2021-2022 Theory of Algorithms Ph.D. Qualifying Examination

Department of Computer Science, Virginia Tech

Exam committee

• Dr. Jamie Sikora, Chair

• Dr. Sharath Raghvendra

• Dr. Lenwood Heath

Exam Format

• The committee will provide two topics in Theory of Algorithms and also suggest important papers within these topics. The student will write a paper as detailed in the link below corresponding to their topic choice. After submitting his/her paper to the committee, the student will give a 15-minute presentation of his/her work followed by a brief question period (approximately 15 minutes).

• Each student will be evaluated on the content and quality of their written paper and their presentation/answers.

Schedule

• The list of topics (and, contained within, the recommended format for the paper) will be released on December 1, 2021.

• In order to register, students must send an email to Jamie Sikora by December 7, 2021 and state their topic choice. If they choose Discrete Algorithms, please also include the list of research papers that you would describe in your paper.

• The paper will be due on January 7, 2022 after which the presentation will be scheduled in consultation with the committee.

Topics

• Topic 1 (Quantum Cryptography)

• Topic 2 (Discrete Algorithms)

Before each of the dates above make sure you check this page for updates.

• Update #1 [11/27/2021]: Quantum topic added

• Update #2 [11/30/2021]: Discrete algorithms topic added