Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science and Engineering

Computer scientists and engineers study the design and architecture of digital systems, their properties, and their application. Computing is the field that is most strongly influencing the societal, industrial, and technological advances of this century, bringing a revolution spanning from what humans can do (via information technology, data science, e-commerce, and more) to how they communicate (the web, social networks, mobile devices, and virtual/augmented reality).

The Computer Science and Engineering department at UC Santa Cruz spans multiple areas of research including algorithms, logic, and complexity, computer hardware, including architecture, VLSI (chip design), FPGAs, and design automation, computer security and privacy, cyber-physical systems, distributed systems, database systems, machine learning and artificial intelligence, natural language processing, networks, pervasive computing and human-computer interaction, programming languages, robotics, social computing, storage systems, and visual computing, including computer vision, visualization, and graphics. Computing at UC Santa Cruz has already attained a very high level of international recognition. With its proximity to Silicon Valley and its outstanding research, UCSC is a leader in computing research and education. Questions regarding the graduate programs in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering can be directed to the Graduate Advisor.

A bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited university awarded conferred prior to the quarter in which admission is sought.
Resume or Curriculum Vitae
A Statement of purpose is required
Please describe your plans for graduate study or research and for your future occupation or profession Include any information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and qualifications for graduate study at the University of California Santa Cruz Recommended length is a concise 1-2 pages single-spaced
A Personal History Statement is also required
A cumulative or overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale in the last two years of undergraduate education. This should be displayed on your official academic records.
Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the application process Upload your unofficial transcripts in the online application Official copies are not currently required for the application only for accepting an offer of admission however we reserve the right to change this requirement at any time.
Applicants with a three-year undergraduate degree must also hold a post graduate diploma Masters-Degree or a higher degree.
Internet-based TOEFL minimum acceptable scores.
89 for applicants to the Applied Mathematics Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics Computational Media Computer Science and Engineering Electrical and Computer Engineering Natural Language Processing and Statistical Sciences programs.
83 for applicants to the Human Computer Interaction program
83 for all other programs.
Other TOEFL minimum acceptable scores.
Computer-based 230.
IELTS, a minimum overall score of 7 from the IELTS test is required for admission.
Paper based 570.