Dual PhD Programs CMU-Portugal in Computer Science

Memorandum of Understanding
CMU-Portugal Doctoral Programs in Computer Science / Informatics

The purpose of this document is to describe a collaborative framework for the dual degree PhD program in Computer Science envisioned in the CMU-Portugal Agreement. This program involves the Computer Science Department (CSD) of the School of Computer Science of Carnegie-Mellon University (CMU), and the PhD Programs in Computer Science / Informatics offered by the following Portuguese entities (from North to South):

- MAP-I consortium, composed of the the Universidade do Minho, the Universidade de Aveiro, and the Universidade do Porto
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Coimbra
- Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa

In the remainder of this document, we will use the term "Portuguese Institution" to refer to any of these entities.

1. Main Objectives

The Dual Degree PhD program in Computer Science / Informatics is driven by the following main objectives:

- Promote the education of high-quality researchers, instructors, and innovation agents in Computer Science;
- Provide the opportunity to confer the seal of outstanding quality of the CSD at CMU;
- Offer a specialization based on a broad knowledge in Computer Science/Informatics;
- Support collaborative research between CSD/CMU and the Portuguese Institution;
- Enforce rigorous quality control and assessment procedures;
- Recruit top students, not only from Portugal but also from other countries.

2. Collaborative Framework

2.1 General Remarks

The CSD/CMU and the Portuguese Institution shall be equal partners in the education of the doctoral student. All students are held to the highest scientific standards and must satisfy all requirements of both the CSD/CMU and of the Portuguese Institution. The expected duration of the program is expected to be around five years of full time work. Under special circumstances, a sixth year is possible, subject to the approval of the student's advisors, the CSD/CMU and the Portuguese Institution. The more specific information below should be seen as a supplement to the PhD regulations of CSD/CMU and the Portuguese partner institution. See description of the CMU/CSD requirements.

2.2 Admissions

Students must apply specifically to the dual degree program by submitting the following material to the Portuguese partner institution and the material required by the CSD/CMU PhD program on their on-line application website. This includes:

- Curriculum vitae with transcripts of grades;
- Statement of purpose;
- GRE scores;
- TOEFL results
- 3 recommendation letters;
- Proof that the candidate has completed a formal undergraduate course at the level of at least 3 year BSc (with prior research experience) or preferably MSc in a scientific or engineering discipline.

2.3 Program Structure

Each student shall be co-advised by a CSD/CMU faculty member and a faculty member of Portuguese Institution. The two co-advisors must contact each other and agree on a collaboration prior to the student's admission. Admission will depend on the existence of a co-advising arrangement which identifies possible research topics for the thesis. The student is expected to spend a first period of three to four semesters at CSD/CMU. In this period, the student shall take star courses (as specified by CMU/CSD regulations) and start working on research. Arrangements should be made for the Portuguese co-advisor to visit CSD/CMU during the period in which the student is based at CMU. It is envisioned that the Portuguese Institution contributes with star courses subject to accreditation by CMU/CSD, according to the guidelines in Annex.

The second period, whose duration is to be determined by the co-advisors, shall be spent at the Portuguese Institution, where the student is expected to continue with the research work.

At the end of the second year, the student must submit a report that includes a doctoral research plan and a survey or research paper. The nature and structure of this report and its oral presentation, must fulfill the CMU oral and written communication requirements (Qualifying Exam), as well as the requirements of the doctoral research plan as defined by the Portuguese Institution. The oral presentation should be given at the CMU Speakers Club in the early months of the third year. The Portuguese advisor should attend the presentation either in person or via videoconference. The student must also fulfill the CSD/CMU teaching requirement. The remaining time until completion of the thesis shall be divided between research stays at CSD/CMU and the Portuguese Institution. The schedule should be flexible to fit the needs of the doctoral research project. It is expected that the student spends approximately half of the time at CMU and the other half at the Portuguese Institution.

An example of a possible schedule is illustrated in Figure 1. By the end of the third or the fourth year the student must present the thesis proposal formally at CSD/CMU, following the standard CSD/CMU procedures. The Portuguese co-advisor should attend the oral presentation and discussion of the Thesis Proposal at CSD/CMU or via videoconference. The public oral thesis defense will take place either at CMU or at the Portuguese Institution, according to the rules of the CSD PhD program. The thesis evaluation committee must include both the CMU and the Portuguese co-advisors, members of the advisory committee, and external reviewers.

Computer Science Department
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh PA 15213-3891
Wean Hall 4212. Phone: 412-268-2565, Fax: 412-268-5576