- Graduates will be able to demonstrate the use of computing systems, theory and software engineering to solve theoretical and applied problems.
- Graduates will be able to utilize state-of-the-art techniques in their research area to solve open problems.
- Graduates will be able to conduct independent, high-quality, innovative research in computer science.
- Graduates will be able to communicate computer science research results effectively in both publication formats and professional presentations.
- Graduates will be able to recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CSCI 5030 | Principles of Software Development | 3 |
| CSCI 5050 | Computing and Society | 3 |
| CSCI 5090 | Computer Science Colloquium (repeatable for credit) | 0-1 |
| CSCI 5100-5199 | Theory Elective | 3 |
| CSCI 5300-5399 | Software Engineering Elective | 3 |
| CSCI 5500-5599 | Systems Elective | 3 |
| CSCI 5000-5899 | Additional Computer Science Courses | 12 |
| CSCI 6990 | Dissertation Research (taken over multiple semesters, 12hrs total) | 0-6 |
| Total Credits | 41 | |
Non-Course Requirements
All graduate degree candidates must complete an exit survey with the department during their final semester.
- By the end of their third semester, the student must select a research area and Ph.D. advisor. This selection is formalized in a graduate mentoring agreement to be signed by the student, advisor and graduate director.
- By the end of their second year in the program, the student will complete a preliminary examination that has both a written and oral component. The student is allowed up to two attempts, the final attempt no later than the end of their third year in the program.
- By the end of their fourth year in the program, the student must select a thesis committee, and make an oral presentation of their proposed thesis topic to the committee.
- A student is required to gain some experience in teaching while in the Ph.D. program. Ideally, this will be satisfied while serving as TA or instructor for a course, but in the case of a student who is an RA, this requirement can also be satisfied by other activities with the approval of the graduate director.
- Students must register for Computer Science Colloquium each semester in the program, though only two of those semesters need to be taken for credit with a required presentation.
- The student must write a dissertation that makes an original and independent research contribution in computer science. The dissertation must be formatted in accordance with the regulations of graduate education.
- After all committee members have approved the dissertation, the student must complete a public oral presentation and defense of the dissertation.
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CSCI 5030 | Principles of Software Development | 3 |
| CSCI 5090 | Computer Science Colloquium | 0 |
| CSCI 51xx | Theory Elective | 3 |
| CSCI 55xx | Systems elective | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSCI 53xx | Software Engineering elective | 3 |
| CSCIxxxx | Computer Science Elective | 3 |
| CSCIxxxx | Computer Science Elective | 3 |
| CSCI 5090 | Computer Science Colloquium | 0 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| CSCI 5050 | Computing and Society | 3 |
| CSCI 5090 | Computer Science Colloquium | 0 |
| CSCIxxxx | Computer Science Elective | 3 |
| Critical course: Graduate Mentoring Agreement Signed by Student, Advisor, Graduate Coordinator | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSCI 5090 | Computer Science Colloquium | 1 |
| CSCIxxxx | Computer Science Elective | 3 |
| Critical course: Completion of Preliminary Exams | ||
| Credits | 4 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| CSCI 5090 | Computer Science Colloquium | 1 |
| CSCI 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSCI 5090 | Computer Science Colloquium | 0 |
| CSCI 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| CSCI 5090 | Computer Science Colloquium | 0 |
| CSCI 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSCI 5090 | Computer Science Colloquium | 0 |
| CSCI 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Critical course: Oral presentation of proposed thesis topic | ||
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Five | ||
| Fall | ||
| CSCI 5090 | Computer Science Colloquium | 0 |
| CSCI 6990 | Dissertation Research | 0 |
| Credits | 0 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSCI 5090 | Computer Science Colloquium | 0 |
| CSCI 6990 | Dissertation Research | 0 |
| Critical course: Thesis presentation and defense | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Total Credits | 41 | |
For questions about admissions, applicants currently in the United States should contact graduate@slu.edu and applicants elsewhere should contact globalgrad@slu.edu.
For other questions about the program or curriculum, contact the computer science department at cs@slu.edu.