Interdisciplinary Sciences
Doctoral Interdisciplinary Science
The ITU PhD in Interdisciplinary Science Program (DISP) is a unique and innovative program designed to research and develop technology solutions to substantial, global challenges.
Program Overview
The ITU PhD in Interdisciplinary Science Program (DISP) is a unique and innovative program designed to research and develop technology solutions to substantial, global challenges. Reflecting ITU’s mission to be on the cutting edge of innovation, this forward-looking program addresses an unfilled gap in university offerings that will only become wider in the future if not continuously explored.
- PhDIS is an entrepreneurial program that allows students with a BS or MS degree to pursue their dreams in developing a product that can be used to create a new business opportunity.
- PhDIS is a truly muti-disciplinary program where students with diversified current backgrounds can pursue the dream of building their own solutions to the world’s most challenging problems.
- Students from all fields are encouraged to apply. Each student will select an interdisciplinary emphasis that integrates two or more academic fields, at least one of them is in a science or engineering discipline covered by ITU faculty. Some sample emphases are:
- Medical Devices – Medicine and Electrical Engineering
- Education Technology – Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Media Arts and Education
- Financial Technology – Computer Science, Strategies and Finance
- Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship — Emerging technologies and innovation
ITU’s Low Residency Format
Two-week residency per academic year is required for the DISP study. Blended learning is critical for professional learners, as it gives them flexibility and control over the time, place and pace of learning. Their ITU doctoral study experience is enhanced through immersive on-campus interactions with faculty, peer groups, and interactions with key Silicon Valley leaders through visits and informal get-togethers. These on-campus residences also offer opportunities to take advantage of key ITU resources such as library, student and technology support, and university and Silicon Valley professional events and networking.
Program Structure
| Degree Requirements (3 Year Program Minimum) |
Credits |
| Course Work | 33 |
| Publications & Thesis Work | 15 |
| Contribution to the field of Interdisciplinary Sciences | * |
| Residencies (3) | * |
| Total | 48 |
Coursework
1. Core Courses: 6 courses for a total of 18 credit hours
- PhDIS 800 Quantitative Research Analysis I (3 credit)
- PhDIS 801 Quantitative Research Analysis II (3 credit)
- PhDIS 802 Qualitative Research Analysis I (3 credit)
- PhDIS 803 Qualitative Research Analysis II (3 credit)
- PhDIS 804 System Engineering I (3 credit)
- PhDIS 805 System Engineering II (3 credit)
2. Innovation Specialization Courses: 3 courses for a total of 9 credit
- PhDIS 810 AI & Data Science Applications (3 credit)
- PhDIS 811 Data Visualization (3 credit)
- PhDIS 812 Data Cloud Design & Implementation (3 credit)
3. Key Competency Courses: 2 courses for a total of 6 credit
- PhDIS 820 Theoretical Frameworks in Strategy Research (3 credit)
- PhDIS 821 Research Design (3 credit)
Comprehensive Candidacy Portfolio (CCP)
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PhDIS 711 CCP Panel Presentation I (0 credit)
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PhDIS 813 CCP Panel Presentation II (0 credit)
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PhDIS 822 CCP Final Panel Presentation (0 credit)
These presentations will be scheduled as follows:
- CCP Presentation I – Term 2 of Year 1
- CCP Presentation II – Residency 2
- CCP Final Presentation – Residency 3
Publication & Thesis Work
Publication & Thesis Requirements:
- Total Credits 15
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These are dedicated toward the students’ publications and Thesis writing.
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Publications research is encouraged to be World-Wide.
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Research Work needs to be based on reputable references (magazines and conferences) that are both US-based and international.
Culminating Experience (CE)
Candidates must choose one of the following three (3) doctoral capstone courses. Each of these courses is equal in terms of academic rigor.
- Doctoral Capstone Research (PhDIS 901), OR
- Doctoral Capstone Project (PhDIS 902), OR
- Doctoral Capstone Publishable Papers (PhDIS 903) (3 publishable papers)
Each capstone course consists of three (5) sections for a total of 15 credits.
- PhDIS 901 – 1 Doctoral Capstone Research 1 (3 credit)
- PhDIS 901 – 2 Doctoral Capstone Research 2 (3 credit)
- PhDIS 901 — 3 Doctoral Capstone Research 3 (3 credit)
- PhDIS 901 – 4 Doctoral Capstone Research 4 (3 credit)
- PhDIS 901 – 5 Doctoral Capstone Research 5 (3 credit)
OR
- PhDIS 902 – 1 Doctoral Capstone Project 1 (3 credit)
- PhDIS 902 – 2 Doctoral Capstone Project 2 (3 credit)
- PhDIS 902 — 3 Doctoral Capstone Project 3 (3 credit)
- PhDIS 902 – 4 Doctoral Capstone Project 4 (3 credit)
- PhDIS 902 – 5 Doctoral Capstone Project 5 (3 credit)
OR
- PhDIS 903 – Doctoral Capstone Publishable Papers 1 (3 credit)
- PhDIS 903 – Doctoral Capstone Publishable Papers 2 (3 credit)
- PhDIS 903 – Doctoral Capstone Publishable Papers 3 (3 credit)
- PhDIS 903 – Doctoral Capstone Publishable Papers 4 (3 credit)
- PhDIS 903 – Doctoral Capstone Publishable Papers 5 (3 credit)
Each of these courses requires the candidate to work on his/her doctoral proposal. .
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Click here for Admission Requirements.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
PLO #1: Analyze the theoretical knowledge and relate it to the selected emphasis. [Mapped to ILOs 3, 6]
PLO #2: Apply appropriate methodologies to evidence-based research and development projects. [Mapped to ILOs 1, 2, 5, 7]
PLO #3: Demonstrate competencies in professional level communication. [Mapped to ILOs 1, 2, 5, 7]
PLO #4: Identify strategies to solve global science and technology challenges related to their emphasis. [Mapped to ILOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 7]
PLO #5: Formulate original research projects, including research design, tools and structure. [Mapped to ILOs 3, 5, 6]