Curriculum
The DPS program provides an intellectually stimulating learning environment in cutting-edge and emerging computing and information technology
The DPS in computing is a 48-credit program, which assumes the prior completion of a master’s degree in computing or a closely related discipline. Research commences in the first year when students begin an 18-credit integrative core and a 6-credit research seminar sequence, and continues through the 12-credit advanced elective sequence in the second year. A 12-credit dissertation completes the 3-year program.
First Year of Study
Software Design and Implementation
DCS 801, 802, 803
Fall, Spring, Summer; 6 credits total
Software Systems Development and Engineering
DCS 821, 822, 823
Fall, Spring, Summer; 6 credits total
These courses address the environment in which software systems are built and used. Critical and emerging issues in computer science, information systems, and software engineering, and their relationship to software development and design provide the major theme. This includes Internet computing and component technologies, and the development of significant Web-based e-commerce applications with Enterprise JavaBeans.
Students develop projects working in small teams. The project development explores cutting-edge agile object-oriented development methodologies such as extreme programming (XP), open source and mob software, and is implemented in Java. Pattern-oriented software architecture as an approach to software development is explored. Emphasis is on practice-oriented software engineering and information systems, tool-rich working environments, team development efforts, cost performance trade-offs in business contexts, and tasks other than source-code development.
Topics include: Problem solving paradigms; the software engineering problems of scale, cost, schedule, quality, and consistency; software development process; requirements; object-oriented analysis and design; organizational patterns; analysis patterns, design patterns; object-oriented architectures; process improvement—CMM, ISO 9001; human computer interface design issues; Internet programming; computer ethics.
Data Communications, Networking, and Internet
DCS 833, 834, 835
Fall, Spring, Summer; 6 credits total
These courses progress from the basics of data, signals, and information transmission to principles of computer networking and the operation of current and evolving Internet protocols, providing a foundation for planning and management of network facilities and design and implementation of Internet based applications. The ISO Reference Model and the TCP/IP protocols form the framework for introducing Internet facilities, services, protocols, and applications. Students investigate new network technologies and applications in small team projects.
Topics include: Models of communications and layered architectures; analysis of data, signals, and transmission capacity; digital voice and video; link protocols and error control; multiplexing and statistical sharing of network resources; probability models of network traffic; LAN strategies and standards such as shared and switched Ethernet, FDDI and ATM; LAN internetworking using bridges and routers; routing strategies and congestion in networks; the IP protocol; transport layer strategies and the TCP and UDP protocols; HTTP and the Web; Domain Name System, FTP, and SNMP; security and e-commerce; multicasting, multimedia, quality of service.
Research Seminar
DCS 891A, B, C, D, E, F
Fall, Spring, Summer; 1 credit each
Students are introduced to a variety of methods and styles of computing research through presentations by faculty and industry professionals and by studying selected research documents. Students learn to identify new computing research problems and to formulate research proposals in preparation for dissertation research.
DCS 891A, B, C are taken in the first year of study
DCS 891D, E, F are taken in the second year
Second Year of Study
Topics in Computing and Information Technology
DCS 860, 861
Fall, Spring; 2 or 3 credits (6 credits per semester)
These courses consist of topics of current interest to students. Cutting-edge issues and emerging information technology areas are explored. Students register for two or three topics per semester. A major goal for these courses is to understand the technological life cycle of emerging information technologies, their issues and potential impact. Visiting experts in computing and IT discuss their current research and development activities.
Topics include: Small computing devices—pen computing and hand-writing recognition, speech recognition techniques and applications; data security; Internet performance and high-volume Web serving technologies; data mining; e-commerce issues; pervasive computing, XML technologies and Web services; VoiceXML, natural language processing; software patterns; distributed components and middleware; user interface development environments and tools; artificial intelligence and genetic algorithms; virtual reality.
Third Year of Study
Dissertation for DPS in Computing
DCS 990, 991
Fall, Spring; 6 credits each
The dissertation is an original, rigorous, independent applied research product that may advance knowledge, improve professional practice, and/or contribute to the understanding of computing. The dissertation must be of sufficient strength to be able to distill from it a paper worthy of publication in a refereed journal or conference proceeding. Although publication is not a requirement for completing the doctoral degree, students are required to prepare a paper to submit for publication.
Examples of dissertation areas include: Data warehousing, patterns and pattern languages, visualization of data, genetic algorithms, distributed systems architecture, software component integration, Web site personalization and privacy, software testing and quality assurance, data security, Web content management strategies, Web services for businesses, broadband wireless network access services, biometrics, and pattern recognition.
