistant Office. If you have any questions about the distribution of course and thesis credits over your career, please be sure to discuss with the Graduate Program Coordinator.

• Students who take six (6) credits or more are considered full-time graduate students.  All international students and students who hold a graduate assistantship, fellowship, or traineeship are required to be full-time students .
• Almost all of the graduate level courses in computer science (5000 level and above) are 3 credits each.
• Special topics courses (CSCI 5980 or 8980) are courses taught one time only and are good options if the topic is of interest to you. However, please note that these do not count towards breadth requirements.
• All computer science courses must be taken A/F (unless only offered S/N, such as colloquium or plan B project), and no more than one-third of the courses that will count towards your degree can be taken on the S/N basis.
• Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.45 for courses counting towards your degree and no courses with a grade below a C- can be included.
• Students in the Doctoral program can use a maximum six (6) credits of directed research or independent study for elective credits. This is defined as CSCI 5991/5994/8991/8994

All requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed and the degree awarded within  five calendar years after passing the preliminary oral examination . Graduate School policy dictates a departmental  annual review  of Ph.D. progress for all students. Each fall, computer science Ph.D. students will be required to complete an annual review form. This form is used by the student’s research advisor to note student progress through the program. All forms are reviewed by the Director of Graduate Studies for satisfactory progress. Progress Guidelines are available in Appendix A of the Graduate Student Handbook.

The Graduate Program Coordinator can answer most questions and advise students on degree requirements, department procedures, or general issues about being a graduate student. All new students are expected to meet with her upon arrival as well as several times throughout your graduate career in order to best facilitate your program.

The Director of Graduate Studies is the official advisor of record for all students, unless an advisor was assigned at the time of admission. Only  faculty with graduate education responsibilities  are eligible to serve as advisors for graduate students. The advisor-advisee relationship is a mutual and an advisor must agree to advise any student. Once a student determines his or her advisor they will fill out a  Declaration of Advisor  form. A student may change advisors at any time using the same form. Please note that the new and the previous advisor must sign to acknowledge this change.

Most Ph.D. students have been assigned advisors in their field of interest at the time of entry into the university. Students are encouraged to talk to their assigned advisor as well as other faculty members in their interest area to determine if their assigned advisor is best suited to their research goals. It is not uncommon to discover that your permanent research advisor is different from your pre-assigned one. You are expected to take some time to look around, talk with professors and other graduate students, and then talk with your prospective advisor.  We expect you to find an advisor by the end of your first year in the program.  Advising is a mutually voluntary arrangement. You never will be obligated to work with someone against your choice, and no faculty member is obligated to take on any particular student.

For questions regarding the advising process please contact the Director of Graduate Studies.

Mohamed F. Mokbel

Director of Graduate Studies

4-207 Keller Hall [email protected]

Joseph Nieszner

Senior Graduate Program Coordinator

330G Lind Hall [email protected]   [email protected]

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PhD in Computer Science

Our doctoral program is a full-time program: Admitted doctoral students have only the Ph.D. as their degree objective, and they have guaranteed funding for up to five years.

Applying to the PhD Program

2025 admission requirements.

Questions about our PhD program should be directed by email to [email protected] .

Information about applying to the PhD program including  applications requirements ,  admissions information ,  admissions FAQs , and  funding information  can be found on the  Guarini School of Advanced and Graduate Studies  website.

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PhD in Computer Science

Develop Your Expertise to Create a Bold New Future

A PhD in Computer Science from Clarkson University can help you become a lead researcher in academia, government agencies, the tech sector and other growing industries. Become an expert in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, virtual reality, quantum computing and other innovative developments in computing. Devote your studies to developing original, innovative research that can propel the field forward. This is the opportunity to make an impact on society through computer technology. Coursework can be completed on our Potsdam campus or online.

Why Earn an PhD in Computer Science From Clarkson University?

Considered one of the best graduate computer science programs by U.S. News & World Report , our curriculum is rigorous, interdisciplinary and portfolio-centered. At Clarkson University, you will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and a community of ambitious peers that will help take your research to new levels.

The program is offered jointly by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Computer Science . Our small department is collegial, and we encourage collaboration among peers who might have different academic backgrounds. Our faculty mentors will offer personalized guidance as you dig deeper into your area of focus.

The departments have a particular strength in the general area of artificial intelligence, including automated reasoning, computer vision, machine learning, virtual reality, robotics, human-robot interaction and the social implications of AI. Other areas of expertise include cybersecurity, virtualization, natural language processing, human-computer interaction, quantum computing and computational complexity.

Through our corporate partnerships, Clarkson has cultivated strong industry connections, which helps open the door to career opportunities for our students. Our program is also well-regarded in academia and by other research centers. 

What You'll Learn

The program consists of a minimum of 90 credit hours earned from graduate courses. The credit hours are distributed as follows:

• 36 credit hours of classroom and instructional laboratory coursework.
• Four foundation courses.
•  Four research-oriented courses.
• Group A – Theory and Algorithms.
• Group B – Computer Systems and Networks.
• Group C – Languages and Software Development.
• Group D – Artificial Intelligence and Applications.
• 36 credit hours of electives.

You will also take six semesters of seminar courses and prepare a portfolio consisting of a written statement of research interest and representative work to advance to candidacy. Once this has been approved, you will complete your degree with a dissertation and defense.

University Requirements:

• A minimum of 90 credit hours earned for graduate courses numbered 500 and higher, including at least 36 credit hours of classroom and instructional laboratory coursework (this is above the university minimum of 24)
• A minimum of 6 credit hours of research seminar.
• A maximum of 30 credit hours of graduate transfer credit from an MS degree with grades of a B or higher may be accepted toward the PhD degree.
• At least three full academic years of study beyond the baccalaureate degree.
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 in courses used to meet graduation requirements.
• Graduate students must complete the PhD candidacy procedure within two years of full-time study after admission to the PhD program.
• Doctoral candidates must complete an original research project submitted as a written thesis to be orally presented and approved before a committee of at least five faculty members. At least four members must be Clarkson faculty, of assistant professor rank or higher, and possess a doctoral degree. At least one committee member must be from a department other than the candidate’s major department. An external examiner with appropriate credentials from outside the university may serve as one of the five committee members. The thesis must also be approved by the dean of the graduate school and a copy deposited in the university library.
• All work for the PhD degree must be completed within seven years after admission to candidacy.

Additional Program Requirements and Procedures

Coursework:

Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits of computer science-related coursework, including the following:

Foundations. Students must take four required courses across three areas: CS541 (theory), CS547 (theory), CS544 (systems) and CS545 (languages). A grade of B+ or better is required in each of these courses. A written exam option is offered for students who have taken equivalent courses at other institutions and for students who did not receive a B+ in the Clarkson course. Students who have taken equivalent courses at other institutions and pass the exam with a grade of B+ or better can replace the corresponding course with another CS course.

Research-Oriented Courses. Students must also complete a minimum of four 3-credit research-oriented 600-level CS courses. Research-oriented courses include a substantial research literature review and a research project/presentation component. The Computer Science PhD Committee will maintain a list of acceptable research-oriented courses. The 600-level CS Directed Study Courses are acceptable by permission of the Computer Science PhD Committee only when such courses satisfy the same standards as regular 600-level CS courses and include a substantial research literature review and a research project/presentation component. A grade of B+ or higher is required in two 600-level CS courses in order to advance to candidacy, and one of these must be a research-oriented 600-level course.

Breadth Requirement. Beyond the four required courses listed in Foundations, students must take one course from each of the following four groups. Courses used to satisfy this breadth requirement may also be used to satisfy the research requirements. The specific lists of courses may change, and students may petition the Computer Science PhD Committee to accept additional courses, including courses outside the department, in these groups:

• Group A (theory and algorithms): 542, 546, 549, 556, 642, 656
• Group B (computer systems and networks): 553, 555, 557, 563, 644, 654
• Group C (languages and software development): 543, 550, 558, 560, 658
• Group D (artificial intelligence and applications): 551, 552, 559, 561, 562, 659

Electives. Students must take additional courses as necessary to reach 36 course credits. Students are expected to take at least one graduate course in computer science or a related field each semester that they are enrolled in the computer science PhD program. This requirement may be waived in consultation with the student’s advisor or if the Computer Science PhD Committee decides it is in the student’s best interest to focus on completion of the thesis work.

Seminar. Students are required to attend and participate in the CS707 or 708 Seminar in Computer Science (1 credit) series during at least six semesters in residence in the PhD program. Participation is recommended during each semester in residence in the PhD program.

Candidacy. The doctoral candidacy procedure for the computer science program is portfolio-based.

Before advancing to candidacy, students must have completed the four required courses (CS541, CS547, CS544 and CS545) and two of the 600-level CS courses, at least one of which must be a research-oriented course. A grade of B+ or higher is required in each course.

Students prepare a portfolio consisting of a written statement of research interest and representative work from courses and seminars (e.g., exams, research papers, presentation materials). Student appear before the Computer Science PhD Committee for an oral defense of their portfolio. This oral defense and portfolio examination constitutes the comprehensive exam for candidacy in computer science.

To advance to candidacy, students must have also chosen a faculty advisor who believes they are prepared to begin original research in a mutually acceptable field of specialization.

Students must advance to candidacy within two years of full-time study after admission to the PhD program or be granted an extension by the Computer Science PhD Committee.

Thesis Proposal. Students must write a thesis proposal outlining their research plan and discussing related work and defend this proposal in an oral exam before the thesis committee.

In addition to the university requirements, at least three members of the committee must be from the Department of Computer Science.

Students must form their committee and pass the thesis proposal defense exam by the end of their third year of full-time study after admission to the PhD program or be granted an extension by the Computer Science PhD Committee.

Thesis Defense. The final step in completion of the doctoral program is the submission of a written thesis in conjunction with an oral thesis defense.

Candidates will normally present a 50-minute oral presentation of the thesis work at an advertised campus event followed by at least 10 minutes of public questions. After the end of the public session, candidates and their five-member thesis committee will gather in a closed session for final questions and presentation of corrections to thesis. Candidates will be then asked to leave the room for a final vote of approval. Following approval, candidates must complete the requested corrections to the written thesis and obtain final signatures. Candidates must provide all five thesis committee members with a copy of the thesis at least four full weeks before the public defense.

The thesis committee for the final defense is the same as that for the proposal defense. Any changes must be approved by the Computer Science PhD Committee in advance of the final defense.

Solving real-world problems based on cutting-edge research is at the core of what we do. Our 18 research centers and laboratories include the Biomedical Signal Analysis Laboratory , the Clarkson Center for Complex Systems Science , and the Smart Power Systems and Controls Lab . We also count more than 380 partners in industry, government agencies, chambers of commerce and research organizations also offer graduate students a wealth of opportunities to continue doing their important work.

Research 

Our faculty are recognized as leaders in their respective fields and are at the helm of cutting-edge projects. They collaborate closely with each other to provide innovative solutions for complex problems. Our faculty members also value the talents of students and serve as active and engaged mentors.

Faculty and Staff

A completed application consists of the following:

• Online Application Form .
• Statement of purpose.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Official transcripts.
• Required. Waivers will be considered.
• Minimum test score requirements: TOEFL (80) and TOEFL Essentials (8.5), IELTS (6.5), PTE (56) or Duolingo English Test (115).
• The English language-testing requirement is not waived based on language of instruction, nor do we accept university certificates. English testing is waived if an applicant has a degree from a country where English is the Native Language. Click here to see the list of these countries.

Prerequisites: A BS or equivalent degree in computer science or another closely related subject. Admission to the computer science program depends upon the Computer Science Graduate Committee's approval.

PhD applicants are eligible for fully funded research or teaching assistantships. They may also receive merit-based scholarships that cover part of their tuition.

Career Possibilities

Computer science professionals are in high demand and will continue to be for quite some time. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , job prospects in the field are expected to grow much faster than average in the next decade. With a doctorate degree, you will have the intensive research background that is required for academia, research centers, leadership roles in the tech industry and other opportunities.

Potential job titles and roles include:

• Computer network architect
• Computer research scientist
• Computer science instructor
• Computer systems engineer
• Professor or assistant professor of computer science

Recent Employers

• Department of the Air Force
• LMI Technologies

STEM OPT Eligible

Online or in-person delivery.

Graduate Admissions Email: [email protected] Phone: 518-631-9831

Find out more about the Computer Science Department .

Have You Heard of TARS?

The Terascale All-sensing Research Studio (TARS) at Clarkson University is a research center that focuses on human-driven artificial intelligence, using capture and analysis of dense multi-person interactions in online and real-world environments. Every year, they recruit graduate students to form part of the team.

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PhD Program

We are proud of the quality of PhD students we attract and the training they receive. All of our students receive support, including an annual stipend, in the form of external and internal competitive fellowships, research fellowships, or teaching fellowships. As a PhD candidate, you will share in the excitement of discovery as you collaborate with our faculty on cutting-edge research . You will also acquire strong independent research skills and begin to develop your own reputation as a member of the research community.

Because the advisor-graduate relationship is the cornerstone of a successful PhD experience, all new PhD candidates are carefully matched with faculty advisors based on mutual research interests. In addition, an active three-person PhD committee is created for each PhD student to provide cogent advice throughout your degree program.

You will find the work here challenging and personally rewarding. Students who complete our PhD program are well-prepared for careers in academia, research, government, and industry. Please visit the Graduate Admissions information page  for application requirements, deadlines, and other important information.

Application Deadlines:

• The PhD deadline for fall is December 15th. (No recruiting for spring admissions.)
• The application will be available for submission on or around August 15.

To learn more about the PhD admissions process, please visit our PhD Admissions FAQ page .

Apply today

Learn more about the graduate admissions process and start your application.

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Policies, resources, forms, course information, FAQs, and services for graduate students.

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PhD in Information Technology Programs

Jennifer considers herself a lifelong learner with a growth mindset and an innate curiosity.

A PhD in information technology prepares professionals to work in infotech, including customer success, analysis, project management, sales and marketing, operations, and statistical analysis.

The most common reason people pursue a PhD in infotech is that they are passionate about technology and would like to have a career that involves software engineering , DevOps , UX/UI , information management, and technical implementation. 

Information technology PhD programs allow students to get an in-depth knowledge of research methods and topics they will use throughout their careers. Like other research-oriented doctoral degrees, a PhD in information technology is most often pursued by people interested in academic careers. 

However, information technology PhDs are also employed by technology companies to help develop software, security systems, data management systems, and business infrastructure.

Applications for a PhD in Information Technology

Information technology research interests are further divided into topics such as artificial intelligence, biometrics, cloud computing, and virtualization, complex systems, computational science, conformance testing, cyber-physical systems, cybersecurity, data and informatics, federal information standards (FIPS), health IT, internet of things (IOT), interoperability testing, mobile, networking, privacy, software research, usability and human factors, video analytics, virtual and augmented reality, and voting systems. 

We can explore a handful of these in greater detail.

Artificial Intelligence in IT PhD Research

The contribution to the topic of artificial intelligence by information technology Ph.D. research focuses on lessons learned, framework/methods, advice/implication, guidelines, tooling, and models. Lessons learned and methods are typically the most famous contribution of artificial intelligence studies within information technology research.  

A limitation of these contributions is that they are often context-specific. AI encompasses a broad array of uses and designs, which means less repetition of contributions and lessons learned.

Therefore, the cumulative building of knowledge in this context may take longer to accumulate. In other words, a study that suggests a new AI framework for improving drug innovation may not necessarily be relevant to an AI framework for enhancing the radiology supply chain.

Biometrics in IT PhD Research

Another common information technology Ph.D. research area involves biometrics or the implementation of body measurements and calculations related to human characteristics.

Biometric authentication is used as a form of identification and access control. It is also used to identify individuals in groups that are under surveillance. 

The most well-known techniques include fingerprints, face recognition, iris, palm, and DNA-based recognition. Information technology plays a role in storing this information securely and increasing the accuracy of the identification software.

There are still research opportunities available to understand human factors, underlying phenomena, modality-related technical challenges, opportunities to advance testing and evaluation, statistical engineering aspects, and scale issues.

Cloud Computing and Virtualization in IT PhD Research

Virtualization is the fundamental technology that powers cloud computing. It allows a provider to virtualize servers, storage, or other physical hardware or data center resources, permitting these providers to provide infrastructure, software, and platforms. 

Within cloud computing, informational technology PhD research can publish articles improving systems and processes used in big data, DevOps, cloud cryptography, cloud load balancing, mobile cloud computing, green cloud computing, edge computing, and containerization.

Complex Systems in IT PhD Research

Complexity science is used as a framework for understanding social and economic systems. Information technology plays a role in understanding tourism, and an IT framework can offer tools and techniques for better theoretical understanding and improved practical guidance in specific situations.

For example, travel agencies can analyze PageRank and other statistics to determine which tourism destinations are most attractive to consumers.

Computational Science in IT PhD Research

Effective computational science research requires advanced knowledge in mathematical modeling, numerical analysis, software engineering, high-performance computing, and statistics.

It is strongly interdisciplinary, requiring the combined efforts of informational technology researchers, mathematicians, and application scientists. One example of computational science is predicting properties of atomic, chemical, biological, and material systems from first principles. 

The second example of computation is studying how fires and their contaminants spread within buildings at the wildland-urban interface.

Informational technology PhD researchers can develop tools to map such computations onto modern parallel and distributed computing systems, allowing professionals to visualize the complex data that emerges. As the project matures, IT PhD researchers can distribute well-engineered software, enabling members of the broader scientific community to create their simulations.

Best PhD in Information Technology Degree Programs for 2024

Claremont graduate university, university of texas health science center at houston, northcentral university, capitol technology university, massachusetts institute of technology, city university of seattle, capella university, cornell university, national university, university of bridgeport, university of the cumberlands, university of michigan - ann arbor, university of hawaii at manoa, walden university, sullivan university, university at albany (s.u.n.y.), university of california - berkeley, rutgers university-new brunswick, towson university, syracuse university, nova southeastern university, university of pittsburgh, liberty university, university of central missouri, oklahoma state university, phd in information technology curriculum and requirements.

A Ph.D. in information technology is a research-intensive academic workload, generally completed between three and five years. Ph.D. programs prepare individuals for careers in academia, government, and industry. 

Researchers can concentrate on interdisciplinary areas like information systems, cybersecurity, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. A high level of education can provide a return on investment by opening up a new set of career opportunities within the field, most of them in management or leadership positions.

Here is a general overview of the requirements that are needed to complete this degree program:

Credit Requirements

• Every PhD program has requirements to complete a certain amount of credits. Depending on the school, the degree may require 55 to 65 credits. Both part-time and full-time admission are available for Ph.D. students. 
• The course curriculum is similar to the master’s-level program with few additions of research-related classes. Students will have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on research projects, research colloquia, and departmental seminars.

Pre-Candidacy Research Projects

• The first one or two years in the program prepare you for admission to candidacy by working on research projects. These research projects also help you develop the skills necessary to frame questions and solve real-world IT problems.

