UNC Greensboro | Academic Support | Degrees & Programs | Computer Science, Ph.D.

Computer Science, Ph.D.

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The computer science Ph.D. program at UNC Greensboro is one of only six such doctoral programs in North Carolina. UNCG’s nationally recognized Computer Science Department offers an ideal setting for students pursuing advanced study in this in-demand field.

Students have the opportunity to work alongside renowned faculty experts. Research specialties include algorithms, artificial intelligence, data science and machine learning, database systems, extended reality, image processing, networking, and security.

Build the knowledge and skills for a strong career in research, teaching, or industry while you prepare to perform ethical and responsible research in computer science.

PROGRAM DISTINCTIONS

  • Faculty have received more than $800,000 in new research grants over the 2020-2021 academic year from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes for Standards and Technology, Department of Defense, and more. 
  • UNCG’s computer science graduate program is ranked 4th in the state by C.S. Rankings.
  • UNCG is one of only seven North Carolina public universities accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
  • The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching regularly reviews and classifies all educational institutions in the U.S., and has designated UNCG as a “High Research Activity” doctoral university. Currently, UNCG is one of only 50 doctoral universities in the country classified by the Carnegie Foundation as having both “higher research activity” as well as a deep, broad, and sustained commitment to community engagement.

THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

  • Students generally work on large interdisciplinary research projects originating from the domains of health care, biology, social sciences, geography, and many others.
  • The department includes state-of-the-art laboratories with the latest equipment to conduct cutting-edge research.

Year 1

Research:
Select your broad research area and your research advisor. Discuss with your advisor to narrow down the research area. Enroll for research credit hours under the supervision of your advisor. Select members of the advisory committee with help from the advisor. 

Coursework:
Take core courses and electives. Prepare for the written part of the qualifying exam.  Attend research colloquia and seminars.

Prepare for an annual report outlining the progress you have made towards your PhD¹

Year 2

Research:
Work on your research with a goal to publish at good venues (journals, conferences, and workshops). 

Coursework:
Continue coursework and hopefully complete coursework by the end of Year 2. Prepare for the written part of the qualifying exam.  Attend research colloquia and seminars.

Prepare year 2 annual report.

Year 3

Research:
Prepare for your qualifying exam Part I (deadline May). If unsuccessful, you have one more (and final chance) to pass the exam in early Fall. Prepare for your research aptitude (qualifying Part II) in consultation with your advisor. Continue working on your research and aim to publish your efforts. 

Complete the dissertation proposal and pass the Qualifying exam.  Do good research towards the dissertation and publish in quality conferences and journals.Attend research colloquia and seminars.

Prepare year 3 annual report.

Year 4

Research:
Defend your qualifying exam Part II (research aptitude), a written proposal for dissertation and an oral examination in Spring (or Summer). If successful, start working on the path towards your dissertation. Continue with the publication efforts. Attend research colloquia and seminars. 

Prepare year 4 annual report.

Year 5

Research:
Defend and submit your dissertation/thesis in Fall. 

Years 6-7

Students are expected to complete the Ph.D. in five years. So you are late, complete your thesis and any other requirements, as soon as possible. If your advisor has no grant support for you, you will not receive a stipend after five years.

¹ Courses taken, research seminars attended or given, publications, conference/workshop presentations, and overall progress in your PhD. Program.

AFTER GRADUATION

  • Graduates are prepared for careers in academia, research, and/or industry.
  • Careers in industry frequently include:
    • Software Developer
    • Senior Database Administrator
    • Web Developer
    • Network and Computer Systems Administrator
    • Computer System Analyst
    • Computer Network Architect
  • UNCG’s computer science graduates are frequently hired by Fortune 500 companies and top technology industries.
  • Labor market data project a 20.6 percent increase in demand for computer scientist doctorates in North Carolina between 2019 and 2029, with median earnings of $88,200 per year.

Application Requirements

  • Applicants must have a previous degree in computer science (B.S. or M.S. degree), or a closely-related field such as computer engineering or software engineering.
  • Students looking to enter computer science without a prior degree are encouraged to apply to the M.S. program.
  • Applicants are expected to have a strong quantitative-computational background and a good overall GPA (at least 3.0).
  • As a minority-serving institution, we highly encourage women and other minority applicants to apply to the Ph.D. program.
  • Application fee waivers are available to qualified candidates.

See Catalog for more details on Requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before Admission

Students must have a previous degree in computer science (B.S. or M.S. degree), or a closely-related field such as computer engineering or software engineering. Students looking to enter computer science without a prior degree are encouraged to apply to the M.S. program and then transit to the PhD. program.

You will need to provide official transcripts for all post secondary education, GRE scores for all students, TOEFL/IELTS for non-native English speakers,  statement of purpose, curriculum vita, and at least three letters of recommendation.  More details can be found in the Catalog’s Requirements section.

Applications received before February 1st will be considered for acceptance with financial aid, while applications received after February 1st and before June 15th will be considered but with no guarantee of financial support.

GRE waiver is NOT accepted.  All applicants should submit a verified test report of their GRE scores.

In the statement of purpose, you may describe specific research interests or a faculty member that you are interested in working with.

Most PhD students in this program will be full-time but there might be a few part-time students. Please contact the Graduate Program Director for more information.

After Admission

54 credit hours are required for  students entering with an M.S. degree in Computer Science while 72 credit hours are required for students entering without an M.S. degree in Computer Science. See more details in the Catalog’s Requirements section.

Ideally, you should select your advisor after careful consideration of research interests and alignment. However, if your interests change, you can change your advisor before your qualifying exams. Do consider this may delay your timeline to graduation. 

Yes, any tenure-track or tenured member of the CS faculty – Full-time Assistant, Associate or Full Professor or from other closely aligned departments (for example, Mathematics and Statistics, Biology, Information Systems, etc.) can be co-advisors. 

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Program Details

Degree Type: Doctoral

College/School: College of Arts and Sciences

Program Type: Majors & Concentrations

Class Type: In Person

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Learn More About Computer Science

View UNCG Catalog

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Contact Us

Dr. Stephen Tate
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Computer Science
srtate@uncg.edu

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