Computer and Information Systems Engineering Major
Associate Dean - TBD, Coordinator
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in Computer and Information Systems Engineering (CISE) is a unique interdisciplinary program. It integrates the strengths of various disciplines of computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical / manufacturing engineering, information systems, and systems engineering. The program further provides advanced knowledge and research experiences in the following concentration areas;
Computer Communication and Networks
Control System and Signal Processing
Robotics and Computer Integrated Manufacturing
Goals
- The primary goal of the Ph.D. program in Computer andInformation Systems Engineering at Tennessee State University isto prepare its graduates with expertise in systems engineering approach to the development of computer based information and manufacturing systems.
- To offer an outstanding and unique interdisciplinary Ph.D. degree program that is research-based and builds upon the educationaland research expertise of existing faculty in the three concentrations and related areas.
- To address the critical shortage of teaching and research faculty inthe areas of computer communication and networks, control system and signal processing, and robotics and computer integrated manufacturing.
Admission Procedure
All students applying for admission must submit to the Graduate School: a completed Graduate Admission Application form, two copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended, and three letters of recommendation.
Admission Requirements
For admission to the Ph.D. in CISE program, the student must have a:
- A Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or Computer science from an accredited program or a Master of Science in CISE, Computer Science, or in a closely related area or a Master of Engineering.
- Student with a B.S. degree and/or Master’s degree(s) from foreign universities must submit a Certificate of Proficiency in English or a minimum score of 550 or equivalent on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
- In addition to the above, the student must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or above on a 4.00 scale for a B.S.degree graduate while a Master of Engineering or a Master of Science in CISE, Computer Science, or a closely related area graduate must have a 3.30 grade point average on a 4.00 scale. In addition the student must have above average grades in all of the prerequisite courses in related mathematics, engineering science,communication systems, computer hardware and computer science courses. If an evaluation of a student’s transcripts reveals course or prerequisite deficiencies, the student must eliminate all deficiencies by satisfactorily completing each of the prerequisite courses prescribed before unconditional status is achieved and before completing nine (9) graduate credit hours. Student must file a letter of intent to pursue the Ph.D. degree to the Coordinator of the Ph. D. program after receiving unconditional status. None of the courses used to eliminate undergraduate deficiencies will be used to meet degree requirements.
Transfer Credits
Transfer students with Masters degrees and beyond may transfer up to a maximum of 24 credit hours of equivalent courses towards required and/or elective courses.
Major Advisor
Initially the Coordinator of the Ph.D. program will serve as an academic advisor for all new students entering the program. Each student in the Ph.D. program is expected to select a major advisor by the beginning of the second year. All major advisors must hold tenure or tenure-track full-time graduate faculty positions.
Ph.D. Advisory Committee
A Ph.D. Advisory Committee will consist of four (4) graduate faculty from the student’s program with the major advisor as its chairperson. The Ph.D. Advisory Committee will be recommended by the major advisor, with input from the student, to the Coordinator of the Ph.D. program, for approval by the Dean of the College of Engineering and the Dean of Graduate Studies. Upon the student’s completion of core courses and selection of a concentration, this Ph.D. Advisory Committee will review the student’s prior transcripts, evaluate and recommend any transfer credits, and prepare a program of study for approval by the Coordinator of the Ph.D. program and the Dean of College of Engineering before submission to the Dean of Graduate Studies. The Committee will supervise the student’s program, administer dissertation review and approval, and finally recommend the awarding of the degree.
Retention
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better on the scale of 4.00, and pass all pass/fail courses throughout the program to remain in good academic standing.
Students must have a grade of B or better in all core courses and may not have more than two C grades in other courses used to meet degree requirements. After completion of nine (9) semester hours of graduate work, if the student’s cumulative GPA at the end of a given semester falls below 3.00, the student will be placed on academic probation for the next semester and must satisfy the existing University requirements to return to good academic standing. Students may be dismissed from the program upon recommendation of the Ph.D. Advisory Committee for continued probation beyond two consecutive semesters.
Comprehensive Written Examination
This is a written examination designed to evaluate the student’s readiness to advance to candidacy status. It is scheduled after the student has met all of the core courses and major area required and elective course requirements specified in the student’s program of study and upon the recommendation of the student’s major advisor. The comprehensive examination committee will develop the written examination. This is an ad hoc committee consisting of at least three (3)graduate faculty in the program and is appointed by the Coordinator of the Ph.D. program in CISE, upon the recommendation of the major advisor. This committee will determine the passing performance and inform the student, the Coordinator, and the student’s major advisor of the final outcome of the examination. The comprehensive written examination will consist of questions from the core, the student’s area of study and the knowledge considered essential background for the dissertation research.
Students who pass the comprehensive written examination and meet all other requirements for candidacy for the Ph.D. degree in CISE will receive written confirmation of the status of their candidacy from the Dean of Graduate School. Students who fail the examination may take it again after at least one semester. Students who fail the examination after two attempts will be dropped from the program.Students in the Ph.D. program with good standing who do not plan to pursue the Ph.D. degree may seek to meet the M.S. in CISE, the M.S.in Computer Science, or the Master of Engineering degree requirements of the University.
Oral Defense of Dissertation Proposal
The dissertation proposal is submitted to the student’s major advisor and the Ph.D. Advisory Committee for review. The committee will make recommendations as needed. The proposal must be orally defended by the candidate before the advisory committee, and it must be accepted by the committee. A signature of the committee members on the dissertation proposal constitutes approval to proceed with thesis research. Only after approval of the dissertation proposal may the student register for the CISE 790 Ph.D. Dissertation course.
Admission to Candidacy for Ph.D. Degree in CISE
Admission to candidacy for Ph.D. degree in CISE will require compliance with all existing Graduate School policies such as;
- Completion of all core and concentration courses approved for thestudent’s program of study.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better,
- Successful passing of Comprehensive Written Examination, and
- Successful oral defense of dissertation proposal.
Degree Requirements
The student must successfully complete the approved program of study with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
- After the approval of the dissertation proposal, student mustcomplete dissertation research and submit completed dissertationto the advisory committee for approval.
- Upon approval by the advisory committee and the graduateschool, the student must defend the research before the advisorycommittee and a public seminar before the faculty, students,alumni and/or industrial representatives.
- Upon successful defense of research, presentation of the writtendissertation, and approval by the Coordinator of the Ph.D.program and the Graduate School, the major advisor with theconsent of the Ph.D. Advisory Committee will initiaterecommendation for awarding of the degree.
Other Requirements
Other requirements such as residency, maximum class load, transfer of credits, time limits for credits and preparation of dissertation will comply with all existing policies of the University, the College of Engineering and the Graduate School as listed in the Graduate Catalog.
Curriculum Description
This program requires a minimum of seventy-two (72) graduate semester credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree for the Ph.D. degree in CISE. Students with master’s degree in a related field may transfer up to a maximum of 24 semester credit hours of the equivalent courses for this degree. However, if a student lacks certain prerequisites or course requirements, the student may be asked to take additional courses before the required graduate courses. The program in CISE is unique and interdisciplinary because it has a core requirement that provides the necessary foundation to computer based systems integration.
Return to: