Computational and Data Science, Ph.D.

Program Overview

The Ph.D. in Computational and Data Science at MTSU requires 72-84 semester hours, including core coursework, directed research, and a dissertation. Students choose a track in either Computational Science or Data Science and complete electives in related fields. The program prepares graduates for careers in academia, industry, and government research.

Program Outline

Outline:

The Ph.D. in Computational and Data Science requires completion of of 72-84 semester hours. To satisfy the minimum requirements for the degree, students must successfully complete 48 hours of approved graduate core coursework composed of foundation, core, and elective courses; complete 12 hours of directed research; complete the qualifying exam before the end of the second year in the program; complete 12-24 hours of dissertation research; make at least two research presentations at regional, national, or international meetings as the lead or coauthor; serve as lead author or make significant contributions to two articles published, in press, or under review in high quality, peer-reviewed journals; make a significant contribution to the development of at least one external grant proposal in collaboration with an MTSU faculty member serving as principal investigator; complete a dissertation, including the final oral defense. Curriculum: Computational and Data Science The following illustrates the minimum coursework requirements. In addition, a maximum of 12 hours of directed research and a maximum of 24 hours of dissertation research may be applied to degree requirements. Foundation Courses (21 hours) COMS 6100 - Fundamentals of Computational Science COMS 6100 - Fundamentals of Scientific ComputingLoading...CloseCOMS 6500 - Fundamentals of Scientific ComputingCOMS 6500 - Fundamentals of Scientific ComputingLoading...CloseCSCI 6050 - Computer Systems FundamentalsCSCI 6050 - Computer Systems FundamentalsLoading...CloseCSCI 6330 - Parallel Processing ConceptsCSCI 6330 - Parallel Processing ConceptsLoading...CloseCOMS 7950 - Research Seminar in Computational Science (total of 3 credits) COMS 7950 - Research Seminar in Computational ScienceLoading...CloseCOMS 7900 - Computational Science CapstoneCOMS 7900 - Computational Science CapstoneLoading...CloseTrack (15 hours) You must take 15 hours from one of these two tracks. Substitutions for particular courses may be approved by your advisor and by the program director. Computational Science Track COMS 7100 - Applied Computational ScienceCOMS 7100 - Applied Computational ScienceLoading...CloseCOMS 7300 - Numerical Partial Differential EquationsCOMS 7300 - Numerical Partial Differential EquationsLoading...CloseCOMS 7700 - Advanced Concepts in Computational Science (4 credits required) COMS 7700 - Advanced Concepts in Computational ScienceLoading...CloseCOMS 7840 - Selected Topics in the Natural and Applied SciencesCOMS 7840 - Selected Topics in the Natural and Applied SciencesLoading...CloseData Science Track COMS 7841 - Special Topics in Data ScienceCOMS 7841 - Special Topics in Data ScienceLoading...CloseCSCI 7350 - Data MiningCSCI 7350 - Data MiningLoading...CloseCSCI 7400 - Cloud Computing for Data AnalysisCSCI 7400 - Cloud Computing for Data AnalysisLoading...CloseCSCI 7850 - Deep LearningCSCI 7850 - Deep LearningLoading...CloseSTAT 7400 - Computational StatisticsSTAT 7400 - Computational StatisticsLoading...CloseElectives (12 hours) Electives may come from departmental master's degree programs and the COMS program. They must be at the 6000- or 7000-level. Directed Research (12 hours) Students must complete 12 hours of directed research before advancement to candidacy. Students may not take more than 6 credit hours of directed research per semester. Note: No more than 12 hours of directed research may be applied toward degree requirements. COMS 7500 - Directed Research in Computational ScienceCOMS 7500 - Directed Research in Computational ScienceLoading...CloseDissertation (12-24 hours) Note: No more than 24 hours of dissertation research may be applied toward degree requirements. COMS 7640 - Dissertation ResearchCOMS 7640 - Dissertation ResearchLoading...CloseProgram Notes Applicants holding a master's degree will be expected to have earned at least 21 semester hours of graduate mathematics, science, or engineering credit with evidence of strong mathematical skills and experience in computation through coursework, employment, and/or research experiences. Applicants applying from the baccalaureate level must have an appropriate science degree with evidence of strong mathematical skills and experience in computation through coursework, employment, and/or research experiences. Students entering with a master's degree in a mathematical, science, or engineering discipline may, on the recommendation of the program coordination committee and with the approval of the graduate dean, have up to 12 credit hours accepted from their master's if it directly corresponds to coursework in the Computational and Data Science curriculum. Students who are interested in pursuing a Master's Degree in Mathematics, Computer Science, or Data Science while pursuing their Ph.D. will need to consult with the program director and the respective departments to understand the additional requirements. Applicants lacking necessary foundational coursework in previous degrees will be required to complete some remedial courses as part of their program of study in addition to the degree requirements. Close