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Subsequent to passing the Comprehensive Examination covering core areas of computer science, all Ph.D. students must pass a Qualifying Examination, as specified by the graduate school. The Qualifying Exam consists of two parts, a written examination covering the candidates chosen area of specialization and an oral examination involving a defense of the candidate's written thesis proposal.
The written portion of the Qualifying Examination will cover the candidate's general area of specialization in sufficient depth to demonstrate his/her preparation for conducting Ph.D. level research. Each member of the student's advisory committee will contribute one or more questions to this exam. The advisory committee will provide a written evaluation of this portion of the exam, including an indication of whether or not the student will be allowed to proceed to the oral portion of the Qualifying Examination.
The oral portion of the Qualifying Exam involves a defense of the candidate's written thesis proposal. At the advisory committee's option, it may also include follow up questions relating to the written portion of the exam. All members of the candidates committee should certify that the proposal is ready to be defended prior to conduction the oral portion of the Qualifying Exam.
Consistent with the requirements of the Graduate School, the Qualifying Examination must be completed no later than two semesters prior to defense of the thesis.
| Area | Background (Prerequisites) | Required |
| Foundations | CS 3100 Models of Computation | CS 6100 Foundations of Computer Science |
| CS 3510 Algorithms and Data Structures | ||
| CS 3100 Models of Computation | CS 6520 Programming Languages and Semantics | |
| CS 3520 Programming Language Concepts | ||
| Systems and Languages | CS 3510 Algorithms and Data Structures | CS 6460 Operating Systems |
| CS 3810 Computer Architecture | ||
| CS 3100 Models of Computation | CS 6470 Compiler Principles and Techniques | |
| CS 3510 Algorithms and Data Structures | ||
| CS 3810 Computer Architecture | ||
| Architecture | CS 3700 Digital System Design | CS 6810 Advanced Computer Architecture |
| CS 3810 Computer Architecture |
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