Computer Science Ph.D. Minor

Developing advanced analytical skills equips you to increase research opportunities and advance your expertise. Taught in person on the IU Indianapolis campus, the 12-credit-hour Ph.D. Minor in Computer Science lets you expand your skill set and your options by bringing computer science approaches to your field of study.

This minor is ideal for students pursuing Ph.D. degrees in Indiana University programs such as Biology, Bioinformatics, Biomedical and Health Informatics, Biostatistics, Data Science, Dentistry, Human–Computer Interaction, Library and Information Science, Mathematical Sciences, Medical Neuroscience, Nursing Science, Physics, Public Health, and others.

The Ph.D. minor in Computer Science is a 12-credit hour program comprised of four (4) courses, each of which is 3 credit hours.

Applicants are required to have a background in a Programming language, Discrete Mathematics, and Data Structure.

Foundations (3 cr.)

Choose (1) one:

• CSCI-B 501 Theory of Computing (3 cr.)
• CSCI-B-503 Algorithm Design and Analysis(3 cr.)
• CSCI-B 505 Applied Algorithms (3 cr.)

Systems

Choose (1) one:

• CSCI-B 475 Quantum Computing and Applications (3 cr.)
• CSCI-B-516 Engineering Cloud Computing (3 cr.)
• CSCI-P-536 Advanced Operating Systems (3 cr.)
• CSCI-P-538 Computer Networks (3 cr.)
• CSCI-P-539 Wireless Sensor Networks and IoT (3 cr.)
• CSCI-B-543 Computer Architecture (3 cr.)
• CSCI-B-561 Advanced Database Concepts (3 cr.)

Applications Specialization (6 cr.)

Choose (2) two from one of the three computer science areas:

Machine learning and artificial intelligence

• CSCI-B-555 Machine Learning (3 cr.)
• CSCI-P-558 Deep Learning (3 cr.)
• CSCI-B-559 Efficient AI (3 cr.)
• CSCI-B-565 Data Mining (3 cr.)
• CSCI-B-651 Natural Language Processing (3 cr.)
• CSCI-B-654 Explainable Artificial Intelligence (3 cr.)
• CSCI-B-655 Pattern Recognition (3 cr.)
• CSCI-B-657 Computer Vision (3 cr.)

Security

• CSCI-B 504 Introduction to Cryptography (3 cr.)
• CSCI-B 547 Systems and Protocol Security and Information Assurance (3 cr.)
• CSCI-B 577 Security Engineering (3 cr.)

Software Engineering

• CSCI-P-532 Object-Oriented Software Development (3 cr.)
• CSCI-P-565 Software Engineering I (3 cr.)
• CSCI-P-566 Software Engineering II (3 cr.)
• CSCI-P-567 Software Quality Assurance (3 cr.)

Grading Policy

A minimum grade of B (3.0) is required in each course that is to count toward the minor. If a minimum grade of B (3.0) is not earned in a course, that course must be retaken. A course may only be retaken once. Students who fail to achieve the minimum grade of B (3.0) the second time they take a course will not be able to earn the Ph.D. minor.

A maximum of three credits from another institution may be applied toward the minor. No undergraduate courses may be applied to the minor.

Qualifying Exam

The Ph.D. minor in Computer Science does not require a qualifying exam.

To be admitted to the Ph.D. Minor, the applicant must be currently enrolled at IU Indianapolis or IU Bloomington in a doctoral program other than Computer Science. The student must also be in good academic standing and possess knowledge and skills in calculus, linear algebra, and programming, including data structures and algorithms.

Application Deadline

Admissions are made on a rolling basis.

Application Procedure

If you would like to apply to the Ph.D. minor, please submit an application package (PDF) via email to the Graduate Program Coordinator at luddygrd@iu.edu. It must contain:

• University student ID
• A one-page statement explaining the student’s (1) preparation for the Ph.D. minor, (2) how the minor contributes to the student’s doctoral research, and (3) career goals
• A resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Transcripts highlighting courses in calculus, linear algebra, and programming
• Approval from the student’s primary advisor

Accepted students will be notified promptly.