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PhD

Informatics, PhD

University of Iowa
Iowa City , United States
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Students
Tuition Fee
Not Available
Start Date
Not Available
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
72 semesters
Details
About Program
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Program Details
Degree
PhD
Major
Artificial Intelligence | Computer Science | Data Science
Area of study
Information and Communication Technologies | Natural Science
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
About Program

Program Overview

Informatics, PhD

The PhD in informatics emphasizes preparation for research, teaching, and scholarly endeavors in academic settings or private, industrial, or governmental laboratories. Students focus on applying informatics research to a field of choice (e.g., health, biology, human-computer interaction, geography, design).


Learning Outcomes

Students will exhibit:


  • broad, up-to-date knowledge of informatics topics including computational thinking, software development, data analytics, human-centered computing concepts, and professional ethics;
  • domain-specific knowledge and skills related to the field of application of informatics research;
  • fluency at reading, analyzing, synthesizing, and communicating research; and a
  • thorough understanding of relevant research methods and ability to conduct original research that contributes to the field of informatics.

Program Requirements

The Doctor of Philosophy program in informatics requires at least 72 s.h. of graduate credit. A total of 19 s.h. of core courses are required plus an additional 12 s.h. of courses approved by a student's committee. The remaining 41 s.h. may be completed with additional coursework or through reading or research hours. Students must maintain a Graduate College major program grade-point average of at least 3.00.


Core Courses

Students complete a total of 19 s.h. in core coursework. The student’s advisor and the rest of the student’s committee consisting of at least two other faculty select the remaining courses (12 s.h. minimum) for a total of at least 31 s.h. of coursework.


Programming

  • CS:5110/IGPI:5110: Introduction to Informatics (3 hours)
  • One of the following:
    • CS:3010: Software Engineering Fundamentals in Java (3 hours)
    • CS:3210: Programming Languages and Tools (3 hours)
    • CS:3980: Topics in Computer Science I (3 hours)
    • SEES:3050/IGPI:3050: Geospatial Programming (3 hours)

Statistics

  • One of the following:
    • BIOS:4120: Introduction to Biostatistics (3 hours)
    • STAT:4143/PSQF:4143: Introduction to Statistical Methods (3 hours)

Data Science

  • One of the following:
    • BAIS:6480/IGPI:6480: Knowledge Discovery (3 hours)
    • STAT:4540/BAIS:4540/DATA:4540/IGPI:4540: Statistical Learning (3 hours)
  • An additional course (consult advisor)

Databases

  • One of the following:
    • CS:4400: Database Systems (3 hours)
    • SEES:4580/IGPI:4581: Introduction to Geographic Databases (3 hours)

Human Factors

  • One of the following:
    • CS:4500: Research Methods in Human-Computer Interaction (3 hours)
    • CS:4510: Human-Computer Interaction for Computer Science (3 hours)
    • SEES:3540/IGPI:3540: Geographic Visualization (3 hours)

Ethics

  • CS:5980: Topics in Computer Science III (1 hour)

Elective Core Coursework

  • Coursework selected in consultation with advisor and committee (12 hours)

Electives

The remaining 41 s.h. may be completed with additional coursework or through reading or research hours.


Comprehensive Examination

PhD students must pass a comprehensive examination at or near completion of their coursework requirements. Students prepare a 20–30 page survey/discussion (along the lines of the introduction and literature review from an eventual thesis) for distribution to their faculty committee, followed at least two weeks later by a 20–40 minute oral presentation, and a question/answer session.


Dissertation

Students complete dissertation coursework in consultation with their advisor.


MD/PhD

Students may work toward the Doctor of Medicine degree and a PhD in informatics in a combined degree program offered by the Carver College of Medicine and the Graduate College. Applicants must be admitted to both programs before they may be admitted to the combined degree program.


Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor.


Informatics, PhD

Plan of Study Grid (Manual) Academic Career


  • First Year:
    • Fall: STAT:4143 or BIOS:4120, CS:5110, Elective course (9 hours)
    • Spring: BAIS:6480 or STAT:4540, SEES:4580 or CS:4400, CS:5980, Programming course (10 hours)
  • Second Year:
    • Any Semester: Qualifying Exam
    • Fall: SEES:3540 or CS:4500 or CS:4510, Elective course, Elective course (9 hours)
    • Spring: Elective course, Elective course, Elective course (9 hours)
  • Third Year:
    • Any Semester: Exam: Doctoral Comprehensive Exam
    • Fall: Elective course, Elective course, Elective course (9 hours)
    • Spring: Elective course, Elective course, Elective course (9 hours)
  • Fourth Year:
    • Fall: Dissertation Proposal Defense, Elective course, Elective course, Elective course (9 hours)
    • Spring: IGPI:6520, Exam: Doctoral Final Exam (8 hours)

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website. They must also meet the admission requirements of the informatics program; see PhD and MS Admission on the program's website.


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