PhD Program Details
PhD Requirements
The PhD Program requirements consist of a number of graduate courses, a Research Aptitude Defence, a Thesis Proposal, and the Thesis Defense. The general regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies are in effect for the PhD program. Here detailed information is provided about the PhD Program requirements in the Faculty of Computer Science.
1. Timeline
Timelines for satisfactory progress in the Ph.D. program (for post-Master's and post-Bachelor's Ph.D. students)
2. Research Aptitude Defence
The research aptitude defence is an internal review of a directed research project to date. The objective of this review is to assess the likelihood of the work yielding thesis quality material in the near, medium and long term. Candidates may provide strong evidence in support of the above objectives by having directed research accepted for publication in a peer reviewed conference / journal. The preparation of the student for this defence is part of the normal research process towards the PhD, and therefore it does not detract from, but contributes to the objective of timely completion of the degree.
Important points:
- Candidates are expected to take and pass the RAD within 5 terms of beginning their program;
- If candidates fail to pass the RAD within this timeline, Faculty scholarship funding will be cut off;
- Decisions regarding any Extensions/ Restoration of funding are made by the Graduate Committee on a case-by-case basis.
See here for detailed information about the Research Aptitude Defence & Thesis Defence Proposal. It is the responsibility of the student to provide committee members with a copy of the report ten working days in advance of the defense.
Administrative forms for scheduling and reporting the result of the research aptitude defence can be found on the graduate forms page.
3. Thesis proposal
Detailed information about the Thesis Proposal. It is the responsibility of the student to provide committee members with a copy of the report ten working days in advance of the defense.
Administrative forms for scheduling and reporting the result of the thesis proposal defence can be found on the graduate forms page.
Candidates are expected to take and pass the Thesis Proposal defence within 8 terms of beginning their program.
4. PhD Course Requirements
The PhD course requirement for a candidate entering the PhD program with a Master's degree in Computer Science is TWO graduate courses (CSCI6XXX or above), plus any additional graduate or undergraduate courses mentioned in the letter of admission. Up to one CSCI6902 doctoral directed studies course can be taken as one of the two required graduate courses. The PhD course requirement for a candidate entering the PhD program with a Bachelor of Computer Science degree is SIX graduate courses (CSCI6XXX or above), plus any additional graduate or undergraduate courses mentioned in the letter of admission. Up to one CSCI6901 directed studies course and one CSCI6902 doctoral directed studies course can be taken as two of the six required courses. All PhD candidates should consult with and get the agreement of their supervisor on their graduate course selection.
In addition to the above graduate coursework requirement, a candidate is required to register in a Directed Doctoral Research Project, CSCI 7900.06 (worth one full course or 6 credit hours), leading to the research aptitude exam. Students should sign up for it in the two consecutive terms before their exam. The course reflects the effort that students put into their research leading to that exam.
Additional courses may be required either as specified upon admission or as a result of the student's performance in the research aptitude/thesis proposal examination to remedy deficiencies in the student's background.
On successful defense of the research aptitude exam candidates enroll in CSCI9530 for the remainder of their program.
5. Ph.D. admission requirements.
The requirements are the standard ones of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, as per the general regulations of the Graduate Calendar.
Note: Any application to vary from the above rules is required in writing, and it must be supported by the supervisor and approved by the Graduate Committee.