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, while taking courses, attend four cluster sessions per year, held quarterly over an extended weekend (Friday, Saturday, and half-day Sunday) at the university. These weekends bring together students and faculty for participation in classes, seminars, and dissertation counseling, and provides 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 are based on the use of WebCT as a course management system which includes threaded discussion boards, white boards, chat rooms, email, and multimedia presentations. In addition, WebCT enables students to submit assignments online in multimedia formats and to receive their professors’ reviews of assignments online in the same formats. 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.)
DCIS 710 Decision Support Systems (cross-listed with DISS 710)
DCIS 720 Human-Computer Interaction
DCIS 730 Network Security
DCIS 735 Knowledge Management
DCIS 740 Data Communications and Computer Networking (cross-listed with CISD 740)
DCIS 750 Database Systems
DCIS 760 Artificial Intelligence (cross-listed with CISD 760)
DCIS 770 Software Engineering (cross-listed with CISD 770)
DCIS 791 Distributed Systems
Research Courses (four credits each) Select two of these. Must be taken following successful completion of the corresponding core course. With approval of the 800-level course professor, an 800-level course may be repeated for credit but only once.
DCIS 810 Research in Decision Support Systems
DCIS 820 Research in Human-Computer Interaction
DCIS 830 Research in Network Security
DCIS 835 Research in Knowledge Management
DCIS 840 Research in Data Communications and Computer Networking
DCIS 850 Research in Database Systems
DCIS 860 Research in Artificial Intelligence
DCIS 870 Research in Software Engineering
DCIS 891 Research in Distributed Systems
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
DCIS 770 Software Engineering (cross-listed with CISD 770)
DCIS 775 Privacy (cross-listed with DISS 775)
DCIS 791 Distributed Systems
Elective Core Courses (four credits each) (select two of these)
DCIS 710 Decision Support Systems (cross-listed with DISS 710)
DCIS 720 Human-Computer Interaction
DCIS 735 Knowledge Management
DCIS 740 Data Communications and Computer Networking (cross-listed with CISD 740)
DCIS 760 Artificial Intelligence (cross-listed with CISD 760)
Research Courses (four credits each) Select two of these. Must be taken following successful completion of the corresponding core course. With approval of the 800-level course professor, an 800-level course may be repeated for credit but only once.
DCIS 830 Research in Network Security
DCIS 865 Research in Secure Systems Analysis and Design
DCIS 875 Research in Privacy
Dissertation Registrations
DCIS 910 Dissertation I (12 credits)
DCIS 915 Dissertation II (12 credits)
DCIS 920 Continuing Dissertation (6 credits)
DCIS 710 Decision Support Systems (4 credits)
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.
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 740 Data Communications and Computer Networking (4 credits)
Recent advances and trends in data communication and computer network research are explored with a focus on design and analysis. Included in the course topics are network structure, protocols, layering, wireless communication, ad-hoc and mobile networking, resource discovery and management, and network management. The course materials will provide a foundation for the study of recent advances and new applications in the expanding field of ad-hoc, mobile, and ubiquitous computing. Current topics are presented, as well as future research trends.
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 760 Artificial Intelligence (4 credits)
Theory and applications of artificial intelligence. Topics include knowledge representation, search, machine learning, and reasoning under uncertainty. Recent research and current trends are 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 770 Software Engineering (4 credits)
Covers advanced topics in areas of current research interest in the development of software-intensive systems. Topics may include metrics, requirements definition, development life cycles, software engineering processes, reuse, formal methods, verification and validation, and project management.
DCIS 775 Privacy (4 credits)
This course will study the principles of privacy and current privacy issues regarding information systems. Privacy will be looked at as an extension of basic computer security. Discussions will cover the legal, technological, ethical and policy aspects of privacy in our modern technologically-based society. Techniques and practices used in on-line systems such as e-commerce, transaction systems, and data management will be included. Methods to address privacy concerns in the development, selection, deployment, and management of systems will be the course focus. Privacy representation languages and trust models will be discussed.
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 810 Research in Decision Support Systems (4 credits)
Students pursue research on a current topic in the area of decision support systems. Prerequisite: DCIS 710.
DCIS 820 Research in Human-Computer Interaction (4 credits)
Students pursue research on a current topic in HCI related to computer information systems. Prerequisite: DCIS 720.
DCIS 830 Research in Network Security (4 credits)
Students pursue research on a current topic in network security. Topics of current interest include wireless security, intrusion detection, cryptographic theory and applications, enhanced authentication and access control measures, and malicious code detection. Prerequisite: DCIS 730.
DCIS 835 Research in Knowledge Management (4 credits)
Students pursue research on a current topic in knowledge management. Prerequisite: DCIS 735.
DCIS 840 Research in Data Communications and Computer Networking (4 credits)
Students pursue research on a current topic in data communications and computer networking. Prerequisite: DCIS 740.
DCIS 850 Research in Database Systems (4 credits)
Students pursue a research study on a current topic in database systems and its closely related research areas. Prerequisite: DCIS 750.
DCIS 860 Research in Artificial Intelligence (4 credits)
Students pursue research on a current topic in the area of artificial intelligence. Prerequisite: DCIS 760.
DCIS 865 Research in Secure Systems Analysis and Design (4 credits)
Students advance their knowledge of secure systems analysis and design by participating in a series of practical exercises and directed group assignments designed to allow students to demonstrate their abilities to design and assess secure information systems. Prerequisite: DCIS 765.
DCIS 870 Research in Software Engineering (4 credits)
Students pursue research on a current topic in software engineering. Prerequisite: DCIS 770.
DCIS 875 Research in Privacy (4 credits)
Students investigate research topics on privacy in systems. Studies include reviewing current research in aspects of privacy, developing publication quality research proposals and interacting with other students in sharing research topics. Some topics of current interest are user perception and actions related to privacy in application areas, preserving privacy in systems, compliance, development of enhanced Privacy Enhancing Technology (PET) and federated identity models and protocols. Prerequisite: DCIS 775.
DCIS 891 Research in Distributed Systems (4 credits)
Students pursue research on a current topic in distributed systems. Prerequisite: DCIS 791.
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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