Ph.D. CS Program of Study
The Computer Science PhD program is divided up into a series of milestones which every student progresses through on the way to the degree. Bold text indicates additions that are still in the process of final approval by the Institute.
CS 7001: Introduction to Graduate Studies
During students' first semester at the College, they are expected to enroll in CS7001, Introduction to Graduate Studies. This course helps prepare students for research in computer science, and provides an introduction to the various research areas in the College.
Research Credit
Research with a faculty member is an essential aspect of the Computer Science Ph.D. Newly admitted students are expected to work on one or more jointly-defined research projects with faculty members in the College. While one goal of this is for the student to gain practical experience in doing research, these semester-long projects also serve as a way for students and faculty to begin to explore potential advisor relationships.
Before students have a formal advisor, they are expected to register for CS 8903, Special Problems in Computer Science, under the supervision of a faculty member in the College. Registration for this course is restricted, and requires that students and the supervising faculty member complete a form describing the research to be completed over the course of the semester. Students may occasionally participate in multiple 8903 research projects in any given semester, given time and other commitments, and may participate in 8903 research projects for several semesters until they have a formal research advisor.
Once students have a formal advisor, they are expected to focus on what will become their dissertation research under the supervision of their advisor. At this stage, students will register for CS 8999, Doctoral Thesis Preparation. Students and their advisor must fill out the CS 8999 permit form that indicates the general research direction and that confirms the establishment of the advisory relationship. This form only needs to be filled out one time.
Breadth Component
After admission, a student begins to work on fulfilling the breadth requirement. The breadth component of the program is intended to give students a view into a variety of areas within computing. Each student must take classes in 4 of the (15)18 areas of computer science. The (15)18 areas are:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Computational Science and Engineering
- Computer Architecture
- Cryptography
- Database Systems
- Graphics and Visualization
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Information security (TO BE REMOVED)
- Learning Sciences and Technology
- Machine Learning
- Network Security
- Networking and Communications
- Privacy, Security and Policy
- Programming Languages and Compilers
- Social Computing
- Software Methodology and Engineering
- System Security
- Systems (Including Operating Systems, and Distributed and Parallel Processing)
- Theoretical Computer Science
Of the four different courses, one must be from the Theory area. Students must earn an A or B in all of these courses, and more As than Bs total.
Students who have taken graduate level courses elsewhere before entering the program can petition to have those classes count towards filling the breadth requirement.
Programming Proficiency Requirement
In addition, each student must complete a Programming Proficiency requirement. A single class may satisfy both the Programming Proficiency requirement and a Breadth area requirement. The Programming Proficiency requirement must be fulfilled at Georgia Tech and may not be satisfied by transfer credit or advanced standing.
The courses that can satisfy the Programming Proficiency Requirement are:
- CS 6210 Advanced Operating Systems
- CS 6238 Secure Computer Systems
- CS 6241 Design and Implementation of Compilers
- CS 6262 Network Security
- CS 6264 System and Network Defenses Lab
- CS 6290 High-Performance Computer Architecture
- CS 6476 Computer Vision
- CS 6601 Artificial Intelligence
- CS 7490 Advanced Image Synthesis
- CS 7492 Simulation of Biology
- CS 7632 Game AI
- CS 7637 Knowledge-Based AI
- CS 7643 Deep Learning
- CS 7646 Machine Learning for Trading
- CS 7650 Natural Language
Breadth Component Areas and Classes
Breadth Area | Classes |
