mit cs phd application requirements

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MIT Doctoral Programs in Computational Science and Engineering

The Center for Computational Science and Engineering (CCSE) offers two doctoral programs in computational science and engineering (CSE) – one leading to a standalone PhD degree in CSE offered entirely by CCSE (CSE PhD) and the other leading to an interdisciplinary PhD degree offered jointly with participating departments in the School of Engineering and the School of Science (Dept-CSE PhD).

While both programs enable students to specialize at the doctoral level in a computation-related field via focused coursework and a thesis, they differ in essential ways. The standalone CSE PhD program is intended for students who intend to pursue research in cross-cutting methodological aspects of computational science. The resulting doctoral degree in Computational Science and Engineering is awarded by CCSE via the the Schwarzman College of Computing. In contrast, the interdisciplinary CSE PhD program is intended for students who are interested in computation in the context of a specific engineering or science discipline. For this reason, this degree is offered jointly with participating departments across the Institute; the interdisciplinary degree is awarded in a specially crafted thesis field that recognizes the student’s specialization in computation within the chosen engineering or science discipline.

For more information about CCSE’s doctoral programs, please explore the links on the left. Information about our application and admission process is available via the ‘ Admissions ‘ tab in our menu. MIT Registrar’s Office provides graduate tuition and fee rates as set by the MIT Corporation and the Graduate Admissions section of MIT’s Office of Graduate Education (OGE) website contains additional information about costs of attendance and funding .

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Below is a list of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing’s graduate degree programs. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is awarded interchangeably with the Doctor of Science (ScD).

Prospective students apply to the department or program under which they want to register. Application instructions can be found on each program’s website as well as on the MIT Graduate Admissions website.

Center for Computational Science and Engineering

The Center for Computational Science and Engineering (CCSE) brings together faculty, students, and other researchers across MIT involved in computational science research and education. The center focuses on advancing computational approaches to science and engineering problems, and offers SM and PhD programs in computational science and engineering (CSE).

• Computational Science and Engineering, SM and PhD . Interdisciplinary master’s program emphasizing advanced computational methods and applications. The CSE SM program prepares students with a common core of computational methods that serve all science and engineering disciplines, and an elective component that focuses on particular applications. Doctoral program enables students to specialize in methodological aspects of computational science via focused coursework and a thesis which involves the development and analysis of broadly applicable computational approaches that advance the state of the art.
• Computational Science and Engineering, Interdisciplinary PhD. Doctoral program offered jointly with eight participating departments, focusing on the development of new computational methods relevant to science and engineering disciplines. Students specialize in a computation-related field of their choice through coursework and a doctoral thesis. The specialization in computational science and engineering is highlighted by specially crafted thesis fields. 

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

The largest academic department at MIT, the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) prepares hundreds of students for leadership roles in academia, industry, government and research. Its world-class faculty have built their careers on pioneering contributions to the field of electrical engineering and computer science — a field which has transformed the world and invented the future within a single lifetime. MIT EECS consistently tops the U.S. News & World Report and other college rankings and is widely recognized for its rigorous and innovative curriculum. A joint venture between the Schwarzman College of Computing and the School of Engineering, EECS (also known as Course 6) is now composed of three overlapping sub-units in electrical engineering (EE), computer science (CS), and artificial intelligence and decision-making (AI+D).

• Computation and Cognition, MEng*. Course 6-9P builds on the Bachelor of Science in Computation and Cognition to provide additional depth in the subject areas through advanced coursework and a substantial thesis.
• Computer Science, PhD
• Computer Science and Engineering, PhD
• Computer Science, Economics, and Data Science, MEng*. New in Fall 2022, Course 6-14P builds on the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Economics, and Data Science to provide additional depth in economics and EECS through advanced coursework and a substantial thesis.
• Computer Science and Molecular Biology, MEng*. Course 6-7P builds on the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Molecular Biology to provide additional depth in computational biology through coursework and a substantial thesis.
• Electrical Engineering, PhD
• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MEng* , SM* , and PhD . Master of Engineering program (Course 6-P) provides the depth of knowledge and the skills needed for advanced graduate study and for professional work, as well as the breadth and perspective essential for engineering leadership. Master of Science program emphasizes one or more of the theoretical or experimental aspects of electrical engineering or computer science as students progress toward their PhD.
• Electrical Engineer / Engineer in Computer Science.** For PhD students who seek more extensive training and research experiences than are possible within the master’s program.
• Thesis Program with Industry, MEng.* Combines the Master of Engineering academic program with periods of industrial practice at affiliated companies. 

