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University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Computer Science & Engineering

Defining the Future

 

PhD in Information Technology

The IT doctoral program at UNL is nurturing the next generation of scholars and technology specialists who will advance the research and practice in contemporary information technologies.

  • First of it's kind in the Midwest combining Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, and Telecommunications
  • Leading Software Engineering Program
  • State-of-the-Art Research Facility with an Access Grid and Visualization Center
  • Home of the PrairieFire Supercomputer


"The IT PhD adds a new dimension to our graduate program offerings. Besides the traditional computer science and computer engineering, IT includes a host of new inter-disciplinary areas, such as telecommunications, enterprise systems, bioinformatics, and geoinformatics, in which information processing plays a key role. By offering opportunity to advance the state-of-the-art in these growth areas, we expect the IT PhD program will attract a broader clientele and will benefit the university and the state of Nebraska." -Sharad Seth, Graduate Committee Chair


Admission Requirements
Applicants must follow the formal procedures established for admission to the graduate program at the appropriate NU campus. Applications must have:

  • A successfully completed baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution; preference will be given to students with a Master's degree from a related field;
  • Demonstrated superior performance in mathematics, including calculus, discrete mathematics and statistics, and a sequence of courses in the theory and practice of one or more information technology areas;
  • Documented test aptitude, interest and commitment to scholarly activities and research;
  • Proficiency in English, sufficient to engage in advanced studies.

Evaluation for admission will be based on:

  • Excellent class standing during the applicant's baccalaureate and master level studies;
  • Verbal, quantitative, and analytic scores on the aptitude tests of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), expected to be in the upper 10 percentile;
  • Grade point average in mathematics, computer engineering, computer science, information systems, quantitative analysis, information systems engineering, telecommunications, management, or a closely related field, above 3.5;
  • Letters of recommendation from references, who are able to give an in-depth evaluation of the applicant's strengths and weaknesses with respect to academic work, and who are competent to judge the applicant's probable success in graduate school;
  • Other evidence of graduate potential, such as a portfolio of quality papers or publications, projects, etc., completed by the applicant either in an academic or industrial setting;
  • Evidence of English language proficiency for international students demonstrated, for example, by scoring a certain minimum score on standardized English tests, e.g. TOFEL and TSE;
  • A personal interview if warranted and feasible.

International graduate students may be asked to take courses in English as a second language. All students will be encouraged to take courses to improve their technical writing and professional communication skills.


Plan of Study
90 credit hour program consisting of:

  • Common required core
  • Required doctoral seminars
  • Colloquia
  • Major field of study
  • Minor field of study

The common core will consist of coursework from thematic areas including:

  • Applied Computing
  • Information Systems
  • Telecommunications Engineering
  • Software Engineering
  • Internet Technologies
  • Enterprise Systems
  • Informatics
  • Information Networking

The doctoral seminars and colloquia in the program will cover topics such as:

  • Research foundations
  • Technical and process issues
  • Behavioral and organizational issues
  • Pedagogical issues

The major field of study areas will mirror the core themes allowing doctoral students to develop in-depth knowledge and expertise in various information technology specialties such as:

  • Human-computer design
  • Software development tools and techniques
  • Decision support systems
  • Internet technologies
  • Database systems
  • Communication and network systems

Candidates may also choose to specialize in an associated minor field of study that is different from the major area.