PhD in Computer Science and Engineering

Zoom image: Students, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals gather to discuss our latest research projects at CSE Industrial Career Day, 2016. Photo credit: Onion Studio Students, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals gather to discuss our latest research projects at CSE Industrial Career Day, 2016. Photo credit: Onion Studio.

Students, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals gather to discuss our latest research projects at CSE Industrial Career Day, 2016. Photo credit: Onion Studio

The PhD in Computer Science and Engineering is your passport to a career in academia or industrial research.  Our PhD graduates have earned tenure-track faculty positions, led major technology firms, created their own innovative technology startups, and become thought leaders in their fields.

One PhD alum (so far) has risen to the office of university president.

The PhD in Computer Science and Engineering degree provides an opportunity for students to pursue a program of research in a specialized area and to develop a dissertation that embodies the results of original research and gives evidence of high scholarship.

On this page:

Degree Requirements

Your degree requirements are defined in the CSE Graduate Handbook that was in force during your matriculation year.

Matriculation Date Graduate Handbook
Fall 2024 - Present Graduate Handbook 2024
Fall 2023 - Spring 2024 Graduate Handbook 2023
Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 Graduate Handbook 2022
Fall 2021 - Spring 2022 Graduate Handbook 2021
Fall 2020 - Spring 2021 Graduate Handbook 2020
Fall 2019 - Spring 2020 Graduate Handbook 2019
Fall 2018 - Spring 2019 Graduate Handbook 2018
Fall 2016 - Spring 2018 Graduate Handbook 2016
Fall 2015 - Spring 2016 Graduate Handbook 2015
Fall 2014 - Spring 2015 Graduate Handbook 2014
Fall 2013 - Spring 2014 Graduate Handbook 2013
Fall 2012 - Spring 2013 Graduate Handbook 2012
Fall 2011 - Spring 2012 Graduate Handbook 2011
Fall 2010 - Spring 2011 Graduate Handbook 2010
Fall 2008 - Spring 2010 Graduate Handbook 2009
Fall 2007 - Spring 2008 Graduate Handbook 2007

Forms

UB—The Graduate School—Forms for Students

CSE Force Registration Form.  Any graduate student who wishes to be enrolled in a course and cannot do so via the HUB must complete the CSE Force Registration Form through the SEAS Force Registration Request portal.

CSE PhD Oral Qualifying Exam (OQE) Application Form
CSE PhD Oral Qualifying Exam (OQE) Evaluation Form
CSE Dissertation Proposal Form

Program Enrollment

The PhD in Computer Science and Engineering program currently enrolls 149 doctoral candidates. (June 18, 2025)
Explore additional admissions and enrollment metrics