Computer Science and Engineering PhD

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering is committed to provide the highest quality of graduate education. The MS and PhD degrees are offered in almost all core areas of computer science/computer engineering.

The PhD in Computer Science and Engineering is your passport to a career in academia or industrial research. Our PhD graduates have earned tenure-track faculty positions, led major technology firms, created their own innovative technology startups, and become thought leaders in their fields.

One PhD alum (so far) has risen to the office of university president.

The PhD in Computer Science and Engineering degree provides an opportunity for students to pursue a program of research in a specialized area and to develop a dissertation that embodies the results of original research and gives evidence of high scholarship.

Curriculum

Breadth Requirement (13 credits)

CSE 501LEC - Introduction to Graduate Study in Computer Science I Credits: 1
CSE 502LEC - Introduction to Graduate Study in Computer Science II Credits: 2-3
Select four core courses from the lists below, one from each of the four focus areas:
Theory/Algorithms Area (T/A):
CSE 529LEC - Algorithms for Modern Computing Systems Credits: 3
CSE 531LEC - Analysis of Algorithms I Credits: 3
CSE 596LEC - Introduction to the Theory of Computation Credits: 3
Artificial Intelligence Area (AI):
CSE 528LEC - Introduction to Digital Image Processing Credits: 3
CSE 546LEC - Reinforcement Learning Credits: 3
CSE 555LEC - Introduction to Pattern Recognition Credits: 3
CSE 563LEC - Knowledge Representation Credits: 3
CSE 568LEC - Robotics Algorithms Credits: 3
CSE 573LEC - Introduction to Computer Vision and Image Processing Credits: 3
CSE 574LEC - Introduction to Machine Learning Credits: 3
Software and Information Systems Area (SW):
CSE 505LEC - Fundamentals of Programming Languages Credits: 3
CSE 521LEC - Operating Systems Credits: 3
CSE 522LEC - Object Oriented Analysis, Design and Implementation Credits: 3
CSE 535LEC - Information Retrieval Credits: 3
CSE 562LEC - Database Systems Credits: 3
CSE 565LEC - Computer Security Credits: 3
CSE 570LEC - Introduction to Parallel and Distributed Processing Credits: 3
CSE 587LEC - Data Intensive Computing Credits: 3
Hardware and Networked Systems Area (HW):
CSE 586LEC - Distributed Systems Credits: 3
CSE 587LEC - Data Intensive Computing Credits: 3
CSE 589LEC - Modern Network Concepts Credits: 3
CSE 590LEC - Computer Architecture Credits: 3
CSE 593LLB - Introduction to VLSI Electronics Credits: 3
Security Area:
CSE 518LEC - Software Security Credits: 3
CSE 565 - Computer Security Credits: 3
CSE 566LEC - Wireless Networks Security Credits: 3
CSE 664LEC - Applied Cryptography and Computer Security Credits: 3

Depth Requirement (6-9 credits)

Take two-three courses as categorized below:

One 600-level CSE course
One 600-level or a 700-level seminar
One 700-level “seminar” course if a 2nd 600 level course is chosen above.

Note: These two courses must belong to the same focus area. The list of 600-level courses listed by focus area are chosen in consultation with your academic advisor or the director of graduate studies.

Electives (12+ credits)

Students will select electives from the list of CSE offerings in consultation with their PhD advisor and/or the Director of Graduate Studies.

Dissertation (up to 36 credits)

CSE 799TUT - Supervised Research Credits: 1 - 3
CSE 800TUT - Thesis Guidance Credits: 1 - 12

Total Credit Hours: 72

3.0 Degree GPA required

Instruction Method

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

Full/Part Time Options

Full Time

Credits Required

72 Hours

Time-To-Degree

5+ Years

Application Fee

$100

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).

Online programs/courses may require students to come to campus on occasion. Time-to-degree and number of credit hours may vary based on full/part time status, degree, track and/or certification option chosen. Time-to-degree is based on calendar year(s). Contact the department for details.