Ph.D. in Computer Science

The Ph.D. program generally takes 4 years to complete. The duration may take longer depending on thesis/dissertation topic, writing, and research.

The PhDCS at NC A&T can be earned by the completion of required course work, research, and a dissertation. Students must specialize in one of the research areas and meet all requirements for Ph.D. in CS at NC A&T. A student must complete 72 credit hours of course work that include 42 hours graded courses and 30 hours of non-graded courses beyond the B.S. The required 42 graded course hours include nine hours of core courses, six hours of security courses, three hours of AI and web-based software. A student must take at least 21 hours of 8xx level courses. The required non-graded courses include Doctoral Qualifying Exam, Doctoral Research Examination, Doctoral Preliminary Examination, and Doctoral Dissertation.

Post-baccalaureate option

Total credit hours: 63

• Core courses (9 credits): COMP 710, 755, 775
• COMP electives (24 credits): Take 24 credits of additional COMP 700-899 courses with approval of the advisor
• Electives (6 credits): Take 6 credit hours from COMP 700-899 or other departments with the approval of the advisor
• Take 6 credit hours: COMP 892, 994
• Dissertation (18 credits): COMP 997
• Pass qualifying exam, preliminary exam, dissertation defense

Post-MS degree option

Total credit hours: 45

• Core courses* (9 credits): COMP 755, 775, 892
• COMP electives (9 credits): Take 9 credits of additional COMP 700-899 courses with approval of the advisor
• Electives (6 credits): Take 6 credit hours from COMP 700-899 or other departments with the approval of the advisor
• Take 3 credit hours: COMP 994
• Dissertation (18 credits): COMP 997
• Pass qualifying exam, preliminary exam, dissertation defense

* If a student has already taken a core course then the student must substitute this course with an elective course with the approval of the advisor.

Dissertation Research

A student may not register for dissertation credits before passing the Qualifying Examination. No more than 18 dissertation credits are counted toward the total credit hours required for the degree.

Qualifying Examination

The Qualifying Examination is given to assess the student’s competence in a broad range of relevant subject areas. Only students with unconditional status and in good academic standing may take the Qualifying Examination. A student who wants to retake the Qualifying Examination must apply to retake the Qualifying Examination by the posted deadline. No student is permitted to take the Qualifying Examination more than twice. A student not recommended for re-examination or who fails the exam on a second attempt may be dismissed from the doctoral program.

Preliminary Oral Examination

The Preliminary Oral Examination is conducted by the student's dissertation committee and is a defense of the student’s dissertation proposal. Passing this exam satisfies the requirements for Ph.D. Candidacy. Failure on the examination may result in dismissal from the doctoral program. The student's Advisory Committee may permit one re-examination. At least one full semester must elapse before the re-examination. Failure on the second attempt will result in dismissal from the doctoral program.

Admission to Candidacy

Students will be admitted to candidacy upon successful completion of the Qualifying Exam and the Preliminary Oral Exam.

Final Oral Examination

The Final Oral Examination is conducted by the student's dissertation committee. This examination is the final dissertation defense presentation that is scheduled after a dissertation is completed. The examination may be held no earlier than one semester (or four months) after admission to candidacy. Failure on the examination may result in dismissal from the doctoral program. The student's Advisory Committee may permit one re-examination. At least one full semester must elapse before the re-examination. Failure on the second attempt will result in dismissal from the doctoral program.

Submission of Dissertation

Upon passing the Ph.D. Final Oral Examination, the Ph.D. student must have the dissertation approved by each member of the student's dissertation committee. The approved dissertation must be submitted to The Graduate College by the deadline given in the academic calendar and must conform to the Graduate College’s guidelines for theses and dissertations.

• Graduates of the Ph.D. program will conduct advanced research in such computer science areas as information security, distributed systems, and artificial intelligence.
• Graduates will develop the ability to identify research problems in computer science and to develop solutions for them.
• Graduates will develop the ability to address important computing problems from a variety of areas, including business, the environment, the State’s economy, healthcare, and law enforcement.
• Graduates will develop the ability to examine certain grand challenge problems in the discipline.
• Graduates will acquire the skills and abilities to be effective educators in computer science at the university level.

Computer Scientists work in a wide variety of jobs that continue to expand with new technology. Typical types of jobs that computer scientists might perform include software engineering, computer system analysis, systems administration, artificial intelligence research, network administration, database administration, internet systems engineering, web page design, cyber security, and web engineering.