Admission to the PhD program will normally require a recognized thesis-based Master’s degree or equivalent independent research experience demonstrated through publications in scholarly journals or conferences. The Master’s degree must be in Computer Science or be closely related to the research area that will be studied in the thesis.

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, applicants must submit (i) a current CV including publications, and (ii) a statement of research (maximum of 1500 words) which would normally include the following sections:

• background,

• research questions,

• literature review,

• research methodology,

• intellectual merit of proposed research, and

• broader impact of proposed research.

The statement should clearly explain the interdisciplinary nature of the proposed research and relevant areas of computing and the associated discipline that will be studied. The statement of research should also indicate if ethics approval maybe required to carry out the proposed research.

A test of English proficiency is required of all applicants whose first language is not English. Required scores are shown below:

• Paper-based TOEFL- 600.

• Internet-based TOEFL- 100, 26 speaking and writing, 21 reading and listening

• IELTS- 7.5.

• MELAB- 90, speaking 3, no score lower than 80.

• CAEL- 70 overall, 70 writing and speaking, no score lower than 60.

• University of Guelph English Language Certificate at the Advanced Level.

The proof of English proficiency requirement may be waived in exceptional circumstances (e.g., applicants who have studied full-time for two years in a country where English is the native language AND in a university where English is the language of instruction). Graduate Program Committee approval required.

Students who have obtained a Masters degree from a university outside of Canada are encouraged to supply GRE scores (GRE General and/or GRE Subject in CS).

In exceptional circumstances, a student who has completed an honours undergraduate Computer Science degree (or an equivalent 4-year undergraduate degree) may apply for direct admission to the PhD program. The successful applicant must have an outstanding academic record, breadth of knowledge in Computer Science, demonstrated research accomplishments, and strong letters of recommendation. Contact the SoCS for additional information.

A typical PhD student is expected to complete the program in 9 semesters. At least 5 semesters of full-time study must be completed in the doctoral program.

Students who are unable to complete their PhD within 9 semesters will be required to apply to the School of Computer Science Graduate Committee to request an extension (https://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/calendars/graduate/preview/genreg/genreg-reg-maxreg.shtml). If granted, the student will normally receive a one-semester extension in which they must complete their degree.

Based on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, a student may be required to take one or more graded senior-undergraduate or graduate-level course offerings in the interdisciplinary academic disciplines. These courses will normally be taken in the first semester.

Moreover, students may be required to take one or more non-graded Computational Study Modules (online tutorials) to upgrade their knowledge of different aspects of computing. The number and subject matter of the modules will be determined by the student’s Advisory Committee upon entry to the program. These modules must be completed before the qualifying exam.

A PhD student must give two publicly announced research seminars on his/her PhD thesis research.

The first seminar is intended to be an exploratory look at the student’s research area. It may include a literature review and a survey of the research area. The following apply:

• Must be presented in Semester 2.

• The student will be allocated times and dates for the seminars.

• The seminar must be attended by all members of the student’s Advisory Committee.

The quality of the presentation is graded on a pass/fail basis. Students that fail will be required to re-do the seminar at a later date.

The second seminar is intended for students to present their preliminary results to get feedback on analysis presentation and progress towards defense. The following apply:

• Must be presented after the qualifying exam and before the end of Semester 7.

• Must be presented prior to the thesis defence.

• The student will be allocated times and dates for the seminars.

• Students will provide a title and extended abstract to the Graduate Program Assistant at least two weeks before seminar.

• The seminar must be attended by at least two members of the student’s Advisory Committee and two SoCS regular graduate faculty members, selected by the SoCS Graduate Committee.

• Must be one hour in length. The student must speak for a minimum of thirty minutes and no more than forty-five minutes.

• The quality of the presentation is graded on a pass/fail basis. The student must receive three or more pass votes to pass. Two pass votes and two fails votes will mean the student must attempt the seminar again.

The PhD Qualifying Examination (QE) should normally be completed by the end of the student's third registered semester, but no later than semester five. The examination is held after the student has completed his/her first seminar and any required coursework specified by the student’s Advisory Committee. The focus of the examination is to assess the candidate’s ability and promise in the selected research area.

Arrangements for the QE should be made at least 4 weeks prior to the anticipated date of the QE oral presentation, and the student must submit a research proposal to the Examination Committee at least 2 weeks prior to the QE. The research proposal should contain, as a minimum, the following items:

• A survey of appropriate background literature.

• A statement that sets out what makes the research interdisciplinary.

• A description of the proposed research.

• A statement describing the merits and scholarly value of the proposed research.

• A schedule of the research program that the candidate will follow, including a sequence of milestones and objectives.

Typically, the examination consists of an oral presentation by the student followed by questions from the Examination Committee based on the research proposal.

In the case where a student has been required by his/her advisory committee to take one or more Computational Study Modules, the QE will also include a written component, and will be normally completed one week prior to the oral examination. The written part consists of questions related specifically to the Computational Study Modules, and serves to ensure that the student has the necessary computational skills to successfully perform the proposed research.

Arrangements for the PhD thesis defence should be made 8 weeks prior to the anticipated date of the defence, and the student must submit his/her PhD thesis to the Examination Committee at least 4 weeks prior to the defence. The thesis is expected to contribute significantly to knowledge in the interdisciplinary disciplines, and the candidate must explain this contribution. The thesis must demonstrate mature scholarship and critical judgment, and be sufficiently novel and meritorious to warrant publication in reputable scholarly journals and conferences. The examination consists of an oral presentation by the student followed by questions from the Examination Committee.