Boise State University

What you'll study

The programme combines advanced coursework, original research and teaching experience to prepare students to conduct independent, applied research. Early stages typically focus on core topics and research foundations, then move into specialised coursework and a sustained research dissertation under faculty supervision.

• Core and advanced coursework: advanced algorithms, machine learning and statistical methods, operating systems and distributed systems, software engineering, computer architecture and embedded systems, and computational modelling.
• Research methods: experimental design, reproducible research, performance evaluation, and scientific computing techniques relevant to applied projects.
• Specialist electives: students choose electives aligned with their research area — examples include cyber-physical systems, cybersecurity, data science and analytics, high-performance computing, computer vision, natural language processing, and Internet of Things.
• Qualifying milestones: a written and/or oral qualifying exam or portfolio to demonstrate preparedness for doctoral research, followed by a formal dissertation proposal defence.
• Doctoral research and dissertation: sustained original research culminating in a dissertation and public defence. Projects emphasise practical impact and often include collaborations with industry or other research organisations.
• Teaching and professional development: opportunities to gain pedagogical experience through teaching assistantships, plus seminars on grant writing, ethics, and entrepreneurship.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a strong academic background in computer science or a closely related discipline. Typical admissions criteria include:

• Academic qualifications: a master’s degree in computer science, applied computer science, computer engineering or a related field is preferred; exceptional applicants with a bachelor’s degree and substantial research experience may be considered.
• Transcripts: demonstrated excellence in relevant undergraduate and graduate coursework, particularly in core CS areas such as algorithms, systems and mathematics.
• Research preparation: a statement of research interests outlining proposed areas of study and fit with faculty expertise, and a CV detailing research, publications or relevant projects.
• References: at least three academic or professional letters of recommendation that speak to research potential and readiness for doctoral work.
• Standardised tests and English: the programme may not require GRE scores for all applicants; where graduate test scores are requested they are considered alongside the full application. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through recognised tests or prior study in English, unless exempt.
• Fit with faculty: successful applicants typically identify faculty members with compatible research interests and describe potential research directions that align with the department’s strengths.

Career prospects

Graduates from an applied PhD in Computer Science pursue a wide range of careers that leverage deep technical expertise and research experience.

• Academic research and teaching: faculty positions at universities and colleges, postdoctoral research appointments, or roles in university-affiliated research centres.
• Industry R&D: research scientist, machine learning engineer, data scientist, systems architect or senior engineer roles in technology companies, healthcare, finance, energy and other applied domains.
• National laboratories and government: research and development positions at national labs and government agencies where applied computing expertise supports large-scale scientific and engineering projects.
• Startups and entrepreneurship: founding or joining technology startups, translating research prototypes into commercial products, or taking technical leadership roles in small companies.
• Cross-disciplinary roles: computational scientist roles in domains such as bioinformatics, geoscience, robotics and advanced manufacturing that require both domain knowledge and strong computing skills.

Why study at Boise State University

Boise State’s Department of Computer Science emphasises applied, collaborative research with strong links to regional industry and research partners, providing PhD students with opportunities to work on problems of practical importance. The university’s location in a growing technology hub offers access to local companies, startups and national research facilities, enabling internships and partnerships that complement academic work.

Students benefit from accessible faculty mentorship, multidisciplinary centres and labs that support areas such as data science, cybersecurity and high-performance computing, and a culture that encourages translation of research into practical solutions. Funding support through assistantships and research grants is available for qualified doctoral students, together with professional development resources to support career placement in academia or industry.