|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence | CS 6601 Artificial Intelligence CS 6795 Introduction to Cognitive Science CS 7495 Computer Vision CS 7630 Autonomous Robotics CS 7631 Multi-Robot Systems CS 7632 Game AI CS 7633 Human-Robot Interaction CS 7634 AI Storytelling in Virtual Worlds CS 7636 Computational Perception CS 7637 Knowledge-Based AI CS 7641 Machine Learning CS 7643 Deep Learning CS 7647 Machine Learning with Limited Supervision CS 7648 Interactive Robot Learning CS 7649 Robot Intelligence: Planning CS 7650 Natural Language Understanding CS 7651 Human and Machine Learning CSE 6740 Computational Data Analysis |
| Computational Science and Engineering | CSE 6140 Computational Science and Engineering Algorithms CSE 6220 High Performance Computing CSE 6730 Modeling and Simulation: Foundations and Implementation CSE/Math 6643 Numerical Linear Algebra CSE/ISYE 6740 Computational Data Analysis |
| Computer Architecture | CS 6290 High Performance Computer Architectures CS 7290 Advanced Microarchitecture CS 7292 Reliability and Security in Computer Architecture Note: students who have not already taken CS 6290 or the equivalent should take CS 6290 to satisfy this requirement. Those who have already taken CS 6290, or CS 4290 (Advanced Computer Organization) or the equivalent, can satisfy this requirement by taking CS 7290 or CS 7292. |
| Cryptography | CS 6260 Applied Cryptography CS 7560 Theoretical Foundations of Cryptography CS 8803 BC Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies CS 8803 SMC Secure Multiparty Computation CS 8803 SCP Secure Communication Protocols |
| Database Systems | CS 4420 Database System Implementation CS 6400 Database System Concepts and Design CS 6411 Object-Oriented Database Models and Systems CS 6421 Temporal, Spatial, and Active Databases CS 6422 Database Systems Implementation CS 6430 Parallel and Distributed Database Systems and Applications |
| Graphics & Visualization | CS 6421 Temporal, Spatial, and Active Databases CS 6476 Computer Vision CS 6480 Computer Visualization Techniques CS 6491 Computer Graphics CS 6780 Medical Image Processing CS 7476 Advanced Computer Vision CS 7490 Advanced Image Synthesis CS 7491 3D Complexity CS 7496 Computer Animation CS 7497 Virtual Environments CS 7636 Computational Perception |
| Human Computer Interaction | CS 6451 Introduction to Human-Centered Computing CS 6455 User Interface Design and Evaluation CS 6456 Principles of User Interface Software CS 6470 Design of Online Communities CS 6750 Human-Computer Interaction CS 7450 Information Visualization CS 7451 Human-Centered Data Analysis CS 7460 Collaborative Computing CS 7470 Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing CS 7633 Human-Robot Interaction |
Information Security (TO BE REMOVED) | CS 6238 Secure Computer Systems CS 6260 Applied Cryptography CS 6262 Network Security CS 6265 Information Security Lab CS 6747 Advanced Topics in Malware Analysis CS 7560 Theoretical Foundations of Cryptography CS 8803 Special Topics: Formal Modeling and Analysis of Computer Systems |
| Learning Sciences and Technology | CS 6460 Educational Technology: Foundations CS 6461 Computing Education Research CS 7465 Educational Technology: Design and Evaluation CS 7467 Computer Supported Collaborative Learning CS 8803 Special Topics: Cognition and Education |
| Machine Learning | CS 6476 Computer Vision CS 7545 Theoretical Foundations of ML CS 7616 Pattern Recognition CS 7641 Machine Learning CS 7643 Deep Learning CS 7646 Machine Learning for Trading CSE 6240 Web Search and Text Mining CSE 6242 Data and Visual Analytics CSE 6740 Computational Data Analysis |
| Networking and Communications | CS 6250 Computer Networks CS 7260 Internetworking Architectures and Protocols CS 7270 Networked Applications and Services CS 7280 Network Science |
| Network Security | CS 6262 Computer Network Security CS 6264 System and Network Defenses Lab CS 8803 ECS Empirical Computer Security CS 8803 EMS Advanced Network Security and Measurement CS 8803 SII Securing Internet Infrastructure |
| Programming Languages and Compilers | CS 6241 Design and Implementation of Compilers CS 6245 Compiling for Parallelism CS 6390 Programming Language Design CS 8803 Special Topics: Topics in Program Analysis |
| Privacy, Security and Policy | CS 6268 Psychology of Cybersecurity CS 6725 Information Security Strategies and Policies CS 6726 Privacy, Technology, Policy, and Law CS 6268 Psychology of Cybersecurity CS 8803 SPD Security, Privacy, and Democracy |
