PhD in Engineering - Computer Science

The major objective of advanced graduate studies in engineering, computer science or data science is to enhance the student’s preparation for a career as a professional in industry, education or research. The doctoral program is designed to strengthen the individual’s ability to apply creative leadership in the solution of important and complex technological problems. Graduates of the doctoral program have assumed positions in industry, government agencies, and educational institutions.

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates Ohio has competitive employments for Computer and Information Research Scientists, with 270 employed as of 2024. Employers typically prefer to hire candidates with a Ph.D. There is great demand for Computer and Information Research Scientists, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 20% increase from 2023-2033, significantly faster than average for all occupations.

The PhD specialization in Computer Science offers a robust curriculum that includes advanced coursework in algorithms, machine learning, big data, network security, and software engineering. Students are encouraged to pursue interdisciplinary research that leverages the latest computing technologies.

The program fosters an environment where students can explore both fundamental and applied computer science concepts, contributing original research that addresses real-world problems.

Faculty experts provide guidance across various domains, from cybersecurity to bioinformatics, ensuring that graduates possess the depth and breadth needed to succeed in academia or industry. We have provided a summary of PhD Procedures for students.

Summary of Doctor of Engineering Procedures

Degree Requirements

The PhD program requires a minimum of 90 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree, with 30 credits of core coursework, electives tailored to students’ research interests, and dissertation research.

Computer Science Specializations

The PhD program offers four tracks that students can choose from. The tracks in Computer Science specialization requirements are 10 to 13 credits of required courses, and a minimum of 11 to 14 credits of elective courses.

Software Engineering Track

The Software Engineering track required courses of 12 credits include topics in software engineering, software project management, and software quality assurance. The Software Engineering electives require a minimum of 11credits. For the Software Engineering elective courses, please check the catalog for the full list.

Computer Science Track

The Computer Science track required courses of 13 credits include topics in comparative programming languages, advanced computer architecture, analysis of algorithms, and advanced operating systems. The Computer Science electives require a minimum of 11 credits. For the Computer Science elective courses, please check the catalog for the full list. 

Data Science Track

The Data Science required courses of 11 credits include topics in data mining, artifical intelligence, and deep learning. The Data Science electives require a minimum of 13 credits. For the Data Science elective courses, please check the catalog for the full list. 

Cybersecurity Track 

The Cybersecurity track required courses of 10 credits include topics in data communication networks, advanced operating systems, and information security. The Cybersecurity electives require a minimum of 13 credits. For the Cybersecurity electives courses, please check the catalog for the full list.

Examinations

Candidates are expected to demonstrate mastery of advanced concepts through a qualifying examination, followed by a comprehensive dissertation research culminating in the defense of a doctoral dissertation. This structure allows students the flexibility to specialize in areas that align with their career goals while fulfilling rigorous academic and research standards.

Individuals admitted to the program become candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering degree after:

1. Completing all prescribed course work;
2. Passing the qualifying examination; and
3. Passing the candidacy examination.

Qualifying Exam

The purpose of the doctoral qualifying examination is to evaluate a prospective student’s mastery of the subject matters that are fundamental to the chosen engineering discipline/concentration beyond what is demonstrated by the grades obtained prior to entering the doctoral program. The student must demonstrate broad understanding of engineering science and mathematics and special knowledge and readiness to pursue further study in a specific discipline/concentration. The examination must be taken before completion of 24 credits in the graduate program. For more information on the qualifying exam policies, see below.

Qualifying Exam Policies

Candidacy Exam

The purpose of the doctoral candidacy examination is to assess a doctoral student’s maturity and preparation to continue independent research in a specific research topic. The examination should be taken before completing 15 credit hours of doctoral research (xxx895). Students are not permitted to register for dissertation credits (xxx899) before successful completion of the Candidacy Exam. For the candidacy examination, the student must prepare a written dissertation proposal based on a scholarly review of literature in the dissertation area. Prior GAC approval of the student’s dissertation committee (on the Dissertation Proposal Approval Form) and study plan is necessary to conduct the candidacy exam. The dissertation committee administers the doctoral candidacy examination. The exam must involve a public seminar followed by oral examination by the dissertation committee which is closed to the public. Based on the examination results, the student either passes and has the proposal accepted with a general understanding that the successful completion of the work presented results in the award of the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering degree, or fails and has the proposal rejected. The candidacy exam may be taken a maximum of two times, with the second attempt within six months of the first attempt.

