The Preliminary Examination is intended to assess a student’s understanding of the basic prerequisite concepts for entrance into the Doctoral program in Computer Science. It also insures that all incoming students have the ability to effectively reason with and integrate the underlying knowledge and concepts in the broad field of Computer Science. This ability is necessary to continue the student’s studies in the Doctoral program.
Students must successfully complete the Preliminary Examination within 12 months of entrance into the program. Students who join the program in August must take the exam in mid November. Students who join the program in January must take the exam in mid April. The Preliminary Examination covers three areas:
- Data Structures and Fundamentals of Programming
- Computer Operating Systems
- Design and Analysis of Algorithms
See the Preliminary Examination Guideline, the Reading List, and Samples of old Questions in preparation for the Preliminary Examination.