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Graduate Studies in
Computer & Information Technology

The Department of Computer and Information Technology (CIT) offers graduate studies with a plan of study that is highly flexible and interdisciplinary. Accordingly, it is possible for graduate students who are interested in the application of information systems or information technology to a distinct professional domain, to design a valuable graduate education experience.

Students are expected to have completed a baccalaureate degree in computer information systems, computer science, computer engineering, or a related field of study. Minimally, applicants should possess at least 15-18 semester credits of computing coursework or equivalent experience or credentials. Students who are interested in augmenting their technical or scientific undergraduate studies in CIT may be required to demonstrate competencies in the fundamentals of Computer and Information Technology by enrolling in selected undergraduate courses prior to undertaking their plan of study.

Applicants who do not have the prerequisite backgrounds in computing may consider pursuing an undergraduate computing degree, or a graduate business or management degree with a concentration in information systems.

Students pursuing graduate studies in the Department of Computer and Information Technology may focus their studies on one of the following (details for these areas are listed below):

• Information Technology Leadership & Project Management
• Cyber Forensics
• Discovery Systems and Cyberinfrastructure

In addition to Purdue University’s many campus resources, the Department of Computer and Information Technology has world-class laboratories supporting distinct research objectives. These include:

• Cyber Forensics Laboratory
• High Performance Computing Laboratory
• Bioinformatics and Biotechnology Laboratory
• Mobile and Wireless Computing Laboratory
• Network Engineering Laboratory

Each graduate degree plan is unique to the individual student and his/her background, experience, and degree objectives. Each degree candidate will be appointed an advisor from the graduate faculty to assist with program planning. Advisors are assigned based on a review of the candidate's application materials. Candidate requests for a specific advisor are accepted but not guaranteed. Once a candidate is admitted to the graduate program, the advisor becomes his/her most important contact person.

The master of science plan of study has a minimum requirement of 30 semester hours of course work and 3 semester hours of directed project (TECH 598). Each candidate's plan of study will ultimately be directed by the advisory committee.

Admissions are highly selective because the number of applications typically exceed faculty's capacity to mentor students through the plan of study and directed project requirements. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of several criteria including: GRE scores, prior academic performance, prior computing courses completed and computing work experience, and references. Most importantly, the applicants' Statements of Purpose are carefully screened to determine whether an appropriate match exists between the professional goals and interest of the applicant and a specific faculty member.

All students must apply through the University Graduate School office. For more information on admissions, see http://www.gradschool.purdue.edu/admissions/

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Areas of Study in Computer and Information Technology

Graduate studies in CIT offer the opportunity to specialize in one or more technical and scientific domains, each with its own area or applications and professional opportunities. Importantly, students can undertake an interdisciplinary plan of study that integrates the following categories and knowledge domains.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP & PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Students interested in studying Information Technology Leadership & Project Management have the opportunity to engage in coursework and projects involving:

• Mobile Computing

  Mobile Computing involves the development and deployment of specialized software and technologies that enable mobile and hand-held computing devices to function, such as smart phones, PDAs, and pocket PCs. Please visit mobile.tech.purdue.edu or contact Prof. Kyle Lutes (kdlutes@purdue.edu) for more information.

• Software Development

  In this knowledge domain, students apply their software development and deployment knowledge to many different business and scientific areas such as the internet, desktop computing and enterprise-scale communications. Please contact Prof. Kyle Lutes (kdlutes@purdue.edu ) for more information.

• Local and Wide-Area Network Engineering

  Students in this area learn the theory and practice of creating highly available and secure voice and data networks. Areas of emphasis include routing and switching, system and network administration, and system management. Please contact Prof. Phil Rawles (ptrawles@purdue.edu) for more information.

• Wireless Networking

  In Wireless Networking, students have the opportunity to apply their computing fundamentals to the growing world of wireless communications and technologies. This includes all aspects of radio-frequency-based communications, the technologies used for multi-point digital communications, and the application of these technologies to corporate, rural, marine, and military communications. Please contact Prof. Anthony Smith (ahsmith@purdue.edu ) for more information.

• IT Project & Process Management

  In Project and Process Management, students will augment their fundamental skills in computing and information technology through advanced courses and ongoing research in the skills needed for successful project management. These include human resource management, change control, risk management, and the tools and techniques required for scope definition and management. Please contact Prof. Kevin Dittman (dittmank@purdue.edu ) or Prof. Jeffrey Brewer (jbrewer@purdue.edu ) for more information.

• Data Warehousing & Database Systems

  In this knowledge domain, students extend their skills in database systems to develop specialized data management solutions for both business management efforts and discovery support systems in the life sciences. Please contact Prof. John Springer (jaspring@purdue.edu) for more information.

CYBER FORENSICS

The field of cyber forensics deals with digital evidence and electronically stored information. Students learn about such diverse topics as digital evidence investigations, network forensics, small scale digital devices and expert witness testimony. Emphasis is placed on research and scholarship within the digital forensic sciences and students have the opportunity to work with law enforcement and the private sector through internships and summer placement. The Cyber Forensics program is a recognized Area of Specialization at the Masters Degree level. Please visit http://www.cyberforensics.purdue.edu for more information or contact Prof. Marc Rogers (mrogers@purdue.edu) or Prof. Rick Mislan (rmislan@purdue.edu).

• Small Scale Digital Device Forensics

  With the ubiquity and pervasiveness of devices such as Mobile Phones, PDAs, and Digital Cameras, students have the opportunity to learn the techniques, tools, and methodologies of performing small scale digital device forensics. With such a wide variety of devices, operating systems, and communication channels, the research is dynamic and rigorous. Please contact Prof. Rick Mislan (rmislan@purdue.edu) for more information

DISCOVERY SYSTEMS & CYBERINFRASTRUCTURE

Students interested in studying within the realm of Discovery Systems and Cyberinfrastructure have the opportunity to engage in coursework and projects involving:

• Biomedical Informatics & Research Computing

  This area involves the integration of life sciences computing, human healthcare, and information management. Ongoing projects in this area involve computational genomics in agriculture models, developing new technologies for studying genomics, and developing clinical genotyping solutions for human healthcare. Please visit bioinformatics.tech.purdue.edu for more information, or contact Prof. Michael Kane (mdkane@purdue.edu ) or Prof. Shannon Schleuter (sds@purdue.edu ).

• High Performance Computing & Parallel Computing Systems

  In High Performance Computing, students apply their fundamental skills in computing and networking to build supercomputers and multi-processor computing systems. These systems provide the computing power to conduct mathematically-intensive scientific computing and modeling. Please contact Prof. Thomas Hacker (hacker@purdue.edu ) for more information.

• Data Warehousing & Database Systems

  In this knowledge domain, students extend their skills in database systems to develop specialized data management solutions for both business management efforts and discovery support systems in the life sciences. Please contact Prof. John Springer (jaspring@purdue.edu ) for more information.