Degree Requirements
A total of 90 credit hours of graduate-level coursework is required for the Ph.D. in Computer Science from IU’s Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering in Indianapolis.
Ph.D. candidates must take at least 24 credit hours of courses in computer science at or above the 500 level. Courses for nonmajors (CSCI-A) do not count.
Six courses, from the list below, must be completed each with a minimum grade of B:
Foundations of Computing
Select at least one.
- CSCI-B 501 Theory of Computing
- CSCI-B 502 Computational Complexity
- CSCI-B 503 Algorithms Design and Analysis
Computer Systems
Select at least one.
- CSCI-B 534 Distributed Systems
- CSCI-P 536 Advanced Operating Systems
- CSCI-P 538 Computer Networks
Select at least one from either 3 or 4
Programming Languages
- CSCI-B 521 Programming Language Principles
- CSCI-B 522 Programming Language Foundations
- CSCI-P 523 Programming Language Implementation
Intelligent Systems
- CSCI-B 551 Elements of Artificial Intelligence
- CSCI-B 555 Machine Learning
- CSCI-B 561 Advanced Database Concepts
- CSCI-B 565 Data Mining
A grade average of B (3.0) is required for the 24 credit hours of required computer science courses. This is in addition to the Graduate School’s requirement of a B (3.0) average for all courses taken.
Minor Area Requirement
The Ph.D. requires a 12-credit minor unless the student is a dual major with another department. There are three options to satisfy the minor requirement:
- An external minor awarded by another Indiana University department or graduate program on campus that the Computer Science Program approves.
- An individualized interdisciplinary minor: at least 12 credits spanning at least two Indiana University departments/degree programs in Indianapolis, or 12 credits from programs within the Luddy School in Indianapolis which fall outside the student’s major. The minor courses should be recommended by the student’s advisory committee and approved by the Computer Science Program in advance of any course work.
Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination is given by the first semester of the student’s third year in the program. This examination is administered by the advisory committee and is expected to have a written and an oral component. A student must have completed the 24 credit hours of courses in computer science as specified in the Computer Science Course Requirements before taking the qualifying exam. If failed, the exam may be retaken once, by the end of the third year. Students who fail the second exam cannot continue in the program.
Dissertation Defense
A written elaboration of significant original research must be successfully presented to the student’s research committee in a public oral defense.
last updated: 3/2024