Preliminary or Qualifying Examination

• Every Ph.D. program requires its students to go through a qualifying exam. These exams test their skills to meet candidacy requirements. These pre-candidacy exams help fulfill the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to work on the research project.

Teaching Requirement

• Almost all PhD programs require the students to teach undergraduate-level courses or assist the professor in their teaching classes. These opportunities and experiences prepare you for an academic career.

Dissertation Proposal

• The dissertation proposal contains the hypothesis of your research that should meet the standards of publications in information technology. The proposal needs to be approved by the committee of faculty members before any proceedings to work on it.

Successful Dissertation Defense

• Students are expected to present their original work on the dissertation proposal. They are expected to be experts in their IT-related dissertation topic and defend their analysis.
• This is an important aspect of a Ph.D. in information technology. It signifies that the student has successfully grasped the necessary skills to conduct independent research projects after completing the degree. 

Optional Requirements

• A PhD is not just about fulfilling credits and completing qualifying exams. During this program, there are many opportunities that a student is likely to benefit from—attending information technology conferences and getting relevant internships to help students exchange research knowledge and form social networks that will prove invaluable in their job search. 
• Since the IT field develops fast, students must remain aware of the latest trends in information technology. Conferences are likely to provide enrolled students with discounted academic prices for admission.

Online PhD Programs in Information Technology

Many online educational opportunities are available for students seeking to complete a PhD in information technology. Online degrees offer a wide range of flexibility in timing, workflow, and geographic location. 

Leading universities offer programs that can bring the best of their faculty research to qualified students. Many reputable, accredited information technology degree programs are now entirely online.

Some online schools offering IT PhD programs include Indiana State University, Northcentral University, and the University of the Cumberlands. By providing in-person and online formats, colleges and universities adapt to student needs.

The advantage of completing an Internet technology Ph. program online is the flexibility in time commitment and studying location. However, teaching and networking opportunities may be limited in this format compared to an in-person environment.

How Much Does an Information Technology PhD Cost?

Online programs are typically cheaper than in-person programs. Per-credit costs for an online information technology PhD typically range from $500 to $1,000. Since many PhD programs are between 55 and 65 credits, students can expect to pay between $28,000 and $65,000 in total tuition for an online program.

At all levels of education, the total cost can increase with the time it takes to complete the degree program. Students who choose to delay their professional careers to complete a PhD program should also consider the opportunity cost of not working during their student years. 

Finally, students who take longer than five years to complete a PhD program may find themselves in a difficult financial situation with significant student debt.

PhD in Information Technology Careers and Salary

As we mentioned initially, there are many potential career pathways for information technology PhDs.

This kind of degree often has a home in academia, but businesses and government organizations are increasingly looking for researchers and practitioners of information technology. Some example careers include:

Academic Positions 

• Postdoctoral fellows and postdoctoral associates are appointed to the research staff, whose primary goals are to extend their education and experience. Although they hold a doctoral degree, they are not considered independent researchers and cannot serve as principal investigators. Some teaching duties may also be required. Positions are often for a fixed term ranging from six months to three years.
• Average Salary: $85,959
• An assistant professorship is typically the first step to tenure and conducting independent research. Once they complete tenure, they may be given the title of a professor. The tenure track is often a long journey of evaluating an associate professor’s publications, research, and teaching. The tenure track lasts somewhere between five to seven years.
• Average Salary: $80,057

Industry Positions 

• Research scientists design innovative uses for new and existing computer technology. Research scientists explore problems in computing and develop models to address these problems. They collaborate with scientists and engineers to determine computing needs and system requirements.
• Research scientists develop new computing languages, software systems, and other tools to improve how people work with computers. They test the operation of software systems, frequently borrowing techniques from data science and machine learning professionals. Finally, they analyze the results of their experiments, publish papers, and present research findings at conferences.
• Average Salary: $136,620
• A chief information officer leads an organization’s information technology strategy, driving innovation through technical and compliance changes. The company’s chief information officer is responsible for project management, vendor management, and strategic planning.
• Average Salary: $159,468

Frequently Asked Questions

Many top-tier universities require professors, researchers, and principal investigators to have a doctoral degree. A PhD is relevant if you are looking for a career in academia. However, it is not necessary to have a PhD to gain entry into information technology unless you look into specific industry research roles. There is a minimal difference in the salary outcome of an individual getting a PhD versus someone who has a master’s degree in information technology.

Applicants must hold a master’s degree to qualify for admission. Students may also need to submit GMAT or GRE scores and may be required to show a few years of relevant work experience before applying to an IT PhD program. Strong research interest is recommended to gain admission.

Since PhD degree programs are research-oriented, an applicant’s GPA does play an essential role in the admissions process. Some universities have a minimum GPA cutoff, while others request that applicants complete undergraduate-level mathematics and statistics courses with a minimum grade. A GPA of 3.5 or higher in a qualifying master’s degree may be required.

Schools Listings

Bowling green state university, colorado technical university, dakota state university, eastern michigan university, george mason university, indiana state university, iowa state university, michigan state university, north carolina a&t state university, oakland university, rochester institute of technology, rutgers, the state university of new jersey, new brunswick/piscataway, texas tech university, university of arkansas, university of chicago, university of maryland baltimore county, university of nebraska-omaha, university of north carolina at charlotte, university of north carolina at greensboro, university of texas at san antonio, university of utah, university of washington, utah state university, virginia polytechnic institute and state university, related resources.

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Doctor of Philosophy   in Computer Science   (PhD-CS)

100% online phd-cs.

Complete your studies on your own time.

New start date every Monday

Start your first course when it’s convenient for you.

40 Months to your PhD-CS

Finish your PhD-CS in just 20 courses.

National and Northcentral have merged, and this program is now offered by NU.  Learn more .

Build a better future in technology with the 100% online Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD-CS) degree program at National University. Expand your expertise by studying subjects such as software engineering, artificial intelligence, data mining, and cybersecurity. Your doctoral journey will take you deep into the examination of real-world computational issues and the analysis of advanced computing problems.

Through NU’s PhD-CS program, you’ll be given the opportunity to propose your own research, complete hands-on replication studies, and add to the computer science knowledge base. You’ll build your own portfolio while completing your doctoral studies.

Build a Better Technology Future

National University’s innovative PhD in Computer Science program exposes you to the latest concepts, methods, and technology through cutting-edge courses designed and taught by highly experienced and respected industry experts. 

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.

Course Details

• Credit Hours: 60
• Courses: 20
• Estimated Time to Complete: 40 months

The Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD-CS) program can be completed in 60 credits. Each course runs 8 weeks and dissertation courses run 12 weeks.

Course Sequence

The PhD program requires a minimum of 60 credits. Additional credit hours may be allowed as needed to complete the dissertation research. If granted, additional courses will be added to the student degree program in alignment with the SAP and Academic Maximum Time to Completion policies. Students who do not complete their program in accordance with these policies may be dismissed.

All incoming PhD-CS students will complete a required writing assessment during their first course, TIM8101.

In this course, students will study how computer science concepts and theories can be applied and used to solve real-world problems. Students will also be introduced to research in computer science and become acquainted with venues for sharing knowledge in the field. 

Programming languages and algorithms evolve due to changes in technology, needs, security, and other environmental adjustments. Programming must therefore adjust solutions quickly while limiting the use of resources. This course is an advanced study of the practical and theoretical principles behind the design, analysis, and implementation of algorithms and programming languages for research and professional practice. During this course, you will evaluate the practical and theoretical principles behind language development and the use of different programming languages to address programming problems. You will also examine current algorithms and their evolution for resolving common and anticipated computational problems.

In this course, students will explore emerging issues in computer network design and management. Of particular attention will be topics on how mobile computing has changed the way networks are designed and managed.

Organizations depend on distributed systems and parallel computing to achieve the performance and reliability required by their systems. These systems provide organizations with the ability to leverage hardware and software platforms to improve efficiency. During this course, you will research the latest developments in computing concepts, such as instruction level parallelism, task level parallelism, multicore computing, and distributed algorithms. You will complete the course by predicting evolving trends in distributed algorithms and parallel computing.

Data and databases are the foundation of all business systems. Organizations that do not understand the importance of data management are less likely to survive in the modern economy. During this course, you will study advanced concepts of database management systems and data warehouses. You will also research processes and techniques used to improve data repositories, manipulate data, and prevent data corruption. By the end of the course, you will be able to construct, assess, and transform data to improve business intelligence to support informed business decisions.

This course includes methods, means, and processes involved in transforming raw data into useable form for a multitude of analytics. Data curation is a set of processes that transforms, manages, stores, and democratizes data for use for analysts and data scientists through the lifecycle of data. The curation of data enables an organization or researcher to maximize the value of the data and effectively use the transformed data to produce and deliver insights. This course considers data that have been already acquired and integrated into useable repository and focuses on teaching techniques to make those data usable for next steps in developing analytics models.

This course will consolidate a foundation of concepts relating to security and cybersecurity, enabling the successful examination of greater detail and complexity in later courses. You will examine the full range from governance through compliance with laws, through people risks, to technology. Various mitigation options are considered to reduce vulnerabilities, counter threats, and to protect an organization’s data and system assets. You will study the need to protect organizations from future exposures and apply critical thinking and synthesis to motivate the resources needed to defend an organization.

With more application systems and data processed, together with mobile, cloud, and virtual environments all technology system risks increase for security, privacy, compliance issues. While expectations for safety rise, increased complexity and threats make the provision far more difficult and expensive. Record tampering and accidental or intentional exposure are also among the internal risks every enterprise face. During this course, you will learn how to assess, mitigate, and manage risks, threats, and vulnerabilities. You will also study theories, models, standards, and frameworks that aid the effective design, protection mechanisms, practices, and procedures to implement and manage operations within information systems.

