Advanced and Equitable Computing (Ph.D.), Program Information

Faculty

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Department Chair

Shuangbao “Paul” Wang, PhD

Professor

shuangbao.wang@morgan.edu

 

Program Coordinator

Md Rahman

Professor

McMEchen 507

Tel:  (443) 885-4503; Fax:  (443)  885-8213

md.rahman@morgan.edu

 

Faculty

Shungbao, Wang, Professor

Mohamed Eltoweissy, Professor

Md Rahman, Professor

Amjad Ali, Professor

Vojisllav Stojkiovic, Associate Professor

Eric Sakk, Associate Professor

Radhouane Chouchane, Associate Professor

Guobin Xu, Associate Professor

Vahid Heydari, ASsociate Professor

Monireh Dabaghchian, Associate Professor

Timothy Aladunni, Assistant Professor

Jamell Dacon, Assistant Professor

Program Description

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We define Advanced Computing to be the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Mobile Computing, Quantum Computing, High Performance Computing (HPC), Robotics, Human-Computer Interactions, and other emerging areas within the broader sphere of computer science.

The Morgan Advanced and Equitable Computing doctoral program will preserve the core of computer science (CS) while offering specialized training for underrepresented groups in the emerging areas of AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, quantum computing, and data science. As an HBCU, the computer science department at Morgan State University is uniquely qualified to produce program graduates from underrepresented groups. Furthermore, the proposed PhD program is a natural extension of the already established MS in Advanced Computing program. Not only will the program be attractive to prospective applicants outside of Morgan, but, equally important, it will offer graduates from our MS in Advanced Computing Program a path for cohesive continuation of their graduate education.

The advancement of AI and Machine Learning (ML) has accelerated the adoption and integration of new innovations into many frontiers including automobile, finance, defense, and industrial applications. Analyzing big data with advanced computing systems can reveal underlying relationships that humans can easily miss.  Natural language processing (NLP) tools driven by AI such as ChatGPT have gained widespread attention. On the theoretical side, ML and Deep Learning (DL) algorithms can not only analyze data efficiently but also accumulate the knowledge gained from previous learning.  

Computational Data Science and Big Data have emerged as burgeoning new disciplines due to the rapid explosion of data information from every aspect of our life. Cybersecurity, equity, and ethics in computing are also having a huge impact on society. It is therefore imperative that our program encompass a group of emerging subject matters so that next generation practitioners can step into leading roles within these areas. Due to the tremendous growth of these specializations, there is an obvious need to develop courses and train our students at the doctoral level. Advances in computational science will continue to drive technology and it is our mandate to ensure that equity is maintained within these venues of study.    

Computer science and advanced computing specializations have been the driver of incredible job growth and innovation throughout our economy in the areas of AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), software engineering, and data science.  Cybersecurity has been a top concern for government and private sector and the cyber workforce development has been one of the top priorities to fill the much-needed job vacancies. Computation, from modeling and simulation to data mining, drives progress in many research areas, and has helped to create new fields. Cloud computing, cybersecurity, and AI occupations are the number one source of all new wages in the U.S. and make up over half of all projected new jobs in STEM fields, making them the most in-demand college degrees by far. As more and more students seek to graduate with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in advanced computing, computer science, electrical engineering, and information science to fill this employment gap, holding a doctoral degree in advanced computing would help the underrepresented groups we serve to stand out from the pack and be considered for the most competitive positions both in academia and industry. The advantages of a deeper knowledge of advanced computing in many domains have also led to the recent emergence of new degree programs at several institutions. The doctoral program in Advanced Computing program at Morgan would provide a specialized focus in an area of science and technology, helping develop skills and career prospects. Adding a 100% online option increases the possibility for more students, especially IT professionals currently in the workforce, to study in a program with flexibility.

Program Objectives

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The Morgan Advanced Computing doctoral program will preserve the core of computer science (CS) while offering specialized training for underrepresented groups in the emerging areas of AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, quantum computing, and data science.

Learning Outcomes

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Students pursuing the Ph.D. in Advanced Computing, upon completion of requirements, will be able to: 

• understand and explore in-depth knowledge in Computer Science, its impact, and connect Computer Science from the perspective of different disciplines and application domains;

• demonstrate high-level understanding of principles, contributors, developments and contemporary applications of Computer Science in specific area of interest;

• demonstrate competency, commitment, knowledge and skills in applying principles to practical situations in any area of interest;

• solve practical and challenging Computer Science problems;

• use and deploy Computer Science principles and tools;

• visualize complex and heterogeneous data in user-friendly ways with perceivable inferences and interpretations;

• collect data through extensive reading, viewing, listening and researching in both print and electronic media online and in databases and evaluate sources for credibility and appropriateness;

• demonstrate knowledge of problem-solving techniques in the basic concepts and principles of both theoretical and applied sciences; 

• enhance knowledge and demonstrate the impact through both project and dissertation; For professionals, to gain necessary foundations and skills through appropriate course work; and 

• use the knowledge and skills acquired for advancement in the workplace in different application domains.

