DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

FIELD OF RESEARCH:

(INFORMATION SYSTEMS)

INTRODUCTION

This is a guided full research PhD programme for those who intend to further their studies in the field of Information Systems. The main aim of the programme is to educate professionals and academic research scholars to perform high quality IS research. They will be able to apply the Information Systems and Technology theories in analyzing and solving real organizational problem innovatively.

This programme is designed in such a way that students will be guided in developing the technical and empirical research skills. The taught courses in the first year introduce the students with a broad knowledge of research paradigms, Information Systems theory and current Information Systems research. Through research methodology course, different research orientations and methods will be introduced.

 

PROGRAMME EDUCATION OBJECTIVES

  • Graduates expert in conducting Information System (IS) research through the use of and apply IS theories and approaches for analysing and solving real organisation problem.
  • Graduates able to demonstrate the critical and creative ideas in order to expand and sharing the knowledge in the area of IS with the other researcher, university and industries.
  • Graduates able to advocate IS knowledge through effective oral and written across a range of contexts and audiences.
  • Graduates able to demonstrate consistent professional ethics and high integrity.

 

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Researcher in Information Systems field, Academician, CIO/IT Manager, IS Professionals, ICT Consultant

Programme Structure

All students are required to take the University Common Elective (3 credits), Core Subjects (10 credits) and register Research Codes (with no credits in every semester).  The total number of credits required for the award of a degree is 13 credits.

Graduate Coursework: In the first year of study, students will enroll in intensive Core Courses to build their research foundation in IS, namely IS Research Topic Seminar & Discourse (PBSM1523), IS Research Methodology Fundamental (PBSM1533), and IS Research Methodology Practice (PBSM1534). The grade is either PASS or FAIL. In addition, students need to choose ONE only from the list of University Common Elective course: Malaysia Society and Culture (UHAZ6123), Philosophy of Science and Civilization (UICW6023), Seminar on Global Development, Economic and Social Issues (UHAP6013), IT Project Management (UCSM1263), and Malay Language for Academic Writing (ULAM6013).  Students must pass all these courses (there is no examination). The courses are graded through assignments, attendance and participation.

Research Component: On entry to the programme, each student is allocated a supervisor or joint supervisors who are an academic member of the “Graduate Faculty”. The appointment of the supervisor can be proposed by the student and approved by the Postgraduate committee. The supervisor bears the major responsibility for advising the student on the conduct and progress of his or her work, for overseeing progress, and for providing support throughout the programme. Every student must register at the early of each semester with specified research codes. Student is also encouraged to fill in the Supervisory Progress Report in order for supervisor to monitor his or her research status or current progress. The detailed responsibilities of the supervisor are given in detail in the Code of Practice for the Academic Welfare of Postgraduate. 

First Assessment: Student is required to write a report on his/her research progress and make a presentation to be assessed by the appointed internal examiners. The presentation will be scheduled on week 7 and 8 of the Semester 3.

IS Research Topic Seminar And Discourse

Code: PBSM 1523 Synopsis: The purpose of the course is to acquaint students with some of the research and literature in the Information Systems field. During the first part of the course, students will be introduced to a number of different topics in the literature. Student is then expected to choose a particular topic of interest and come to grips with the following key questions: What is the state of knowledge represented in the literature in this area? What are the strengths and limitations in the body of literature? What are the opportunities for research in this area? How does this area of research relate to other areas of research previously covered? Through this process, students will learn to read critically; pay careful attention to issues of research methodology as well as content; make clear, concise and interesting research presentations; and develop your abilities to interpret and integrate different bodies of literature within the IS field. This course is intended to introduce the core IS research topics while academic discourse is intended to deepen understanding of a broader set of the IS literature.

Is Research Methodology Fundamentals

Code: PBSM 1533 Synopsis: The course covers three main research methodology fundamental components – paradigm in IS research, research methods and IS theories. IS research paradigm deal with the principal philosophy of science and epistemology. It concerns on the status of knowledge claims and the forms by which valid knowledge claims can be made. Fundamental research methods are introduced in a conceptual manner. IS theories expose the socio-philosophical foundations of information and information systems. It introduces students to the key theoretical principles underlying information systems and applies them to practical issues of information systems.

Is Research Methodology Practice

Code: PBSM 1534 Synopsis: The course covers the hands-on skills from three different perspective of IS research methods – quantitative method, qualitative method and mixed-method. At the end of this course, it is expected that students will be well versed and able to grasp the essence of what IS research methods are, how to proceed by identifying and employing research activities, how to measure progress and integrating results with the research problems confronted.
 

Choose 1 Course Only (3 Credit)

Seminar on Global Development, Economics and Social Issues

Code: UHAP 6013 Synopsis: This course studies the issues related to to globalization and development, economic and social crisis that has become a global concern. It aims in developing skills in understanding and analyzing global issues and recommending relevant solutions. Issues will be discussed in details.

Philosophy of Science and Civilisation

Code: UICW 6023

Malaysian Society and Culture

Code: UHAZ 6123

Malay Language for Academic Writing

Code: ULAM 6013

IT Project Management

Code: UCSM 1263
Entry Requirements
CGPA >= 3.0 for the Masters in Computer Science/Information Technology/Comp. Engineering from UTM or any other Institution of Higher Learning recognized by the University senate; OR

 CGPA >= 3.0 for the Masters in Management/Business in related Information Technology fields from UTM or any other Institution of Higher Learning recognized by the University senate; OR

 CGPA < 3.0 for the Masters in Computer Science/Information Technology/Comp. Engineering/ Management in related IT fields/Business in related IT fields WITH several years of working experience in Information Technology and recognized by University Senate.

Application Procedure
  1. Application must be made online at admission.utm.my
  2. The following documents must be uploaded into the online application portal:

• Certified copy of Bachelor Degree

• Certified copy of Diploma (if any)

• Certified copy of Academic Transcript(s)

• Certified copy of English Certified of IELTS/TOEFL with band score of 6.0/550 (for international candidates only)

• Passport-sized Photograph

• Copy of Passport (for international applicants)

• Two Referee Letter (Not compulsory)

• Financial Guarantee / Bank Account Statement (for self-sponsored candidate)

• Two copies of Scholarship Letter (If any)

• Proof of processing fee being paid

3.Only completed application will be processed

ALUMNI TESTIMONY

“The programme of PhD IS at UTM is based on group learning and group discussion – you learn from every person, not just from the lecturers and books. All of the IS taught courses are not just theoretical but more practical and the subjects are really updated. The University staff are very friendly and you can approach them directly – they’re always there to help. I had so many opportunities there – I worked on a national survey within a team; a grant from the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia. I was also a freelance tutor and conducted several workshops in IS discipline. All of these experiences furthered my academic interests and helped me create my path for the future”

Dr Amin Saedi

Lecturer, Universiti Teknologi Petronas Malaysia

For more information about the admission process, please contact:

Email  pgrad@utm.my
Telephone   +6075537900
Website   admission.utm.my
To know more about the programme, please contact:

Name:  Assoc. Prof. Dr Abd Razak Che Hussin
Email:   abrazak@utm.my
Telephone:   019-7453646
Any inquiry about course registration, please contact:

Name  FM Academic Office 
Email   academic-fm@utm.my
Telephone +607-5610188
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