This course serves as an extensive exploration of statistics for the technology leader. Included in the course, is an advanced examination of statistical analyses commonly used for information systems and technology research. During this course, you will use different statistical tools to enhance your advanced analytical skills. These statistical analysis skills are required to plan, conduct, and interpret quantitative data to inform enterprise decisions. You will also learn to illustrate and produce technical output reports.

Artificial intelligence is becoming more and more useful in helping solve everyday problems. Intelligent agents and natural language processing have become common in the marketplace. During this course, you will evaluate the impact of artificial intelligence on performance and enterprise resources. You will also expand your ability to improve an artificial intelligence application to address varied user specifications. Finally, you will be able to produce a complete artificial intelligence project plan that will integrate with current and proposed IT solutions for process improvement.

Business processes change continually and require new technology solutions to improve production. Improved technology solutions can speed up processes, increase service delivery speed, and reduce the number of defects. This project-driven technical research course explores the principles and processes needed for the efficient development of software solutions with a focus on software quality design and development. During this course, you will research and suggest models and frameworks to improve software development processes based on different business problems and needs.

This course provides a survey of the different methods used to conduct technology-based research. During this course, you will learn about the research principles and methodologies that guide scientific inquiry in order to develop an understanding of the effects of research on individuals and organizations. Specifically, you will study the scientific research lifecycle, data collection methods, and research design methodology. You will finish the course by selecting a research design methodology to support your research interests through the remainder of your program.

Select one of the three research choices below.

This course is an advanced examination of the theories, concepts, and strategies for managing technology policies while developing and implementing computer science projects. During this final course in the PhD-CS program, before starting the dissertation sequence, you will research and design an information technology policy strategy for software development and implementation. You will also evaluate ways to improve the competitive position of an organization, recommend coding control structures for data integrity and security, and plan ways to address business concerns regarding the adoption of new technologies.

The Pre-Candidacy Prospectus is intended to ensure students have mastered knowledge of their discipline prior to candidacy status and demonstrated the ability to design empirical research as an investigator before moving on to the dissertation research coursework. Students will demonstrate the ability to synthesize empirical, peer reviewed research to support all assignments in this course. The Pre-Candidacy Prospectus is completed only after all foundation, specialization, and research courses have been completed.

Students in this course will be required to complete Chapter 1 of their dissertation proposal including a review of literature with substantiating evidence of the problem, the research purpose and questions, the intended methodological design and approach,  and the significance of the study. A completed, committee approved (against the minimum rubric standards) Chapter 1 is required to pass this course successfully. Students who do not receive approval of Chapter 1 to minimum standards will be able to take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of Chapter 1.

Students in this course will be required to work on completing Chapters 1-3 of their dissertation proposal and receive committee approval for the Dissertation Proposal (DP) in order to pass the class. Chapter 2 consists of the literature review. Chapter 3 covers the research methodology method and design and to includes population, sample, measurement instruments, data collection and analysis, limitations, and ethical considerations. In this course, a completed, committee-approved Chapters 2 and 3 are required and, by the end of the course, a final approved dissertation proposal (against the minimum rubric standards). Students who do not receive approval of the dissertation proposal will be able to take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of these requirements.

Students in this course will be required to prepare, submit, and obtain approval of their IRB application, collect data, and submit a final study closure form to the IRB. Students still in data collection at the end of the 12-week course will be able to take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to complete data collection and file an IRB study closure form.

In this dissertation course students work on completing Chapters 4 and 5 and the final Dissertation Manuscript. Specifically, students will complete their data analysis, prepare their study results, and present their findings in an Oral Defense and a completed manuscript. A completed, Committee approved (against the minimum rubric standards) Dissertation Manuscript and successful Oral Defense are required to complete the course and graduate. Students who do not receive approval for either or both their Dissertation Manuscript or defense can take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of either or both items as needed.

**Students select one research methods and one directed research course based on their own research proposal. 

Option 1: Quantitative Research

The results of technical research are frequently used to support informed management decisions. This course provides technology leaders and professionals with the skills needed to design and conduct quantitative research studies to support specific types of data. During this advanced course in research, you will explore and apply different types of quantitative research methods and statistical techniques. You will also explore instrumentation, data collection, and data analysis tools and techniques to create aligned, ethical, and substantive research designs.

A quantitative research design includes objective analysis using experimental, quasi-experimental, and related techniques. Technical quantitative research involves statistical analysis of data collected from a larger number of participants to determine an outcome that can be applied to a general population. During this course, you will work through the scientific research process and apply your knowledge of quantitative research design to develop a technical research proposal in which you can use to support your research interests through the remainder of your program.

Option 2: Qualitative Research

The results of qualitative research are frequently used to support informed management decisions. This course provides technology leaders with an in-depth introduction to qualitative methods for studying human behavior, including grounded theory, narrative analysis, and case studies. During this advanced course in research, you will apply qualitative research methods to an information technology-based study. You will also deepen your research knowledge and skills by conducting interviews, collecting and coding data, producing ethical data conclusions, and creating objective research reports.

A qualitative approach to research of a technical nature integrates theoretical, conceptual, and empirical constructs with common practices and experience to gain an understanding of performance and functionality, develop an applied and testable model for improvement, or provide insights into problems to develop new ideas. During this course, you will work through the scientific research process and apply your knowledge of qualitative research design to develop a technical research proposal to support your research interests through the remainder of your program.

Option 3: Constructive Research

The results of technical research are frequently used to develop new products and services. This course provides technology leaders and professionals with the skills needed to design and conduct constructive research studies based on theory. During this advanced course in research, you will examine the methods and measurements used to design constructive research studies to develop sound technical solutions or prototypes. You will also explore software and security testing tools and user acceptance testing methods in order to create aligned, ethical, and substantive research designs.

Technical constructive research focuses on models, frameworks, tools, and software used by industry to improve value creation. A constructive approach to research of a technical nature integrates theoretical and empirical constructs with common practices and experience to develop an applied and testable model to improve the fields of computer science and information technology. During this course, you will work through the scientific research process and apply your knowledge of constructive research design to develop a technical research proposal in which you can use to support your research interests through the remainder of your program.

Degree and Course Requirements

The University may accept a maximum of 12 semester credit hours in transfer toward the doctoral degree for graduate coursework completed at an accredited college or university with a grade of “B” or better.

The PhD-CS degree program also has the following graduation requirements:

• A minimum of 48 credit hours of graduate instructions must be completed through NU
• GPA of 3.0 (letter grade of “B”) or higher
• Submission of approved final dissertation manuscript to the University Registrar, including the original unbound manuscript and an electronic copy
• Official transcripts on file for all transfer credit hours accepted by the University
• All financial obligations must be met before the student will be issued their diploma and/or degree posted transcript.

The PhD-CS degree prepares you for computer science positions within a variety of data, technology, manufacturing and service sectors. Through a deep examination of real-world computational issues and analysis of advanced computing problems, you’ll expand your expertise in software engineering, artificial intelligence, data mining, and cybersecurity. These skills will qualify you to pursue a range of occupations that include:

• Data Scientist
• Software Developer
• Systems Engineer
• Machine Learning Engineer
• Post-secondary Computer Science Educator

According to Emsi labor market analytics and economic data 1 , computer science careers span a variety of technology, manufacturing, and service settings, including:

• Defense Manufacturing and Services
• Computer and Information Technology
• Financial Services
• Colleges and Universities

SOURCE: Emsi Labor Analyst- Report. Emsi research company homepage at https://www.economicmodeling.com/company/ (Report viewed: 4/19/2022). DISCLAIMER: The data provided is for Informational purposes only. Emsi data and analysis utilizes government sources to provide insights on industries, demographics, employers, in-demand skills, and more to align academic programs with labor market opportunities. Cited projections may not reflect local or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Current and prospective students should use this data with other available economic data to inform their educational decisions.

DISSERTATION PROCESS

Faculty assists each NU Doctoral student to reach this high goal through a systematic process leading to a high-quality completed dissertation. A PhD dissertation is a scholarly documentation of research that makes an original contribution to the field of study. This process requires care in choosing a topic, documenting its importance, planning the methodology, and conducting the research. These activities lead smoothly into the writing and oral presentation of the dissertation.

A doctoral candidate must be continuously enrolled throughout the series of dissertation courses. Dissertation courses are automatically scheduled and accepted without a break in scheduling to ensure that students remain in continuous enrollment throughout the dissertation course sequence. If additional time is required to complete any of the dissertation courses, students must re-enroll and pay the tuition for that course. Continuous enrollment will only be permitted when students demonstrate progress toward completing dissertation requirements. The Dissertation Committee determines progress.

Program Learning Outcomes

As a graduate of National University’s Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD-CS) program, you’ll be able to:

• Develop knowledge in computer science based on a synthesis of current theories
• Explain theories, applications, and perspectives related to computer science
• Evaluate theories of ethics and risk management in computers and emerging technologies
• Formulate strategies  for managing computing resources in global organizations
• Contribute to the body of theory and practice in computer science

Enrolling in a university is a big decision. That’s why our dedicated admissions team is here to guide you through the admissions process and help you find the right program for you and your career goals.

To apply to the Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD-CS) degree program, you must have a conferred master’s degree from a regionally accredited academic institution.

To that end, we’ve simplified and streamlined our application process, so you can get enrolled in your program right away. Because we accept and review applications year round, you can begin class as soon as next month, depending on your program and location of choice.

