The University of Texas System Board of Regents on Thursday approved a Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science with Interdisciplinary Applications degree program at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
By design, the program will prepare graduates to become faculty at research-intensive universities or to establish research careers in industry. It will also offer rigorous, fundamental training in computer science and the application of computational methods to other disciplines. These include science, business, medicine, healthcare and engineering.
Janna Arney, UTRGV executive vice president and provost, said UTRGV continues to expand the educational opportunities available to our communities and beyond.
“By offering this newest doctoral program, UTRGV is creating opportunities for students to advance their careers and education while addressing a large and ongoing shortage of employees in technology-focused industries, such as software development, communications, and cybersecurity,” Arney said. “And the multidisciplinary focus makes it practical for a broad range of industries such as engineering, business, healthcare, logisitics and many more. We are so proud of our faculty who recognized this need and worked to develop such a high-quality program.
“When UTRGV opened its doors in 2015, we had four doctoral programs. Now, we’re on our way to 13, with four more under development. We are committed to expanding our academic offerings and are truly excited about this newest PhD program,” she said.
Moving Forward
The next step is to seek approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish the degree program.
Students entering the program with a bachelor’s degree will be required to complete 72 Semester Credit Hours, while those entering with a master’s degree in computer science or a related field will complete 54 SCH.
Also, as part of the coursework, all students will need to complete required core coursework covering fundamental computer science theory and systems, research seminars to connect students with faculty mentors, and doctoral training to increase accessibility and elevate soft skills critical for collaboration and productivity.
Dr. Ala Qubbaj, dean of the UTRGV College of Engineering and Computer Science, said this new degree program will support not just South Texas, but also state and national STEM priorities.
“There is a growing need and demand for a highly skilled and educated workforce in this expanding field, which includes Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence,” he said. “This new PhD program means that our students will be able to complete their university degrees, from Bachelor of Science to Master of Science to PhD, right here in the Rio Grande Valley.”
That strengthens the career pipeline and growth potential for UTRGV students, he said.
“Computer Science is one of our fastest growing programs at UTRGV, with more than 1,000 students choosing it as their major. Our graduates receive competitive offers before they even graduate,” Qubbaj said. “And the focus on interdisciplinary applications will only broaden participation and its impact on other areas of study, like science, engineering and medicine.”