| Social Computing | CS 6465 Computational Journalism CS 6470 Design of Online Communities CS 6474 Social Computing CS 6675 Advanced Internet Computing Systems and Applications CS 7270 Networked Applications and Services CS 7460 Collaborative Computing CS 7467 Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning CS 8893 Special Topics in Cognitive Science: Cognition and Culture |
| Software Methodology and Engineering | CS 6300 Software Development Process CS 6301 Advanced Topics in Software Engineering CS 6310 Software Architecture and Design CS 6320 Software Requirements Analysis and Specification CS 6330 Software Generation, Testing, and Maintenance CS 6340 Software Analysis and Testing CS 8803 Special Topics: Formal Modeling and Analysis of Computing Systems |
| Systems | CS 6210 Advanced Operating Systems CS 6235 Real-time Systems CS 6365 Introduction to Enterprise Computing CS 6675 Advanced Internet Computing Systems and Applications CS 7210 Distributed Computing |
| System Security | CS 6238 Secure Computer SystemsCS CS 6263 Intro to Cyber Physical Systems CS 6265 Information Security Lab: Binary Exploitation CS 6402 Databases and Information Security CS 6747 Advanced Malware Analysis CS 8803 COD Cybersecurity of Drones CS 8803 ESC Exploiting Smart Contract/DeFi |
| Theory | CS 6505 Computability, Algorithms, and Complexity CS 6515 Intro to Graduate Algorithms CS 6520 Computational Complexity Theory CS 6550 Design and Analysis of Algorithms CS 7510 Graph Algorithms CS 7520 Approximation Algorithms CS 7530 Randomized Algorithm CSE 6140 Computational Science and Engineering Algorithms |
Minor
The minor is a sequence of non-College of Computing courses with a coherent theme, totaling 6 credit hours. These courses should have a subject designator OTHER than "CS/CSE" as reported on your transcript. Their theme should somehow relate to the subject of the student's thesis and research.
The classes must be taken for a letter grade, with at least a "B" average. Courses should be at the graduate level, but one approved 4000-level course may be used. No more than three of the hours may be directed research.
After completing all the minor classes, download and fill out the Minor form.
Qualifying Exam
As a student's research progresses, he or she must select a primary, and possibly secondary, area of focus from the areas of research in the College and then pass a Qualifier in that area or areas. The Qualifier is a student's first step toward achieving candidacy in the doctoral program. This Qualifier functions as Georgia Tech's Comprehensive Examination. Click here to view the list of areas of research in the College identified for the Qualifier and Breadth Requirements.
The Exam Committee
The student must identify a research advisor and an exam committee of at least three other faculty from the area to oversee the Qualifier.
Results
- The exam committee is responsible for determining if a student has passed the Qualifier. The results of the Qualifier will be communicated to the school graduate coordinators by the respective area advisor. The student should fill out the Qualifier Form after passing the Exam.
- Each student is allowed two opportunities to pass both the area knowledge and creativity components of the examination. The two components are treated independently, so a student need not pass both at the same time. Students who are not able to pass the Qualifier after two attempts will be encouraged to seek a Master's degree, and they will not be able to continue in the doctoral program.
- After successfully completing the Qualifier, student focuses on research leading toward a dissertation. Students should register for doctoral dissertation hours (CS 9000) after passing the Qualifier rather than registering for Special Problems (CS 8903).
- The topic of the student's research is formalized through both a written dissertation proposal and an oral presentation.
Create a Research Portfolio
In consultation with your advisor and the committee, assemble a research portfolio before the oral exam. The nature of the portfolio is decided by the committee. The portfolio shall be handed over to the exam committee at least one week prior to the oral exam.
Schedule the Oral Exam
Schedule an oral exam in consultation with the committee. The oral exam should preferably be held before the end of the semester. The oral exam date and the names of the exam committee members should be communicated to the PhD Program Coordinator in your school.