Learn more about undergraduate, graduate, military, and international student admissions, plus admissions information for transfer students. You can also learn more about our tuition rates and financial aid opportunities.

To speak with our admissions team, call  (855) 355-6288  or request information and an advisor will contact you shortly. If you’re ready to apply, simply  start your application today

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PhD Full Form: Doctor of Philosophy

Are you looking for the next step in your academic and professional journey? Have you ever wondered what PhD stands for and what it can offer you in terms of career opportunities and personal growth? Then this article is for you.

What is PhD Full Form?

PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy. It is the highest academic degree one can achieve in any field of study. Contrary to its name, a PhD is not limited to the field of philosophy but is awarded in various disciplines, including science, the arts, engineering, and more. This degree signifies that the holder has made a significant contribution to their chosen field through original research and has demonstrated expertise in their area of study.

Scope of a PhD

A PhD opens up vast opportunities in both the government and private sectors.

• In government organisations, PhD holders are highly valued for their research and analytical skills. They can work as researchers, scientists, professors, or advisors in institutions such as research laboratories, universities, and think tanks.
• In the private sector, industries like pharmaceuticals, technology, finance, consulting, and manufacturing actively seek out PhD graduates. These professionals are sought after for their ability to solve complex problems and provide innovative solutions.
• The scope of a PhD is not limited to India; it extends internationally as well. Many renowned universities abroad offer attractive positions to Indian PhD holders due to their strong academic foundation and research experience.

PhD Course Details

• To pursue a PhD in India, you need to have a master's degree in a relevant field with a minimum prescribed percentage from a recognised university or institute.
• Additionally, you will have to clear entrance exams like UGC NET, CSIR NET, or GATE, depending on your chosen discipline.
• A typical duration for completing a full-time PhD programme is around 3–5 years. However, part-time options are also available with extended timelines.
• The average fees for a PhD programme vary depending on the institution and discipline you choose. Generally, it ranges from ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakhs per year, excluding additional costs such as research materials and living expenses.
• PhD programmes provide an opportunity to conduct independent research under the guidance of experienced faculty. Key features include specialised coursework, seminars, workshops, and a comprehensive examination followed by the submission of a research thesis.

Types of PhD Programmes

PhD programmes offer a wide range of specialisations to cater to different fields and industries. Here are some popular types of PhD programmes, along with their future prospects:

• PhD in Computer Science: This programme prepares you for research and development roles in technology companies or academia.
• PhD in Psychology: With this degree, you can work as a psychologist, researcher, or academician in universities or clinical settings.
• PhD in Business Administration: It equips you with the skills needed for leadership roles in management consulting, academia, or corporate strategy.
• PhD in Biotechnology: This programme opens up opportunities in pharmaceuticals, biotech firms, research organisations, and academia.
• PhD in Economics: It offers career prospects as an economist, policy analyst, or professor in universities and research institutions.
• PhD in Environmental Science: This specialisation prepares you for roles such as environmental consultant or researcher studying climate change and sustainability.
• PhD in Electrical Engineering: It leads to careers as researchers or professors specialising in areas like power systems, telecommunications, or microelectronics.
• PhD in Literature: This programme allows you to pursue a career as a professor or literary critic specialising in a particular genre or era.
• PhD in Sociology: With this degree, you can work as a sociologist, analysing social trends and behaviour patterns for government agencies or private organisations.
• PhD in History: This specialisation can lead to careers as historians, curators, archivists, or professors focusing on specific historical periods or themes.

Career Opportunities After a PhD

Completing a PhD opens up exciting career opportunities with excellent growth prospects. Here are some popular job roles you can explore after obtaining your PhD, along with the average salary:

• Research Scientist : ₹5-12 lakhs per annum
• University Professor : ₹12-20 lakhs per annum
• Data Scientist: ₹8-15 lakhs per annum
• Policy Analyst : ₹6-11 lakhs per annum
• Senior Consultant : ₹12-20 lakhs per annum
• R&D Manager : ₹12-24 lakhs per annum
• Patent Agent/Lawyer : ₹4-11 lakhs per annum
• Market Research Analyst : ₹5-11 lakhs per annum
• Environmental Consultant: ₹4-9 lakhs per annum
• Quantitative Analyst: ₹12-18 lakhs per annum

Upskilling and Reskilling Opportunities

After completing a PhD, upskilling and reskilling can further enhance your career prospects. By acquiring additional certifications or specialised training in emerging technologies or management skills, you can stay ahead in the competitive job market.

Platforms like WiZR offer expert guidance on various upskilling programmes designed specifically for professionals seeking career-focused learning opportunities.

PhD Full Form: Unlock Your Potential

In conclusion, pursuing a PhD can open up a world of opportunities for you. Whether you aspire to become a research scientist, professor, or industry expert, a PhD provides the knowledge and skills needed to excel in your chosen field. Take the next step in your career journey by exploring expert guidance on a wide range of upskilling programmes available through WiZR.

1. What are some popular entrance exams for PhD admissions?

Some popular entrance exams for PhD admissions in India include UGC-NET, CSIR-UGC-NET, GATE, and JEST.

2. Are there any scholarships available for PhD students?

Yes, there are various scholarships and fellowships available for PhD students in India, such as the UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and the CSIR Senior Research Fellowship (SRF).

3. Can I pursue a PhD while working?

Yes, many universities offer part-time and distance learning options for individuals who wish to pursue a PhD while working.

4. Can I pursue a PhD abroad?

Yes, many universities abroad offer PhD programmes and provide scholarships to international students. It is important to research the specific requirements and application processes for each country.

5. Can I switch industries after completing a PhD?

Yes, a PhD provides transferable skills that can be valuable in various industries. However, some industries may require additional qualifications or experience.

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PhD in Computer Science: Admission, Syllabus, Topics, Colleges, Salary in India 2024

Waqar Niyazi

Content Curator

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PhD in Computer Science is a 3-year long doctorate level course in computer science and its related aspects. Ph.D. in computer science topics of study include Research Methodology, Data Mining, Machine Learning, Rough Set Theory, etc.

The minimum eligibility criteria for PhD in Computer Science Admissions is M.Phil in computer science or equivalent degree with 55% marks in aggregate. The fee for PhD in Computer Science across the course ranges from INR 10,000 to INR 2.75 Lacs across various PhD computer science colleges in India . The variation in the fee is based on the location and type of universities such as private, deemed, or government.

PhD in Computer Science Quick Facts

• All About PhD in Computer Science

2.1   Why Study?

2.2   Who Should Study?

• Types of PhD in Computer Science

3.1   Full Time

3.2   Part-Time

PhD in Computer Science Admission Process

4.1   Eligibility

4.2   Entrance Exams

PhD in Computer Science Syllabus

• PhD in Computer Science Colleges in India

6.1   Delhi

6.2   Chennai

6.3   Bangalore

6.4   Pune

PhD in Computer Science Abroad

Phd in computer science jobs.

8.1   Salary

8.2   Top Recruiters

• PhD in Computer Science FAQs

What is PhD in Computer Science?

PhD in Computer Science is a 3-year long doctorate level course in computer science and its related aspects. Ph.D. in computer science topics of study include Research Methodology, Data Mining, Machine Learning, Rough Set Theory, etc. 

Why Pursue a PhD in Computer Science?

• The area of application of computer science has seen exponential growth since the advent of the 21st century.
• The increasing growth and expansion of computer science have led to the growth of students opting for academic computer science courses in India to meet the employment demands.
• PhD in Computer Science provides a mechanism for the students to develop expertise in the subject by getting into the insight of the domain.

Who should pursue a PhD in Computer?

• Students who have done M.Phil/Masters in the domain of computer science.
• Individuals who have an interest in software development.
• Candidates who are looking for a career as a web developer.

Individuals looking for a career as a data miner.

Types of PhD in Computer Science Courses

Students can opt PhD in Computer Science as a regular course(Full time) or can go for Part-time depending upon their choice. Below we have discussed these two opportunities in a detailed manner.

PhD in Computer Science Courses Full-time

PhD in Computer Science is a 3-year long doctorate level course in computer science and its related aspects. PhD in computer science topics of study includes Research Methodology, Data Mining, Machine Learning, Rough Set Theory, etc. Individuals are required to take entrance exams to get admission into top colleges in India. In some colleges, admissions to Full-time PhD in computer science are also done based on a merit-list selection process, i.e., the percentage of marks obtained by the candidate at M.Phil or equivalent level.

PhD in Computer Science Course Part-time

PhD computer science is also offered as a part-time course by many institutes to students. This is very beneficial for those who want to pursue some work and want to get a degree. Indira Gandhi National Open University [IGNOU] is a popular university offering Ph.D. computer science as a part-time course. While pursuing a Ph.D. in computer science in distance learning mode, the course duration can go up to 5 years. Private universities like Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar also offer Ph.D. computer science in part-time mode.

Most Universities/Colleges offer admission based on the score of CET (like UGC NET) or conduct their entrance test like entrance exams held for JNU admission into Ph.D. courses hence students would have to make an application for such exams.

• Students have to qualify for these exams (for which they should be eligible to appear) to get admission to the course.
• After the conduct of the test, a merit list of finally qualified candidates is prepared and candidates are invited for the admission process by the respective university or college.

After preparation of the final merit list, the process of final allotment of seats to the candidate takes place and the candidate is asked to deposit the fee for Ph.D. in Computer Science course and register for the respective academic year.

PhD in Computer Science Eligibility

Candidates must have passed their M.Phil or equivalent level examination from a recognized state/private/deemed or central university with at least 55% marks (45% to 50% for reserved category candidates) in the respective domain of study.

