Doctoral Programs in Computer Science and Engineering prior to Fall 2018

The research exam is conducted by a committee of three faculty members approved by the Graduate Committee and the chair of the department. At least two committee members must be CSE senate faculty. The student’s adviser is not a member of the committee but is free to attend the research examination. The normative time for passing the research exam is by the end of the second year of study. A petition to the CSE Graduate Committee is required to take the research examination after the student’s seventh quarter of study. The research exam must be passed by the end of the third year if the student is to continue in the PhD program. Passing the research exam may enable PhD students to receive the MS degree if they have otherwise met their MS degree requirements concurrently. PhD students who do not pass the exam after two attempts will be given the opportunity to write a thesis in order to receive a terminal MS degree. The MS degree is only granted to those students who do not already hold an MS degree prior to entering the CSE department at UC San Diego.