Information Technology (D.Sc.)

With a broad scope of research areas within computer science, information systems and information technology, the Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) program prepares students to become professors, scientists and entrepreneurs. You’ll explore data structures and algorithms, operating systems, computer networks, database systems, project management, software engineering and human-computer interaction.

Graduates assume leadership roles in their current careers or in academic, research, government and state-of-the-art industry positions. About half of our alumni are currently working as professors or research scientists across the country and abroad. Many in the private sector are promoted to higher-level positions with their current employers or start their own ventures to develop innovative products.

Degree Requirements and Course Descriptions

The D.Sc. requires 18 credits of coursework, a qualifying examination and a minimum of 24 credits of dissertation beyond the master’s program. Doctoral students are required to demonstrate research capabilities and publish in reputed journals or conferences in order to graduate. View admission and degree requirements and course descriptions in the Graduate Catalog.

Program Objectives

• Students will demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the fundamentals in four of the following seven areas: data structures and algorithms, operating systems, computer networks, database systems, project management, software engineering, and human computer interaction.
• Students will conduct and document scholarly research.
• Students will present scholarly research.

Computer Science (CS) Track

In addition to the general degree requirements for the doctorate in IT, three specific CS courses (9 credits) must be taken for the track in Computer Science, with additional requirements for the qualifying examination (given below). An IT doctoral student taking these three courses, passing the qualifying exam in the specified areas, and successfully completing the research requirements for the degree in a CS-related area will be eligible to graduate with a Computer Science track.

Required Courses

• COSC 600 (Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms)
• COSC 519 (Operating Systems)
• COSC 650 (Computer Networks)

Qualifying Exam Requirements

Students in the computer science track must pass the following areas of the qualifying exam:

• operating systems
• advanced data structures and algorithms
• computer networks

And ONE of the following areas:

• database management systems
• computer security
• software engineering

Publications

• Publications in this track are expected to be related to computer science.

D.Sc. in IT Forms, Guidelines, Announcements & more

• D.Sc. in IT Qualifying Examination Guidelines
• Qualifier Exam Announcement, January 2019
• Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines
• Information Technology Doctoral Program Exit Survey
• COSC 795 Research Seminar to be offered for first time ever, spring 2018
• Teaching, Research & Graduate Assistantships for D.SC. in IT Students

WHY TOWSON University?

Academic Advantages

• accomplished and dedicated faculty mentors with diverse research interests, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, universal usability, data mining, e-learning, digital signal processing and bare machine computing
• advantageous location in high-tech Baltimore/Washington corridor
• small-school attention with big-school resources and facilities