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program (03) = program requirements |
Design science is an interdisciplinary program. We’ve found that single discipline rules make it difficult for students to pursue an appropriate course of study with the right mix of courses and dissertation composition. Sufficient disciplinary depth is necessary for interdisciplinary understanding. A curriculum must be structured so that knowledge from at least two disciplines permeates the program of study. This is the guiding principle for the program requirements. Each student will have a uniquely defined program of study tailored to his or her background and interest in consultation with dissertation advisors. Some sample paths for course selection are provided further below.
Prerequisites
Students are required to have completed a MS/MA/MFA degree within a specific discipline before full admission to the program. There can be several paths that a student may follow. A student arriving at the U-M with an MS/MA/MFA degree may be directly admitted to the DESCI PhD. A student with a BS/BA/BFA degree (from U-M or elsewhere) must apply and enroll to a discipline MS/MA/MFA program and may concurrently get a provisional admission to the DESCI PhD program. The student can follow a ‘DESCI track’ master’s program within the specified department. Once the master’s requirements are satisfied the student can get full admission to the doctoral program.
Students with BS/BA/BFA degrees in disciplines that have no established master’s programs (like Psychology) may be admitted directly into the DESCI PhD program but they will be required to complete 24 credits of ‘master’s equivalent’ coursework in addition to the 24 required credits for the DESCI Program. The choice of courses will be subject to approval by the Program Committee.
A DESCI student is expected to have good mathematical skills, and so it is likely (but not necessary) that the typical student will have a BS in engineering, the physical or mathematical sciences and will move into the social and behavioral sciences or art and design. Although this is not a requirement, students with good mathematical and analytical skills will be able to define their tailored program of study more easily.
The expected minimal mathematical skills are equivalent to the material covered in the following courses: Calculus 1, Calculus 2, Introduction to Probability and Statistics. If students do not meet these requirements, they must complete these courses before official admittance to the program.
Students in the program must be paired with faculty from two different disciplines. This way each student will have dual mentorship throughout his or her studies. Although not required, faculty mentors may end up as dissertation co-chairs. Identifying faculty advisors is part of the admission process.
Coursework
There is a 24 course credit requirement. This consists of a core two-semester (6 credits) design science course sequence, a two-semester (3 credits) design science colloquium, and a five-course requirement (15 credits) taken from selected disciplinary offerings.
Advancement to Candidacy
Students are initially admitted to the program as pre-candidates. Candidacy will normally be achieved no later than at the end of the second year of study after completion of the Prelim Exams, and completion of course requirements in Group A (9 credits) and Group B (9 credits) with a grade-point-average of at least 7.0.
The Prelim Exam will have two parts: Part I is an oral exam in basic knowledge in two selected areas, agreed upon by the student, dissertation advisors and program advisor, typically based on the preceding coursework. Part II is a comprehensive presentation of a proposed dissertation topic by the student and a critical evaluation. Part I can be taken at any appropriate time during the first year of the program and will function as a ‘qualifying’ examination functions in some other disciplines. Part II will be normally taken no later than at the end of the second year.
Both exam parts will be administered by a committee with a minimum of three faculty. The examination committee will recommend admission action to the Program Committee, which will provide final approval.
Practicum
Students are expected prior to graduation from the program to complete one semester equivalent of practicum/internship with an industrial or academic partner. These will be arranged typically after the first year of study. This is not a program requirement but a recommended experience. Similarly, students are expected to complete a one-semester teaching assistantship, typically at the third or fourth year of study.
Students will pursue arrangements for these experiences in consultation with their dissertation advisors.
