https://www.csc.ncsu.edu/academics/graduate/degrees/phd.php
PhD candidates must take four core courses, consisting of two courses from each of two categories:
Category 1: Theory
CSC 503 (Computational Applied Logic)
CSC 505 (Algorithms)
CSC 512 (Compiler Construction)
CSC 514 (Foundations of Cryptography)
CSC 565 (Graph Theory)
CSC 579 (Performance Evaluation)
CSC 580 (Numerical Analysis)
CSC 707 (Theory of Computation)
Category 2: Systems
CSC 501 (Operating Systems)
CSC 506 (Parallel Architectures)
CSC 510 (Software Engineering)
CSC 520 (Artificial Intelligence)
CSC 540 (Database Systems)
CSC 561 (Graphics)
CSC 570 (Networks)
CSC 574 (Computer and Network Security)
CURRICULUM
The NC State Graduate School requires all PhD candidates to complete 72 credit hours beyond the bachelors degree. If a candidate has earned a Masters degree from NC State and continues without a break into the PhD, up to 36 hours taken while in masters status may be used to meet the requirements for the PhD. If a candidate experiences a break between the Masters degree and the PhD, or earns a Masters degree from an institution other than NC State, up to 18 hours taken while in masters status may be used to meet the requirements for the PhD. Transfer credits require the approval of the student's Advisory Committee and the Director of Graduate Programs (DGP).
A summary of the curriculum requirements for the PhD is below.
Requirement Credit Hours
Orientation Course (CSC 600) 1
Core courses (four) 12
Computer Science 700-level courses (two) 6
Written Qualifying Exam (CSC 890) 6
Computer Science graduate electives / research credits 47
Total 72
All incoming PhD students must register for an orientation course: CSC 600 (Computer Science Graduate Orientation).
PhD candidates must take four core courses, consisting of two courses from each of two categories:
Category 1: Theory
CSC 503 (Computational Applied Logic), CSC 505 (Algorithms), CSC 512 (Compiler Construction), CSC 514 (Foundations of Cryptography), CSC 565 (Graph Theory), CSC 579 (Performance Evaluation), CSC 580 (Numerical Analysis), CSC 707 (Theory of Computation).
Category 2: Systems
CSC 501 (Operating Systems), CSC 506 (Parallel Architectures), CSC 510 (Software Engineering), CSC 520 (Artificial Intelligence), CSC 540 (Database Systems), CSC 561 (Graphics), CSC 570 (Networks), CSC 574 (Computer and Network Security).
The GPA of the four core courses must be 3.5 or better. CSC 720 may be substituted for CSC 520 and CSC 573 may be substituted for CSC 570. Special topics courses (CSC 59x or 79x) may not be used to satisfy core course requirements. Core course requirements must be met during the first 27 credit hours of the candidate's degree program.
The candidate must also take two CSC 700 level courses. One of these courses may be a CSC 791 (Special Topics) course with approval of the advisor and DGP.
Additional requirements:
Courses cannot be double counted for both the core and the 700-level requirements.
All Computer Science credits must be at or above the 500 level. At most 3 credits outside Computer Science may be at the 400 level.
To graduate, a student must have a minimum 3.0 average on all graduate course work, as well as all courses on his or her Plan of Graduate Work. Any student with a GPA less than 3.0 cannot hold an assistantship. A student's graduate study will be terminated if 18 or more credit hours at the 400 level or above have been attempted with a GPA of less than 3.0.