Digital Sciences - M.D.S. Download to print

The Master of Digital Sciences degree is a professional master’s degree for graduates from a variety of backgrounds.

For graduates from computer science, computer information systems, technology, or other areas close to Digital Sciences, it can augment the students’ undergraduate coursework with additional breadth and some focused depth in one area outside their own discipline. For example, a computer science graduate could select the Digital Systems Management and Consulting concentration to study the management of information systems. A computer information systems graduate could select the Enterprise Architecture concentration to learn how to align the use of technology to business needs.

For graduates from the sciences, humanities or other areas less closely aligned with Digital Sciences, the Master of Digital Sciences gives a broad exposure to the field and a focused introduction to one area. For example, a physics graduate could select the Digital Systems Software Development concentration to study programming, algorithms, and software engineering. A psychology or education graduate could select the Digital Science Cognition and Communication concentration to learn about simulation games, virtual reality, and managing technological change.

The Master of Digital Sciences comprises five concentrations to provide deeper knowledge in one or more domains: Digital Science Cognition and Communication, Digital Systems Management and Consulting, Digital Systems Software Development, Digital Systems Telecommunication Networks, and Enterprise Architecture.

The Digital Science Cognition and Communication concentration focuses on the learning, teaching, communication, and training needs of an organization and the hardware and software systems that must be designed to meet those needs. Graduates will know how to use the principles, theories, and research-based outcomes of how people interact with technology and communicate through technology to improve the usability of hardware, software and training within an organization.

The Digital Science Cognition and Communication concentration includes coursework on instructional design, managing technology in education, virtual reality and simulation games in education. This concentration can assist graduates to prepare for a career as an instructional technologist, instructional coordinator, information technology trainer or user interface specialist.

The Digital Systems Management and Consulting concentration focuses on reviewing an organization's business priorities, identifying and solving complex problems, and desiging and re-engineering critical processes. Graduates will know how to oversee the technical operations of an organization, and will be able to create, re-engineer, and integrate technology-enabled solutions with an understanding of how users interact and communicate with technology.

The Digital Systems Management and Consulting concentration includes coursework on management information systems, system development methodologies, database management systems, and information security. This concentration can assist graduates to prepare for a career as a management analyst, information systems project manager, information technology coordinator, or technology consultant.

The Digital Systems Software Development concentration focuses on the software needs of an organization and the coordination of the design, maintenance, and expansion of a software system to meet those needs. Graduates will understand the role of software development in relation to information management and the technology infrastructure in an enterprise environment, and will be able to design software systems in support of business goals and work with software engineers as they build those systems.

The Digital Systems Software Development concentration includes coursework on enterprise architecture, application and technology architecture, algorithms and programming and software engineering methodologies. This concentration can assist graduates to prepare for a career as an application architect, software project manager, scientific programmer or web developer.

The Digital Systems Telecommunication Networks concentration focuses on the communication needs for an organization and the design of a telecommunication and network infrastructure  to meet those needs. Graduates will understand how to design hardware systems and the supporting communication infrastructure to transport and store the converged voice, video and data traffic required by a modern multimedia system.

The Digital Systems Telecommunication Networks concentration includes coursework on wireless telecommunication system and network technologies, fiber optics and visual basic programming in engineering technology. This concentration can assist graduates to prepare for a career as a technology architect, network system analyst, data communication analyst or telecommunications specialist.

The Enterprise Architecture concentration focuses on assisting organizations to review and improve their investments in technology and to ensure that their digital information, applications, and technology are fully aligned with business goals and objectives. Graduates will know how to develop detailed blueprints of an organization's current state, to work with the stakeholders to prepare a vision of a future architecture, to prepare an implementation roadmap, and to execute technology and business change.

The Enterprise Architecture concentration includes coursework on enterprise architecture, business architecture, data architecture, and application and technology architecture. This concentration can assist graduates to prepare for a career as a computer system architect, enterprise architect, information architect or solution architect.
 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer-related occupations will grow twice as fast as the average for all occupations, and will account for over 750,000 new jobs nationally between 2008-2018. Computing occupations are projected to be responsible for nearly 60% of all job growth in science and engineering between now and 2018.

Many career paths can benefit from broad, multi-disciplinary training that provides exposure to enterprise architecture, information systems, software development, telecommunications infrastructure, technology or other digital areas. Depending on a student's undergraduate background, the Digital Sciences program can prepare graduates for entry-level careers in a variety of areas, including computer system analyst, computer system architect, enterprise architect, information system project manager, information technology coordinator, instructional coordinator, instruction technologist, scientific programmer, software project manager, technology architect, telecommunication specialist or web developer.
 

Applicants for the Master of Digital Sciences degree are expected to have an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 point scale. Applicants with a lower GPA will be considered for conditional admission.

Applicants must submit official transcript(s), current resume, three letters of recommendation, a statement of goals and objectives for pursuing this degree, and (optionally) a statement of plans for electives.

The (required) statement of goals and objectives should explain the applicant's goals and objectives for pursuing this advanced degree. For example, the applicant may want to better prepare for a specific career, to update knowledge in a specific area or to add expertise that will make the applicant more valuable in a current career.

The (optional) statement of plans for electives should explain how the applicant plans to choose the digital sciences related electives to complement the selected concentration and undergraduate major. The applicant should explain how the electives will help to meet the goals and objectives listed in the previous question.

International applicants must submit evidence of proficiency in the English language, usually through the TOEFL, MELAB or IELTS. The GRE is not required but if taken will be considered in the admission process.
 

Minimum 32 credit hours of graduate-level coursework including 9-10 credits of major requirements, 9-10 credits of concentration requirements, 7-8 credits of approved electives in the digital sciences or related programs, and 6 credits of Thesis or Capstone plus electives as describe below.
 

Business Administration-Information Systems/Operations Management (Ph.D.), Communication and Information (Ph.D.), Computer Science (Ph.D.), Educational Psychology-Instructional Technology (Ph.D.), Evaluation and Measurement (Ph.D.)
 

Each student must complete either:

     -3 credits of DSCI 60910 Capstone in Digital Sciences and 3 credits of approved electives in the digital  
      sciences or related programs (Non-Thesis Option)

     -6 credits of DSCI 69199 Thesis I (Thesis Option)