The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Siebel School of Computing and Data Science offers a prestigious Ph.D. program in Computer Science, representing the highest academic degree in the field. This program is designed for highly motivated individuals seeking to conduct original research, specialize in advanced areas of computer science, and contribute significantly to the academic and industrial landscape through a doctoral thesis. Financial support is typically provided to admitted Ph.D. students, often in the form of research assistantships (RA) or teaching assistantships (TA), which include tuition waivers and stipends.
Designation
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Computer Science
Scholarship Description
The Ph.D. program at the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science emphasizes original research, specialization, and the completion of a doctoral thesis. While the source content describes the academic program requirements, Ph.D. students in top-tier programs like this are generally funded through various mechanisms. These typically include:
- Research Assistantships (RA): Provided by faculty members through research grants, these assistantships involve working on a faculty member’s research project.
- Teaching Assistantships (TA): Involve assisting professors with undergraduate or graduate courses, including grading, holding office hours, and sometimes leading discussion sections.
- Fellowships: Competitive awards that may be internal (university-funded) or external (from foundations, government agencies, etc.), often providing a stipend and tuition waiver without a work requirement.
These funding opportunities usually cover tuition, provide a living stipend, and may include health insurance. The program requires students to complete a minimum of 96 credit hours (or fewer with an approved Master’s degree), including significant coursework and thesis research. A teaching assistantship is also a mandatory component for all Ph.D. students by the end of their fifth year.
Research Areas
While specific research areas are not detailed in the provided content, a Ph.D. in Computer Science at a leading institution like the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign typically encompasses a broad range of cutting-edge fields. These often include:
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Data Science
- Computer Systems and Networking
- Software Engineering
- Theoretical Computer Science
- Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) – an interdisciplinary option is available
- Cybersecurity
- Human-Computer Interaction
Location
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA
Eligibility/Qualification
Prospective Ph.D. candidates must meet the following general requirements:
- A strong academic background, typically with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated aptitude for original research.
- A minimum program GPA of 3.0.
- International students must demonstrate English proficiency (equivalent to that necessary to be a TA) before taking the Qualifying Exam.
- Completion of specific credit hour requirements based on prior degrees:
- Entering with B.S. degree: 96 total credit hours
- Entering with approved CS M.S. degree: 64 total credit hours
- Entering with other approved graduate degree: 72 total credit hours
- Specific coursework requirements, including 500-level courses and CS-specific courses.
- Completion of a teaching assistantship by the end of the 5th year.
- Successful completion of Qualifying, Preliminary, and Final (dissertation defense) exams.
- For the Ph.D. with Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) Option:
- 12 credit hours of coursework relevant to CSE research from outside the Siebel School.
- A Ph.D. thesis addressing an aspect of CSE.
- Doctoral committee to include a faculty member from outside computer science.
How to Apply
The application process for the Ph.D. program typically involves:
- Reviewing Requirements: Familiarize yourself with the detailed program and admission requirements on the official Siebel School website.
- Identifying Research Interests: Explore faculty research profiles to identify potential advisors whose work aligns with your interests.
- Preparing Application Materials: This usually includes academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a resume/CV, and standardized test scores (e.g., GRE, TOEFL/IELTS for international students).
- Online Application: Submit your application through the university’s graduate admissions portal.
- Advisor Agreement: Students must have an approved Ph.D. advisor agreement form on file electronically with the Academic Office before the start of their second year.
Detailed information on the application process and specific forms can be found on the Siebel School’s graduate admissions page.
Last Date for Apply
Until position filled
The provided source content does not specify an application deadline. Prospective applicants should refer to the official Siebel School of Computing and Data Science graduate admissions website for the most current application deadlines, which are typically in late Fall or early Winter for admission the following Fall.
Apply Link
https://siebelschool.illinois.edu/academics/graduate/phd-program
Ph.D. Requirements Overview
The following tables summarize the credit hour requirements for the Ph.D. program based on admission year and prior degree.
A) PhD Students Admitted for Fall 2022 (or later)
| Requirements | Entering with approved M.S. degree in CS | Entering with other approved graduate degree | Entering with B.S. degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thesis Research – CS 599 (minimum applied toward degree) | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| 500-level CS course work (minimum applied toward degree) (Does not include CS 597 nor CS 591) | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Additional 500-level course work (Does not include independent study nor seminar hours) | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Supplementary CS Graduate-level 400- or 500-level course work (Minimum applied toward degree.) (Does not include CS 597 nor CS 591) | – | 8 | 8 |
| Additional graduate-level 400- or 500-level course work (CS 597 Limited to a total of 16 hours. CS 491/CS 591 Limited to 8 hours combined. Does not include non-CS individual study nor seminar hours) | – | – | 24 |
| Remaining thesis research credit or graduate-level course work (Minimum applied toward degree. 400- or 500-level) (Thesis research hours must be CS 599. Individual study hours must be CS 597, seminar hours must be CS 491/CS 591. Not to exceed 16 hours of CS 597 and 8 hours of CS 491/CS 591 combined towards degree. Not to exceed 12 hours of CS 597 per semester. Includes CS 591 PHD, taken in the first semester. Includes CS 591 TA taken prior to/concurrently with first TAship) | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Total Hours | 64 | 72 | 96 |
Other Requirements and Conditions (may overlap):
- A teaching assistantship for an entire term, with a satisfactory performance evaluation by the department, is required by the end of the 5th year.
- Ph.D. exam and dissertation requirements:
- International Students must show demonstration of English proficiency (equivalent to that necessary to be a TA-see Financial Aid) before taking the Qualifying Exam.
- Qualifying exam
- Preliminary exam
- Final exam or dissertation defense
- Dissertation deposit
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
PhD Students Admitted Fall 2021 or Prior
| Requirements | Entering with approved M.S. degree | Entering with B.S. degree |
|---|---|---|
| Credit hours: | Hours | Hours |
| Total Credit for the Degree | 64 | 96 |
| Thesis Research – CS 599 (minimum applied toward degree) | 32 | 32 |
| Course Work | 16 | 48 |
| 500-level course work | 16 (12 must be CS courses) | 24 (12 must be CS courses) |
| 400- or 500-level course work | 16 | 24 |
| Additional graduate-level course work or thesis research credit (subject to Other Requirements and Conditions below) | 16 | 16 |
Other Requirements and Conditions (may overlap):
- Minimum hours of CS course work: 12 (for MS entry) / 20 (for BS entry)
- CS 597 (Independent Study) and CS 591 (Seminar) may not be applied to the 500-level course work requirement.
- CS 591 section PHD must be taken in the first semester. A maximum of 4 credit hours of CS 591 can be applied toward the Ph.D. degree.
- The minimum program GPA is 3.0.
- A teaching assistantship for an entire term, with a satisfactory performance evaluation by the department, is required by the end of the 5th year.
- Ph.D. exam and dissertation requirements:
- Qualifying exam
- Preliminary exam
- Final exam or dissertation defense
- Dissertation deposit
- International Students must show demonstration of English proficiency (equivalent to that necessary to be a TA – see Financial Aid) before taking the Qualifying Exam.
