Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Computer Science

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  Admission Requirements
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  Program Structure
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  Major Research Areas

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  Application Deadlines
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  FAQ's
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  Cohorts

The innovative Computer Science Ph.D. program blends the highest level of theoretical foundations in Computer Science with the study of real-world problems. The curriculum is designed to prepare you for a career as a cutting-edge researcher or an experienced educator who can meet current and projected market demands for technological advancements in computing. You can apply expertise from this CS program to a future career in academia, research, business and industry, and government.

This degree is best suited for those with a background in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering or Game Design (bachelor’s or master’s degree). If you come from a non-computer science undergraduate or graduate background, the program offers foundation courses to prepare you for the essential demands of this doctoral program.

The program accepts full-time and part-time students. Full-time students are fully funded (as funds allow) through the duration of the program, receiving a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) stipend and tuition/fee waivers.

Program Structure – 72 credit hours

• Core Courses: 18 credit hours
• Research: 6 credit hours (CS 8998 Advanced Research in Computer Science)
• Elective Courses: 18 credit hours
• Internship: 6 credit hours (CSE 7983 Graduate Internship/DS 9700 Doctoral Internship)
• Dissertations: 24 credit hours (CS 9900 Ph.D. Dissertation Research) 

Core Courses: 18 credit hours

1. CS 8260 Advanced Database Systems and Applications
2. (NEW) CS 8025 Advanced Operating Systems
3. (NEW) CS 8027 Advanced Networking and Architecture
4. (NEW) CS 8041 Advanced Theory of Computation
5. (NEW) CS 8045 Advanced Design and Analysis of Algorithms
6. (NEW) CS 8050 Principles of Software Design and Programming Languages

Elective Courses: 18 credit hours

1. CS 8265 Advanced Big Data Analytics
2. CS 8267 Advanced Machine Learning
3. CS 8125 Advanced Cloud Computing
4. CS 8172 Advanced Parallel and Distributed Computing
5. CS 8253 Advanced Graph Algorithms
6. CS 8263 Advanced Information Retrieval
7. CS 8347 Advanced Natural Language Processing
8. CS 8357 Advanced Neural Networks and Deep Learning
9. CS 8367 Advanced Computer Vision
10. CS 8375 Advanced Artificial Intelligence
11. CS 8540 Advanced Network Security
12. CS 8545 Advanced AI for Security and Privacy
13. CS 8990 Advanced Special Topics in Computer Science
14. CS 8992 Advanced Directed Study

Core Course Descriptions

• CS 8260 Advanced Database Systems and Applications

  This course covers advanced topics and techniques in database systems. Topics include advanced concepts in relational databases, non-relational databases, data warehousing and mining, and NoSQL distributed databases for big data analytics. This course includes a literature search of cutting-edge database system technology and their applications, and, conduct an independent research project with data analytics. 

• (NEW) CS 8025 Advanced Operating Systems

  This course covers topics about memory management, multiprocessor systems, process management, synchronization, concurrency, deadlocks, distributed operated systems, grid computing, cloud computing, virtualization, container management and orchestration.

• (NEW) CS 8027 Advanced Networking and Architecture

  This course covers the principles of networking and architecture with a focus on algorithms and protocols, and also an in-depth study of active research topics in advanced networking services and paradigms. Topics include but not limited to network protocols, performance, IP routings, mobile IP, ATM, queuing analysis, frame relay, congestion and flow control, network security, vulnerability, and defenses. Those topics are applied to current network paradigms to be studied which will include but not limited to point-to-point and peer-to-peer networks, wireless and sensor networks, satellite, local area and wide area networks, drone networks, unmanned aerial vehicle networks, and software defined network.

• (NEW) CS 8041 Advanced Theory of Computation

  This course covers the fundamental and advance concepts of the theory of computing. The course covers models of computation, computability theory, both space and time complexity, and complexity classes. In particular, it introduces traditional models of computation, both operational, such as finite automata, pushdown automata, and Turing machines, and descriptive, such as propositional and predictive logic. It considers parallel and hierarchical state machines and more advanced models of computation, together with higher-order logics. Both time and space computational complexity are included together with the most relevant classes of complexity, and modern complexity-theoretic approaches such as algorithmic randomness and quantum complexity theory.

• (NEW) CS 8045 Advanced Design and Analysis of Algorithms

  This course covers topics related to design and analysis of algorithms including divide-and- conquer, greedy method, dynamic programming, recursive algorithms, approximation algorithms, lower- and upper-bound studies, parallel algorithms, time and space complexity of algorithms, and NP-hard and NP-complete problems.

• (NEW) CS 8050 Principles of Software Design and Programming Languages

  This course covers the principles of software design with a particular focus on abstraction and models, and programming language pragmatics. This includes a comparative analysis of programming language paradigms with emphasis on design aspects, formal semantics of programming languages, type systems, parsing, scoping, allocation, control of program flow, concurrency, formal tools for characterizing program execution, and abstraction techniques. In terms of programming models, the course covers data abstraction and object orientation, functional languages, logic languages, concurrency, and scripting languages.

• Meet all KSU Graduate College Admission Requirements.
• Undergraduate or graduate degree in Computer Science or a related field from an accredited university. Other degrees are considered on a case-by-case basis for those who show extraordinary background.
• A cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 from an undergraduate degree or 3.5 from a graduate degree. Lower GPA is considered on a case-by-case basis for those who show extraordinary background.
• GRE Score Report - (Optional)
• Resume or CV
• Statement of how this degree facilitates your career goals, recent accomplishments and activities, and research interest.
• Three Letters of Recommendation from academic or professional contacts.
• Successful completion of Math courses through Calculus II and Discrete Math, and undergraduate Data Structure Course.

Transfer Credit

Graduate work taken at other regionally accredited institutions must be evaluated and approved by the program director and/or graduate committee in order to satisfy degree requirements. Such transfer credit cannot exceed 25% of the total semester hours required for the degree and cannot reduce residency requirements.

• Entry Terms: Fall Only
• Application Deadlines: February 1

 

Here are the most commonly asked questions regarding the Ph.D. in Computer Science program at KSU.

• How long will the program take?

  This is a traditional Ph.D. Program. We expect that individuals will complete the program in 4-5 years. 

• How much does the program cost?

  This is a traditional, in-residence, STEM Ph.D. Program - not a professional doctorate. Therefore, qualified students will receive a tuition waiver and a research stipend.

• Can I pursue the program part time while I am working full time?

  Yes. Our program gives you the opportunity to be either a full-time student or a part- time student.

• Can I live on campus?

  Yes. The university provides on-campus housing at both our Kennesaw and Marietta campuses. There is also off campus student housing within a mile of the campus - most of which is on the bus line for the university.

• Are the courses online?

  No. The courses are face-to-face and in-class.  However, there are select courses that are hybrid (classes will meet in person once a week). All Ph.D. students will have a faculty advisor.

• Do I have to have a masters degree to apply?

  No. You can apply to the CS Ph.D. program with a bachelor's degree. Please see the graduate catalog for more details. 

• Can I do an internship for credit while I am a part of the CS Ph.D. program?

  Yes. You can do up to six credit hours of internship during the program.