Here are the coursework requirements for students who entered the PhD program prior to Fall 2007.
They may also be helpful to students who arrived in Fall 2007 or later, as they design their Program
of Study.
1. Breakdown of Credit Hours
- Total number of hours required for a Ph.D.: 96 (64 with an approved M.S.)
- Minimum number of coursework hours: 48 (16 with an approved M.S.)
- Minimum number of advanced coursework hours: 24 (16 with an approved M.S.)
- Minimum number of Thesis Research (CS599) hours: 32
...
No more than four hours of CS 591 and/or CS 491 can count toward the total hours required for the Ph.D.
2. Advanced Coursework
Courses in computer science numbered CS 500 - CS 590 or CS 598 are considered Advanced Coursework.
Up to 4 hours of CS 597 (Independent Study) or an approved non-computer science 500-level course may apply as part of the advanced coursework requirement.
3. Core Coursework
PhD Core Coursework (For students entering before Fall 2005)
Within the first three semesters (two semesters with an approved M.S.), one course (3 or 4 credit hours) must be taken from each of the following four lists with a grade of "A-" or higher (one grade may be "B-" or higher). At least one course must be advanced.
Languages
- CS 421 Programming Languages and Compilers
- CS 422 Programming Language Design
- CS 426 Compiler Construction
- CS 524 Concurrent Programming Languages and Systems
- CS 526 Advanced Topics in Compiler Construction
Operating Systems
- CS 423 Operating Systems Design
- CS 523 Advanced Operating Systems
Theory
- CS 473 Algorithms
- CS 475 Formal Methods of Computation
- CS 476 Program Verification
- CS 573 Topics in Algorithms
Fourth Area - any other area of your choosing.
All 400 or 500-level Computer Science courses (including CS 598) not listed above satisfy the "Fourth Area".
- Students who have taken a similar course at another university should discuss the course with their advisor and/or the instructor of the UIUC course, to see if it makes sense to retake it or show proficiency by examination. Repeating a course for credit that is essentially the same as a course previously taken is strongly discouraged.
- Proficiency credit may be used for 400-level courses. One proficiency attempt is allowed for any course. Contact the instructor for details about how to proficiency a course at the beginning of the semester. No hours credit is given for course requirements satisfied by proficiency.
- Courses taken at UIUC as an undergraduate may be used to satisfy this requirement. Transfer credit for courses taken outside UIUC may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
- Students who fail to complete the core coursework requirement within the allotted time will not be permitted to take the Qualifying exam or remain in the Ph.D. program. In exceptional cases, students may petition for an extension to complete their core course requirements.
PhD Core Coursework (For Students Entering Fall 2005 and later)
Foundation Coursework
Two courses are required for the foundation coursework requirement: one course from each of the following lists:
...
Courses identified by * are considered basic background courses and can be taken to satisfy a core requirement only if the student has not had a similar course in their undergraduate or previous graduate studies. Students who want to take a basic background course for core requirement credit must obtain permission from the chief academic advisor, or the corresponding area committee, before registering in the course.
----
Research Area Coursework
2 courses in the same research area from the following listings are required. At least one must be a 500-level course:
...
- By obtaining a "Waiver" for courses taken at the undergraduate level. Waivers are only applicable to the basic background courses
in the "Theory" and "Systems" core areas (Foundation Coursework) and will be approved by a committee of faculty in the corresponding area. To request a waiver, the Waiver Request Form (PDF File) must be completed. - By passing a proficiency exam for a 400-level Foundation course. Students interested in attempting a proficiency exam should contact the course instructor at the beginning of the semester to find out the requirements for the proficiency exam(s).
- By taking a 400-level course from the list of approved courses in the core areas. In the case of a basic background course, students must obtain pre-approval from the area committee, certifying that the course would not be a repeat of their undergraduate material. A grade of B+ or better is required to satisfy a core requirement by a 400-level course.
- By taking an advanced (500-level) course from the list of approved courses in the core areas. A grade of A- or better is required to satisfy a core requirement by a 500-level course.
4. Thesis Hours
A minimum of 32 hours of Thesis Research (CS 599) is required. Thesis hours may be taken in any semester with approval of the thesis advisor. The CS 599 Thesis Advisor Agreement form must be on file prior to enrolling for thesis hours and prior to taking the qualifying exam.