Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 36
Required Courses:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Track-Specific Courses 1 | 24 | |
| Research Preparation Courses | ||
| Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
CIS 9182 | Independent Study | |
CIS 9282 | Independent Study | |
Graduate-level course aligned with the student's research area 2 | ||
| Research Courses | 6 | |
CIS 9994 | Preliminary Examination Preparation | |
CIS 9998 | Pre-Dissertation Research / Elevation to Candidacy | |
CIS 9999 | Dissertation Research | |
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
- 1
Required and elective courses are identified in the course lists below for each of the four tracks: Artificial Intelligence and Applications, Computer and Network Systems, Information Systems, and Software Systems.
- 2
Course selection requires approval from the faculty advisor and Graduate Committee.
Artificial Intelligence and Applications Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| CIS 5511 | Programming Techniques | 3 |
| CIS 5526 | Machine Learning | 3 |
| CIS 5603 | Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| Additional Track-Specific Courses | ||
| Select five courses from the following: | 15 | |
CIS 5513 | Automata and Formal Languages | |
CIS 5515 | Design and Analysis of Algorithms | |
CIS 5523 | Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining | |
CIS 5525 | Neural Computation | |
CIS 5527 | Data Warehousing, Filtering and Mining | |
CIS 5538 | Text Mining and Language Processing | |
CIS 5543 | Computer Vision | |
CIS 5617 | Computer Networking and Communication | |
CIS 9590 | Seminar in Advanced Topics in Computer Science | |
CIS 9601 | Computer Graphics and Image Processing | |
CIS 9618 | Web Applications Development | |
CIS 9651 | Artificial Intelligence, Heurisitic Models, and Education | |
CIS 9665 | Advanced Topics in Data Base Systems | |
| Total Credit Hours | 24 | |
Computer and Network Systems Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| Select at least two courses from the following: | 6 | |
CIS 5511 | Programming Techniques | |
CIS 5512 | Operating Systems | |
CIS 5513 | Automata and Formal Languages | |
CIS 5617 | Computer Networking and Communication | |
CIS 5642 | Computer Architecture | |
| Additional Track-Specific Courses | ||
| Select at most six courses from the following: | 18 | |
CIS 5515 | Design and Analysis of Algorithms | |
CIS 5523 | Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining | |
CIS 5526 | Machine Learning | |
CIS 5603 | Artificial Intelligence | |
CIS 5636 | Ad Hoc Networks | |
CIS 5637 | Network & Information Security | |
CIS 5639 | Wireless Network and Communication | |
CIS 5644 | Distributed Systems | |
CIS 9618 | Web Applications Development | |
CIS 9665 | Advanced Topics in Data Base Systems | |
CIS 9666 | Advanced Networks and Client-Server Computing | |
CIS 9669 | Distributed and Parallel Computer Systems | |
| Total Credit Hours | 24 | |
Information Systems Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select a minimum of one and up to three theory courses from the following: | ||
CIS 5511 | Programming Techniques | |
CIS 5515 | Design and Analysis of Algorithms | |
STAT 8003 | Statistical Methods and Concepts | |
| Select a minimum of one and up to three systems courses from the following: | ||
CIS 5512 | Operating Systems | |
CIS 5516 | Principles of Data Management | |
CIS 5617 | Computer Networking and Communication | |
CIS 5644 | Distributed Systems | |
CIS 9666 | Advanced Networks and Client-Server Computing | |
| Select a minimum of two and up to four track-specific courses from the following: | ||
CIS 5525 | Neural Computation | |
CIS 5526 | Machine Learning | |
CIS 5527 | Data Warehousing, Filtering and Mining | |
CIS 5603 | Artificial Intelligence | |
CIS 9590 | Seminar in Advanced Topics in Computer Science | |
CIS 9618 | Web Applications Development | |
CIS 9665 | Advanced Topics in Data Base Systems | |
CIS 9668 | Design and Development of E-Commerce Systems | |
| Total Credit Hours | 24 | |
Software Systems Track
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| CIS 5511 | Programming Techniques | 3 |
| CIS 5512 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| CIS 5513 | Automata and Formal Languages | 3 |
| CIS 5515 | Design and Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| CIS 5516 | Principles of Data Management | 3 |
| CIS 5617 | Computer Networking and Communication | 3 |
| CIS 9618 | Web Applications Development | 3 |
| Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 24 | |
- 1
Selection of the elective requires approval of the Software Systems Track Chair.
