Finding an adviser is the most important decision you make when embarking on a Ph.D. They are your mentor, your supervisor, and responsible for making sure you are funded. We do not accept full-time students unless they already have an adviser committed to hiring and supporting them. For part-time students, your first year is all about finding your adviser.

The qualification exam verifies that you have the foundational knowledge and research skills to conduct independent research. The first part is completing the required theory, systems, and AI/ML courses with grades of A or B. The second part is an oral examination: you and your adviser select a significant paper in your research area, you submit a 6-page writeup reviewing the background literature, and you present at the 8101 Doctoral Seminar before a faculty committee who will examine your depth of understanding.

Full-time students with MS transfer credits should aim to qualify by the end of their first year or beginning of their second. All students must qualify by the end of the semester after completing their required coursework.

Full qualification exam details, including the evaluation rubric →

Your committee plays a crucial role in guiding and evaluating the quality of your research. They will ultimately examine your proposal and defense and determine if you pass. You choose which faculty to ask to be on your committee, with the approval of your adviser. The committee must adhere to these rules:

1. Your adviser is the chair of your committee.
2. If you have co-advisers, they will be co-chairs of your committee.
3. You must have a minimum of four committee members.
4. All committee members must have a Ph.D. (or terminal degree in their field).
5. One member who is not the sole chair must be from Computer Science.
6. One member who is not the sole chair must be from outside Computer Science or from outside UTRGV.

Once you form your committee, you should be discussing your ongoing work with them regularly so that they can provide guidance and feedback. You should not expect them to just show up at the defense and approve you.

After forming your committee and establishing your research direction, you present a formal proposal to your committee. This oral presentation covers your research question, the relevant prior work, your progress to date, and your plan to complete the dissertation. Once your committee approves your proposal, you advance to candidacy and focus on completing and defending your dissertation. You must complete at least one year of candidacy before defending your dissertation.

The final milestone is the oral defense of your completed dissertation before your committee and any interested attendees, followed by examination by the committee. A successful defense, combined with an approved written dissertation submitted to the Graduate College, completes your PhD.

There are a number of deadlines and forms for your defense and manuscript submission here: Thesis and Dissertation resources ↗.

All PhD students train and contribute to the teaching mission by either acting as instructor for an undergraduate course for one semester under the supervision of a faculty member, or by serving as a TA for two semesters. Full details on the teaching requirement →