Ph.D. in Computer
Information Systems (DCIS)
Optional Concentration in Information Security
Introduction
The
Curriculum
Concentration in Information Security
Course Descriptions
This program offers a course of study leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Computer Information Systems or the Ph.D. in Computer Information Systems with Concentration in Information Security. Its cluster format combines traditional and online instruction to provide professionals the opportunity to pursue graduate study while continuing to work in their current positions. The program is especially well suited to information technology professionals in business, government, industry, or education who are involved with research, design, implementation, management, evaluation, utilization, or teaching of computer information systems. It provides information technology professionals with the knowledge and ability to develop creative solutions to substantive real-world problems. Each student must complete eight core courses, two research courses, and a dissertation.
The concentration in information security is recognized by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) based on its certification of the school’s curriculum for compliance with the requirements of NSA national training standards NSTISSI No. 4011 (Information Systems Security Professionals) and CNSSI No. 4013 (System Administrators). Students who complete the concentration may also request a graduate certificate.
A graduate with a Ph.D. in Computer Information Systems will have the ability to: (1) acquire advanced knowledge and deeper understanding of the field of computer information systems; (2) communicate professionally and ethically about computer information systems research issues; (3) identify, analyze, and synthesize scholarly literature related to computer information systems; and (4) generate new knowledge through research/scholarship and disseminate that knowledge to others by demonstrating the necessary technical and intellectual skills to produce a written document that makes an original contribution to the field of computer information systems.
Orientation and Advisement
New Ph.D. students must attend an orientation day on the main campus in Fort Lauderdale at their first cluster. The orientation includes introductions to the program office staff, computer requirements, online access, software tools that enhance the educational process, library services, financial aid, and academic integrity. The school’s website provides an extensive online “help” system including downloadable software and documents. Students are offered dissertation counseling throughout the program. Advisement is provided by the program office and the faculty.
Program Formats and Term Dates
Students taking courses attend four cluster sessions per year, held quarterly over an extended weekend (Friday, Saturday, and half-day Sunday) at the university. These sessions bring together students and faculty for participation in classes, seminars, and dissertation counseling, and provide ample opportunity for student-faculty and student-student interaction. Students are required to attend all of their scheduled class sessions. Between sessions, students work on course assignments and research, and participate in online activities that facilitate frequent interaction with the faculty and with other students. There are two 16-week terms a year. The fall term starts in August and the winter term starts in January.
The student enters doctoral candidacy upon completion of course requirements with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25. Immediately following candidacy, the student registers for the dissertation at 12 credits per term for two terms. Students who have not completed the dissertation after registrations for Dissertation I and Dissertation II must register for Continuing Dissertation until they have satisfied the dissertation requirement. Students are strongly encouraged to register for each term following the one in which they enter candidacy until the dissertation has been completed. Doctoral residence is defined as continuous enrollment for two consecutive terms at a minimum 12 credit hours per term.
The online component involves use of the web to access course materials, announcements, email, distance library services, subscription library databases, and for interaction with faculty and fellow students. Online, interactive learning methods include threaded discussion boards, white boards, chat rooms, email, and multimedia presentations. Students are provided NSU computer accounts but must obtain their own Internet service providers and use their own computer systems.
Attendance Policy
Ph.D. students are required to be present at each on-campus meeting of their classes. Failure to attend may result in withdrawal from courses and suspension or dismissal from the Ph.D. program. Exceptions to this policy regarding individual class meetings may be made in the case of illness and possibly in other hardship situations. Such absences must be approved first by the course professor(s) and then by the program director, and must be made in advance of any anticipated absences. Participation requirements regarding the online components of doctoral courses will be covered in the syllabus of each course.
The Dissertation
Students will be permitted to register for the dissertation after they have completed their required course work with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25. Both Dissertation I and Dissertation II are required. They are usually taken over two consecutive terms. The dissertation is the most important requirement for the Ph.D. Each student is expected, with the approval of a faculty advisor, to select an appropriate topic of sufficient scope to satisfy the requirements for the dissertation. Although registration for dissertation credits cannot occur until after course requirements have been met, students are encouraged to learn about the dissertation process as early as possible and to begin talking with faculty members about potential research topics early in the program. The dissertation must be an original work and must represent a significant extrapolation from a base of solid experience or knowledge in the student’s area of concentration. Dissertation results must, in a significant way, advance knowledge, improve professional practice, or contribute to understanding in the field of study. Results must be of sufficient strength to distill from the work a paper worthy of publication in a major journal. Although publication is not a requirement for completing the Ph.D., students are encouraged to submit their dissertation research for publication. Ph.D. students must follow the policies, procedures, and formatting requirements contained in the Dissertation Guide. The student will be required to present an oral defense of the dissertation.
The program requires 64 credit hours, of which 40 are for courses and 24 are for the dissertation. Courses and dissertation registrations are listed below:
Core Courses (four credits each) (Select eight of these.)
