Program Overview

---

Data Science, Analytics and Engineering, PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy program in data science, analytics and engineering engages students in fundamental and applied research. The program's educational objective is to develop each student's ability to perform original research in the development and execution of data-driven methods for solving major societal problems.

Program Description

The program focuses on the development and execution of data-driven methods for solving major societal problems. Students complete a foundational core covering database management, information assurance, statistical learning, and statistical theory before choosing to focus on data analytics or data engineering. The program culminates in the production of a dissertation.

At a Glance

• College/school: Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
• Location: Tempe
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes

Degree Requirements

• 84 credit hours
• A written comprehensive exam
• An oral comprehensive exam
• A prospectus
• A dissertation

Required Core

• CSE 511 Data Processing at Scale (3)
• CSE 543 Information Assurance and Security (3)
• CSE 572 Data Mining (3) or EEE 549 Statistical Machine Learning: From Theory to Practice (3) or IEE 520 Statistical Learning for Data Mining (3)
• EEE 554 Probability and Random Processes (3) or IEE 670 Mathematical Statistics (3) or STP 502 Theory of Statistics II: Inference (3)

Electives and Additional Research

• Research (12 credit hours): DSE 792 Research (12)
• Other Requirements (9 credit hours): Data engineering coursework or data analytics coursework
• Culminating Experience (12 credit hours): DSE 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information

• All students must take qualifying exams covering the required core courses within one year of matriculation into the program.
• The dissertation prospectus should be submitted and its oral defense completed no later than one year following completion of the 60th credit hour and also no later than the fourth year in the program.
• Students must select coursework from either the data engineering or the data analytics requirements.
• Students cannot take a data engineering or data analytics course and have it meet an elective requirement at the same time.

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements
• Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics, statistics, or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
• Required to submit:
  • Graduate admission application and application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Letter of intent or written statement
  • GRE scores
  • Proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Application Deadlines

• Fall: Priority deadline is 01/15
• Spring: Priority deadline is 09/15

Program Learning Outcomes

• Apply the tools and methods from industrial statistics, operations research, machine learning, computer science, and computer engineering on solving data analytic problems.
• Manage large, heterogeneous data sets for knowledge discovery.
• Conduct research resulting in an original contribution to knowledge in data sciences.

Career Opportunities

Graduates demonstrate proficiency with existing methodology and significant accomplishment at advancing the state of the art in their chosen area, enabling them to pursue careers in the following fields:

• Advanced research
• Business
• Government
• Industry
• Teaching

Research Areas

The program focuses on data science, analytics, and engineering, with research areas including:

• Data analytics
• Data engineering
• Machine learning
• Statistical learning
• Information assurance and security
• Database management
• Probability and random processes
• Mathematical statistics
• Theory of statistics
• Data mining
• Statistical machine learning

STEM-OPT Extension

This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension. The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.