• Students shall not be having any backlog or compartment in any of the subjects at M.Phil or equivalent level that is yet to be cleared at the time of taking admission.
• In the case of reserved category students, they would have to present their reservation certificates issued by the competent authorities to avail the benefits applicable to them.

Certain Institutes grant admissions through Common Entrance Test (CET) like CSIR NET etc.

PhD in Computer Science Entrance Exams

The time duration of the course is variable from 3 to 5 years and the syllabus is divided into various domain-related subjects and practical/research modules. A detailed description of the topics in Computer Science is tabled below for your reference.

PhD Computer Science Colleges in India

The top PhD Computer Science colleges across India have been discussed below along with their fee structure.

Studying a PhD in Computer Science abroad is probably the dream of the largest number of aspirants. But, most of the students fail to decide which would be the best college for them in a particular country. Here we have provided the names of the best colleges abroad to pursue PhD in Computer Science.

For those with a computer science major, career opportunities tend to be plentiful.

PhD in Computer Science Salary

Top Recruiters

PhD Computer Science FAQs

Ques. What can I do after PhD Computer Science?

Ans . You can get into various educational institutions to work as a professor or get into any Tech Company. If tech makes you curious you can continue your personal research on Computer Science.

Ques. How hard is a PhD in Computer Science?

Ans . While most PhDs are completed in four to five years, a few go on for a decade or more. Your dissertation work will most likely be in a very specific area, so you'll need the perseverance to keep going when things get boring and the endurance to complete a long and extraordinarily difficult task.

Ques. Why should I pursue a PhD in Computer Science?

Ans. A PhD will help you become an independent thinker in a niche topic first and then enable you to generalize that to almost all avenues, making you a very desirable employee.

Ques. Is Ph.D. Mandatory to be a Computer Programmer?

Ans. A PhD is not required if you wish to be a computer programmer. A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering is the requirement at most companies. Either of those degrees will give you the foundation necessary to understand programming at a deeper level and prepare you to start a career in the industry.

Ques. Is pursuing or practicing a PhD free in the US?

Ans. Most of the PhD programs are almost free in the US. The best part is that they pay you while you are there.

Ques. What to do after PhD?

Ans. PhD is the highest degree till now in Indian academia, so you can go for various types of research jobs.

Most Popular Tags

11 Reviews found

Ashoka University SONIPAT

Loan/ scholarship provisions.

The fee for PhD is 50000 per month around it is 500000-600000 lakh for PHD in this University . The opportunity for scholarship in this University is not so good . The students have to go to schools near the university for some time by college

Course Curriculum Overview

All the students are very familiar with each other .the teachers are also very great . The teachers are very helpful to students. I think that at someplace change should be needed for students . At the all this University is good

My dream university, IIT Bhubneshwar.

My PhD program helped me to develop my research capability. I was groomed to be a future leader in research and innovation. The professors were actively engaged in cutting-edge research areas that include communication, signal processing, Microelectronics and semiconductor devices, Power systems, Renewable energy systems, Computer Vision, and Human-Computer interfaces. I even managed to gain immediate, hands-on experience which helped me to overcome my challenges.

Placement Experience

My alumni found full-time and internship positions with a wide range of international employers, including Adobe, Amazon, Infosys, HCL, Jindal Stainless Ltd, IOCL, Capgemini, KIIT, ISRO, Cognizant, DELL, Microsoft, Thermax, UHG, Flytxt Mobile Solutions, and TATA Steel. The packages offered were around Rs.1500,000 yearly.

Student's Review On Indira Gandhi National Open University - [IGNOU], New Delhi

All the teachers in our college are good and they help all the students.The fee structure of the college forCourses is quite feasible as per the needs and demand of the course. Hence, it will not be wrong to say that the fees is affordable as per the education and facilities provided by the institution.

College Events

There some functions are organised by college management each year.College management give equal importance to sports and some other extra curricular activities.The college have a clean library where each book is available for students. Collectively,i want to tell that this college is the best.

Campus Life

The gender ratio is 1:2 Boys and girls, the college is basically provides all lab, sports facilities and each division are good at their level as per their criteria and norms. The boys and girls equally participate in each activities and Indulge in various national, state, international level tournaments.

HCl, zoho, Tata consultancy, ashok Leyland, Bharath Benz, Bsnl, cognizant, metro rail etc are the regular placement companies visit the campus regularly. 95% ofthe students gets placed every year. Yea the college take special care for placement of students and gives training and lecture session.

Student's Review On Delhi University - [DU], New Delhi

Life is pretty good here. We conduct 4-5 events yearly for students interaction with both the seniors and the alumni. And these events vary, like technical events- Annual festival and hackathons to non tenchnical events like- skits, diwali party, fresher's, farewell, holi party, DJ nights. Recently we went on a trek also. Overall, life is happening here and the environment is good for overall personality development of an individual.

I think the syllabus is updated and up to the mark, professors are quite good and experts in their respective fields. In terms of practical knowledge and infrastructure- like machines, servers- I think we should do better, being computer science department. Prof. Neelima gupta is the chair person right now, I ma working under her. I think she is doing wonderful job and we will see department doing better in coming 1 or 2 year.

Amazing college

The college was beautifully constructed and had students coming from different backgrounds and cultures. They all were friendly to each other and had a good environment at the college. Activities like sports, music, dance, theatre were conducted by various student firms and we all could participate.

The jobs are available at the campus where well-known organisations and companies also came to interview. We could also apply to the college?s campus as a teacher, Dell, Intel came to interview. Almost all of the students got placed with an average package of Rs.15 lakhs Per annum.

My experiences in NITTTR

The course curriculum is pretty chilled out. The class is more student focused and works towards creating an environment that students use for knowledge rather than just knowing a lot of things. The curriculum also prepares students for anything in the industry.

Students are required to participate in various activities and workshops. On top of that students are allowed to work part-time as consultants to outside companies. There are many sports activities the students can participate in if they are interested.

National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research Review

The faculty of my course and others were brilliantly intelligent and considerate. They would know when to rush to complete the portion and when to keep us stress-free. They never put burden on us. They would always say that a clear mind could do better than a stressed one.

Job placements were pretty easy after this course was completed in any industry or educational institution for almost all of us, because we already had atleast one year experience of teaching/working in industry. This was a beneficial add-on training.

The Hub For Carreer

The institute is extremely great and is exceptionally strict with regard to teach. It is likewise agreeable with its understudies and causes them in each issue. It likewise directs different social exercises to include understudies in concentrates as well as in different viewpoints.

Fee Structure And Facilities

I can say it’s worth it to pay each penny to the management with the facilities they provide. With all the lab facilities, job opportunities, training given here it’s really feasible when compared to others. They assure you that you will be benefited from each penny you pay.

Confronting smart people

Well we cannot openly comment on any faculty as far as I know. But still going vaguely over this matter, I can state that, the Good and Bad are everywhere. One can get to know people who are excellent in academics or research or both, while some are in none. It is up to an individual as to how he/she can use these resource (here Faculties) and to what extent. One thing I can say is that, especially in an IIT, every individual Faculty or Student wants to stand out, be that special one. It is only in the hands of each one as to how far you make the effort to work everything out.

Getting into PhD in IIT Indore requires a written exam (after your name is on the eligible list), followed by 1-3 face-to-face interviews (depending on your luck I guess) on the same day most of the time. When they are satisfied by your credentials and previous work done, they let you know in a couple of weeks if you are selected. The same is listed on the college website, so you know if you have been rejected.

Shreyas J's Review On University Visvesvaraya College Of Engineering - [UVCE], Bangalore

Entrance preview.

University entrance exam, Rank 21 Because of its popularity and good guide, it is 100 years old college, hence i have selected this college/university to purse my higher education.

College celebrated many fest like kagada fest , milagro fest, IEEE event and many more is celebrated in my college.

Ph.D. (Chemistry)

Ph.d. (mathematics), ph.d. (physics), ph.d. (biotechnology), ph.d. (zoology), bachelor of arts [ba], ph.d. (business management), master of science [ms], master of science [m.sc] (nursing), certificate course in stock market, bachelor of science [b.sc] (nautical science), ph.d. (computer science), master of laws [l.l.m.], diploma in web designing, master of technology [m.tech] (data analytics), ph.d. (computer science) colleges in india.

Jamia Millia Islamia University-[JMI]

Banaras Hindu University - [BHU]

Anna University - [AU]

Panjab University - [PU]

Acharya Nagarjuna University - [ANU]

Presidency College

Jawaharlal Nehru University - [JNU]

Ramakrishna Mission Residential College - [RKMRC]

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PhD Full Form: Courses List, Subjects, Colleges [2024]

Kopal Srivastava Aug 12, 2024 1.5K Reads

The full form of a PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy and it is a doctorate program. The duration to complete the program is a minimum of 3-5 years and you extend up to 7 years. It also stands for DPhil or  D.Phil in some countries. A PhD holder can use the title 'Dr.' before their name.

It's considered the highest level of qualification in many fields. The program involves years of study, research, and publishing work. Completing a PhD typically requires coursework, exams, and a thesis. It usually takes at least three years to complete a PhD.

What is the objective of a PhD Program? 

PhD is a prestigious academic degree offered by universities worldwide. Its main aim is to train the future generation of researchers and scientists.

Students with a PhD have many opportunities in today's world. After earning their degree, they should assess their skills and apply for jobs based on their interests and expertise. Knowing their area of interest helps them find a suitable job.

PhD holders can work as lecturers or professors, in human services, as novelists or writers, journalists, editors, critics, philosophical journalists, researchers, scientists, or independent consultants. They can find roles in various sectors, from finance to the public sector.

