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Academic Catalog 2021-2022

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  • Computer Science, PhD

Computer Science, PhD

2021-2022 Edition

  • Undergraduate
  • College of Professional Studies Undergraduate
  • Graduate
    • General Admission and Transfer Credit
    • Information for Entering Students
    • College Expenses
    • University-​Wide Academic Policies and Procedures
    • PhD Programs
    • College of Arts, Media and Design
    • D'Amore-​McKim School of Business
    • Khoury College of Computer Sciences
      • Academic Policies and Procedures
      • Computer Science
        • Computer Science, PhD
        • Artificial Intelligence, MS
        • Data Science, MS
        • Data Science, MS—Align
        • Robotics, MS
        • Computer Science, MSCS
        • Computer Science, MSCS—Align
        • Cloud Software Development, Graduate Certificate
        • Computer Science, Graduate Certificate
        • Data Analytics, Graduate Certificate
      • Cybersecurity
      • Health Informatics
      • Interdisciplinary
    • College of Engineering
    • Bouvé College of Health Sciences
    • School of Law
    • College of Professional Studies
    • College of Science
    • College of Social Sciences and Humanities
    • Gordon Institute of Engineering Leadership
    • Faculty
    • Appendix
  • Course Descriptions
  • Catalog Archives
  • Overview
  • Program Requirements
  • Plan of Study
  • Advanced Entry PhD Program Requirements

The PhD in Computer Science is designed to prepare students for careers in academia and industry—from conducting research to developing systems to publishing and presenting papers. The rigorous curriculum provides a broad background in the fundamentals of computer science and advanced courses in a wide range of focus areas.

The past decade has witnessed a dramatic increase in Northeastern’s international reputation for research and innovative educational programs. Since 2012, the Khoury College of Computer Sciences has hired 30 outstanding faculty members and plans to continue this strategic growth in the coming years, advancing its position among the nation’s top research universities. Today, the college has a diverse faculty of 62 working in a wide range of research areas. Seventeen faculty members have joint appointments with other colleges and schools, including engineering, science, business, social sciences and humanities, health sciences, and Arts, Media and Design.

Northeastern University is located in the heart of Boston, a city with one of the richest research environments in the world, with over 10,000 researchers, 50,000 graduate students, and a top startup community. Every week there are numerous talks and lectures on cutting-edge research, either at Northeastern or at other universities and research labs easily accessible from Northeastern.

Coursework

A minimum of 48 semester hours of course work beyond the BS/BA degree is required of all students.

All students must demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the fundamentals of computer science, as well as the ability to carry out research in an area of computer science.

The student must maintain a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.500 among the six core courses and receive a grade of B or better in each of these courses. Students who have taken equivalent courses in other institutions may petition to be exempted from the course(s) (subject to the approval of the PhD computer science curriculum committee). Each student may repeat a course once for no more than three out of the six courses if they do not receive a B or better in the course. Students with a Master of Science in Computer Science may petition to the PhD computer science curriculum committee for an exemption from these courses. Petition forms are available on the college website.

The fields listed do not necessarily represent areas of specialization or separate tracks within the PhD program. Rather, they attempt to delineate areas on which the student must be examined in order to measure his or her ability to complete the degree. Therefore, they may be adjusted in the future to reflect changes in the discipline of computer science and in faculty interests within the Khoury College of Computer Sciences. Similarly, these fields do not represent the only areas in which a student may write his or her dissertation. They are, however, intended to serve as a basis for performing fundamental research in computer science.

Paper Requirement

To demonstrate research ability, the student is required to submit to the PhD committee a research or a survey paper in an area of specialty under the supervision of a faculty advisor.  A submitted paper from a student is considered to have fulfilled the paper requirement if:

  1. The paper has been accepted by a selective conference.
  2. The student has made a substantial contribution to the paper.
  3. The advisor has endorsed the paper with a written statement indicating the student’s contribution.
  4. The PhD computer science curriculum committee has voted on a positive recommendation. The committee may require a presentation from the student before making a recommendation.

Admission to Candidacy

Upon completion of the course and the research paper requirements, the student is admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree. It is highly recommended that the student complete the candidacy requirement by the end of his or her second year but no later than the third year.

Residency

One year of continuous full-time study is required after admission to the PhD candidacy. It is expected that during this period the student will make substantial progress in preparing for the comprehensive examination.