Additional Requirement:
PhD Qualifying Examination:
The Qualifying Examination tests the student on the fundamentals of Computer and Information Science and the basic body of knowledge in a track. It consists of a written exam on theory and algorithms, systems, and track-specific material. The Qualifying Exam is offered twice a year, usually in late January and late June.
Culminating Events:
Preliminary Examinations:
The goal of the preliminary examinations is to test the research skills and knowledge of the student and the appropriateness and feasibility of the proposed research. The exams are completed in two stages:
- Prelim I consists of written and oral components testing advanced track knowledge and in-depth knowledge of the research area. It includes a literature review of the area. This preliminary exam is used to determine whether the student needs to take additional courses in order to support research in the chosen area. Prelim I is open only to the Doctoral Advisory Committee and members of the department. It is to be taken within one year of passing the PhD Qualifying Examination.
- Prelim II consists of written and oral components to assess the appropriateness of the research, including approach and methodology. It is designed to ensure that the selected research problem is of reasonable scope and significance and that the proposed dissertation is feasible. The written portion of Prelim II should be of sufficient quality to be publishable as a department technical report. This exam is open to the public.
The Doctoral Advisory Committee evaluates the preliminary examinations. Each member votes to pass or fail the student. In order to pass, a majority of the committee members must agree that the exam has been satisfactorily completed. Successful completion of the preliminary examinations produces a written understanding among the student, faculty advisor and Doctoral Advisory Committee, specifying the work to be done to obtain final approval of the dissertation.
Students who are preparing to do their preliminary examinations should confirm a time and date with the Chair of their Doctoral Advisory Committee and register with the Administrative Coordinator one month prior to the date. The student and Chair receive confirmation of the time, date and room of the examination.
Dissertation Proposal:
The dissertation proposal demonstrates the student's knowledge of and ability to conduct the proposed research. The proposal should consist of:
- the context and background surrounding a particular research problem;
- an exhaustive survey and review of literature related to the problem; and
- a detailed methodological plan for investigating the problem.
The proposal should be finished and approved no more than one year after completing coursework. Upon approval, a timeline for completing the investigation and writing process are established.
Dissertation:
The doctoral dissertation is an original empirical study that makes a significant contribution to the field of Computer and Information Science. It should expand the existing knowledge and demonstrate the student's knowledge of research methods and a mastery of their primary area of interest. Dissertations should be rigorously investigated; uphold the ethics and standards of the Computer and Information Science field; demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the primary area of interest and the broader field of Computer and Information Science; and be prepared for publication in a professional journal.
The Doctoral Advisory Committee is formed to oversee the student's doctoral research and is comprised of at least three Graduate Faculty members. Two members, including the Chair, must be from the Department of Computer and Information Sciences. Committee compositions must be approved by the CIS Graduate Committee. The Chair is responsible for overseeing and guiding the student's progress, coordinating the responses of the committee members, and informing the student of their academic progress.
The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the student's dissertation and oral defense. This committee is comprised of the Doctoral Advisory Committee and at least one additional Graduate Faculty member from outside the Department of Computer and Information Sciences. The Outside Examiner should be identified no later than the beginning of the term in which the student will defend the dissertation. The committee evaluates the student's ability to express verbally their research question, methodological approach, primary findings and implications. The committee votes to pass or fail the dissertation and the defense at the conclusion of the public presentation.
If a student needs to change a member of a committee, the new member must be approved by the CIS Graduate Committee and registered with the Administrative Coordinator and the Graduate School.
Students who are preparing to defend their dissertation should confirm a time and date with their Doctoral Advisory Committee and register with the Administrative Coordinator at least 30 days before the defense is to be scheduled. The student and Chair receive confirmation of the time, date and room for the examination.
The Administrative Coordinator sends the Graduate School a completed "Announcement of Dissertation Defense" form, found in TUportal under the Tools tab within "University Forms," at least 10 days before the defense. The department posts flyers announcing the defense.