Academic Programs in Information Security

Ph.D. in Computer Information Systems with Concentration in Information Security

For additional information, including admission requirements and course descriptions, see the Graduate Catalog of the Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences.

This program offers a course of study leading to the degree of doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in computer information systems with a concentration in information security. It is offered in the cluster format, which 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 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 technology-oriented professionals with the knowledge and ability to develop creative solutions to substantive real-world problems. Each student must complete eight courses, four projects, and a dissertation.

The concentration in information security is recognized by the 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.

The 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. Most students take two core courses and one project course per term during the first two years and register for the dissertation in the third year. The dissertation must be in an area closely related to information security. Courses and dissertation registrations are listed below:

Required Courses  (three credits each) (take all of these)
DCIS 730  Network Security
DCIS 750  Database Systems
DCIS 765  Secure Systems Analysis and Design
DCIS 770  Software Engineering
DCIS 775  Privacy
DCIS 791  Distributed Systems

Elective Courses  (three credits each) (select two of these)
DCIS 710  Decision Support Systems
DCIS 720  Human-Computer Interaction
DCIS 735  Knowledge Management
DCIS 740  Data Communications and Computer Networking
DCIS 760  Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems
DCIS 799  Special Topics in Computer Information Systems (offered on various subjects)

Required Project Courses  (four credits each) (must be taken concurrent with, or following completion of, the corresponding 700-level course)
DCIS 830  Project in Network Security
DCIS 865  Project in Secure Systems Analysis and Design
DCIS 875  Project in Privacy

Elective Courses  (four credits each) (select one of these) (must be taken concurrent with, or following completion of, the corresponding 700-level course)
DCIS 850  Project in Database Systems
DCIS 870  Project in Software Engineering
DCIS 891  Project in Distributed Systems

Dissertation Registrations
DCIS 910  Dissertation I (12 credits)
DCIS 915  Dissertation II (12 credits)
DCIS 920  Continuing Dissertation (6 credits)