MS and PhD in Computer Science Overview

1. Overview of MS and PhD in Computer Science

2. SOC Graduate Degree Programs • Two masters programs • MS in Computer Science • MFA in Digital Production Arts • each about two years long • Two doctorate programs • PhD in Computer Science • PhD in Human Centered Computing • enter directly after BS or after MS • about five years long on avg. (direct entry: 4-6; w/ MS: 2-8) Prof. Shaundra Daily (while getting her PhD at MIT)

3. Graduate Program Demographics

4. Example Clemson CS PhD Alumni - Sridhar Narayan, MS 1990, PhD 1993 CS Department Chair, UNC-Wilmington • Alice McRae, PhD 1994 Associate Professor, Appalachian State - Gregg Rothermel, PhD 1996 Named Professor of Software Engineering Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln • Peter Clarke, PhD 2003 Associate Professor, FIU

5. 2010 PhD Graduates • Academia • Tacksoo Im – Georgia Gwinnett College • Rose Lowe – Clemson University • Michael Murphy – Coastal Carolina University • Adam Whitley – UNC Asheville • Industry • John Dabney – Tecore Networks • Joel Denny – ET International • Thomas Grindinger – Convio • Kyungsoo Im – Amazon • Zachary Jones – IBM RTP • William Pressly – EdgeCast Networks • William Taylor – Intel Hudson Michael Murphy, PhD CS 2010

6. MS in Computer ScienceRequirements • 30 credit hours • 6 core areas • Concentration requirement • 3 courses in a core area • Can be selected from courses listed in that area or from more advanced courses in area, including special topics • Breadth requirement • 1 course in at least 3 other core areas Prof. Jason Hallstrom with students

7. Cores areas (1-2) • Applications • Artificial Intelligence • Bioinfomatics • Biometrics • Database • Information Retrieval • Machine Learning • Computing Foundations • Algorithms • Foundations of Computer Science (automata, formal lang.) • Theory of Distributed Systems • Theory of Programming Languages Prof. Andrew Duchowski with students

8. Cores areas (3-4) • Graphics and Visualization • Computer Graphics • Advanced Computer Graphics • Physically-Based Animation • Physically-Based Effects • Interactive Computing • Creative Learning Technologies • Fundamentals Of Human-Centered Computing • Human Computer Interaction • Measurement & Evaluation of HCC Systems • Mobile Device Software Development • Virtual Reality

9. Cores areas (5-6) • Software Engineering • Foundations of Software Engineering • Software Architecture • Software Design • Software Specification & Design • Software Verification, Validation, & Measurement • Systems and Implementation • Case Study of Linux • Embedded Network Systems • GPU Computing • Parallel Architecture • Systems Software for Data Comm. (networking) • Translation of Prog. Lang. (compilers) Intelligent River mote hardware

10. PhD in Computer ScienceRequirements • Research experience in first year • Faculty research seminar in 1st semester • Directed projects / seminar in 2nd semester • Portfolio (PhD Comprehensive Exam) • Dissertation proposal • Dissertation defense • At least one peer-reviewed publication Lindsay Harris Jamison PhD CS 2007

11. Computer Science PhD Timeline

12. PhD Portfolio Requirements • Statement of Purpose • Recommendation letters • Strong performance in 4 of 7 core areas • Algorithms and Theory • Graphics and Visualization • Computer Networks • Information Management • Languages and Translators • Software Engineering • Systems • At least one Formal Thinking course • At least one Implementation course • Research paper Prof. Larry Hodges with students

13. This particular dissertation was 72 pages in length • Others range from 55 to 290 pages in length • Most are about 100 pages

14. The research for this dissertation led to three conference papers (and a job at IBM): • International Conference on the Virtual Computing Initiative (VCI-3), October 2009. • International Conference of the IBM Centers for Advanced Studies on Collaborative Research (CASCON-19), November 2009. • Performance Evaluation of Computer and Communication Systems: Milestones and Future Challenges (PERFORM 2010), October 2010. • The research for this dissertation led to three conference papers (and a job at IBM): • 3rd International Conference on the Virtual Computing Initiative, October 2009. • Int. Conference of the IBM Centers for Advanced Studies on Collaborative Research (CASCON-19), November 2009. • Performance Evaluation of Computer and Communication Systems: Milestones and Future Challenges (PERFORM 2010), October 2010.

15. Grad School Finances at Clemson • Some fellowships pay for your studies • e.g., NSF pays all tuition and provides a $30,000 annual stipend • Assistantships • Tuition and fees are a little over $1,000 per semester • Typical stipend is $15,000 for nine months • Self-pay • $4,146 per semester (SC resident) + fees • $8,259 (non-resident) + fees

16. Applying To Graduate School • Many schools have Fall-only entry • Clemson allows fall and Spring entry • Apply in December for best consideration for fall entry with financial support • ◦ Schedule any required tests ahead of time (GRE), and arrange for recommendations Prof. Amy Apon and visiting students at the Palmetto supercomputer

17. More Information www.clemson.edu/ces/computing/current/curr_grad/index.html • www.clemson.edu/ces/computing/current/curr_grad/index.html • → follow link to the Graduate Student Handbook