General Requirements

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Students enrolled in the Program will be required to satisfy the following requirements:

 

1. Candidates for the Ph.D. in Advanced Computing degree must complete a minimum of sixty (60) academic credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree or thirty-six (36) credit hours beyond the master’s degree, pass comprehensive, and submit an acceptably written dissertation. 

2. Form a doctoral advisory committee by the end of the first year after admission. 

3. Pass a written qualifying exam at the level of advanced undergraduate and introductory graduate courses within the first two years of study (one attempt within the first year), doctoral candidacy examinations (no sooner than a year after passing the qualifying exam), administered by the dissertation committee, on Core Course subjects.

4. Develop and defend a dissertation proposal within the first four years of admission for students starting with a bachelor’s degree, and the first two years of admission for students entering with master’s degree. 

5. Complete and successfully defend a dissertation based on timely and original research in a relevant area of Advanced Computing within the seven years of enrollment.  Proper submission and editing of dissertation is required by the School of Graduate Studies for final approval of the dissertation.  Procedures for this process are disseminated by the School of Graduate Studies.

6. Maintain good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better.

7. In accordance with School of Graduate Studies regulations, all courses with grades of “F” must be retaken by the student to achieve an acceptable grade. The course must be the exact course in which the original grade was earned. Students may be dismissed for earning more than 2 F grades (even if the courses have been retaken).

8. In accordance with School of Graduate Studies regulations, a student may only earn up to 20% of program credits in C grades.  For instance, if the student is part of a 36 credit program, then they may not exceed 7 credits of C grades on the transcript.  If a student is a 60 credit student, then they may only have up to 12 credits of C grades on the transcript.  If exceeding the threshold, the student must retake courses with C grades to come within compliance. 

Admission

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To be eligible for admission to the Ph.D. Program in Advanced Computing, an applicant must: 

 

• Have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or equivalent), preferably in Computer Science, Information Science, AI and Data Science, Computer Engineering, or other closely-related areas. 

• Possess an undergraduate cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) of 3.00 or better to be considered for regular admission. Students who possess a cumulative undergraduate G.P.A. of between 2.50  and 3.00 may be considered for conditional admission.  Post-bachelor’s undergraduate credits will not be used to enhance G.P.A. requirements for admission to graduate study. 

• Submit an application for admission to the School of Graduate Studies.  All required documents must be submitted as directed by the School of Graduate Studies prior to program review and admission decision.  

• Use the application system to arrange for letters of recommendation to be placed with the application.  These letters must be from officials or faculty members of institutions previously attended who are acquainted with the applicant’s ability for graduate study or from employment supervisors where applicable. 

• Submit a typed exposition regarding the candidate’s personal, academic, and professional plans and the reasons for selecting Morgan State University. 

 

Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements and submitting all the required documents does not guarantee that an offer of admission will be made to the applicant.  The decision of the Program Admissions Committee involves a review and analysis of all the elements of the application as well as the availability of positions in the program.  The Committee then recommends to the School of Graduate Studies that an offer admission should be made based on that review.

Candidacy

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Students achieve candidacy by successfully passing the Doctoral Candidacy Exam.  

Once a student achieves candidacy, enrollment in any course other than 997 is generally prohibited.  Students seeking additional skills, knowledge, or a certificate must seek approval through the program up to the School of Graduate Studies.  The request must be accompanied by a revised Plan of Study.

Dissertation Completion

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The doctoral advisory committee is comprising of four members, among whom at least three of them should be tenured or tenure-track faculty members within the Computer Science Department at Morgan. The chair of the committee must be a member of the graduate faculty in the computer science (CS) department. A minimum of two CS faculty must serve on the committee. A minimum of one committee member outside the home department must serve on the doctoral advisory committee. Students form advisory committees no later than the end of the first year. The committee approves the student’s program of study and guides the student’s research activities.

Students must complete and successfully defend a dissertation based on timely and original research in a relevant area of Advanced Computing within the seven years of enrollment. The dissertation committee chair must determine the original contribution of the dissertation work.

Additional Requirements

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Computing professionals’ actions change the world. To act responsibly, they should reflect upon the wider impacts of their work, consistently supporting the public good. The ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct expresses the conscience of the profession. Candidates should also follow the ACM Code Ethics in conducting research and writing the dissertation. 

Violations of computer ethics using plagiarized material or code can lead to the termination of the program of study. Any appeal can be submitted to the department ethics committee for review.  

Program Course Requirements

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The required minimum coursework for the Ph.D. in Advanced Computing is 60 graduate credits beyond the Bachelor’s degree and 36 graduate credits beyond the Master’s degree. Six courses (18 credits) can be applied for closely related industry certificates, after being evaluated by the graduate committee.