The doctoral degree program aims to prepare and develop professionals capable of conducting and directing research within the discipline of computer science. This degree program requires a minimum of three years of full-time study beyond the bachelor's degree that can be completed with a minimum of 45 hours of coursework and a minimum of 30 hours of dissertation research. The combined hours of coursework and dissertation research should be at least 90. Doctoral students are required to pass a general examination before they successfully defend their dissertation.