ABOUT THE CURRICULUM
Rochester Institute of Technology is on the quarter system. Students study for
three quarters (Fall, Winter, Spring), each 10 weeks in length plus one week of
exams.
The program requires a minimum of 111
quarter-credit hours (QCH) beyond the baccalaureate level. These credit hours
are comprised of graduate-level coursework, including seminar attendance and research credits.
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Research Methods (4040-810)(4QH) This course provides the theoretical background and practical application of various research methods that can be used in computing and information sciences. The students will learn general approaches to scholarship in the computing and information sciences field, and will explore research methods and associated data analysis techniques, including correlational and experimental design research techniques. Additionally, students will gain an overview of a variety of research methods and terminology, and will conduct literature reviews. These foundation skills will prepare students for advanced research courses. Students will analyze several existing research studies, and design and conduct studies. |
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Discovery (4040-820)(4QH) This course provides the necessary foundation in the theory and practice of discovering information from large data sets. Managing and interpreting the increasing quantities of scientific and business data to generate useful knowledge is a major challenge. Computing and information sciences professionals need to be able to combine data from multiple data sources, extract relevant information, and present it so that domain experts can develop knowledge and understanding. Topics include discovery informatics, knowledge discovery, data visualization, information sharing and presentation, and ethical issues underlying access and interpretation of large data sets. Computing projects are required. |
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Connectivity (4040-830) (4QH) This course draws attention to commonalities underlying social networks, biological networks, and communications networks. This will give students a deeper understanding of the issues, a broader set of models and metaphors for designing new communications systems, and will better prepare them for development of connectivity solutions that meet the needs of the users and communities they serve. Topics include fundamental and emerging concepts in networking, and the analytical and heuristic tools that people use to develop and analyze networks. Computing exercises will be required to provide hands-on experience with selected tools and technologies. |
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Security and Trust (4040-840) (4QH) This course studies general security issues in a computing environment. This includes theoretical, practical, social, policy and procedural, human factors, and technological aspects. Students will learn to evaluate the security attributes in a computing-based environment. Topics are: cryptography, network security, policies and procedures, access control, secure software engineering, and human factors of security. Computing exercises will be required. |
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Design (4040-850)(4QH) This course focuses on problem-solving and design approaches integrating the areas of interaction, informatics, and infrastructure into application domains. A primary goal is to give students a project-oriented experience in system-level design for creating and building multidisciplinary systems too complex to be treated by engineering analysis alone, and in the context of use-inspired basic research. A second goal is to introduce students to existing design representations and methodologies, and to the concepts and terminology of domain-specific product line engineering. Topics include various types of systems and their product development lifecycles and process frameworks; effective system design representations and development methods; usability heuristics, testing, and assessment methods; product line domain engineering concepts; project planning and oversight tools. |
COLLABORATIVE PRACTICUM (4040-900)(8 QCH)
The practicum is a collaborative, multidisciplinary team project
where students will be able to demonstrate their problem-solving abilities
and their capabilities to apply knowledge and technology in innovative ways.
Ideally, these projects will have strong industrial involvement (similar to
internships in research laboratories) and could include some entrepreneurship
training. This will allow industry to engage in research that may have fundamental
and applied rewards and, at the same time, allow students to experience commercialization
practices first-hand. Students will conduct a 3-6 month, use-inspired, interdisciplinary
team project. This project will include the following elements: (1) Application
of the technical elements that are covered in the core courses and the specialty
courses the students have completed. (2) The social elements including leadership,
collaboration, research methods and project management (pace, budget, documentation,
etc.).
STUDENT RESEARCH SEMINAR (4040-801, 802, 803, 804, 805, 806)
(1 QCH for 6 quarters) where research and communication skills will be further cultivated. This series
is designed to expose students to research directions in the area of computing and information sciences
within a cyberinfrastructure framework, foster critical thinking, clear communication, peer-mentoring,
collaboration, and the articulation over time of what will become each student's proposed research.
CYBERINFRASTRUCTURE COLLOQUIUM (4040-896) (0 QCH) Best practices
in collaborative cross-disciplinary research, and in communication will be developed and
exemplified in a cyberinfrastructure colloquium, which will be open to all students and faculty.
INTER-DISCIPLINARY SPECIALIZATION COURSES (20 QCH)
in two of the three specialty areas (interaction, infrastructure, informatics).
INTRA-DISCIPLINARY DOMAIN COURSES (12 QCH)
in an area of directly related to the student's research project.
ADVANCED ELECTIVES (8 QCH), with advisor approved,
to further a specialty or cross-domain area.
TEACHING SKILLS WORKSHOPS APPRENTICESHIP (4040-807, 2 QCH; 4040-808, 2 QCH; 4040-809, 1 QCH)
Teaching is a valuable and desirable skill for Ph.D. students. These workshops
provide the concepts and skills needed for quality teaching, an opportunity to practice
with a variety of instructional delivery formats, and an opportunity to work with an
experienced faculty member as an assistant.
DISSERTATION(32 QCH) where students will be required
to conduct original, use-inspired research involving two of the three knowledge areas of
interaction, informatics, and infrastructure, and applied to a domain.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Assessments:
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