PhD in Computer Science Dr. Roberto Rosas Romero Program Coordinator Phone: +52 (222) 229 2677 Ext: 2677 e-mail: roberto.rosas@udlap.mx Introduction Interaction between computer science researchers and industry is increasing. Competitiveness and productivity is highly tied to the automation of processes and human communication and cooperation. The computer is a medium through which ideas and knowledge are expressed and also spread, making our society to evolve. In Mexico, we must prepare human resources who are highly trained at the graduate level in computer science, able to carry out applied research in relevant strategic areas, with the potential to prepare people for working in industry or researches who can respond to the needs of our society. A part of the five-year academic development objectives at the UDLAP, the Vice- Chancellor for Academic Affairs (VAC in Spanish) is supporting the opening of a PhD program which is economically self-sufficient with an excellent academic level. This document presents opportunity areas for UDLAP, in terms of its resources and the nation needs in computer science, the supply and demand of similar programs and the financial strategies of the program as well as increasing interaction with national and international universities. This program belongs to the CONACYT Postgraduate National Register. Such register guarantees the high academic and research level of the program and allows to the students of this program to apply for a scholarship offered also by the CONACYT.
Candidate Profile (or Prospectus) Master degree in computer science or related fields. Knowledge of the English language with enough skills for reading, researching, writing and for making oral presentations on such language. Skill and experience in researching. Skill for the abstraction of problems. Graduate Profile (or Graduate Curriculum) Graduates of the doctoral program will be granted with a PhD degree in Computer Science. After completing their doctoral formation they will have defined a research line. Their work will allow them to collaborate with other researchers in this area, as well as become a leader in this research line, able to direct research projects that will help to prepare other people. Graduates of the program will have the following attributes: The necessary formation in an area of specialization with a scientific project that is focused on solving current relevant problems. The skill to explore new fields of knowledge and contribute, through research, original material that will enrich their area of specialization. The skills and attitudes to contribute to the formation of new researchers, with relevant research streams that are at the forefront of computer science, by advising their undergraduate, masters or doctoral thesis. OBJECTIVES General Objectives To promote and strengthen research on priority areas of computer science in Mexico, positioning the PhD in Computer Science program from the UDLAP at the forefront, as a nationally recognized program (in public and private sectors) with impact and international recognition.
Specific Objectives To increase the number of researches in computer science with a PhD degree in Mexico, trained in a program that meets international quality standards. To train researchers capable of performing those tasks of teaching, working at institutions of higher education, impact on the teaching of computer science at all academic levels: undergraduate, master and PhD degrees. To support the development of quality human resources with relevant research streams for Mexico at the doctoral level, promoting the development of new technologies both in industry and in other research centers and academic institutions. To provide an academic environment that promotes research in computer science and automation as well as the development of human resources in these areas. To train a working group supported by advanced research and tangible results, attractive to industry and government sectors. To provide a research environment to those researchers interested in carrying out multidisciplinary projects and collaborating in related research lines. Entry Requirements Postgraduate applicants should contact the doctoral program coordinator for an appointment and turn in the required documents. They will take later a general knowledge exam and an interview. Candidates to the program will be accepted according to the results of this process. The requirements for the program are: Master s degree: to have a master s degree in computer science or related areas. Required tests: Pass the graduate admissions exam (e.g., EXADEP 500 minimum score or GRE) and present an official certificate of English equivalent to 510-530 minimum score on the TOEFL Advisor: For an applicant s admission to the doctoral program, he/she will require the commitment of a PhD professor in the area of interest of the applicant, who will serve as his/her advisor from the beginning. The request for admission must be accompanied by a personal statement (background and reasons for applying to the doctoral program), two letters of recommendation from professors, a curriculum vitae, and up-to-date copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
Research capacity: The applicants must present to the faculty members their master s thesis and an overview of the research topic recommended by the advisor during the meetings previous to the interview. The interview will take place at least one month prior to the publication of the admissions results. Faculty members will evaluate the candidate s level of motivation, his/her maturity in abstraction, possibilities of financial support and the impact of the research proposal. Faculty Dr. Fernando Antonio Aguilera Ramírez Dr. Gerardo Ayala San Martín Dra. Ofelia Delfina Cervantes Villagomez Dra. Ingrid Kirschning Albers Dr. Mauricio Javier Osorio Galindo Dr. José Alfredo Sánchez Huitrón Dr. Oleg Starostenko Basarab Dr. Daniel Vallejo Rodríguez Dr. José Luis Zechinelli Martini Dr. Vicente Alarcón Aquino Dr. José Miguel David Báez López Dr. Roberto Rosas Romero
Coursework First Semester Technology Elective I EL 011 Mathematics and Computing Elective I EL 012 Automation Elective I EL 013 144 144 18 Second Semester Technology Elective II EL 021 Mathematics and Computing Elective II EL 022 Automation Elective II EL 023 144 144 18 Third Semester Research Seminar I IS 631 Research Seminar II IS 633 96 96 12
Fourth Semester Research Seminar III IS 641 Research Seminar IV IS 644 96 96 12 Fifth Semester Research Seminar V IS 651 Research Seminar VI IS 653 96 0 12 Sixth Semester Research Seminar VII IS 662 Research Seminar VIII IS 664 96 96 12 TOTAL 672 672 84 Technology Electives Human-Computer Interaction Cooperative Work Systems Geographic Information Systems
Distributed Systems Digital Libraries Educational Software Multi-agent Systems Automatic Speech Processing Mathematics and Computer Science Electives Computer Natural Language Processing Applied Logic Algorithmic Geometry Automation Electives Neural Networks Real Time Systems Control Systems Parallel Processing Introduction to Robotics NOTE: With the advisors consent, students may take more than one elective within their specializations area (technology, mathematics and computer science or automation) during one semester. This additional elective in the same area will be revalidated with courses from the other two areas.