* Available only to qualified EECS undergraduates. ** Available only to students in the EECS PhD program who have not already earned a Master’s and to Leaders for Global Operations students.

Institute for Data, Systems, and Society

The Institute for Data, Systems, and Society advances education and research in analytical methods in statistics and data science, and applies these tools along with domain expertise and social science methods to address complex societal challenges in a diverse set of areas such as finance, energy systems, urbanization, social networks, and health.

• Social and Engineering Systems, PhD. Interdisciplinary PhD program focused on addressing societal challenges by combining the analytical tools of statistics and data science with engineering and social science methods.
• Technology and Policy, SM . Master’s program addresses societal challenges through research and education at the intersection of technology and policy.
• Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Statistics . For students currently enrolled in a participating MIT doctoral program who wish to develop their understanding of 21st-century statistics and apply these concepts within their chosen field of study. Participating departments and programs: Aeronautics and Astronautics, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Economics, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Political Science, and Social and Engineering Systems.

Operations Research Center

The Operations Research Center (ORC) offers multidisciplinary graduate programs in operations research and analytics. ORC’s community of scholars and researchers work collaboratively to connect data to decisions in order to solve problems effectively — and impact the world positively.

In conjunction with the MIT Sloan School of Management, ORC offers the following degrees:

• Operations Research, SM and PhD . Master’s program teaches important OR techniques — with an emphasis on practical, real-world applications — through a combination of challenging coursework and hands-on research. Doctoral program provides a thorough understanding of the theory of operations research while teaching students to how to develop and apply operations research methods in practice.
• Business Analytics, MBAn. Specialized advanced master’s degree designed to prepare students for careers in data science and business analytics.

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Dear prospective applicant,

Thank you for your interest in graduate study in EECS.

For information on EECS, please visit our web page:  http://www-eecs.mit.edu/ . The Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department does NOT require GRE scores for admission purposes. Admission is determined by GPA (Grade Point Average) although there is not an official cut-off, letters of recommendation (we need three of them) and a “Statement of Objectives” in which you write an essay detailing your research interests. For more information about writing a Statement of Objectives, see  this article from the MIT EECS Communication Lab . A very strong background in math, physics, engineering, or computer science is a necessity. Admission for the limited number of openings is extremely competitive and each year we are forced to turn down hundreds of applicants with excellent credentials. Since we do not have a terminal Master’s program in EECS, everyone must apply for PhD. Applicants who gain admission pursue the Master’s degree on the way to the PhD. If a student already has a Master’s from another school, there is no need to do another Master’s degree here at MIT.

We use an online application system which you can access by going to  http://web.mit.edu  and link to admission. The online system becomes available around the middle of September.

Decisions on financial aid are made after admission decisions are reached. International students are eligible for research assistantships which pay a monthly stipend and full tuition. Research supervisors are determined after admission decisions are reached or shortly after registering in EECS in the Fall. Admitted students are also eligible for certain fellowships.

International students must take the TOEFL exam and earn at least a score of 100 (internet-based). In some cases, the TOEFL can be waived; such as if you’ve been in U.S. for at least two years, or if your country’s first language is English. International students can also take the IELTS exam if the TOEFL is not available to you. We need to see a score of ‘7’ on this test. It also can be waived for the same reasons as the TOEFL.

We do NOT offer spring term admission. The deadline for applying for Fall Term 2022 is December 15, 2021. The online application will be available between September 15, 2021 and December 15, 2021. 

Good luck with your application!

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Admissions Requirements

The following are general requirements you should meet to apply to the MIT Sloan PhD Program. Complete instructions concerning application requirements are available in the online application.

General Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent
• A strong quantitative background (the Accounting group requires calculus)
• Exposure to microeconomics and macroeconomics (the Accounting group requires microeconomics)

A Guide to Business PhD Applications by Abhishek Nagaraj (PhD 2016) may be of interest.

Application Components

Statement of purpose.

Your written statement is your chance to convince the admissions committee that you will do excellent doctoral work and that you have the promise to have a successful career as an academic researcher. 

GMAT/GRE Scores

We require either a valid GMAT or valid GRE score. At-home testing is allowed. Your unofficial score report from the testing institution is sufficient for application. If you are admitted to the program, you will be required to submit your official test score for verification.    

We do not have a minimum score requirement. We do not offer test waivers. Registration information for the GMAT (code X5X-QS-21) and GRE (code 3510) may be obtained at www.mba.com and www.ets.org respectively.

TOEFL/IELTS Scores

We require either a valid TOEFL (minimum score 577 PBT/90 IBT ) or valid IELTS (minimum score 7) for all non-native English speakers. Your unofficial score report from the testing institution is sufficient for application. If you are admitted to the program, you will be required to submit your official test score for verification.    Registration information for TOEFL (code 3510) and IELTS may be obtained at www.toefl.org and www.ielts.org respectively.

The TOEFL/IELTS test requirement is waived only if you meet one of the following criteria:

• You are a native English speaker.
• You attended all years of an undergraduate program conducted solely in English, and are a graduate of that program.

Please do not contact the PhD Program regarding waivers, as none will be discussed. If, upon review, the faculty are interested in your application with a missing required TOEFL or IELTS score, we may contact you at that time to request a score.

Transcripts

We require unofficial copies of transcripts for each college or university you have attended, even if no degree was awarded. If these transcripts are in a language other than English, we also require a copy of a certified translation. In addition, you will be asked to list the five most relevant courses you have taken.

Letters of Recommendation

We require three letters of recommendation. Academic letters are preferred, especially those providing evidence of research potential. We allow for an optional  fourth recommendation, but no more than four recommendations are allowed.

Your resume should be no more than two pages. You may chose to include teaching, professional experience, research experience, publications, and other accomplishments in outside activities.

Writing Sample(s)

Applicants are encouraged to submit a writing sample. For applicants to the Finance group, a writing sample is required. There are no specific guidelines for your writing sample. Possible options include (but are not limited to) essays, masters’ theses, capstone projects, or research papers.

Video Essay

A video essay is required for the Accounting research group and optional for the Marketing and System Dynamics research groups. The essay is a short and informal video answering why you selected this research group and a time where you creatively solved a problem. The video can be recorded with your phone or computer, and should range from 2 to 5 minutes in length. There is no attention — zero emphasis! — on the production value of your video.  

Nondiscrimination Policy: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment. For complete text of MIT’s Nondiscrimination Statement, please click  here .

1. Undergraduate Admissions

• Apply to MIT as an undergrad  ( Labs like CSAIL do not directly admit students)
• Apply to MIT's summer programs
• Current MIT undergrads: do CSAIL research via the  Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program  (UROP)

2. Graduate Admissions

CSAIL does not directly admit students. Instead, students apply directly to specific departments, like  Electrical Engineering & Computer Science , Mathematics , Aeronautics and Astronautics and  Mechanical Engineering . 

Deadlines for most programs are December 15. Engineering master’s students at MIT can also  do research assistantships   at CSAIL.

3. Postdoctoral Opportunities

Potential postdocs should  explore our research  and reach out directly to the principal investigator you’d like to work with!

NOTE: CSAIL doesn't generally accept interns or research assistants, especially non-MIT students. In the rare event that a faculty member chooses to take one on, preference is given to MIT students.

First-year applicants: Deadlines & requirements

The application.

The first-year application is closed in the MIT application portal .

Please note: You’re only allowed to apply once per entry year.

Early Action (EA)

Regular action (ra), supplemental materials.

Our admissions process is designed to be completed online. Creative portfolios in SlideRoom are available for researchers, performing artists, visual artists, and makers to submit supplemental materials.

