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Students
Tuition Fee
Start Date
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
PhD
Major
Computer Science | Cybersecurity | Software Engineering
Area of study
Information and Communication Technologies
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
About Program

Program Overview


Computing and Information Sciences Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree

Overview

The Ph.D. in Computing and Information Sciences is a research-oriented degree that focuses on the theoretical and practical aspects of cyberinfrastructure as applied to specific problems across multiple domains. The program brings together faculty from disciplines throughout the college's five departments and schools: Computer Science, Cybersecurity, the School of Information, the School of Interactive Games and Media, and Software Engineering.


Cyberinfrastructure

Cyberinfrastructure is the comprehensive integration of hardware, data, networks, and digitally-enabled sensors to provide secure, efficient, reliable, accessible, usable, and interoperable suites of software and middleware services and tools. The doctorate program plays a leadership role in cyberinfrastructure research by providing human-centered tools for the science and engineering communities.


Intradisciplinary Knowledge

There are three intradisciplinary computing knowledge areas: infrastructure, interaction, and informatics.


Infrastructure

Infrastructure comprises aspects related to hardware, software, communications technology, and their integration with computing systems through applications.


Interaction

Interaction refers to topics related to the combined action of two or more entities (human or computational) that affect one another and work together when facilitated by technology.


Informatics

Informatics is the study of computational/algorithmic techniques applied to the management and understanding of data-intensive systems.


Interdisciplinary Domains

The program focuses on domain-specific computing, or the interaction between computing and non-computing disciplines, in the areas of science, engineering, medicine, arts, humanities, and business.


Active Research Areas

Computing

  • Algorithm and theory
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning
  • AR/VR
  • Communication and networking
  • Data science
  • Computing education research
  • Graphics and visualization
  • Human-computer interaction
  • IoTs
  • Mobile and pervasive computing
  • Programming languages
  • Security and privacy
  • Software engineering

Domain applications

  • Accessibility
  • Biomedical computing
  • Computational science
  • Computational sustainability and Green IT
  • Education informatics/technology
  • Gaming
  • Geographic information system
  • Imaging and imaging informatics
  • Services sciences
  • Social computing

Curriculum

The Ph.D. in Computing and Information Sciences requires a minimum of 60 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate level, comprised of graduate-level course work, including seminar attendance and research credits.


Course Sequence

  • First Year
    • CISC-810: Research Foundations
    • CISC-820: Quantitative Foundations
    • CISC-830: Cyberinfrastructure Foundations
    • CISC-890: Dissertation and Research
    • CISC-896: Colloquium in Computing and Information Sciences
    • CISC-898: Continuation of Dissertation and Research (summer)
    • Infrastructure Elective
    • Interaction Elective
    • Informatics Elective
  • Second Year
    • CISC-807: Teaching Skills Workshop
    • CISC-890: Dissertation and Research
    • CISC-896: Colloquium in Computing and Information Sciences
    • CISC-898: Continuation of Dissertation and Research (summer)
    • Electives
  • Third Year
    • CISC-890: Dissertation and Research
    • CISC-898: Continuation of Dissertation and Research (summer)
  • Fourth Year
    • CISC-898: Continuation of Dissertation and Research
  • Fifth Year
    • CISC-898: Continuation of Dissertation and Research

Admissions and Financial Aid

This program is available on-campus only.


  • Admit Term(s): Fall
  • Application Deadline: December 31 priority deadline, rolling thereafter
  • STEM Designated: Yes

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Computing and Information Sciences Ph.D. program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:


  • Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college.
  • Satisfy prerequisite requirements and/or complete foundation courses prior to starting program coursework.
  • Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
  • Submit a statement of purpose for research.
  • Submit two letters of recommendation.
  • Entrance exam requirements: GRE required. No minimum score requirement.
  • Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required.

English Language Test Scores

  • TOEFL: 88
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • PTE Academic: 60

Cost and Financial Aid

Ph.D. students typically receive full tuition and an RIT Graduate Assistantship that will consist of a research assistantship (stipend) or a teaching assistantship (salary).


Resources

Additional resources for the Ph.D. Program in Computing and Information Sciences, such as policies, procedures, and technical resources, are available.


Program Outline

In the computing and information sciences Ph.D., you will conduct both foundational and applied research to address diverse and important challenges within and beyond computing and benefit from world-class faculty, diverse academic offerings, and modern facilities. Our graduates are poised to excel in both computing and interdisciplinary environments in academia, government, and industry.

The doctoral program highlights two of the most unique characteristics of the Golisano College for Computing and Information Sciences: its breadth of program offerings and its scholarly focus on discovering solutions to real-world problems by balancing theory and practice. The program brings together faculty from disciplines throughout the college’s five departments and schools: Computer Science, Computing Security, the School of Information, the School of Interactive Games and Media, and Software Engineering.

Read More

Students are also interested in: Computer Science MS, Computing Security MS


Research

Our faculty and students conduct research to change how we live, work, and interact, focusing on both novel computing technology and how computing can support, facilitate, enable, and inspire progress in other domains.

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Data Science
  • HCI and Accessibility
  • Software Engineering
  • Security and Privacy
  • Systems
  • Theory

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