Ph.D. in Computer Science

Our Ph.D. program lies at the heart of the department and is heavily integrated with our research activities. The goal of the program is to take people with raw talent and intellect, nurture them in our environment through a thorough immersion in research and coursework, and produce well-educated researchers and future leaders in Computer Science. At any time there are about 140 students enrolled. Our records show that it takes about six years to complete the program and that over 70% of entering students receive a Ph.D.

Our PhD program is a "direct PhD" program, meaning the students can enter it with just a Bachelor's degree. Students do not need to have an undergraduate degree in computer science, but most have one either in computer science or in a closely related technical field, such as electrical or computer engineering.

Information

INFORMATION ON THE CSD GRADUATE PROGRAMS
The Computer Science Ph.D. Program document provides an overview of the program's requirements, policies, and procedures (pdf).
The Computer Science Graduate Catalog: A brochure that describes the Computer Science Graduate Programs. It contains admissions information as well as an application form (pdf).
Dual Ph.D. Program CMU-Portugal in Computer Science: The Department of Computer Science (CSD) of the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University offers a dual degree PhD program in Computer Science in cooperation with several Portuguese universities. This PhD program is part of the activities of the Information and Communication Technologies Institute (ICTI), resulting from a Portugal-CMU partnership agreement. For more information, please see the ICTI website.
Faculty Research Guide: Descriptions of our faculty's research interests.
Student Research Guide: Descriptions of our Ph.D. students' research interests.

Courses

Spring 2008 Course Schedule
Fall 2007 Course Schedule

Contacts

Deb Cavlovich: questions about procedure and policy
Frank Pfenning: questions about the program's content and structure.
Martha Clarke: questions about How to Apply to the CS and SCS doctoral programs .
Students and their advisors; advisors and their students.
Doctoral Review Committee (DRC).
Student Ombudsperson.
Who's Graduating? Ph.D. Students expected to graduate by August 2008.

Helpful Advice

Advice on Applying to Ph.D. Programs in Computer Science (pdf)
This document, by Professor Mor Harchol-Balter, is intended for people applying to Ph.D. programs in computer science or related areas.
Topics Covered:
Do I really want a Ph.D.? What does a Ph.D. entail?
The Application Process
Fellowship Information
Choosing the right Ph.D.program for you
Current 2002 Rankings of CS Ph.D.programs in the U.S.

Professor Manuel Blum's Advice to a Beginning Graduate Student
Topics Covered:
Reading, Studying, Thinking
Starting Off on the PhD,
Deep in the Middle of the PhD,
Writing it all up.
You

Helpful External Resources

Some Advice on Giving a Talk Courtesy of Olivier Danvy.
Fellowships and scholarships Courtesy of Mark Kantrowitz. Also see Karen Olack.
General Computer Science Resources, including pointers to job listings.
"A Ph.D. is Not Enough", Peter J. Feibelman, Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 1993. Advice on choosing an advisor, giving talks, getting a job, etc. From a physicist's viewpoint, but much applies to anyone in the sciences.
"The New Professor's Handbook", Davidson and Ambrose. Anker Publishing Co., Inc., Boston, MA., 1994. Advice for new professors on funding, teaching, etc. Very useful for graduate students too!
"The Incomplete Guide to the Art of Discovery", J. Oliver, Columbia University Press, 1991. General tips on how to do research.