Computer and Information Science, PhD
The Doctoral Program (Ph.D.) in Computer and Information Science (CIS) welcomes candidates with strong training in any of the disciplines related to modern information processing, with an emphasis on computer science and mathematics. Research and teaching form the essence of our doctoral program. Our curriculum is designed to develop the intellectual skills essential for the rapidly changing character of research and to meet the demands of academe and industry. Students develop their own advanced study focus, working with faculty mentors on topics ranging from the core computer science discipline to diverse scholarly interactions within the School of Engineering and the University.
For more information: https://www.cis.upenn.edu/phd/requirements/
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2026 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Responsible Conduct of Research Requirement | ||
| EAS 9000 | Responsible Conduct for Research (RCR), Engineering | 0 |
| Breadth Courses 1 | ||
| Choose two breadth courses, each from a different area among the five buckets: 2 | 2 | |
| Mathematical Foundations: | ||
| Software Foundations | ||
| Analysis of Algorithms | ||
| Theory of Computation | ||
| Topics in Logic: Finite Model Theory and Descriptive Complexity | ||
| Machine Learning *also counts in the Learning and Modeling bucket | ||
| Cryptography | ||
| Advanced Geometric Methods in Computer Science | ||
| Theory of Machine Learning | ||
| Advanced Topics in Programming Languages | ||
| Computer-Aided Verification | ||
| Advanced Topics in Algorithms and Complexity | ||
| Friendly Logics | ||
| System Design and Implementation: | ||
| Database and Information Systems | ||
| Internet and Web Systems | ||
| Computer Organization and Design | ||
| Computer Architecture | ||
| Software Systems | ||
| Principles of Embedded Computation | ||
| Embedded Software for Life-Critical Applications | ||
| Embedded Systems Programming | ||
| Software Analysis | ||
| Operating Systems Design and Implementation | ||
| Wireless Communications for Mobile Networks and Internet of Things | ||
| Computer and Network Security | ||
| Advanced Programming | ||
| Networked Systems | ||
| Programming Paradigms | ||
| Programming for the Web | ||
| GPU Programming and Architecture | ||
| Advanced Topics in Computer Architecture | ||
| Advance Topics in Software Systems: Data Driven IoT/Edge Computing | ||
| Advanced Topics in Databases | ||
| Learning and Modeling: | ||
| Applied Machine Learning | ||
| Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Fundamentals of Computational Biology | ||
| Scientific Computing | ||
| Deep Learning for Data Science | ||
| Machine Translation | ||
| Natural Language Processing | ||
| Biomedical Image Analysis | ||
| Machine Perception | ||
| Computer Vision & Computational Photography | ||
| Advanced Topics in Machine Learning | ||
| Advanced Topics in Natural Language Processing | ||
| Advanced Topics in Machine Perception | ||
| Human-Centered Computing: | ||
| Introduction to Human Computer Interaction | ||
| Ethical Algorithm Design | ||
| Game Design and Development | ||
| Explaining Explanation | ||
| Interactive Computer Graphics | ||
| Advanced Computer Graphics | ||
| Computer Animation | ||
| Physically Based Animation | ||
| Procedural Computer Graphics | ||
| Advanced Topics in Computer Graphics and Animation | ||
| Technical communication: | ||
| Writing and Speaking with Style | ||
| Depth Requirement | 4 | |
Select 4 CU's approved 5000-8000 level University courses | ||
| Teaching Practicum | 2 | |
| Teaching Practicum | ||
| Independent Study and Research | 8 | |
| Independent Study Research | ||
| Dissertation Status | ||
| CIS 9950 | Dissertation | 3 |
| Total Course Units | 19 | |
University PhD Benchmarks
In addition to Program requirements, the following milestones must be completed:
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Evaluation | ||
| Candidacy Examination | ||
| Dissertation Defense/Oral Exam | ||
| Dissertation Deposit | ||
For more information view the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs.
- 1
Students are required to take and receive a grade of B or above in two courses spanning two of the five buckets.
- 2
Two courses can be waived for students entering with a Master's degree. Advisor and Graduate Chair approval is required for non-CIS courses.
- 3
CPT courses cannot count towards degree: EAS 8980
- 4
Doctoral students are expected to maintain full-time status and to enroll in CIS 9999 Independent Study Research while conducting research, in year one and two in consultation with their advisor. A student should enroll in CIS 9950 (0 CU's) in year three and beyond once they advance to candidacy. A student must be in CIS 9950 in their final semester.
Sample Plan of Study
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| EAS 9000 | Responsible Conduct for Research (RCR), Engineering | 0 |
| 1 CU Breadth Course | 1 | |
| 1 CU Depth Course | 1 | |
| CIS 9999 | Independent Study Research 1 | 1 |
| Spring | ||
| 1 CU Depth Course | 1 | |
| 1 CU Breadth Course | 1 | |
| CIS 9999 | Independent Study Research | 1 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| 1 CU Depth Course | 1 | |
| CIS 9999 | Independent Study Research | 2 |
| Spring | ||
| 1 CU Depth Course | 1 | |
| CIS 9999 | Independent Study Research | 1 |
| CIS 8950 | Teaching Practicum 2 | 1 |
| Third Year and Beyond | ||
| Fall | ||
| CIS 9999 | Independent Study Research | 3 |
| CIS 8950 | Teaching Practicum | 1 |
| Spring | ||
| CIS 9950 | Dissertation | 0 |
| or CIS 9999 | Independent Study Research | |
| Total Course Units | 16 | |
- 1
A minimum of 2 CU’s of CIS 9999 must be completed at least one semester before the student defends.
- 2
The first CU of 8950 should be completed by the third year and the second should be completed by the time of thesis proposal.
- 3
The Qualifying Evaluation (or Research Qualifier) must be complete by the start of the third year. The Candidacy Examination (Thesis Proposal) must be completed no later than the start of the student's fifth year. All course requirements including depth must be completed prior to the thesis proposal. The Dissertation Defense/Oral Exam should be completed in the fifth or sixth year.