Program Overview

Introduction to the Doctoral Program in Computing

The Doctoral Program in Computing at Boise State University provides students with a unique educational environment that brings together faculty from different programs and departments on campus. The broad range of expertise within our faculty allows us to achieve our mission, which is to train the next generation of computing researchers. Our graduates will develop solutions to complex problems in every sector of society, from traditional science and engineering domains to critical areas such as national security, public health, and economic innovation.

Emphasis Areas

The program offers five emphasis areas, allowing students to focus their coursework and research on their area of interest while receiving guidance from faculty with specialized expertise. The emphasis areas are:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Computational Math Science and Engineering
• Computer Science
• Cybersecurity
• Data Science

Artificial Intelligence Emphasis

The Artificial Intelligence emphasis requires upper-division undergraduate coursework in data structure and essentials of data science. The equivalent courses at Boise State are CS 233 and CS 321. The degree requirements include:

• COMPUT 601 Introduction to Graduate Studies (1 credit)
• Required Core Courses (9 credits):
  • CS 557 Artificial Intelligence (3 credits)
  • CS 534 Machine Learning (3 credits)
  • CS 536 Natural Language Processing (3 credits)
• Elective Courses (19 credits): Must be approved by the supervisory committee and Computing Program directors.
• Comprehensive Exam (1 credit): COMPUT 691 Doctoral Comprehensive Examination (1 credit)
• Dissertation (30 credits): COMPUT 693 Dissertation (30 credits)
• Total Credits: 60

Computational Math Science and Engineering Emphasis

The Computational Math Science and Engineering emphasis requires upper-division undergraduate coursework in differential equations and linear algebra. The equivalent courses at Boise State are MATH 301 and MATH 333. The degree requirements include:

• COMPUT 601 Introduction to Graduate Studies (1 credit)
• Required Core Courses (12 credits):
  • MATH 567 Numerical Methods for Differential Equations (3 credits)
  • CS 507 Computing Foundations for Computational Science (3 credits)
  • COMPUT/ME 571 Parallel Scientific Computing (3 credits)
  • CS 566 or MATH 566 Numerical Linear Algebra (3 credits)
• Elective Courses (16 credits): Must be approved by the supervisory committee and Computing Program directors.
• Comprehensive Exam (1 credit): COMPUT 691 Doctoral Comprehensive Examination (1 credit)
• Dissertation (30 credits): COMPUT 693 Dissertation (30 credits)
• Total Credits: 60

Computer Science Emphasis

The Computer Science emphasis requires upper-division undergraduate coursework in data structure and essentials of data science. The equivalent courses at Boise State are CS 321 and CS 421. The degree requirements include:

• COMPUT 601 Introduction to Graduate Studies (1 credit)
• Required Core Courses (9 credits):
  • CS 521 Design and Analysis of Algorithms (3 credits) or CS 561 Theory of Computation (3 credits)
  • CS 552 Operating Systems (3 credits)
  • CS 573 Advanced Software Engineering (3 credits)
• Elective Courses (19 credits): Must be approved by the supervisory committee and Computing Program directors.
• Comprehensive Exam (1 credit): COMPUT 691 Doctoral Comprehensive Examination (1 credit)
• Dissertation (30 credits): COMPUT 693 Dissertation (30 credits)
• Total Credits: 60

Cybersecurity Emphasis

The Cybersecurity emphasis requires upper-division undergraduate coursework in data structures and introductory systems programming. The equivalent courses at Boise State are CS 253 and CS 321. The degree requirements include:

• COMPUT 601 Introduction to Graduate Studies (1 credit)
• Required Core Courses (9 credits):
  • CYBER 500 Introduction to Cybersecurity (3 credits)
  • Select two of the following groups:
    • Group 1: Cryptography
      • CS 567 Applied Cryptography (3 credits)
      • MATH 508 Foundations of Cryptographic Computing (3 credits)
      • MATH 509 Symmetric Key Cryptography and Cryptanalysis (3 credits)
      • MATH 510 Quantum and Post Quantum Cryptography (3 credits)
    • Group 2: Software
      • CS 575 Software Security (3 credits)
    • Group 3: Networks
      • CS 622 Advanced Network Security (3 credits)
    • Group 4: Cyber-Physical Systems
      • CS 523 Cyber-Physical Systems (3 credits)
      • CS 524 Cyber Security of Critical Infrastructures (3 credits)
    • Group 5: Forensics
      • CS 547 Digital Forensics (3 credits)
• Elective Courses (19 credits): Must be approved by the supervisory committee and Computing Program directors.
• Comprehensive Exam (1 credit): COMPUT 691 Doctoral Comprehensive Examination (1 credit)
• Dissertation (30 credits): COMPUT 693 Dissertation (30 credits)
• Total Credits: 60

Data Science Emphasis

The Data Science emphasis requires upper-division undergraduate coursework in linear algebra and calculus-based statistics. The equivalent courses at Boise State are MATH 301 and MATH 361. The degree requirements include:

• COMPUT 601 Introduction to Graduate Studies (1 credit)
• Required Core Courses (12 credits):
  • CS 533 Introduction to Data Science (3 credits)
  • CS 534 Machine Learning (3 credits)
  • MATH 562 Probability and Statistics (3 credits)
  • MATH 572 Computational Statistics (3 credits)
• Elective Courses (16 credits): Must be approved by the supervisory committee and Computing Program directors.
• Comprehensive Exam (1 credit): COMPUT 691 Doctoral Comprehensive Examination (1 credit)
• Dissertation (30 credits): COMPUT 693 Dissertation (30 credits)
• Total Credits: 60

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program have gone on to work in industry, higher education, national labs, and government agencies. The interdisciplinary nature of the program allows students to utilize the expertise, experiences, and widespread support of supervisory committee members across the entire campus and broader academic community.