What are the Eligibility Criteria to pursue a PhD Program?

To pursue a PhD Program, you must fulfill the eligibility criteria mentioned below :

• To pursue a PhD, a Master's degree in the same field is necessary.
• Some universities may require an MPhil as well.
• Colleges accept candidates who have cleared UGC NET.
• Candidates in Engineering must have a valid GATE score.

What is the UGC-NET Exam? 

The CSIR UGC NET is an entrance exam for Indian nationals to qualify for Junior Research Fellowships and Lectureship or Assistant Professor positions in Indian universities and colleges. Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria set by UGC.

Some of the Important Dates regarding the PhD Entrance Exam are mentioned below :

PhD Entrance Exam Syllabus of Delhi University

The entrance exam of Delhi University for PhD is divided into 2 parts. Each part holds a weightage of 50 percent marks. 

What are those subjects in which PhD degree is offered? 

There are various subjects that can be opted by you if you are thinking of pursuing a PhD program.

Some of those subjects are mentioned below :

• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Biochemistry
• Biotechnology
• Management of Health Care
• Organizational Behavior

What is the admission procedure for a PhD Program?

Follow the simple steps below to learn the admission procedure of a PhD Program :

• Visit the university’s official website and review the PhD course details. Select your research area.
• Watch for admission advertisements in newspapers or on the university's website. Fill out the application form for your chosen course. Admission notifications are usually released 4-5 months before the course starts.
• Fill out and submit your application form as per the institute's schedule. Ensure you pay the application fee on time and submit all required documents.
• Some institutes require a research proposal with the application form. Submit the application form and research proposal to the Research Unit for review.
• After reviewing the applications, institutes shortlist candidates for entrance exams and other admission rounds.
• Candidates selected for PhD programs are assigned supervisors or guides for their research.

What is a PhD Research Proposal? 

A research proposal outlines the direction of your future research, focusing on a research question and a chapter-by-chapter approach to addressing it. In PhD applications, the proposal is evaluated to determine if the project can be completed within three years of full-time research. 

What to include in your Research Proposal? 

• Outline your proposed research topics, considering previous work.
• Highlight your awareness of current debates within the field.
• Demonstrate a suitable level of analysis.
• Identify relevant gaps in current knowledge.
• Suggest a research hypothesis to fill some of these gaps.
• Explain your intended research methodology in detail.
• Discuss the real-world policy implications of your PhD proposal.

What are Some of the popular PhD Programs? 

Some of the popular PhD programs according to the streams are written below. You can choose anyone of your choice. 

What are the types of Research Scholars? 

• Government or Semi-Government Fellowship Recipients :  PhD scholars in this category receive financial assistance through government or semi-government fellowship schemes. 
• Institute Research Scholars with Teaching Assistance :  PhD aspirants in this category receive Institute Teaching Assistantships as specified by the MHRD. Indian Self-financed Candidates: These candidates are admitted to PhD programs based on their track record and experience, but they do not receive financial assistance from the institute. 
• Foreign Self-financed Candidates :   Admission for these candidates is facilitated through their respective country's embassy after obtaining a no-objection certificate from the MHRD and other necessary approvals. 
• Sponsored Candidates :  PhD aspirants sponsored by recognized Research and Development organizations conduct full-time research at the institute. 
• Study Leave Candidates :  These candidates are granted study leave by their government institutes, companies, or educational institutions for research at the specified institute for less than three years. A letter of leave from the candidate's institute or company is required for admission.
• ICCR Awardees :  Foreign candidates sponsored by their governments are awarded PhD seats under the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarship category if they have been awarded the scholarship by their government.

What are the advantages of pursuing a PhD program?

Students with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) have many opportunities. After earning their degree, they should assess their skills and interests to find suitable jobs. Knowing their interests helps in finding a good job.

PhD holders can work as lecturers or professors, in human services, as novelists or writers, journalists, editors, or critics, as philosophical journalists, researchers, scientists, or independent consultants. They can work in finance, public sector, and more.

Stream Wise Syllabus of PhD Program

PhD or Doctor of Philosophy, courses are offered in many fields. Some major streams include Science, Arts and Humanities, and Management. There are many PhD courses available in India. The table below shows the syllabus for some PhD courses by stream:

• Science Stream :  Check the table below to know the topics you will get to learn in the science stream 

• Management Stream :  Check the table below to know the topics you will get to learn in the Management stream 

• Art and Humanities Stream :  Check the table below to know the topics you will get to learn in the Art and Humanities stream

What is the Course Structure of a PhD Program?

• The research proposal and research topic must be submitted by candidates who are chosen for PhD programs. They are then given a research guide or supervisor.
• The coordinator or supervisor of the research program provides information on the courses, assessment procedures, and teaching schedule. Researchers are required to provide progress reports every six months.
• In addition to submitting a certificate to the Research Unit, PhD candidates are required to present in at least two seminars. Before turning in their thesis, they must furthermore present a certificate and at least one research paper that has been published in a peer-reviewed publication.
• The supervisor arranges a seminar before the submission of the thesis. The final thesis must take into account the suggestions for improvement made in this seminar.
• A thesis summary must be sent to the supervisor of the candidate at least forty-five days before the final submission. The thesis is then reviewed by outside specialists in both hard copy and soft copy versions. Should changes be recommended, the candidate is required to submit a revised thesis.
• Candidates present their theses before a panel of experts during a viva voce. A PhD degree is only granted to people who successfully finish all of these processes.

Who should opt for a PhD Program? 

A doctor of philosophy degree is recommended for those who wish to work in academics or research (PhD). A PhD enables people to learn more about a subject they are passionate about. It gives those who deserve it a sense of pride and respect.

Students who are unsure about whether a PhD is suited for them may seek advice from teachers and previous PhD candidates. Understanding what PhD degrees include may be gained by investigating various PhD programs. Students who have a clear comprehension of the framework can decide whether or not to pursue a PhD.

What are the different modes of a PhD Program?

There are different modes of a PhD Program. Some of them are mentioned below  :

Regular PhD Program 

A full-time PhD is a standard Doctor of Philosophy program that lasts about 4 to 6 years. It is the most expensive type of PhD program. Government and semi-government fellowship recipients, institute research scholars with teaching assistance, and self-financed candidates usually prefer full-time PhD programs.

Part-Time PhD Program 

PhD programs can also be done part-time. Candidates working in reputed research organizations, academic institutes, or industries near the campus are usually granted part-time PhDs. A part-time PhD takes 7-8 years to complete, as students must fulfill the same academic credits and requirements as full-time students.

Part-time PhD students attend a limited number of classes. They must have at least 1 year of work experience and an NOC from their employer. Part-time Ph.D. focuses on research that benefits the company rather than individual research.

Online PhD Program 

Online PhD program is not UGC-approved in India and hence it is not offered by any Indian universities but if you are looking out for an option for an Online PhD program, you can opt for its alternative and that alternative is an Online DBA.

It is also a doctorate program and it can be done online without visiting college daily. Moreover, it also adds up the “Dr” title before your name. There are various universities offering you an Online DBA. Some of them are mentioned below 

Colleges offering a PhD Program 

There are various government and private colleges offering you a PhD Program. Some of them are mentioned below :

• Government Colleges :  Fees of government colleges are still less expensive than in comparison to private colleges. 

• Private Colleges :  The fees of private colleges are a little high in comparison to the government colleges fees.

NOTE - It is advised that you must check the fees before enrolling as fees change from time to time.  

What is the career scope after completing a PhD Program? 

Once you complete a PhD program, you can apply to various job roles. Moreover, the “Dr” title will be added to your name.

Some of the job roles are mentioned below :

• Research Scientist (Government/Private Institutions)
• University Professor/Lecturer
• Postdoctoral Researcher (Postdoc)
• Science/Research Consultant
• Science Writer/Editor
• Data Scientist (Industry)
• Product Manager (Industry)

Check the table below to know the average salaries earned by the graduates of the program :

The average salary that you can earn after completing the program is INR 4,00,000 - INR 10,00,000. Salaries also depend upon factors such as location, company, experience, knowledge, and many more. It is to be noted that in some countries Doctor of Literature is considered above than PhD program. 

Moreover, various top recruiters hire you once you complete your program. Moreover, the salaries of graduates of a PhD program according to the cities are mentioned below. 

Can I apply for a PhD without relevant qualifications?

If you lack the necessary qualifications for a PhD, you might still qualify by meeting additional requirements set by your chosen institution. These requirements could include extra study or passing a qualifying exam.

Alternatively, you might make a special case to your institution based on non-degree professional qualifications or significant practical experience, or foreign qualifications.

Special case PhD applications will need strong support from your potential supervisor, so seek their advice and backing before applying in this manner.

Is there a Degree higher than a Ph.D? 

Some degrees are considered higher than a PhD and are awarded for significant contributions in specific fields. These are common in UK and some European universities, often given as honorary degrees in the US.

Higher doctorate degrees include -

• Doctor of Science (DS/SD) :  Given for significant contributions to scientific knowledge beyond a PhD.
• Doctor of Literature/Letters (DLit/DLitt/LitD) :  Awarded for achievements in humanities or creative arts.
• Doctor of Divinity (DD)  : Recognizes ministry-oriented accomplishments, higher than a Doctor of Theology.
• Doctor of Music (DMus)  : Awarded based on a substantial portfolio of compositions or scholarly publications on music.
• Doctor of Civil Law (DCL) :  Among the highest doctorates, granted for exceptional and original contributions to law or politics.

PhDs through M.Phil

Potential PhD candidates have the option to apply as general research students or for an MPhil degree. The MPhil is an advanced master’s degree awarded for research, suitable for students without a strong research background.