Dissertation

The dissertation, a concentrated, in-depth, independent study of an appropriate engineering problem, is the most distinguishing feature of doctoral study. At least thirty credits of dissertation work are required, which correspond to at least one year of full-time study. Students cannot take Dissertation (xxx899) credits before successful completion of the Candidacy Exam. The dissertation advisor and advisory committee, after approving a dissertation topic, monitor the student’s progress and approve the final written dissertation after a successful oral defense.
 

Dissertation Defense

One paper from the student’s dissertation research must be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, prior to the dissertation defense. The dissertation defense is a public presentation of the dissertation, followed by an oral examination by the dissertation committee which is closed to the public. The dissertation committee determines pass or failure.

The doctoral program director ensures that all program requirements are satisfied before signing the degree completion (including: course and research credits, successful completion of qualifying, candidacy and dissertation defense exams, publication requirements, and all program assessments). The Notice of Completion is signed by the dissertation committee chair, the department chair of the program of specialization, and the doctoral program director.

Learn more about the Computer Science, Ph.D. program and requirements

Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Documents

Faculty members of the Washkewicz College of Engineering are very active in research sponsored by government agencies and industry. Involvement in research activities provides an excellent educational opportunity for students to advance their technical knowledge and professionalism while accomplishing dissertation work. The majority of doctoral students are involved with faculty in sponsored research. All students are expected to be involved in some form of faculty/student research as part of the dissertation work. High-quality research should lead to publication of the project’s contribution to the body of knowledge.

View Research

When a student is admitted, an interim advisor is assigned in his/her specialization to assist the student in completing a preliminary study plan. The interim advisor is usually the person in charge of the specialization area. Before sixteen credits of course work have been completed, the student must propose a dissertation advisor and begin plans for the dissertation.

The students are encouraged to form their dissertation committee as soon as possible, in consultation with their advisor, who normally chairs the committee. The functions of the student’s dissertation committee are:  administer the candidacy exam and determine pass/fail; monitor the progress of the student’s research; administer the oral defense and determine pass/fail; and approve the dissertation.

The dissertation committee must include a minimum of five graduate faculty members, including the chair, and including at least one from outside of the Engineering College. Usually, an additional member is added when an off-campus, industrial advisor is involved in the dissertation work. This off-campus project advisor may be a member of the dissertation committee but does not have voting rights, unless he or she holds graduate faculty status. The Graduate Affairs Committee (GAC) of the College reviews the composition of the advisory committee and approves or recommends changes to attain a membership balance that is knowledgeable in all facets of the dissertation topic. Finally, an additional member may be selected by the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. Any subsequent changes to the dissertation committee membership must also be approved by the GAC.

All students interested in Graduate Assistantships must meet and maintain the requirements specified by the College of Graduate Studies.

Research assistantships are provided through sponsored research activities; the number available at a given time is dependent on the research activity within the College. Interested students are encouraged to discuss the availability of assistantships and potential research projects with the program director, department chairs, and faculty as soon as possible.

Teaching assistantships are provided by individual departments to provide assistance with classroom and laboratory courses. Responsibilities can include conducting classroom recitation sessions, setting up laboratory experiments, tutoring students in class work, grading, monitoring tests, and related activities. For further information, students should contact the respective department chairs.

All graduate teaching assistants who are international students are required to pass an English Language Proficiency Examination, which is administered by the University Testing Center. Students are expected to work a maximum of twenty hours per week on their assistantship assignments unless fewer hours are specified under the terms of their contracts.

Teaching Assistantship Application Form

Learn more by requesting information or contacting a program staff member directly.

Program Director

Chandra Kothapalli, Ph.D.

Title: Doctoral Program Director
Phone: (216) 687-2562
Email: c.kothapalli@csuohio.edu