Thesis Proposal
The PhD. proposal consists of:
- A proposal document written by the student in which he/she will propose the research work to be undertaken as part of his/her doctoral work and a schedule for completion
- An oral defense of the proposal document
Committee
PhD. proposal will be administered by the student's thesis advisory committee (the advisor plus at least two other faculty members), chosen jointly by the student and the advisor. A majority of the members of the advisory committee must hold their primary appointments on the College of Computing faculty. It is a good practice to have all members (including the external committee member) of your dissertation defense committee in your proposal committee.
Proposal Announcement
The proposal must be announced publicly to the College at least one week prior to the date of the oral defense. Please provide a copy of the announcement to the PhD Program Coordinator in your school.
Format
There is no fixed format for the oral defense. The advisor, as the chair of the committee, conducts the examination. Here is a typical way in which it may be run:
- The student will make a presentation to the committee and others present.
- After the presentation there is a question and answer period. The chair then asks everyone other than the committee members and Georgia Tech faculty to leave. The committee members then have an opportunity to ask more questions. Then the student is asked to leave.
- The committee deliberates and then decides whether the student has passed the proposal defense. They give feedback to the student on the proposal either individually or through the advisor.
A student must have passed the qualifying examination to do a PhD. proposal. A student who has passed the proposal defense and has also completed all course requirements (except the minor), maintaining a satisfactory scholastic record, has achieved PhD. candidacy and should submit the Candidacy form.
Dissertation Defense
Before the announcement of the public PhD. dissertation defense, your advisor must approve that the dissertation is ready to be given to the dissertation committee, and the dissertation committee must approve that the dissertation is ready for the public dissertation defense. Before giving this approval, the entire committee is expected to have read the dissertation and to have given comments to the student. The committee must approve that a substantial and defensible portion of the dissertation has been completed. Three (3) weeks is a reasonable amount of time for reading the dissertation.
After the approval, the candidate’s academic department must announce the public dissertation defense at least fifteen (15) days in advance, and it must forward this announcement together with the names of the dissertation committee to the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.
The public dissertation defense starts with a presentation by the candidate and is followed by a question-answer period. The advisor, who is the chair of the committee, determines who may ask questions and in which order and brings the discussion to a close at the appropriate time. The question-answer period is followed by a closed-door session attended by only the members of the PhD. dissertation committee and interested Georgia Tech faculty.
The dissertation committee must take one of the following actions:
- To approve the dissertation without corrections.
- To approve the dissertation with minor corrections, to be approved by the advisor only.
- To require a resubmission with major changes and re-approval by the entire committee.
- Not to approve the dissertation.
The dissertation committee may recommend one additional defense if the dissertation is resubmitted with major changes or if the dissertation is not approved.
The candidate must make any corrections deemed necessary by the dissertation committee and the committee must sign the dissertation approval form after the dissertation has been approved. The format of the dissertation must meet the published institute guidelines.
The candidate must submit the dissertation and the signed dissertation approval form to the Georgia Institute of Technology Office Graduate Studies and Research by the deadline published by the Institute. The deadline is typically 12-14 days before last day of classes. Check the official school calendar.
Committee
As mentioned above, your advisor is the chair of your dissertation defense committee. Your committee should be formed of at least five people. At least one faculty member must be from outside CoC (from another unit at Tech or an outsider, and should have a Ph.D.), but the majority must have some CoC faculty appointment.
Note: You only need to have three people on your committee at the time of your proposal, but it is recommended that you have all five members at that time. All members of your committee should be present for the defense; however, in hardship cases, measures such as conference calls can be used as well.
Advertising the defense
The Graduate Studies office asks that you post an announcement of the defense to the git.cc.general and git.announce newsgroups. This should be done at least fifteen (15) working days prior to the defense. The announcement should consist of the day/time/place of the defense, title, abstract, and a list of the committee members. Please provide an electronic copy of this announcement to the PhD Program Coordinator in your school so that s/he may forward it to the GT Graduate Studies department.