University of Wisconsin–Madison

How this program compares

Benchmark this program against our national recognition pages and use the key guides below to evaluate ROI, admissions difficulty, and outcomes.

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: Applicants typically hold a bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, or a related field, with strong undergraduate performance (GPA 3.5+) and demonstrated research or professional experience in AI/ML. A master's degree in computer science or related field is preferred but not always required.

About This Program

A rigorous research degree where students work with faculty on original discoveries in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and systems research.

Career Outcomes

Command advanced AI Research Scientist in Cross-Industry AI through machine learning

• 1. AI Research Scientist
• 2. Machine Learning Engineer
• 3. AI Research Director
• 4. Data Science Leader

What You'll Learn

• Design and implement state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms and deep learning architectures for complex real-world problems
• Conduct rigorous theoretical and empirical research in artificial intelligence, including formal analysis of algorithm performance and limitations
• Apply advanced techniques in computer vision, natural language processing, and reinforcement learning to domain-specific challenges
• Develop expertise in research methodologies, including experimental design, evaluation metrics, and publication of peer-reviewed work

Curriculum Highlights

Candidates complete a qualifying breadth process across topics like deep learning and optimization, followed by depth examinations and a formal dissertation requirement.

Top Employers

Top employers include Google, Meta, OpenAI, Microsoft, DeepMind, Tesla, Amazon, and major research institutions and national laboratories.

Admissions

Applicants typically hold a bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, or a related field, with strong undergraduate performance (GPA 3.5+) and demonstrated research or professional experience in AI/ML. A master's degree in computer science or related field is preferred but not always required.

Application Materials

• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Letters of Recommendation: 3
• Resume: Required
• Transcripts: Official transcripts required
• Research Portfolio or Writing Sample: Recommended

Academic Requirements

• Degree Required: PhD in Computer Sciences
• GRE: Required (typically 160+ Quantitative)
• TOEFL/IELTS: Required for international students (TOEFL 80+ / IELTS 6.5+)