If you must mail materials to MIT, please use this address:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Office of Undergraduate Admissions 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room E38-200 Cambridge, MA 02139

Other dates & deadlines

• All students who are applying for financial aid should submit materials by February 15 (see Financial aid deadlines )
• Early Action applicants will receive an admissions decision in mid-December
• Regular Action students will receive an admissions decision in mid-March
• Admitted students must inform MIT of their enrollment decision by May 1

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Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering

General institute requirements (girs).

The General Institute Requirements include a Communication Requirement that is integrated into both the HASS Requirement and the requirements of each major; see details below.

Departmental Program

Choose at least two subjects in the major that are designated as communication-intensive (CI-M) to fulfill the Communication Requirement.

The units for any subject that counts as one of the 17 GIR subjects cannot also be counted as units required beyond the GIRs.

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The PDF includes all information on this page and its related tabs. Subject (course) information includes any changes approved for the current academic year.

New CS Major Requirements in AY 2024-25

By Ravi Chugh April 1, 2024

The computer science major at the University of Chicago has grown dramatically in the past decade. Compared to 34 students graduating with either a BA or BS in computer science in AY 2013-14, last year 156 students graduated with a CS major. Also according to the census reports from the registrar , computer science is now the second most common declared major in the College.

During this time, the number and breadth of courses offered has grown significantly, with the curriculum requirements being reviewed and revised along the way.

• In AY 2018-19, the number of courses available to fulfill the Theory C requirement was increased from two to seven (that number is now ten).
• In AY 2019-20, the major was extended with an option to complete a three-course specialization, chosen from among seven curriculum areas within computer science.
• Also in AY 2019-20, the physical sciences general education requirement was revised to allow BA students to choose from among a broader range of courses.
• In AY 2022-23, the introductory sequence was restructured.
• Also in AY 2022-23, the requirements for completing a bachelor’s thesis were formalized.

Throughout these changes, however, the basic structure of the major has remained largely the same. As detailed in the latest College Catalog , we have made some structural changes to the requirements for both the BA and BS degrees in computer science starting AY 2024-25. Changes to the BS include some “regular maintenance” to help refresh the aims of the degree: to prepare students with a depth of foundational knowledge in computer science. Changes to the BA aim to allow students to study a greater breadth of topics en route to various careers in computer science and beyond.

In addition to changes to the major requirements described below, we are also working to streamline some of the information in the Catalog, the department’s Undergraduate pages , and Course Info . Take a look around, and check back for more updates in the future.

Please note that students who are already on their way to fulfilling the existing BA or BS requirements are allowed to do so. As usual, currently enrolled students may choose to fulfill the existing requirements or adopt the new Catalog for their degree audits.

Current Bx Requirements

As background to discuss the changes, first we depict the current major requirements below. The current major requirements comprise the four-course Introductory Sequence, a three-course Theory ABC sequence, two courses in Programming Languages and Systems, and five electives. Students may elect to take three of the electives in a specific specialization area. In addition, currently BS students must take three courses in an “approved field outside computer science.”

BS Requirements Starting AY 2024-25

There are four components to the revised BS requirements, indicated by maroon circles in the following diagram and then discussed in turn.

1. Total Number of Courses

The three-course related field requirement has been eliminated, and the total number of CS courses has been raised from 14 to 15.

In the current era, in which many if not all fields are impacted by computer science and computing in some way — and in which the CS faculty and course offerings have expanded in countless directions — the related field requirement no longer serves a meaningful role in the major requirements.

Furthermore, increasing the total number of CS courses helps facilitate the goal for BS students to pursue greater depth in core computer science topics.

2. Systems Requirement

For many years, the CS major required students to complete three courses in the Programming Languages and Systems area. This number was decreased to two when the introductory sequence was revised and expanded from three courses to four.

The growth of the department has led to the creation of many courses in a variety of curriculum areas, and many of these courses have been included under the umbrella of PL and Systems. This explosion in the breadth of course offerings is undoubtedly positive in its own right. However, the sheer size of the current PL and Systems list — which now includes 21 courses — means that the PL and Systems requirement no longer achieves a clear and coherent set of objectives.

