Doctor of Computer Science: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:54, 9 August 2017

Revision as of 06:56, 9 August 2017

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The degree of '''Doctor of Computer Science''' ('''DCS''', '''DCompSci''', '''DSc.Comp''', '''D.C.Sc.''') is an applied research [[doctorate]] in [[computer science]] awarded on the basis of advanced study and research in the field of computer science.<ref name=CollegeAtlas>{{cite web|url=https://www.collegeatlas.org/computer-science.html|title= Types of Computer Science Degrees|publisher=CollegeAtlas.org|at=Doctor of Computer Science|date=2017-02-09|accessdate=2017-04-18}}</ref> While it is considered a terminal degree and requires coursework and research beyond the masters' level. An applied doctorate offers, the sameDCS statusis andnot challengeconsidered ofequivalent to a Ph.D., howeverin itComputer isScience.<ref mostname=CollegeAtlas/><ref appropriatename=SED2015>{{Cite forweb|url=https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/2017/nsf17306/technotes.cfm|title=Technical thoseNotes|work=Doctorate seekingRecipients professionalfrom careersU.S. Universities: 2015|publisher=National Science Foundation|date=December 2016|accessdate=2017-04-23}}</ref><ref name=SED2015list>{{cite web|url=https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/2017/nsf17306/data/taba1.pdf|title=Types of research doctoral degrees recognized by the Survey of Earned Doctorates: 2014||date=December 2015|publisher=[[National Science Foundation]]|accessdate= 2017-04-20}}</ref>

==Structure==

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Structurally the Doctor of Computer Science differs from the PhD in that the DCS has, as noted above, a three year duration, with only one year equivalent on the dissertation, while an American Ph.D. normally requires a minimum of five years (often longer), with at least three years spent on the dissertation.<ref name=DCS/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/11/25/analysis-says-humanities-phds-get-take-longer-coursework-dissertations|work=[[Inside Higher Ed]]|date=2014-11-25|title=Where the Time Goes|author=Colleen Flaherty}}</ref>

There are two active definitions of what comprises a research doctorate or similar in the U.S. The [[National Center for Education Statistics]] defines a ''Doctor's degree-research/scholarship'' as "A Ph.D. or other doctor's degree that requires advanced work beyond the master's level, including the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research, or the planning and execution of an original project demonstrating substantial artistic or scholarly achievement." The awarding institution defines which degrees meet this description themselves.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/ipeds/VisGlossaryPopup.aspx?idlink=941|title=Doctor's degree-research/scholarship|work=Glossary|publisher=National Center for Education Statistics|accessdate=2017-04-23}}</ref> The [[National Science Foundation]] defines a ''research doctorate'' as "a doctoral degree that (1) requires completion of an original intellectual contribution in the form of a dissertation or an equivalent culminating project (e.g., musical composition) and (2) is not primarily intended as a degree for the practice of a profession."<ref name="SED2015">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/2017/nsf17306/technotes.cfm|title=Technical Notes|date=December 2016|work=Doctorate Recipients from U.S. Universities: 2015|publisher=National Science Foundation|accessdate=2017-04-23}}</ref> Under this definition, the

DCS, which (as noted above) is intended for professionals in the field of computer science,<ref name=AppDoc/> is not recognized by the National Science Foundation as a research doctorate equivalent to a Ph.D in Computer Science.<ref name="SED2015list">{{cite web|url=https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/2017/nsf17306/data/taba1.pdf|title=Types of research doctoral degrees recognized by the Survey of Earned Doctorates: 2014|date=December 2015|publisher=[[National Science Foundation]]|accessdate=2017-04-20|}}</ref>

==References==