COMPUTER SCIENCE: PROGRAMS OF STUDY Computer Science (MSc) Computer Science (PhD) THE DOCTER OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE The general regulations for the Degree of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) at the University of Windsor, as set out in Section 1.5 of the Calendar of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, will apply together with the more specific requirements for the degree of Ph.D. in Computer Science given in the following section. For admission, continuation in good standing, and graduation, students must satisfy both the general university regulations and the specific regulations for Computer Science. Admission Requirements In order to be considered for admission to the doctoral program in Computer Science, applicants must have completed a thesis-based Master's degree in Computer Science, or, have completed a course-based Master's degree in Computer Science, and have demonstrated to the Admissions Committee, the ability to conduct independent research through the completion of research-oriented project work or appropriate research experience in industry or academia. Outline of Degree Requirements All Ph.D. students must fulfill the following graduate academic requirements: (a) A qualifying examination within four months after entering the program. (b) No less than two and usually no more than four graduate courses. (c) A comprehensive examination within two years after entering the program. (d) A research proposal within two years of entering the program. (e) Submission of an annual progress report. (f) Presentation of three seminars, including the research proposal. (g) A final examination consisting of a Ph.D. dissertation defense (60-798). Qualifying Examination The qualifying examination must be taken by all students entering the doctoral program. The qualifying examination is intended to ensure that the student has a mastery of the fundamentals in Computer Science in order to undertake research. This is a breadth requirement in that it does not require the student to be able to undertake research in each of the fundamental areas. Rather, the student must demonstrate knowledge, in each of the fundamental areas, at a level that would be expected of a graduate from a four-year honours Computer Science university-degree program. The student must obtain at least an overall grade of B in the tests and/or course works done for the qualifying examination. Graduate Courses Each student must complete no less than two and usually no more than four graduate Computer Science courses, not including those taken for credit in a Master's degree, and not including seminar or thesis courses. Graduate course selection will be determined by the student's Doctoral Committee. Graduate credit will be given for a grade of B- or higher in a graduate course. Comprehensive Examination The comprehensive examination is one in which the student is asked to demonstrate a reasonable mastery of the field of specialization; it is designed to test the student's command of knowledge and ability to integrate that knowledge, after completion of all or most of the graduate course work. Normally, this examination is completed during the second year of graduate study and is a prerequisite to admission to candidacy. Admission to Candidacy A student is admitted to candidacy when the student has passed the qualifying examination, has completed all of the required graduate courses, and has passed the comprehensive examination. A detailed description of the regulation for the doctoral program can be obtained from the graduate secretary of the School of Computer Science. THE MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE Admission Requirements Graduates of the University of Windsor or of other recognized colleges or universities may be admitted to programs leading to the Master's degree. A student with an honours Bachelor's degree or equivalent with adequate specialization in Computer Science and with at least B standing in the major subject may be admitted to a minimum one-year Master's program (II Master's Candidate). A student with an honours Bachelor's degree in a related subject and with at least B standing in the major subject may be admitted to a minimum two-year Master's program (I Master's Qualifying followed by II Master's Candidate) or to a minimum two-year II Master's Candidate program depending upon prior qualifications. Students with deficiencies in some areas of Computer Science may be required to make up those deficiencies by registering in undergraduate courses prior to or as part of their graduate program or by following a program of supervised reading. Program Requirements 1) The requirements for the degree of Master of Science will be satisfied by pursuing a program of studies consisting of six approved courses and a thesis. (A thesis is a major research project which must involve substantial innovative work generally culminating in original results.) 2) Courses 60-510 and 60-520 will be required of all candidates. Master's II students must register in 60-510 in the first term of their studies. 3) With prior approval of the graduate coordinator, candidates may be permitted to include at most one advanced undergraduate computer science course in their program. 4) With prior approval of the graduate coordinator, candidates may be permitted to include graduate courses offered by other departments in their program. 5) No student will be allowed to include in his or her program a course which substantially overlaps a course previously taken. 6) All candidates' programs are subject to approval by the Computer Science program graduate committee. A student who fails to achieve satisfactory performance in all aspects of the program (course work, thesis or major paper) may be required to withdraw. The Master's committee is chosen in the manner described in 1.6.2 of this Graduate Calendar. The final examination will take the form of an open seminar in the presence of the Master's committee. The examination will be open to the public. Each student must obtain approval of his or her program, in writing, from the graduate coordinator within three weeks of registration. Subsequent changes require written approval from the graduate coordinator.