Candidates may need to take taught courses to learn research methods. Completion of a one-year taught program may lead to an MRes degree, with more taught components than the MPhil.

MRes can be awarded instead of a PhD if the required period of study for a PhD is not completed. Completion of original research may lead to the award of the MPhil degree without defending the dissertation.

After the first or second year of research (during MPhil), if the institution is satisfied with progress, candidates can apply for full PhD registration. Supervisor or tutor determines readiness to progress to a PhD. Candidates develop a thesis title and choose a PhD program if deemed ready. 

Conclusion 

The full form of a PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy and it is a doctorate program. The duration to complete the program is a minimum of 3-5 years and you extend up to 7 years. It also stands for DPhil or  D.Phil in some countries. A PhD holder can use the title 'Dr.' before their name. Moreover, if you want to pursue an Online PhD that is not approved by the UGC (University Grants Commission) you can opt for its alternative which is an Online DBA. It stands for Doctor of Business Administration and it is also a doctorate program and adds up the “Dr” title before your name. 

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

⭐ will i be paid for phd.

A lot of doctoral schools do provide stipends. Amounts are degree-specific. NET JRF qualifying recipients receive INR 31,000 from the University Grants Commission each month.

⭐ What distinguishes a doctorate in the social sciences from one in the sciences?

A PhD in the social sciences is qualitative, such as in history and sociology. Science PhDs, such as those in chemistry and physics, are quantitative and need experimentation.

⭐ What qualifications are needed to become a professor?

A PhD from an accredited university and a minimum of ten years of teaching experience are prerequisites. Strong research abilities and published work are also requirements.

⭐ What kinds of jobs are available to those who complete a PhD?

You can pursue post-doctoral research, work in academia or research, or work as a consultant for think tanks and non-governmental organizations.

⭐ What is the full form for a PhD?

A PhD stands for a doctorate in philosophy.

⭐ Is someone with a PhD a doctor?

A doctorate degree does entitle you to use the title doctor “Dr”. 

⭐ Can I pursue a PhD right after completing 12th grade?

A master's degree is required in order to pursue a PhD.

By Kopal Srivastava

10 Years of Experience / Storyteller / Research-driven Writer

Loves to create story and narrating them through a Podcast

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List of Full Forms in Computer: A to Z

Computer full forms, are acronyms that are used to represent common terms in the field of computing. They are used to make communication more efficient and concise, and they can be found in a variety of contexts, such as technical documentation, online forums, and even in everyday conversation.

There are many different types of computer full forms, and they can be classified into a variety of categories, such as:

• Hardware-related full forms: These full forms refer to different types of computer hardware, such as CPU, RAM, and HDD.
• Software-related full forms: These full forms refer to different types of computer software, such as OS, GUI, and HTTP.
• Networking-related full forms: These full forms refer to different networking concepts and technologies, such as IP, DNS, and TCP/IP.
• Education-related full forms: These full forms refer to different educational programs and degrees in the field of computer science, such as BCA, MCA, and PhD.

In this article, we will provide common computer abbreviations , a comprehensive list of computer full forms , organized into different categories and A to Z Computer abbreviations. We will also provide a brief definition for each full form and explain how it is used in the context of computers.

We hope that this article will be a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about computer full forms .

I. Common Computer Abbreviations

Here are some common computer abbreviations, along with their full forms and brief definitions:

II. Categories of Computer Full Forms

Computer full forms can be classified into a variety of categories, including:

1. Hardware-related full forms

These full forms refer to different types of computer hardware, such as:

• ALU – Arithmetic Logic Unit
• ATA – Advanced Technology Attachment
• ATX – Advanced Technology Extended
• BIOS – Basic Input/Output System
• CAD – Computer-Aided Design
• CD – Compact Disk
• CD-ROM – Compact Disk Read-Only Memory
• CD-RW – Compact Disc-ReWritable
• CPU – Central Processing Unit
• CRT – Cathode Ray Tube
• DAC – Digital-to-Analog Converter
• DDR – Double Data Rate
• DMA – Direct Memory Access
• DNS – Domain Name System
• DVD – Digital Versatile Disc
• EEPROM – Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory
• EIDE – Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics
• FDD – Floppy Disk Drive
• GPU – Graphics Processing Unit
• HDD – Hard Disk Drive
• HDMI – High Definition Multimedia Interface
• IDE – Integrated Drive Electronics
• IEEE – Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• I/O – Input/Output
• IP – Internet Protocol
• IPS – In-Plane Switching
• ISA – Industry Standard Architecture
• ISP – Internet Service Provider
• KB – Kilobyte
• LAN – Local Area Network
• LCD – Liquid Crystal Display
• LED – Light Emitting Diode
• MAC – Media Access Control
• MB – Megabyte
• MBR – Master Boot Record
• MHz – Megahertz
• MIDI – Musical Instrument Digital Interface
• MMX – Multi-Media Extensions
• MP3 – MPEG Audio Layer 3
• MPEG – Moving Picture Experts Group
• NIC – Network Interface Card
• NTFS – New Technology File System
• OLED – Organic Light Emitting Diode
• OS – Operating System
• PATA – Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment
• PC (- Personal Computer
• PCI – Peripheral Component Interconnect
• PDF – Portable Document Format
• PSU – Power Supply Unit
• RAM – Random Access Memory
• ROM – Read-Only Memory
• SATA – Serial Advanced Technology Attachment
• SCSI – Small Computer System Interface
• SD – Secure Digital
• SDRAM – Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory
• SIMM – Single In-line Memory Module
• SSD – Solid State Drive
• TCP/IP – Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
• TFT – Thin Film Transistor
• USB – Universal Serial Bus
• VGA – Video Graphics Array
• VRAM – Video Random Access Memory

2. Software-related full forms

These full forms refer to different types of computer software, such as:

• GUI – Graphical User Interface
• UEFI – Unified Extensible Firmware Interface
• SQL – Structured Query Language
• SaaS – Software as a Service
• IoT – Internet of Things
• IDE – Integrated Development Environment
• HTML – Hypertext Markup Language
• DBMS – Database Management System
• CSS – Cascading Style Sheets
• CMS – Content Management System
• ASCII – American Standard Code for Information Interchange
• API – Application Programming Interface

3. Networking-related full forms

These full forms refer to different networking concepts and technologies, such as:

• DHCP – Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
• FTP – File Transfer Protocol
• HTTP – Hypertext Transfer Protocol
• HTTPS – Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure
• NAT – Network Address Translation
• OSI – Open Systems Interconnection
• PPP – Point-to-Point Protocol
• SMTP – Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
• UDP – User Datagram Protocol
• VLAN – Virtual Local Area Network
• VPN – Virtual Private Network
• WAN – Wide Area Network
• Wi-Fi – Wireless Fidelity
• SSH – Secure Shell
• WLAN – Wireless Local Area Network

4. Education-related full forms

These full forms refer to different educational programs and degrees in the field of computer science, such as:

• BCA – Bachelor of Computer Application
• MCA – Master of Computer Application
• PhD – Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science
• BE – Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science
• BTech – Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science
• ME – Master of Engineering in Computer Science
• MTech – Master of Technology in Computer Science

5. Other full forms

• AI – Artificial Intelligence
• URL – Uniform Resource Locator
• WWW – World Wide Web

This is just a small sample of the many different categories of computer full forms. There are many other categories, such as programming language-related full forms, database-related full forms, and security-related full forms.

III. A to Z Computer Abbreviations

Here is a list of A to Z Computer Abbreviations, organized into alphabetical order.:

• A  – ASCII, ATA, ATX
• B  – BIOS, bps
• C  – CPU, CD-ROM, CMOS
• D  – DNS, DVD, DDR
• E  – EEPROM, EXE
• F  – FAT, FTP
• G  – GPU, GB, GIF, GHz
• H  – HDD, HDMI, HTML
• I  – IP, IDE, ISO
• J  – JPEG, Java
• K  – KB, kHz
• L  – LCD, LED, LAN
• M  – MB, Mbps, MHz
• N  – NTFS, NIC, NIST
• O  – OS, OLED, OSI
• P  – PDF, PCI, PSU
• Q  – QR code, QoS, QWERTY
• R  – RAM, ROM, RGB
• S  – SATA, SCSI, SD
• T  – TCP/IP, TFT, TXT
• U  – USB, UEFI, URL
• V  – VGA, VPN, VRAM
• W  – WAN, Wi-Fi
• X  – XML, XPS, XGA
• Y  – YAML
• Z  – ZIP, ZFS

This is just a small sample of the many computer abbreviations that are in use today. As technology continues to evolve, new abbreviations are likely to emerge.

Please note that some abbreviations may have multiple meanings, depending on the context in which they are used. For example, the abbreviation “RAM” can refer to both Random Access Memory and Random Access Machine. It is important to be aware of the different meanings of an abbreviation before using it in a sentence.

Also Read: Who Wrote The National Anthem of India?

IV. Conclusion

Computer full forms, also known as computer abbreviations, are acronyms that are used to represent common terms in the field of computing. They are used to make communication more efficient and concise, and they can be found in a variety of contexts, such as technical documentation, online forums, and even in everyday conversation.

There are many different types of computer full forms, and they can be classified into a variety of categories, such as hardware-related full forms, software-related full forms, networking-related full forms, and education-related full forms.

In this article, we have provided a comprehensive list of full form in computer, organized into different categories and A to Z Computer Abbreviations. We have also provided a brief definition for each full form and explained how it is used in the context of computers.

We hope that this article has been a valuable resource for you. If you have any questions about computer full forms, please feel free to leave a comment below.

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