Conduct Cutting-Edge Research in Computer Science

The Ph.D. in Computer Science program from Nova Southeastern University's College of Computing and Engineering prepares students to make significant contributions to the field through original research. Whether you're interested in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, or another dynamic subject, you'll have the opportunity to work with world-renowned faculty on cutting-edge projects.

With access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources, you'll develop the skills and knowledge needed to solve real-world problems and create new technologies. You'll also join a supportive community of scholars and researchers who are passionate about advancing the field of Computer Science.

Our Ph.D. graduates hold prestigious positions across all sectors, from industry to government to academia. They work at organizations such as Microsoft, IBM, and Google, and various United States government agencies, in addition to colleges and universities around the world.  

NSA-Designated University

The National Security Agency (NSA) and its affiliated federal agencies have designated NSU as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Cyber Defense (CD) and Cyber Research (R). NSU is among the few institutions around the nation to obtain both designations. Learn more.

 

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Quick Facts

Curriculum

NSU’s Ph.D. in Computer Science is a minimum of 51 total credits with the M.S. track or a minimum of 66 total credits with the B.S. track

Start Dates

All College of Computing and Engineering doctoral degree programs begin in AugustJanuary, and May.

Delivery Options

The Ph.D. in Computer Science program is offered as a blend of online and Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus courses and activities.

Tuition

Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information.

Learning Outcomes

A graduate with a Ph.D. in Computer Science will have the ability to:

  1. acquire advanced knowledge and deeper understanding of the field of computer science;
  2. communicate professionally and ethically about computer science research issues;
  3. identify, analyze, and synthesize scholarly literature related to the field of computer science; and
  4. generate new knowledge through research/scholarship and disseminate that knowledge to others by demonstrating the necessary technical and intellectual skills to produce a written document that makes an original contribution to the field of computer science.

Admission Requirements

Curriculum

Program Sheet
Core Courses (30 credits)
Credits
CISC 610
Programming Languages (CISC 610 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 615
Design and Analysis Algorithms (CISC 615 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 640
Operating Systems (CISC 640 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 660
Database Management Systems (CISC 660 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 680
Software Engineering (CISC 680 / Credits: 3 )
3
Elective Courses (15 credits)
Credits
ISEC 615
Fundamentals of Cybersecurity (ISEC 615 / Credits: 3 )
3
ISEC 620
Applied Cryptography (ISEC 620 / Credits: 3 )
3
ISEC 640
Database Security (ISEC 640 / Credits: 3 )
3
ISEC 650
Computer Networks Forensics (ISEC 650 / Credits: 3 )
3
ISEC 660
Advanced Network Security (ISEC 660 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 650
Computer Networks (CISC 650 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 662
Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery in Databases (CISC 662 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 664
Information Retrieval and Web Search Engine Technology (CISC 664 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 665
Distributed Systems (CISC 665 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 668
Mobile Application Development (CISC 668 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 670
Artificial Intelligence (CISC 670 / Credits: 3 )
3
MMIS 671
Data Analytics (MMIS 671 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 672
Data Visualization (CISC 672 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 681
Computer Graphics (CISC 681 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 682
Software Requirements Engineering (CISC 682 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 683
Object-Oriented Design (CISC 683 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 684
Software Testing and Verification (CISC 684 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 685
Interaction Design (CISC 685 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 690
Special Topics in Computer Science (CISC 690 / Credits: 3 )
3
Research Courses (12 credits)*
Credits
CISD 885
Doctoral Research (CISD 885 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISD 920
Continuing Dissertation (CISD 920 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISD 901
Doctoral Dissertation (CISD 901 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISD 920
Continuing Dissertation (CISD 920 / Credits: 3 )
3
Program Sheet
Core Courses (15 credits)
Credits
CISC 610
Programming Languages (CISC 610 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 615
Design and Analysis Algorithms (CISC 615 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 640
Operating Systems (CISC 640 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 660
Database Management Systems (CISC 660 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 680
Software Engineering (CISC 680 / Credits: 3 )
3
ISEC 615
Fundamentals of Cybersecurity (ISEC 615 / Credits: 3 )
3
ISEC 620
Applied Cryptography (ISEC 620 / Credits: 3 )
3
ISEC 640
Database Security (ISEC 640 / Credits: 3 )
3
ISEC 650
Computer Networks Forensics (ISEC 650 / Credits: 3 )
3
ISEC 660
Advanced Network Security (ISEC 660 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 650
Computer Networks (CISC 650 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 662
Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery in Database (CISC 662 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 664
Information Retrieval and Web Search Engine Technology (CISC 664 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 665
Distributed Systems (CISC 665 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 668
Mobile Application Development (CISC 668 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 670
Artificial Intelligence (CISC 670 / Credits: 3 )
3
MMIS 671
Data Analytics (MMIS 671 / Credits: 3 )
3
CCIS 672
Data Visualization (CCIS 672 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 681
Computer Graphics (CISC 681 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 682
Software Requirements Engineering (CISC 682 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 683
Object-Oriented Design (CISC 683 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 684
Software Testing and Verification (CISC 684 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 685
Interaction Design (CISC 685 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 690
Special Topics in Computer Science (CISC 690 / Credits: 3 )
3
Research Courses (12 credits)*
Credits
CISD 885
Doctoral Research Dissertation Courses (CISD 885 / Credits: 4 )
4
Dissertation Courses (24 credits)**
Credits
CISD 901
Doctoral Dissertation (CISD 901 / Credits: 8 )
8
CISD 920
Continuing Dissertation (CISD 920 / Credits: 8 )
8

 

*Each student will be required to complete at least three CISD 885 doctoral research courses. These courses will be taken at the end of the student’s coursework. These faculty supported directed study courses will enable the student to identify a viable research topic and conduct preliminary research that will lead to formal candidacy.

**Students must complete 24 credits of CISD 901 dissertation courses. Students who do not complete the dissertation within 24 credits will register for CISD 920 Continuing Dissertation (four credits) until the dissertation is complete.

For a full list of all course descriptions, visit coursewizard.nova.edu.

Alumni Success Stories

T.J. Moore

DevOps Engineer 2
NSU B.S. in Computer Science Graduate

Priscila Reyes

NSU B.S. in Computer Science Graduate

Catalina Bolaños Sippli

IT Consultant
NSU M.S. in Management Information Systems Graduate

Ben Sirof

NSU M.S. in Information Technology Graduate

Diaa Fathalla

NSU Ph.D. in Computer Science Graduate

Rita Barrios

Adjunct Professor, Cybersecurity & Information Systems
NSU Ph.D. in Cybersecurity Management Graduate

Take The Next Step

The College of Computing and Engineering graduate enrollment office is located on the fourth floor in the Carl DeSantis Building on NSU's Fort Lauderdale-Davie campus in Davie, Florida. Click here for a map.

Phone: (954) 262-2031 or Toll-Free: (800) 986-2247 ext. 22031

Email: computing@nova.edu

Schedule an Appointment

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.