The Qualifier consists of two 3-hour exams in the following areas: Computation Theory and Analysis of Algorithms. The Qualifier is intended to test each student's preparation in two core areas of computer science that are foundational to all areas of computer science research. The Qualifier is offered immediately before the spring and fall semesters each year.
The topics covered on each of the exams in the Qualifier are specified via a syllabus that is available from the Graduate Secretary. Preparation for both exams should include the successful completion of the following courses at Michigan Tech or an equivalent course from another university: CS5311 and CS5321. Although the exams are not specifically tied to a course, these courses should provide excellent preparation for the material contained on each exam syllabus.
Each student has up to two attempts to pass the Qualifier. All students must take the entire Qualifier during the first attempt, which must occur at the end of the first year of enrollment in the Ph.D. program. A student may earn one of the following grades on each exam: pass, marginal, or fail. Each student must earn a pass on one exam and at least a marginal on the other exam in order to pass the Qualifier. If a student does not earn these results on the first attempt the student may take either or both exams on the second attempt. If a student takes an exam multiple times, the highest grade will count toward the completion of the Qualifier. Any exam successfully completed during the first attempt will not need to be retaken during the next examination. If a student needs to retake either exam, the second attempt must occur one semester after the first. Thus, each student has two opportunities in 1.5 years from enrollment in the Ph.D. program to pass the Qualifier. Requests for a time extension due to extenuating circumstances will be considered on a individual basis and must be submitted to the Graduate Director in a timely fashion.
Each exam will be both written and graded by two graduate faculty chosen by the CS Department Graduate Director. The CS Department Graduate Director and all of the faculty who wrote the Qualifier will form an examination committee to determine the results of the exams.
Students with a B.S. or M.S. in CS or a closely related field have 1.5 years from the start of the first semester of enrollment in the CS Ph.D. program to pass the two exams. Extensions of the deadline may be requested in writing by the student to the CS Graduate Committee. Students without a degree in a field closely related to CS will be given 2.5 years, but still only two attempts, to pass the Qualifier.