Ph.D. in Computer Science

Shape your expertise while working with leaders in computing innovation.

Join a top ranked Ph.D. program where pioneering research spans the full spectrum of computer science, with opportunities to work alongside renowned faculty in both Ithaca, N.Y. and New York City campuses. Our program integrates cutting-edge research with interdisciplinary collaboration, connecting doctoral students with leading experts in computer science, engineering, and mathematics.

Our research excellence spans areas such as: artificial intelligence, computer graphics, systems, security, machine learning, and digital libraries, while maintaining our depth in traditional areas such as theory, programming languages, and scientific computing.

See and compare degrees.
Column Header:	MS/Ph.D.	MS	M.Eng.
Degree Awarded:	Master of Science (after A Exam); Doctor of Philosophy (after B Exam)	Master of Science	Master of Engineering
Degree Differences:	Research degree; multiple years (typically 5-7 years total)	Two-year research degree. Small program with strong preference for Cornell undergraduates.	Principle one year master’s professional degree.
Financial Support:	Emphasizes original research and requires the completion of a dissertation; aiming to contribute new knowledge to the field.	Specialized area coursework with the completion of a thesis; aiming to provide advanced knowledge and skills in a specific area of computer science.	Primarily focused on coursework with a capstone project that advances students' placement in industry jobs.
Career Path:	Full support for duration of degree with good standing. Students supported by a combination of any of the following: teaching assistantships; graduate research assistantships, or fellowships.	Supported by teaching assistantships for fall and spring semesters with good standing. No guarantee of summer support.	Self-supported
	Research jobs in industry/academia; teaching positions.	Development or research jobs in industry; Ph.D. programs; teaching positions. VIEW CS MS PROGRAM	Development jobs in industry View M.Eng. Program

Explore the curriculum - the path to your Ph.D.

The Graduate Field of Computer Science seeks to produce well-rounded researchers who have demonstrated both breadth in computer science and depth in specific areas of concentration.

Although the program is designed to be flexible, students in the CS Ph.D. program must complete several requirements imposed both by the Field and by the Cornell Graduate School.

Complete competency requirement
Complete breathe requirement
Submit a dissertation
TA for at least two semesters
Form a special committee
In residence for at least six semesters, four if MS degree at enrollment
Complete two minors, one external to CS, one internal
Pass A and B exams

Academic Planning

The Competency Requirement

The Field believes that knowledge of Computer Science at the undergraduate level is an indispensable foundation for doctoral study in CS. Ph.D. Candidates are expected to demonstrate competency at the high undergraduate level in four areas of computer science: Artificial Intelligence; Programming Languages; Systems; and Theory.

View details on Academic Planning

The Breadth Requirement

Ph.D. students must take at least five approved 5000/6000-level courses for grade credit. These courses must cover at least three different CS areas and all three CS research styles, see below for specifics.

The requirement is intended to expose students both to the research problems and techniques associated with different research areas, and also to the different value systems of various computer science research styles that differ in how they evaluate and validate research results.

The areas are as follows:

Algorithms and theory of computation, including algorithms, complexity theory, cryptography, logical and type-theoretic foundations of computer science.
Artificial intelligence, including robotics, computer vision, natural language processing, information organization and retrieval, and machine learning.
Systems, including concurrency, parallel computing, networks, distributed computing, and data management.
Programming languages and methodology, including applied logic, automated reasoning, and compilers.
Scientific computing and applications, including graphics and computational biology.

The research styles are the following:

Theoretical. The theoretical research style is characterized by constructing formal models of computation that are validated primarily by mathematical proof.
Systems. The systems research style focuses on how to improve computing platforms by making them faster, more reliable, more secure, etc. Validation is primarily empirical or experiential.
Applied. The applied research style develops new methods for using computers to solve problems of interest. Validation is achieved primarily by demonstrating empirically that these methods are effective for the problem.

View details on Academic Planning

Program structure

During the first two semesters, students become familiar with the faculty members and their areas of research by taking graduate courses, attending research seminars, and participating in research projects.

By the end of the first year, each student selects a specific area and forms a committee based on the student's research interests. This “Special Committee” of three or more faculty members will guide the student through to a Ph.D. dissertation. Ph.D. students that decide to work with faculty members based at Cornell Tech typically move to New York City after a year in Ithaca.