Carnegie Mellon's Ph.D. in Computer Science is, above all, a research degree. When the faculty award a Ph.D., they certify that the student has a broad foundation in Computer Science, has advanced the field by performing significant original research, and has reported that work in a scholarly fashion.
Before embarking on original research, we expect students to acquire a body of technical knowledge that includes a familiarity with the breadth of Computer Science as well as a deep understanding of a specialized area. The Immigration Course is the first step in this process, exposing the student to the many ongoing research activities and projects in the Department and School. Next, through structured coursework the student gains a broad understanding of the fundamental research issues in major areas of Computer Science, and has the opportunity to gain a deep understanding in the student's area of specialization. Finally, the thesis work itself guarantees that the student understands the area well enough to advance the state of knowledge in the field.
Below we sketch the progress of a typical student through the program. Since the program is flexible, the careers of some students depart from this script at one or more points.
Toward the end of September of the first year, each student is matched with a suitable advisor, who helps the student pursue directed research in an area of mutual interest. If the student's research interests change, he or she is free to change advisors at any time.
During the first two years of the program, the student begins to gain the foundation of knowledge that will allow him or her to go on and become an expert researcher in Computer Science, primarily through the following two ways:
Twice, usually during the first three or four years, the student serves as a teaching assistant. While teaching or taking courses, we expect students to spend at least half their time doing directed research.
Our environment provides a myriad of opportunities for students to hone their writing and speaking abilities and to maintain their programming finesse. We expect students to satisfy their communications and programming skills requirements within their first three years.
Each 12-unit course should require no more than a quarter of the student's time during any one semester. So, typically a student tries to complete all coursework by the end of two years, at which point the student becomes involved in full-time research and starts thinking about research directions for a thesis. As the student's thesis research direction becomes clear, the student writes a thesis proposal and assembles a thesis committee with help from the student's advisor. The student then completes and defends the thesis, and graduates.
Students, especially those who are about to finish, are encouraged to attend Emigration Course events. Participation is completely voluntary.
For students who have a strong desire to teach, we offer a special Graduate Teaching Fellow program. Students who opt to complete this program are rewarded with a special letter of commendation signed by the Department Head.
All requirements in the Ph.D. program must be fulfilled by work actually carried out at Carnegie Mellon University. Work done elsewhere cannot be accepted for satisfying CSD requirements; rare exceptions must be approved by the Director of Graduate Programs.
The Ph.D. program provides each student with a periodic evaluation of his or her progress. Continuation in the Ph.D. program is contingent on making satisfactory progress.