Department of Computer Science
Votey Building, Room 351
University of Vermont
Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA
Telephone: 802-656-3330, FAX: 802-656-0696
csgrad-info@emba.uvm.edu

Sample Programs of Courses for Ph.D. in Computer Science

The curricular requirements of our PhD program are flexible enough to accommodate students with varying backgrounds and interdisciplinary interests. Students will work closely with their graduate studies committee to design curricula that are commensurate with their backgrounds and interests. The five sample programs shown below illustrate the breadth of programs possible. Note that these samples are selected to demonstrate this breadth and do not necessarily represent a typical cross-section of our expected students. The courses used in the samples may or may not be suitable for a particular student, and may or may not be available during the specified semesters. The Studies Committee of a Ph.D. student will define the program of the student.

Sample Program 1: Bio-informatics, with strong Biology background

The first hypothetical student is interested in bio-informatics. This student is presumed to have a Bachelor’s degree in biology, including one year each of undergraduate coursework in inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, calculus, physics and computer programming, as well as many biology courses. The student would be admitted provisionally, with the requirements including successful completion of CS195* Languages, Structures, and Systems, CS222 Computer Architecture and CS224 Analysis of Algorithms by the end of year 1, with a grade of B or higher in each of these courses.

The course schedule can be as follows, and third comprehensive exam will be in molecular genetics.

*not counted towards the Ph.D. degree.

Sample Program 2: Machine Learning, MS in CS background

The course schedule can be as follows, and third comprehensive exam will be in machine learning:

Sample Program: Computational Fluid Mechanics, strong Fluid Mechanics background

The third hypothetical student is interested in computational fluid mechanics, coming in with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, including one year of computer programming. Similar to the first student, this student has a minimal CS background and will be a provisional admission, with requirements to complete Languages, Structures & Systems, Computer Architecture and Analysis of Algorithms.

The course schedule can be as follows, and third comprehensive exam will be in  numerical methods.

*not counted towards the Ph.D. degree.

Sample Program 4: Software Engineering, BS in CS background

The fourth hypothetical student is interested in software engineering. This student is presumed to have already gained a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, including courses in Operating Systems and Analysis of Algorithms.

The course schedule can be as follows, and third comprehensive exam will be in software engineering.

Sample Program 5: Ecological Modeling, strong Ecology background

The course schedule can be as follows, and third comprehensive exam will be in ecology.

*not counted towards the Ph.D. degree.