The new BS degree program eliminates the PL and Systems requirement in favor of a one-course Systems requirement, fulfilled by a much narrower list of core systems classes. This list includes:

• CMSC 22200 Computer Architecture
• CMSC 22240 Computer Architecture for Scientists
• CMSC 22600 Compilers for Computer Languages
• CMSC 23000 Operating Systems
• CMSC 23320 Foundations of Computer Networks
• CMSC 23500 Introduction to Database Systems

Each of these courses is rooted in studying the principles of systems that are intimately concerned with low-level architectural design factors, leading to a detailed understanding of the hardware/software system stack and the use of complex data structures in performance-critical systems.

3. Machine Learning Requirement

It goes without saying that recent advances in the mathematical foundations and applications of machine learning play an influential role in modern computer science. As such, the new BS program requires that students take at least one machine learning class, such as CMSC 25300 Mathematical Foundations of Machine Learning, CMSC 25400 Machine Learning, TTIC 31020 Machine Learning, or more advanced courses in the Machine Learning curriculum area.

4. Required Specialization

Lastly, in line with the aim for BS students to pursue greater depth in foundational computer science, the new BS degree requires students to complete a three-course specialization. Adding up the different requirements leaves three free electives to reach the required 15 CS courses to earn a BS in computer science.

BA Requirements Starting AY 2024-25

Compared to the BS changes, the changes to the BA are larger in overall scope though simple to explain. These changes are indicated by maroon circles in the following diagram and then discussed in turn. 

0. Total Number of Courses

The zeroth consideration is the total number of CS courses, which remains 14 as in the current BA (and BS) requirements.

1. Fewer Required Courses

The primary structural change, compared to the BS, is that only the Introductory Sequence and Theory AB courses are required. There is no Systems (or PL and Systems) requirement, nor a Theory C requirement.

2. Breadth Requirement

The reduction in required courses enables an increase in the number of electives, now eight. To facilitate the goal for BA students to obtain broad training in the many fields of computer science, the eight electives must span at least five different curriculum areas . Curriculum areas include all of the existing specialization areas (currently there are seven), plus several other areas of computer science in which we offer multiple courses but not enough to sustain three-course sequences of specialized study (currently there are four: Quantum Computing, Robotics, Software Engineering, and Visual Computing). There is also a Miscellaneous area for nascent corners of our curriculum.

As detailed on Course Info , individual courses may be tagged as part of multiple curriculum areas. But for the purposes of the breadth requirement, any single course can only count toward one curriculum area.

Furthermore, students pursuing a BA degree do not have an option for specialization. Even if a student completes three courses in a particular curriculum area, the conferred degree will not include a designation indicating a specialization in that area.

To recap, the new requirements for the BS degree are a natural evolution of existing (BA and BS) requirements. The changes to the BA are larger in structure, differentiating its focus more toward breadth as opposed to depth in computer science, providing students an even greater variety of pathways for studying computer science and related fields at UChicago.

In addition to the changes above, there are also changes to the policies for earning Honors in computer science. The structure remains the same: Students must either pursue a Bx Thesis or three approved courses, and also earn a B or higher in all CS courses counted toward the major.

The first change lies in the definition of “approved courses.” Currently, the list of courses contains only graduate courses, in particular, drawing from among PhD Core and PhD Elective courses. Starting AY 2024-25, the list of approved courses will be expanded to include some CMSC 200-level courses with “Honors” in the title. See Course Info for a complete list of courses that satisfy the Honors requirement.

The second change is that two of the three courses counted towards the Honors requirement must be completed at least one quarter prior to graduation.

Acknowledgments

Many thanks to the rest of the undergraduate team (Adam Shaw and Jessica Garza), the department’s undergraduate committee, and the CS faculty as a whole for working on these changes. Special thanks to Professor Anne Rogers who, while serving as DUS for the previous five years, led all of the curriculum efforts described at the beginning of this article, as well as the structural changes to the major requirements announced here. Thank you, Professor Rogers!

Additional References

CS Catalog pages

• ​​ AY 2018-19