Modeling and Simulation (PhD)

Program Overview

The Modeling and Simulation PhD program at UCF provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the industry through core courses and allows them to specialize in two areas of their choice. The program also emphasizes building computer-based models of existing and conceptual systems and processes. Students are prepared for careers in academia, government, and various industries, including entertainment, technology, education, and healthcare.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The UCF School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training (SMST) considers its Modeling and Simulation (PhD) program as transdisciplinary, designed for individuals seeking careers in academia, government, military/defense, healthcare/medicine, entertainment, technology, education, or service/manufacturing. The program's objective is to provide students with a broad understanding of the simulation industry, including economic considerations, and the ability to evaluate human, organizational, equipment, and system performance through simulation output. The program emphasizes constructing human-centered, equipment-centered, and stand-alone computer-based models of existing and conceptual systems and processes.

Outline:

The Modeling and Simulation PhD program requires students to specialize in two areas of study. These areas are chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor and the program director, based on the student's academic and professional goals. The program is structured as follows:

• Core Courses (15 credits):
• COT6571 - Mathematical Foundations of Modeling and Simulation (3)
• IDS6147 - Perspectives on Modeling and Simulation (3)
• IDS6145 - Simulation Techniques (3)
• IDS6262 - Research Design for Modeling and Simulation (3)
• Restricted Elective (3 credits):
• Students must complete at least one course from the following:
• IDC5602 - Cybersecurity: A Multidisciplinary Approach (3)
• IDC6601 - Behavioral Aspects of Cybersecurity (3)
• IDC6700 - Interdisciplinary Approach to Data Visualization (3)
• IDS5142 - Modeling and Simulation for Instructional Design (3)
• IDS6146 - Modeling and Simulation Systems (3)
• IDS6149 - Modeling and Simulation for Test and Evaluation (3)
• IDS6916 - Simulation Research Methods and Practicum (3)
• Students must also select an elective course taught by the Modeling and Simulation Graduate Program.
A list of approved courses is available at msgrad.ist.ucf.edu.
• Unrestricted Electives (39 credits):
• Students must take at least 39 credits of unrestricted elective courses that reflect their two areas of specialization.
• A list of over 175 approved courses is available at msgrad.ist.ucf.edu.
• Students can request approval from the program director for courses not on the published list.
• Unrestricted electives must include at least 9 credit hours of formal courses, excluding independent study.
The remaining credits can be earned through additional coursework, directed research, independent study, and dissertation work.
• Modeling and Simulation PhD Elective Courses (0 credits):
• Students are required to select electives with guidance from a Program Director or faculty advisor.
• A list of suggested courses is provided, grouped by area of focus or specialization.
• Students can request approval from the Graduate Program Director for courses not on the list.
• Dissertation (15 credits):
• Students must successfully complete the qualifying examination and candidacy examination milestones before entering the dissertation portion of the program.
• XXX 7980 - Dissertation Research (15 credit hours minimum)
• Plan of Study (0 credits):
• Students must submit a Graduate Plan of Study (GPS) to the Modeling and Simulation Graduate Program office before the end of their third term of enrollment.
• The GPS should be developed in consultation with the student's faculty advisor or program director.
• All doctoral program credit must be at the 5000-level or higher, with a minimum of 50% at the 6000- or 7000-level.
• Equipment Fee (0 credits):
• Full-time students pay a $27 equipment fee each semester.
Part-time students pay a $13.50 equipment fee each semester.
• Milestones (0 credits):
• Students must successfully complete three milestones before graduation: qualifying examination, candidacy examination, and dissertation defense.
• Candidacy Examination:
• Dissertation research proposal
• Oral defense of the dissertation research proposal
• The advisory committee must have a minimum of four members (chair plus three members).
• All committee members must hold a terminal degree and be in fields related to the student's dissertation topic.
• At least three members, including the chair, must be classified as Modeling and Simulation graduate faculty.
• At least one member must have served as a committee member on a prior SMST advisory committee.
• Admission to Candidacy:
• Students who fulfill all the requirements for the candidacy examination and have an approved advisory committee on file will be admitted to candidacy.
• Dissertation Defense:
• A formal oral presentation of the written dissertation before the student's advisory committee.
• Committee members vote either "Pass" or "Fail" of the written dissertation and oral defense.
• Normally, students are granted one opportunity to pass the dissertation defense.
• Time to Completion (0 credits):
• Students are granted 7 years (21 semesters) from the term of admission to complete their degree program.
• Independent Learning (0 credits):
• The dissertation is an independent project completed under the guidance of a student's faculty advisory committee.

Assessment:

The program requires students to complete three milestones:

• Qualifying Examination (QE): This examination assesses the student's understanding of the core concepts and principles of modeling and simulation.
• Candidacy Examination (CE): This examination evaluates the student's ability to conduct independent research and develop a dissertation proposal.
It includes a dissertation research proposal, an oral defense of the proposal, and a refereed published (or accepted for publication) manuscript on the student's dissertation topic.
• Dissertation Defense: This is a formal oral presentation of the written dissertation before the student's advisory committee.

Careers:

The program prepares students for careers in various fields, including:

• Academia
• Government
• Military/defense
• Healthcare/medicine
• Entertainment
• Technology
• Education
• Service/manufacturing

Other:

The context mentions that the program is designed to provide students with a broad overall perspective of the developing simulation industry and an awareness of the economic considerations. It also highlights that alumni of SMST degree programs have both general and specialized skills in Modeling and Simulation. The context also mentions that the field of Modeling and Simulation continues to grow and evolve, and that students are encouraged to maintain an interdisciplinary approach to their graduate studies.