COMPUTER SCIENCE
Computer Science at the Harvard School of Engineering studies both the
fundamentals of computation and computation’s interaction with the world. Computer
scientists develop new algorithms, invent new systems and theories that empower
people and society, and advance the science of computing while working with
engineers, scientists, social scientists, lawyers, artists, and others around the
university and beyond.
Computer scientists at Harvard pursue work in a wide range of areas including
theoretical computer science, artificial intelligence, economics and computer
science, privacy and security, data-management systems, intelligent interfaces,
operating systems, computer graphics, computational linguistics, robotics, networks,
architectures, program languages, machine learning, and visualization.
Computer Science at Harvard is committed to advancing the goals of the Office of
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) by supporting students, staff, faculty, and
researchers from diverse backgrounds.
Students and researchers are involved in a number of interdisciplinary initiatives
across the University, such as the Center for Research on Computation and Society,
the Institute for Applied Computational Science, the Data Science Initiative, and
the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society.
COMPUTER SCIENCE LEADERSHIP
Stuart M. Shieber
Area Chair for Computer Science
Boaz Barak
Co-Director of Undergraduate Studies, Computer Science
Stephen Chong
Co-Director of Undergraduate Studies, Computer Science
Krzysztof Z Gajos
Director of Graduate Studies, Computer Science
Adam C. Hesterberg
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies for Computer Science
Jenny Mileski
Administrative Director for Academic Operations
Michaela Kapp
Administrative Director for Faculty Support and Administration
Rady M. Rogers
Associate Director of Research Administration and Finance
Jessica E. Brenn
Administrative Coordinator, Computer Science
PHD TIMELINE
First Year (G1)
Fall
Early September:
Notify your financial aid officers of any external funding.
Contact: Erin Bishop in SEAS Finance and Emily Fingerle in GSAS Financial Aid.
Make note of the course registration deadline.
(previously known as "Study Card Day"). See the GSAS Policies Academic Calendar.
Mid-September:
Register for courses before the deadline (previously known as "Study Card Day")
Spring
Mid-January: Deadline for submitting materials to be reviewed at the January CHD
meetings.
Late-January: Course registration deadline (previously known as "Study Card Day").
Mid-February: Deadline for submitting materials to be reviewed at the March CHD
meetings
G1s: Your Prospective Program Plan due to the Office of Academic Programs on this
day.
Transfer of up to 3 classes of coursework may be allowed. Include the Application
for Credit for Work Done Elsewhere with your Prospective Program Plan.
April 1: Research Advisor Selection Form/Research Assistant appointment form due to
Office of Academic Programs.
Early-April: Deadline for submitting materials to be reviewed at the April CHD meetings.
Note: The April CHD meeting is the last CHD meeting in all academic year. CHD
does not meet over the summer. Remember to plan ahead.
Second year (G2)
Throughout year
Teaching Fellows (TFing):
G2’s are required to serve as a Teaching Fellow in either the Fall or Spring semester.
Make sure you complete the TF form once you line up a TF position!
Qualifying Exam:
G2’s are required to take their qualifying exam in either the Fall or Spring terms.
Email quals_defenses@seas to book a room. If you book your own room (e.g.,
external to SEAS) you must still email quals_defenses@seas well in advance in order
for your required documentation to be ready, else your exam cannot take place.
Upon completion of the exam, students are required to submit the Designation of
Research Committee form to OAP.
If you plan to request a delay of the qualifying exam, complete a Request to Delay
Qual Exam form. Note that delays until September (i.e. start of G3 year) are typically
approved as a matter of course
Fall
Mid-September: Course Registration Deadline (previously known as "Study Card Day"). See
the GSAS Policies Academic Calendar.
Mid-October: Final Program Plan due to OAP; see the CHD page for dates.
Spring
Late-January: Course Registration Deadline (previously known as "Study Card Day"). See
the GSAS Policies Academic Calendar.
May 1: Advising Agreement form due to OAP.
May: Commencement and diploma options for Masters en Route / Continuing Master’s
students - You can apply to receive your S.M. degree en route to your PhD after you have
completed eight of your core courses (this requirement may depend on area). You will
receive your S.M. diploma, and participate in the Commencement if you choose to. However
since you will be considered a non-terminal degree recipient, you will not be able to join the
ceremony in Sander's Theater.
Third year (G3+) and beyond
Throughout year
Meet with your Research Committee at least annually, as indicated by your area's
expectations.
Send any changes to your Final Program Plan to the CHD for review. See the CHD page for
submission dates. Note that the Committee on Higher Degrees expects students not to
petition for a revised Program Plan less than a year prior to the final defense in case
additional coursework is required, so it's important to keep your plan up to date with
your courses as actually taken.
Inform OAP of any changes to your research committee.
PhD candidates can review their eligibility to receive an SM en route.
Fall
Early-September: Course Registration Deadline (previously known as "Study Card
Day"). See the GSAS Policies Academic Calendar.
Spring
Late-January: Course Registration Deadline (previously known as "Study Card Day"). See
the GSAS Policies Academic Calendar
May 1: RA reappointment form due to OAP.
Completing your degree
Degree Application
Check out FAS degree-completion information here (Registrar) and deadlines here (GSAS
calendar)
Complete the degree application via [Link] by the Registrar's deadline.
Defense
Book a room for your final defense by emailing quals_defenses@seas.
If you schedule your own room (e.g., external to SEAS) you must still
email quals_defenses@seas well in advance in order for your required
documentation to be ready, else your defense cannot take place. You must also
get agreement from your full committee to hold your defense in a non-SEAS room.
Dissertation Submission and Commencement
Find out the rules for formatting and submitting your dissertation to FAS. GSAS
has formatting guidance as well.
The best way to share your dissertation with others is by linking to the DASH
copy. DASH uses persistent URLs and provides you with download statistics,
and the DASH copy of your PDF will not include the signed Dissertation
Acceptance Certificate (DAC). If you choose to post or share your PDF in
some other way, you should remove the DAC page so that readers do not
have access to the scanned signatures.
Get ready for commencement by updating your email and other contact information
via [Link].
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