The Ph.D. in Information Systems program requires at least 64 credit hours, of which 32 are for courses and at least 32 are for research and dissertation.
Required Courses
All of the following are required, for a total of 12 credits:
This course presents an in-depth treatment of the research process from an experimental, developmental, and evaluative perspective. Techniques for planning and designing these types of research projects, as well as the methodologies for data collection, evaluation, and analysis are examined. Special emphasis is placed on the appropriate choice of methodologies for a variety of problem situations.
Acquire advanced knowledge and deeper understanding of system development process including theories and studies related to system life-cycle models, system development strategies, and implementation success. Review of relevant research in the area of techniques, methods, and tools for the analysis and specification of information systems. Review of studies dealing with design principles, requirements gathering, reusability, and quality assurance. Moreover, review of studies and theories relevant to verification and validation process, integration and acceptance testing, reliability measurements, system testing techniques, end-user computing, implementation effectiveness, and system value. Additionally, review of classical theories in information systems and system analysis and design.
This is a doctoral seminar on the foundations of information systems (IS) research. The course is intended to generate an understanding of some major streams of research in information systems. It will emphasize the value of using different perspectives and methodologies in IS research. The course involves reading and discussion of the research literature on the development, use, and impact of information systems at individual, group, organizational, and societal levels. Prerequisite: RESD 705.
Elective Courses
I’ll be choosing 5 from the following 11 (denoted with an asterisk), for a total of 20 credits towards the academic requirements for Doctoral studies.
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory and use of qualitative methods in educational and professional settings. Emphasis on application level experiences such as identifying and developing research problems appropriate for qualitative investigation, study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of findings.
This data-driven doctoral seminar will provide the skills needed to perform advanced multivariate data analysis by incorporating current techniques. Topics covered will include assumptions and limitations, multivariate data collection, pre-analysis data screening, factorial and multivariate analysis of variance and covariance, linear and non-linear multiple regressions, path analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation models (SEM). Students will be provided with datasets for data analyses of the multivariate methods discussed in the hands-on lab along with scholarly articles that make use of the multivariate methods discussed. Students will be introduced to the use of SPSS and other advanced multivariate tools. Prerequisite: RESD 705.
Principles and techniques relating to automated support for decision making and organizational problem solving. The focus is on current research in decision support systems. Topics include decision theory, modeling and simulation, decision support system architecture, group decision support systems, knowledge-based expert systems, and intelligent systems.
Issues relating to effective Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) are presented. Design elements, procedures, tools, and environments contributing to the management of successful user interfaces are examined. Other topics include current and projected developments in HCI research related to information systems.
Acquire advanced knowledge and deeper understanding of knowledge management including theories and studies related to knowledge management and knowledge management systems. Review of relevant research in the area of locating, evaluating, disseminating, and using information as well as knowledge. Review of studies and theories relevant to knowledge acquisition, information sharing, information ownership, knowledge process, knowledge integration, knowledge gathering, knowledge repositories, and knowledge reuse. Additionally, review of current research in knowledge management and knowledge management systems.
This course focuses on an examination of technical advances in the dynamic field of broadband communications and computer networks and their impacts on the development and implementation of enterprise network solutions. IS methodologies in facilitating network design, deployment, and management are described. Topics include DWDM, advanced Gigabit Ethernet technologies such as 10GbE, network security, cellular and mobile wireless networks, architectural frameworks such as IMS (Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem), and wireline and/or wireless computational grids. Trends in standardization and internetworking are reviewed. Capabilities of next-generation networks and innovations in enterprise broadband communications solutions are examined.
Theory and principles of databases and their management. Selected topics in design, implementation, and applications of traditional and nontraditional database systems for various types of data management. Current issues, trends, future directions, applications, and research topics in the areas will be explored.
This course examines the philosophical and theoretical foundations of information systems security. The focus is on understanding distinctive research orientations regarding effectively securing information systems in organizations. The goal of the course is to provide an intellectual foundation for students to develop an appropriate research program in this area.
Study of the theory and practice of risk management in secure systems and networks. The course will focus on the current tools and best practices available in mitigating system vulnerabilities and the accepted methodologies for managing residual risks. Topics include operational security, risk reduction techniques, auditing of information systems, and effective long-term risk monitoring approaches. An emphasis will be placed on current issues and future directions in managing risks, and research opportunities for students in this field.
Information technology’s dramatic global impact on society, government, and the economy has given rise to complex legal, regulatory, and policy issues. This course explores issues ranging from the consequences of information commodification to the impact of privacy concerns, eCommerce, information ownership (patents/copyrights/trademarks), social equity, crime, free speech, telecommunications, national security, international trade, etc. All have immediate relevance to the IT workplace. While U.S. policy issues serve as the framework for the course, the U.S. experience is compared and contrasted to policy developments worldwide.
This course examines the privacy issues regarding information systems. The focus is on understanding distinctive research orientations regarding information privacy. Discussions will emphasize critical evaluation of theoretical foundations of privacy in our modern technologically based society. The goal of the course is to provide an intellectual foundation for students to develop an appropriate research program in this area.
Research Registrations
Students are required to complete at least two sections of DISS 885, Doctoral Research, before entering candidacy. Students must register for the course with a particular faculty member as directed in the course description. Students are further advised to wait for the second year of study before registering for Doctoral Research. Students will repeat Doctoral Research until securing a dissertation idea approved by the instructor and two faculty readers.
Dissertation Registrations
Students must make three consecutive registrations for DISS 901, Doctoral Dissertation, to total the 24 credits of dissertation required. Students whose dissertations are not completed within three registrations (one year) continue to register for DISS 920 Continuing Dissertation