DISS 710 Decision Support Systems
DCIS 720 Human-Computer Interaction
DCIS 730 Network Security
DCIS 735 Knowledge Management
CISD 740 Data Communications and Computer Networking
DCIS 750 Database Systems
CISD 760 Artificial Intelligence
CISD 770 Software Engineering
DCIS 791 Distributed Systems
CISD 794 Knowledge Discovery in Databases
Research Registrations Students are required to complete two sections (four credits each) of DCIS 898, Directed Research, before entering candidacy. Students must register for the course with a particular faculty member as directed in the course description.
Dissertation Registrations
DCIS 910 Dissertation I (12 credits)
DCIS 915 Dissertation II (12 credits)
DCIS 920 Continuing Dissertation (6 credits)
Curriculum for the Ph.D. in Computer Information Systems with Concentration in Information Security
The Ph.D. in Computer Information Systems with Concentration in Information Security was developed to address the rapidly growing global problems of maintaining and securing computer information. The program requires 64 credit hours, of which 40 are for courses and 24 are for the dissertation. The dissertation must be in an area closely related to information security. Courses and dissertation registrations are as follows:
Required Core Courses (four credits each)
DCIS 730 Network Security
DCIS 750 Database Systems
DCIS 765 Secure Systems Analysis and Design
CISD 770 Software Engineering
DISS 775 Privacy
DCIS 791 Distributed Systems
Elective Core Courses (four credits each) (select two of these)
DISS 710 Decision Support Systems
DCIS 720 Human-Computer Interaction
DCIS 735 Knowledge Management
CISD 740 Data Communications and Computer Networking
CISD 760 Artificial Intelligence
Research Registrations Students are required to complete two sections (four credits each) of DCIS 898, Directed Research, before entering candidacy. Students must register for the course with a particular faculty member as directed in the course description. In addition, students in the concentration must choose a research area (and faculty member) in information security.
Dissertation Registrations
DCIS 910 Dissertation I (12 credits)
DCIS 915 Dissertation II (12 credits)
DCIS 920 Continuing Dissertation (6 credits)
DCIS 720 Human-Computer Interaction (4 credits)
The course focuses on current and future research in HCI pertaining to computer information systems. Design elements, procedures, tools, and environments contributing to the development of successful user interfaces are explored. Design principles that support usability for user interfaces and methodologies for evaluating user interfaces are presented.
DCIS 730 Network Security (4 credits)
Study of the technical challenges of securing computer networks, the tools and techniques that have been developed to address these challenges, and the current research in protecting critical information networks. Topics in the course will include network protocols designed to enhance security, wireless security approaches, intrusion detection, cryptography, and authentication and access control techniques. A significant focus of the course will be on current and emerging network security research areas.
DCIS 735 Knowledge Management (4 credits)
Knowledge management (KM) is said to promote innovation, improve efficiency and effectiveness, and provide a sustainable competitive advantage in today’s global environment. This course examines computer-based systems for supporting KM. Principles of developing systems for KM are explored. System architectures, tools and techniques, and their use in capturing, storing, locating, evaluating, disseminating, and using information and knowledge are examined. Topics will include techniques for indexing, searching, retrieving, and displaying information from knowledge bases. Investigation of the issues in the application of knowledge management to organizational learning and decision making is included. Application of these principles and techniques through the use of rapidly evolving information/communication technologies is studied in the context of their impact on organizations.
DCIS 750 Database Systems (4 credits)
Theory and principles of data models and data modeling, databases and their management. Selected topics in design, implementation, and applications of traditional and nontraditional database management systems. Current issues, trends, future directions, and research topics in the areas will be explored.
DCIS 765 Secure Systems Analysis and Design (4 credits)
Study of the tools and methodologies utilized in analyzing and assessing the security of critical information systems. Topics include the design of secure architectures, vulnerability assessments, and the analysis of potential security threats. An emphasis will be placed on current issues, future directions, and research opportunities for students in this field.
DCIS 791 Distributed Systems (4 credits)
Students are expected to contribute to the body of research in the area of networking and distributed systems with a focus on dependable distributed applications and information systems. Topics include the components of distributed systems architecture, operating systems, networking, interprocess communication, middleware, security, and software development. The development of the distributed computing model and its application to enterprise strategy, architecture, and management issues are explored with an emphasis on current research, design and development strategies for dependable information systems.
DCIS 898 Directed Research (4 credits)
The student pursues research under the direction of a faculty member. To register, students contact their advisor with the name of the faculty member under whose direction they would like to work and a brief explanation of the research area to be explored. Recommended prerequisite: completion of a 700-level course with the requested professor with a grade of B+ or higher.
DCIS 910 Dissertation I (12 credits)
The student develops a framework within which doctoral research will be conducted and offers evidence of qualifications to pursue the research. Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of all course work.
DCIS 915 Dissertation II (12 credits)
Concepts and theories underlying the student’s doctoral research are articulated; the problem is clearly stated; specific, measurable goals are specified; a thorough literature review is presented; the methods of conducting the research are delineated; and a strategy to achieve the goal is given. Prerequisite: Dissertation I.
DCIS 920 Continuing Dissertation (6 credits)
Students who have not completed the dissertation by the end of Dissertation II must register for Continuing Dissertation each term in order to receive faculty and administrative advice and support related to the dissertation. Prerequisite: Dissertation II.
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