Computer Science
Note: The discipline-specific requirements listed here are in addition to the requirements listed in Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Application Procedure and Minimum Criteria for Admission and Minimum Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Academic Regulations and Degree Requirements earlier in this section.
Discipline-Specific Admission RequirementsA student who meets the minimum discipline requirements stated below will be considered for regular admission to the Ph.D. program. In case a student who meets the requirements partially but shows high potential for advanced-level work may be considered for provisional admission. Admission also depends on factors such as number of seats available, resources available in the area of student's interest, availability of adviser, the quality of previous work, etc. A student not qualifying for admission to the Ph.D. program may be automatically considered for admission to the M.S. computer science program.Academic Preparation The applicant must have a bachelor's degree and/or a master's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electronics, communications engineering or any other field requiring substantial training in at least one of the above fields and in mathematics with a GPA of 3.5 or better, cumulative as well as in the major field; and a GPA of 3.5 or better in all post-baccalaureate or post-master's degree work. Aptitude for Advanced Work The student must demonstrate an aptitude for advanced-level work through national/international standardized examinations such as the GRE. The expected performance level is the 85th percentile in the quantitative portion of the GRE examination. The student must also show an excellent performance in all of his or her coursework. Proficiency in English The student must demonstrate his or her proficiency in oral and written communication in English through national/international standardized English examinations such as TOEFL, verbal portion of the GRE, etc. The expected proficiency level is the 50th percentile in the verbal portion of the GRE or a TOEFL score of 263 or above (230 CBT). UMKC students may also satisfy this requirement by obtaining an English Proficiency Certification from the English Department. [Note: As per University policy, all international students go through the English proficiency test upon arrival to the campus, regardless of their scores in TOEFL or verbal portion of GRE or any other test. A student's adviser may also require the student to take the above test, irrespective of the student's native language. As a result of this test, the student may be required to improve his or her oral and written communication in English before enrollment in the courses of the chosen disciplines.] Recommendations The student must provide at least three recommendation letters, identifying clearly his or her academic achievements and exceptional quality, from the professors from his or her previous institution(s). If the applicant has been out of school for several years, recommendation letters from his or her supervisors (technical) will be acceptable. However, even in this situation, a recommendation letter from his or her last academic institution is highly recommended. A recommendation from a faculty member in the Computer Science Electrical Engineering (CSEE) Department at UMKC must be provided if the student has taken courses from or worked with the CSEE faculty. Statement of Goals and Objectives The applicant must provide a 250- to 500-word essay on his or her goals and objectives of pursuing the Ph.D. in the chosen fields. This is an important document for reviewing the application. Applicants, therefore, are advised to provide a clear account of their academic achievements and plan for higher study. Admission at an Advanced Level An applicant who has already completed significant graduate coursework (15 or more semester hours of post-master's work or 30 or more hours of post-bachelor's work) toward a Ph.D. at another institution must provide reasons for changing institutions. The applicant must also provide a letter of endorsement from a computer science doctoral faculty member indicating willingness to be the student's research adviser.
Alternate Admission CriteriaThe applicant may have received a bachelor's degree or a master's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or electronics, or any other related field with substantial training in mathematics. An applicant not meeting the minimum admission requirements, or not having sufficient academic preparation (stated below under prerequisite knowledge) for advanced work in the chosen coordinating discipline(s), may be considered for provisional admission by the CSEE Department Ph.D. committee if the committee sees high potential and preparation for advanced work from the rest of the applicant's credentials. Evidence of high potential might be pertinent work experience, published papers or extremely high achievement in related areas. In any case, the required GPA (or GPAs) must be at least 3.0 and the coursework deficiencies for doctoral study in computer science must not be more than 18 semester hours. Applicants with an established research or publication record in a quantitative science are encouraged to apply.
Qualifying Requirements for Full AdmissionPrerequisite KnowledgeIt is expected that a Ph.D. applicant selecting Computer Science as the coordinating discipline have the level of preparation represented by the following courses. An applicant with only a B.S. degree in computer science must have at least a GPA of 3.25/4.0 and an applicant with at least a year of graduate work must have at least a GPA of 3.5/4.0 before attempting advanced study. Length of Time to Complete Qualifying Requirements:When a student is admitted provisionally, the CSEE Ph.D. Committee will specify, and the UMKC Interdisciplinary Executive Committee will confirm, the conditions and length of time available to satisfy them to achieve full admission status.
Suggested Compatible Co-disciplinesTelecommunications and computer networking, electrical and computer engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry (computational focus), engineering (civil and mechanical focus), cell biology and biophysics, molecular biology and biochemistry, oral biology, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, geosciences and economics. A co-discipline outside of this list may be considered in exceptional cases.Core Program RequirementsThe amount of work required for the Ph.D. depends on the student's level of preparation. For example, a student entering the Ph.D. program after earning a bachelor's degree may expect to do significantly more work compared to the student who enters after earning a master's degree.
Qualifying and Comprehensive Examination GuidelinesThe Qualifying Exam is administered by the CSEE Division's Ph.D. committee. The test questions are from a set of fundamental courses (up to 400 level) in Computer Science.The Comprehensive Exam is administered by the doctoral committee of the candidate. A student can either take a written test or opt for an oral presentation covering both coordinating and co-discipline areas. Discussion with and agreement from the student's doctoral committee is required before choosing the desired option. The candidates should contact the CSEE Division office and the chair of their doctoral committee for additional information.
Computer Science as a Co-DisciplineA Ph.D. student selecting Computer Science as co-discipline is expected to have the level of preparation represented by the following courses before attempting advanced study:
Financial AidVarious forms of financial aid (such as graduate research assistantships, graduate teaching assistantships, graduate fellowships) are available through the Computer Science Electrical Engineering Department and the School of Graduate Studies. Note that a GTA can only be awarded to a student after the student has successfully demonstrated his or her teaching potential to a committee and has successfully passed the English language test. Contact the discipline coordinator for more information. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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