DOCTORATE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

Doctorate in Computer Science

Graduates of the Doctorate in Computer Science program will be qualified to conduct research in higher education institutions or independent research centers. They will also acquire the skills and autonomy required to undertake innovative scientific or technological research projects, both in public and private research institutions.

In particular, participants in the Doctorate in Computer Science program will receive training that enables them to:

• Demonstrate advanced and up-to-date knowledge in Computer Science, focusing on fundamental concepts in computer theory, algorithms, data structures, and at least one research area within the program.
  

• Lead and conduct research in an original and autonomous manner, contributing to the expansion of knowledge boundaries in Computer Science and Technology.
  

• Critically and independently evaluate scientific results and research outcomes while maintaining a commitment to ethical principles.
  

• Communicate research findings and results to the scientific and academic community.
  

The Doctorate in Computing is carried out within the framework of science, according to its methodology and principles. Therefore, it involves rigorous and systematic scientific research based on experimentation, conducted in controlled environments and focused on critical analysis. Students will formulate hypotheses about specific phenomena and examine them through observation in a process aimed at discovering solutions.

Study an Online Doctorate in Computer Science

Through the Doctorate in Computer Science, students will deepen their knowledge of the main elements of computer systems, emerging technologies, and their associated challenges. They will also study the theoretical foundations of relevant disciplines related to the analysis of technological phenomena.

The program explores all aspects related to technology and computer science, particularly from the perspective of organizations. Students will develop a high level of disciplinary knowledge while gaining insight into the main schools of thought and influential authors in the field.

It is essential that students enrolled in the Doctorate in Computing understand the methodologies that allow them to comprehend the fundamental approaches to research within the field of computer science. They will also acquire proficiency in basic and intermediate-complexity techniques for information collection and analysis.

After completing the Doctorate in Computer Science, students will be able to effectively organize time and manage the workload involved in professional or research projects.

They will also develop skills to establish professional networks with other specialists and collaborate with researchers. It is important that they obtain research support resources to address problems at both national and international levels.

Pursuing Teaching with a Doctorate in Computing

Through this Doctorate in Computing, students will be able to develop a solid body of knowledge suitable for educating undergraduate and master's degree students. They will be able to involve students in learning projects aimed at solving problems through scientific research.

Through this Doctorate in Computer Science, students will acquire critical understanding of theories within their field of knowledge. In addition, they will be capable of integrating new trends and discoveries related to the subjects they teach.

Furthermore, the program aims to enable students to connect applied research experience, professional practice, and educational experience in the classroom. In this way, they will be able to develop projects that provide solutions to organizational or regional challenges.

The Scientific Research Process

In this Doctorate in Computing, students will study the rigorous process involved in scientific research, which includes the following stages:

• Selection of the research topic: This involves clearly and precisely determining the subject matter and scope of the work to be presented.
  

• Objectives: Research objectives represent a clear and precise statement of the goals to be achieved. The researcher’s objective is to reach conclusions and develop theories that allow for generalization and the resolution of similar problems in the future.
  

• Definition of the research scope: It is preferable to select a topic that is appropriately limited in scope according to the researcher’s interests and preferences.
  

• Problem statement: This represents the starting point of the research process. It emerges when the researcher identifies a theoretical gap or unresolved issue.
  

• Theoretical framework: This integrates existing theory with the research process and establishes relationships between them.
  

• Methodology: This defines the procedures followed to determine the significance of facts and phenomena related to the purpose of the research.

• Research report: The structure of the research report is straightforward and follows the fundamental stages established in the research design.
  

The scientific research process seeks to provide answers to significant problems posed by humanity, while generating meaningful findings that expand human knowledge and contribute to scientific advancement.

However, for findings to be consistent and reliable, they must be obtained through a scientific process. This requires a logical and rigorous sequence of stages and tasks throughout the research process.

Types of Research

In the Doctorate in Computer Science, students will explore different types of research, enabling them to select the approach that best suits their research objectives. According to the level of knowledge acquired, the following types of research are identified:

• Exploratory research: This is conducted on a subject or object that is unknown or has been insufficiently studied. Its results provide an approximate understanding of the object of study, representing an initial level of knowledge.
  

• Descriptive research: Also known as diagnostic research, this type of research represents a significant portion of studies conducted in the social sciences. It focuses primarily on describing a phenomenon or specific situation by identifying its most relevant and distinctive characteristics.
  

• Correlational research: This type of research is used to determine the extent to which two variables are related. In other words, it examines the degree to which changes in one factor correspond to changes in another. Variables may be strongly or partially related, or they may have no relationship at all.
  

• Explanatory research: This type of research seeks to determine the causes of events by establishing cause-and-effect relationships.
  

The Scientific Method

In this Doctorate in Computing, students will learn that scientific progress relies on the scientific method for its development. The scientific method uses techniques recognized by the scientific community, thereby validating their application within each scientific discipline.

The program demonstrates that there is no absolute consensus regarding the concept of the scientific method. Some scientists argue that there is only one scientific method, while others maintain that different methods exist, with an intermediate perspective recognizing a shared methodological foundation adapted to each discipline.

Through the scientific method, researchers can observe, describe, explain, and predict any phenomenon. This involves gathering information related to an observable phenomenon or event and then formulating conclusions based on the collected data. This methodology enables the validation of hypotheses, as explored throughout the Doctorate in Computer Science.

To provide a reasoned explanation that can be considered scientific, researchers must first describe the phenomenon being observed. From this description, scientific theories are formulated as systems of concepts. Subsequently, new phenomena can be deduced, leading to further observation and description of these phenomena, which may complement the original research findings.