The Computing PhD program is designed to address the growing needs of industries for scientific and engineering professionals with the advanced knowledge, technical skills, and abilities to conduct high-quality basic and applied research in computing.
Three types of students are eligible to apply for the Computing PhD program:
- Those with a BS in computer science or closely related area but no master’s degree. Once admitted to the program, they will need to complete at least 38 credits of content coursework including 30 credits toward the completion of an MS degree, and at least 25 credits of research coursework.
- Those with a relevant Rackham or UM-Flint master’s degree. Once admitted to the program, they will need to complete at least 8 credits of content coursework and at least 25 credits of research coursework.
- Those with a different relevant master’s degree. Once admitted to the program, they will need to complete at least 24 credits of content coursework and at least 25 credits of research coursework
Students with insufficient backgrounds in computer science may be conditionally accepted into the program but must complete additional remedial courses which will not count directly towards program requirements.
Admissions Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree in engineering, applied mathematics, computer science or a physical science with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4-point scale, or a master’s degree in one of these fileds with a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4-point scale, from an accredited program
- Completion of Calculus I, Calculus II, and courses in each of: calculus-based probability and statistics, linear algebra, programming, data structures, computer organization, and operating systems
- English language proficiency: Students must conform to the following UM-Flint policies and requirements: https://www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms/admissions/international-students
Application Requirements
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Three letters of recommendation, including at least one from a former faculty member
- A personal statement explaining professional goals and reasons for pursuing the degree and describing prior research experiences and personal research interests, and identifying one or two CIT faculty members with matching research interests
Coursework
A cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 is required for all graduate courses taken for credit. At least 24 credits of graded coursework or directed study must be taken while in residence at UM-Flint. Courses elected as visit/audit do not meet this requirement, nor do CSC 801 and CSC 901 . Students may use coursework completed in residence prior to enrollment in the PhD in Computing program to meet this requirement.
Content coursework includes:
- Mathematics-related coursework
- Breadth coursework
- Depth coursework
- A cognate course
Research coursework provides doctoral students with the fundamental training for conducting high-level scholarly research used in the various fields of computing, and includes:
- Research methodology (CSC 700 ), required in the first year for the qualifying examinations
- Advanced guided study (CSC 701 ), required for qualifying examinations
- Research seminar (CSC 702 ), required each semester until graduation
- Pre-candidacy dissertation research (CSC 801 )
- Candidacy dissertation research (CSC 901 )
Program Processes
The PhD in Computing program has several components in addition to coursework. For candidacy, two qualifying examinations must be passed:
Research Proficiency Examination
All students who aspire to receive a PhD must demonstrate potential for conducting original research. This is accomplished by completing preliminary coursework including research-oriented directed study in residence at UM-Flint. Students must complete 4 credits of CSC 701 and have an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher to sign up for the exam, which must be passed within the first four Fall and Winter semesters for progression in the program.
Dissertation Proposal Examination
The decision to admit a student to candidacy is based on successful completion of the dissertation proposal exam, within the first six Fall and Winter semesters. In addition to an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher, successful completion of the Research Proficiency Examination, and completion of Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarship (RCR) training, a commitment from an approved CIT faculty member to act as the student’s research advisor is required. Working with the advisor, the student will identify an appropriate topic and a doctoral committee, and submit and defend a proposal for research, consisting of a written proposal and an oral presentation by the student that is open to the public.
Candidacy
A student becomes a candidate in the PhD in Computing program after completing preliminary coursework, passing the qualifying and dissertation proposal examinations, and submitting the candidacy application form. During candidacy, the student conducts research based on the dissertation proposal. The dissertation defense is expected within two years of achieving candidacy.
Dissertation and Defense
The dissertation must contain research work completed by the Ph.D. in Programming candidate. The student must submit a written paper containing research results and present an oral defense, which is open to the public.
Return to: