WSU Graduate Studies

Wright State University has a long history of investment in information technology. This has been evident through doctoral program development, research performance, strategic plan priorities, community initiatives, and statewide leadership.

Wright State’s second Ph.D. program was the multidisciplinary Computer Science and Engineering, authorized by the Ohio Board of Regents in 1985. Its first degrees were granted in 1990. More recently established Ph.D. programs in Engineering and in Human Factors and Industrial/Organizational Psychology also have strong information technology content and emphasis.

Beginning in 1997 and as a result of an OBR doctoral program review of computer science, the Computer Science and Engineering Department began participation in the Priorities in Graduate Education budget enhancement. Over the short period since its inception, this investment, augmented by the university, has had a major positive impact on the performance and visibility of the department, research activities, and the doctoral program.

Also in 1997, Wright State established the Information Technology Research Institute (ITRI). With support from the Greater Dayton IT Alliance, regional industry, the OBR enhancement, and the university, a major leap forward in sponsored research and interaction with IT industries has occurred.

Overall, Wright State University will pursue an Information Technology strategy that will build on current areas of strength and pursue new opportunities presented by preeminent facilities and statewide collaborations. An area of current national prominence is human-computer interaction as evidenced by recent NSF awards exceeding $3 million and Action and Investment Fund awards exceeding $2 million. A related area of national recognition is virtual environments reflecting strength in human-factors psychology and engineering. Areas of opportunity include data mining facilitated by an NCR donation of a WorldMark 4800 Teradata computer and bioinformatics for which WSU is pursuing a leadership position based upon a collaborative approach between computer science and the biomedical sciences. All of these emphases are strengthened by Wright State’s membership in Internet2 and the Abilene Network, and support of the OARNet Internet2 Evaluation Center (ITEC).

In accordance with the intent of the OBR Doctoral Investment Component, Wright State University will selectively invest in the Computer Science and Engineering Ph.D. program. Additional faculty resources, funds to enhance graduate student stipends and faculty start-up packages will be provided. The environment for recruitment and retention of talented faculty and graduate students is extremely competitive nationally.

However, WSU is currently at the edge of breaking into national recognition in this fast moving field and will move forward confidently.

Recruit at least two highly competitive new faculty members in cutting-edge research areas such as human-computer interaction, data mining, and bioinformatics. Recruit a senior scholar to fill the vacant position of Regents’ Professor and Director of ITRI.

Facilitate the competitiveness of current and new doctoral faculty by providing increased time for research, talented and committed graduate students, and state-of-the-art facilities. Continue to encourage collaboration with other Ohio computer science doctoral programs.

Direct efforts to meet regional and statewide graduate-level workforce needs and upgrade current information technologists through workshops, conferences, and distance education.

Encourage technology innovation and entrepreneurship that positively influence economic development.