Ph.D. in Information Systems

The Ph.D. in Information Systems is a research-oriented degree that prepares students for careers in academia, industry, and government. The program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in information systems and to develop their research skills.

Academic Advisor

The academic advisor for the Ph.D. in Information Systems is Yvette Wohn.

Degree Requirements

To graduate, students must have an approved dissertation and are expected to attain an overall GPA of at least 3.5. Students need to get approval from the Ph.D. Graduate Committee for the courses they take for their degree requirements.

Course Requirements

The course requirements for the Ph.D. in Information Systems vary depending on the student's background. Students with a master's degree in information science or a related computational degree are required to take:

• 12 credits of 700-level courses
• 12 credits of 600-level courses
• IS790 Doctoral Dissertation and Research
• IS791 Doctoral Seminar (0 credits)

Students with a bachelor's degree in information science or a related computational degree are required to take:

• 36 credits of 600 and 700-level courses
• IS790 Doctoral Dissertation and Research
• IS791 Doctoral Seminar (0 credits)

Deadlines

Students who do not meet the following deadlines may be dismissed from the Ph.D. program:

• The required coursework for the Ph.D. program should be completed successfully by the end of the second year in the program.
• The qualifying exam should be completed no later than the first semester of the third year in the program or four semesters after registering for the first time in the 792 pre-doctoral research course.
• The dissertation proposal should be defended successfully by the end of the third year in the Ph.D. program.
• The dissertation must be defended successfully by the end of the sixth year in the Ph.D. program.

Selection of Dissertation Advisor

Temporary advisors are assigned upon entry into the program based on student preferences and availability of funding. Students must select a dissertation topic and permanent advisor within 18 months of joining the program.

Qualifying Exam: Research Study

The research study serves as the Ph.D. qualifying exam and demonstrates research readiness. Each student works with their Ph.D. advisor to identify the topic of a research study.

Timing of the Qualifying Exam

The study proposal should be submitted during the first semester of the third academic year. At the start of the second semester, the student will present the study and results in a department seminar, and prepare a quality publication as lead author.

Qualifying Exam Committee (QEC)

The faculty advisor will propose a Qualifying Exam Committee (QEC) of 3 faculty members with sufficient familiarity with the topic or the study methodology. The QEC must be approved by the Department Ph.D. Committee.

Formation of the Dissertation Committee

A dissertation committee must be formed within three months after passing the qualifying examination. The dissertation committee must be approved by the Department Ph.D. Committee at the time of its formation and before the presentation of the research proposal.

Dissertation Research Proposal

Doctoral candidates must prepare a written research proposal for approval by their dissertation committee. The dissertation proposal is both a plan for research and a binding contract between the dissertation committee and the student.

Dissertation and Defense

A dissertation should demonstrate original research that contributes to knowledge in the field. The dissertation should result in scholarly publication and must be defended in a publicly-announced oral defense.

Independent Teaching Practicum

During the practicum, a degree candidate will teach at least one course under the course coordinator's direct supervision. It is preferred that this be a class in which the student served as a teaching assistant.

Participation in Research Activities

Informatics Ph.D. seminar meetings present an important opportunity for faculty and Ph.D. students to immerse themselves in Informatics research paradigms, learn about research interests, present ideas, and find collaborators.

Publishing

Students should have one paper accepted for publication in a quality conference or journal as the lead author by the end of their third year. Students are strongly encouraged to start on this requirement during this stage and over time submit multiple papers to ensure that it is met.

Ongoing Activities in Ph.D. Development

As Ph.D. students are training to be future independent researchers, Ph.D. students are encouraged to work with faculty and fellow students to:

• Publish regularly in quality conferences and journals, including co-authoring
• Attend conferences relevant to the student's research area
• Regularly review conference and journal submissions
• Participate in authoring grant submissions and working on grant-funded projects

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Overview:

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is a public research university located in Newark, New Jersey. It is known for its strong focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. NJIT is consistently ranked among the top schools for return on investment.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

The provided context highlights the positive experiences of NJIT students. Students have access to various resources and opportunities, including research experiences, internships, and career fairs. The university emphasizes the importance of student involvement and provides a supportive environment for students to pursue their academic and professional goals.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

• Strong focus on STEM fields
• High return on investment
• Excellent research opportunities
• Supportive faculty and staff
• Vibrant campus community

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Academic Programs:

The context mentions various academic programs, including: - Computing - Architecture & Design - Engineering - Humanities & Liberal Arts - Math & Science - Business