M.S./Ph.D. Course Requirements

Most Computer Science graduate students are admitted in the MS/PhD track.  That means they are intending to work toward a PhD, but will acquire a masters degree along the way. During the first stage of a student's graduate career, he or she will be simultaneously working toward the MS degree and compiling a portfolio, both of which are requirements of the PhD.  This page lists the requirements for someone in the combined track.  It is a blending of the requirements for the MS-only and PhD-only, presented separately to make it easier to follow.

The Department expects that students starting work in the MS/PhD track have a solid undergraduate background in Computer Science.  If you are unsure of your background, you should consult your advisor.  

Most MS/PhD students are supported by research or teaching assistantships.

Submitting your portfolio

1. Core requirements.  You must satisfy six core requirements.  Most core requirements are satisfied by getting a grade of B+ or better in a core course. You must staistfy your cores by using option a) 2 courses from each of the primary areas or option b) 2 theory courses, 3 systems courses (1 from each group) and 1 AI course.
   
   
2. Synthesis project.  You are required to complete a scholarly research "synthesis" project that combines at least two research areas that are not typically brought together.   You must submit an on-line Synthesis Project Proposal that will be approved by the GPD. When the project is completed, you must submit a Synthesis Project Completion Form with signatures from the readers.   (The Synthesis project does not earn any course credits.)  Forms are available here.
   
   
• NOTE:  Most (but not all) MS/PhD students use their Synthesis project as a Masters project also, in which case you indicate on your Synthesis proposal form that you are doing that, and you also register for CMPSCI 701 (6 credits).  You may use the same readers for both projects, or may have different readers (though at least one faculty member should overlap).  You will also need to inform the Graduate Program Manager when the project is completed so that signatures can be obtained from your readers.  (The submission forms is available here.)

Earning the masters degree

1. Core requirements.   You must have satisfied four core requirements (one from each of three areas, plus one additional requirement from any of the three areas), something that you will have done in order to submit your portfolio.  This requirement is usually satisfied by taking courses and getting a B or better in them.  (The Masters requirement is a B or better; the portfolio requirement is a B+ or better.)
   
   
2. MS project.  You are required to complete a research project to the satisfaction of at least two faculty readers, with a grade of B or better.  Most students fulfill this requirement in combination with their synthesis project.  If you choose to keep the two projects separate, you must prepare and submit a one-page MS Project Proposal (the form is available here) and have it endorsed by the faculty readers and the GPD. After approval, you must enroll in CMPSCI 701 (6 credits).  When the project is completed, you will tell the Graduate Program Manager who will get approval from your readers.  (The Department does not have a Masters Thesis option.)
   
   
3. Credits.  You must take a total of 30 credits with the following restrictions:
• 6 of those credits will be your Masters Projects (701).
• Another 18 of those credits must come from courses at the 600-900 level that are not independent studies. Classes taken to satisfy core requirements fall into this group. The Masters Project (701) does not count for these 18 credits.
• The remaining 6 credits may come from courses at the 600-900 level, but can also come from 500-level courses or from independent studies.
• Across the 24 (18+6) course credits, at most 9 credits may come from courses outside of the Computer Science Department. (Credit for graduate courses from other departments must be approved by the GPD.)
• Classes with a grade below a C may not be counted toward the MS degree. You must get a B or better in 701.
• Only a limited number of credits may be transferred from other programs or institutions.
  
  
4. GPA.  Your overall grade point average for those 30 credits must be 3.0 or higher.

Earning the PhD degree

1. MS degree.  You must have completed your Masters degree as described above.
   
   
2. Residency.  You must be on-campus and enrolled in courses for two consecutive semesters (not counting summers).  You may not be employed more than 1/2 time during this period.
   
   
3. Credits.  You must take a total of 36 credits in addition to the 30 credits required for the Masters degree.  The following complex list of restrictions limits which courses you can take. 
• 18 of those credits must be Dissertation Credits (899), usually taken in the two semesters of residency.
• 18 of the credits must be at the 600-800 level (excluding 899).   Credit for graduate courses from other departments must be approved by the GPD.  Classes taken to satisfy the core requirements (but that were not used for the Masters degree) count toward these 18 credits.
• Independent studies and courses taken pass/fail may together account for no more than 6 of these credits.  (Yes, you may take 6 such credits for the Masters and another 6 such credits for the PhD.)
• Classes with a grade below a C may not be counted toward the PhD degree.
• It is not possible to transfer course credits from outside UMass Amherst to satisfy those requirements.
  
  
4. GPA.  Your overall grade point average for those 36 credits must be 3.0 or higher.
   
   
5. Teaching.  You are required to complete one semester of teaching.  Most students TA for one semester while at UMass.  Some students arrive at UMass with sufficient teaching experience that the GPD waives this requirement.
   
   
6. Dissertation proposal.   You must form a committee and propose your dissertation topic.
   
   
7. Dissertation defense (oral examination).  You must defend your final dissertation to your committee.
   
   
8. Public presentation of dissertation.  You must present your dissertation work in a public talk that may be attended by any member of the University Committee.  (Some students combine the public presentation with their defense.  You must consult with your committee to decide what they prefer.)
   
   
9. Dissertation.  You must complete your dissertation in the approved format, have it signed by your committee, and submit it to the Graduate School.