Teaching Requirement

All computer science PhD students must satisfy the teaching requirement in order to graduate. This requirement is fulfilled when the student works as a teaching assistant (TA) or instructor of record (IoR) for one semester and during this semester:

  • Teaches at least 3 hours of classes
  • Prepares at least one assignment, or quiz, or equivalent

PhD students are expected to satisfy the teaching requirement some time after completing their first year and at least one semester prior to scheduling their PhD defense. 

Comprehensive Examination/Dissertation Proposal

After the student has achieved sufficient depth in a field of study, they prepare a proposal for the PhD dissertation. This process should take place no later than the end of the fifth year in residence. The student prepares a dissertation proposal, which describes the proposed research, including the relevant background materials from the literature. The proposal should clearly specify the research problems to be attacked, the techniques to be used, and a schedule of milestones toward completion.

The dissertation proposal must be approved by the dissertation committee. With the help of the advisor, a student selects the committee, consisting of at least four members, to be approved by the PhD computer science curriculum committee. The four members must include the advisor, two internal members, and an external member.

Upon approval of the written proposal, the student has to present the proposed work orally in a public forum, followed by a closed-door oral examination from the dissertation committee. The student may take the dissertation proposal examination twice, at most.

Doctoral Dissertation

Upon successful completion of solving the research proposed in the dissertation proposal, the candidate has an opportunity to prepare the dissertation for approval by the dissertation committee. The dissertation must contain results of extensive research and make an original contribution to the field of computer science. The work should give evidence of the candidate’s ability to carry out independent research. It is expected that the dissertation should be of sufficient quality to merit publication in a reputable journal in computer science.

Doctoral Committee

With the help of the advisor, a student selects the committee, consisting of at least four members, to be approved by the PhD computer science curriculum committee. The four members must include the advisor, two internal members, and an external member.

Dissertation Defense

The dissertation defense is held in accordance with the regulations of the University Graduate Council. It consists of a lecture given by the candidate on the subject matter of the dissertation. This is followed by questions from the dissertation committee and others in attendance concerning the results of the dissertation as well as any related matters. The defense is chaired by the PhD advisor.

Time and Time Limitation

After the establishment of degree candidacy, a maximum of five years will be allowed for the completion of the degree requirements, unless an extension is granted by the college graduate committee.

Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.

Milestones

Course work
Paper requirement
Admission to candidacy
Residency
Teaching requirement
Comprehensive examination/dissertation proposal
Doctoral dissertation
Doctoral committee
Dissertation defense

Core Requirements

A grade of B or higher is required in each course. A cumulative 3.500 GPA is required for the core requirement.

Students should refer to the course numbering table for graduate course leveling.

Course List
Code Title Hours
Breadth Areas
Complete one course from four of the five following breadth areas:16
Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
CS 6140
Machine Learning
CS 7200
Statistical Methods for Computer Science
CS 7240
Principles of Scalable Data Management: Theory, Algorithms, and Database Systems
Human-Centered Computing
CS 7340
Theory and Methods in Human Computer Interaction
CS 7250
Information Visualization: Theory and Applications
Software
CS 6410
Compilers
CS 7400
Intensive Principles of Programming Languages
CS 7430
Formal Specification, Verification, and Synthesis
Systems
CS 7600
Intensive Computer Systems
CS 7610
Foundations of Distributed Systems
Theory
CS 7800
Advanced Algorithms
CS 7805
Complexity Theory
Specialization Courses
Complete 8 semester hours from the specialization course lists.8

Electives

Course List
Code Title Hours
Complete 24 semester hours in the following:24
Note: Consult faculty adviser for the other acceptable courses.
CS 5100 to CS 5850, except CS 5340
CS 6110 to CS 6810
CS 7340
Theory and Methods in Human Computer Interaction
CS 8982
Readings

Dissertation

Course List
Code Title Hours
Upon achieving PhD candidacy, complete the following courses for two consecutive semesters:
CS 9990
Dissertation Term 1
CS 9991
Dissertation Term 2
For remaining semester(s), complete the following (repeatable) course until graduation:
CS 9996
Dissertation Continuation

