Computer Science, Ph.D.

Program Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
A minimum of 45 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree, which must include the following: 1,2		45-60
C S 4413	Algorithm Analysis (or equivalent, as approved by the graduate liaison)
C S 4513	Database Management Systems (or equivalent, as approved by the graduate liaison)
Choose 4 courses (12 hours) selected from the following:		12
C S 4613	Computer Architecture
C S 5013	Artificial Intelligence
C S 5033	Machine Learning Fundamentals
C S 5113	Distributed Operating Systems
C S 5133	Data Networks
C S 5173	Computer Security
C S 5213	Software Engineering Processes
C S 5473	Parallel, Distributed, and Network Programming
C S 5813	Formal Languages
Dissertation Research
C S 6980	Research for Doctoral Dissertation (minimum 30 hours)	30-45
Total Credit Hours		90

¹

Up to 30 hours of coursework from prior master’s work can be used to satisfy the minimum 45 hours. The decision of which courses to use toward the course credit hours is for the student’s advisory committee to decide.

²

No more than 6 hours of independent studies (including C S 5990 and/or C S 6990) can be counted toward the required minimum 45 hours of coursework.

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General Requirements for Doctoral Degrees

A student should expect to spend at least the equivalent of three full academic years beyond the bachelor’s degree to obtain the doctoral degree. During this period the student will take appropriate graduate coursework, successfully complete the general examination, and successfully defend and submit the final dissertation.

All coursework applied to the doctoral degree must carry graduate credit.

The doctoral degree requires at least 90 post-baccalaureate hours, including both formal coursework and hours of research.

The minimum hour requirement for a specific doctoral degree program cannot be waived.

No more than one-half of the credit hours, both OU and overall, excluding Research for Doctoral Dissertation (6980), may be S/U-graded coursework.

The student must be in residence at OU for at least two consecutive 16-week semesters during the pursuit of the doctoral degree while enrolled and engaged in coursework or research activities as prescribed by the major academic unit.

For more detailed regulations and requirements for Doctoral degrees, please consult the Graduate College Bulletin: http://www.ou.edu/gradcollege/forms/bulletin