Graduate Degree in
Computer Science

Aims and Scope of the Graduate Program

Graduate study in computer science is oriented principally toward PhD research: there is no admission to the MS program as the degree objective. The course work and thesis requirements for the MS degree are only a required part of the PhD program. Students entering the graduate program with an M.S. degree from another school may transfer credit for course work as appropriate. A student may petition the option representative to have a prior MS thesis or equivalent accepted in lieu of a Caltech M.S. thesis; no Caltech MS will be granted in this case. The PhD program requires a minimum of three academic years of residence. The MS should be completed within the first two years. Students must maintain high academic standards during their graduate residence. A student’s PhD research must exhibit originality in the formulation, analysis, and solution of a problem that is significant to the field of study. The option representative and executive officers are available to discuss concerns regarding academic progress.

Master’s Degree

There are five requirements to fulfill in order to receive a MS in Computer Science:

• Total units. Completion of a minimum of 135 units of courses numbered 100 or greater, including MS thesis research (CS 180). The student will consult with the adviser to ensure balance in the course work.
• Advanced courses in computer science. Completion of a minimum of 54 units of CS courses numbered 100 or greater in addition to units earned for reading, research, projects, and the MS thesis.
• Units outside computer science. Completion of a minimum of 27 units outside computer science. Courses jointly listed with computer science cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
• Breadth. Toward the end of the first year, all incoming students must successfully pass a diagnostics exam administered by the faculty. Its purpose is to ensure a solid and broad knowledge in computer science, and/or to direct the students to necessary courses and reading.
• MS thesis. At the end of the second year, students must have completed a minimum of 45 units of CS 180, had their MS thesis approved by a computer science faculty member, obtained the signature of a designated computer science faculty member on the MS candidacy form, and submitted a copy of the M.S. thesis submitted to the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies no later than two weeks before the degree is to be conferred.

Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

• Candidacy. To be admitted to candidacy, a student must have completed the MS program, have entered upon a course of research approved by his or her thesis adviser, and have passed a candidacy oral examination. The candidacy oral examination will be administered by a committee that consists of four faculty, is approved by the option representative, and is chaired by the adviser. The examination will ascertain the student’s breadth and depth of preparation for research in the chosen area. The examination should be taken within the first three years.
  
• Advising and Thesis Supervision. In order to facilitate close supervision and a highly research-oriented environment, each student is admitted directly to an adviser and research group. A course of study is determined in consultation with the adviser. Occasionally students will be admitted into more than one group. Changes in affiliation may occur with the common consent of the student and the new adviser. Students meet regularly with their adviser throughout their time at Caltech, and are encouraged to do the same with other members of the faculty.
  
• Thesis and Final Examination. A final oral examination will be scheduled and given after the PhD thesis has been submitted for review to the student’s adviser and thesis committee; the latter consists of at least four faculty approved by the option representative, and is chaired by the adviser. The thesis examination is a defense of the thesis research and a test of the candidate’s knowledge in his or her specialized fields.