Specialization Course Lists

Course List
Code Title Hours
Artificial Intelligence
CS 5100
Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
CS 5335
Robotic Science and Systems
CS 6120
Natural Language Processing
CS 6140
Machine Learning
CS 7140
Advanced Machine Learning
CS 7150
Deep Learning
CS 7180
Special Topics in Artificial Intelligence
Computer-Human Interface
CS 5520
Mobile Application Development
CS 6350
Empirical Research Methods
CS 7260
Visualization for Network Science
CS 7295
Special Topics in Data Visualization
CS 7340
Theory and Methods in Human Computer Interaction
Data Science
CS 5200
Database Management Systems
CS 6140
Machine Learning
CS 6200
Information Retrieval
CS 6220
Data Mining Techniques
CS 6240
Large-Scale Parallel Data Processing
CS 7140
Advanced Machine Learning
CS 7280
Special Topics in Database Management
CS 7290
Special Topics in Data Science
Graphics
CS 5310
Computer Graphics
CS 5330
Pattern Recognition and Computer Vision
Information Security
CS 6760
Privacy, Security, and Usability
CS 7580
Special Topics in Software Engineering
CY 5770
Software Vulnerabilities and Security
CY 6740
Network Security
CY 6750
Cryptography and Communications Security
Networks
CS 5700
Fundamentals of Computer Networking
CS 6710
Wireless Network
CS 6760
Privacy, Security, and Usability
CS 7775
Seminar in Computer Security
CS 7780
Special Topics in Networks
CY 6740
Network Security
CY 6750
Cryptography and Communications Security
Programming Languages
CS 5400
Principles of Programming Language
CS 6410
Compilers
CS 6510
Advanced Software Development
CS 7400
Intensive Principles of Programming Languages
CS 7480
Special Topics in Programming Language
CS 7485
Special Topics in Formal Methods
Software Engineering
CS 5610
Web Development
CS 6510
Advanced Software Development
CS 7580
Special Topics in Software Engineering
Systems
CS 6620
Fundamentals of Cloud Computing
CS 6650
Building Scalable Distributed Systems
CS 7600
Intensive Computer Systems
CS 7610
Foundations of Distributed Systems
CS 7680
Special Topics in Computer Systems
CY 6740
Network Security
Theory
CS 7485
Special Topics in Formal Methods
CS 7800
Advanced Algorithms
CS 7805
Complexity Theory
CS 7880
Special Topics in Theoretical Computer Science
CY 6750
Cryptography and Communications Security
Game Design
CS 5150
Game Artificial Intelligence
CS 5310
Computer Graphics
CS 5340
Computer/Human Interaction
CS 5850
Building Game Engines
CS 7140
Advanced Machine Learning

Program Credit/GPA Requirements

48 total semester hours required
Minimum overall 3.000 GPA required

Sample Curriculum 

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHours
Breadth course4Breadth course4
Core elective 4Core elective4
 8 8
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHours
Breadth course4Breadth course4
Open elective4 Open elective4
 8 8
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHours
CS 99900CS 99910
CS 89828CS 89828
 8 8
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHours
CS 99960CS 99960
 0 0
Year 5
FallHoursSpringHours
CS 99960CS 99960
 0 0
Year 6
FallHoursSpringHours
CS 99960CS 99960
 0 0
Total Hours: 48

Coursework

Incoming PhD in Computer Science students who have already completed a Master of Science in Computer Science or an adjacent field may petition to the PhD in Computer Science program administration for advanced entry. Advanced entry petitions are reviewed by the program administration on a case-by-case basis. Please note that advanced standing does not waive by itself any part of the PhD coursework requirements.

As a degree conferral requirement, a minimum of 16 semester hours of coursework beyond the 32 semester hours of the master’s degree is required of advanced entry PhD students (48 semester hours is required of standard entry PhD students). Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.500 as well as earn a grade of B or better in each course.

Paper Requirement

Refer to the Computer Science, PhD, overview, for research/survey paper requirements.

Admission to Candidacy

Refer to the Computer Science, PhD, overview, for admission to candidacy requirements.

Residency

Refer to the Computer Science, PhD, overview, for residency requirements.

Teaching Requirement

Refer to the Computer Science, PhD, overview, for the teaching requirement.

Comprehensive Examination/Dissertation Proposal

Refer to the Computer Science, PhD, overview, for comprehensive examination requirements.


Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.

Milestones

Annual review
Course requirements    
Paper requirement        
Comprehensive exam
Teaching requirement
Doctoral candidacy
Dissertation committee
Dissertation proposal
Dissertation defense

Core Requirements

Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.500 as well as earn a grade of B or better in each course.

Course List
Code Title Hours
Consult your faculty advisor for acceptable courses.16

Dissertation

Course List
Code Title Hours
CS 9990
Dissertation Term 1
CS 9991
Dissertation Term 2
Upon achieving PhD candidacy, complete the following (repeatable) course for two consecutive semesters:
CS 8982
Readings
For any remaining semester(s), complete the following (repeatable) course until graduation:
CS 9996
Dissertation Continuation

Program Credit/GPA Requirements

16 total semester hours required
Minimum overall 3.500 GPA required

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