Computer Science, DAS

Doctoral Program Coordinator:
Dr. Hoda El-Sayed

The Doctor of Applied Science (D.A.S.) program is designed to produce advanced technology professionals who will contribute to the expansion of the State of Maryland’s competitiveness in the growing biotechnology and technological security industry. In addition, this program is designed to meet the need of the community college and four-year college faculty to further their career by obtaining a terminal degree in computer science and IT-related disciplines.

This program is designed to provide opportunities to the students to attain advanced knowledge in the area of their choosing such as Internet technologies, distributed computing, computer networks and communication, network security, satellite remote sensing, image processing, environmental bioinformatics and multimedia technologies. The specific objectives are:

1. To prepare students to conduct research and become leaders in computer science/technology,
2. To develop advanced educational skills to meet the demands of high-tech job markets, and
3. To develop students’ in-depth knowledge of current computer science and technological research methods, processes, and tools in order to enable them to conduct high quality research and provide expert instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The D.A.S. in Computer Science will require the study of the design and development of computer software systems, algorithms, network systems, and database systems, to address the real-world problems of business, government and the military. This program will provide graduate level education in computer technologies for those preparing to enter academia or the high-tech skilled workforce and for those planning to enhance their skill level in the chosen area.

Admission to the Program

1. Completion of Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA and background in Computer Science which includes computer organization and program development in a high-level language
2. A minimum of two letters of recommendation
3. A statement letter indicating educational and professional objectives of the candidate
4. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (International students)

Program Requirements

1. Completion of a minimum of 60 graduate-level credit hours (not including dissertation) from among the list of courses for the doctoral program recommended by the Doctoral Program Committee. (For those students who do not have a computer science background, the Doctoral Program Committee may assign additional courses.) Up to six graduate-level computer science credits may be counted from qualifying institutions. Students entering the program with a Master’s Degree in Computer Science or related area may be able to count up to thirty graduate-level computer science credits from qualifying institutions.
2. Satisfactory completion of the comprehensive examination.
3. Satisfactory completion of the dissertation requirements (12 credits).
4. Satisfactory completion of the dissertation defense.