Information Technology

Description

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The Faculty of Science and Technology at UiS offers a PhD programme in Information Technology with focus on signal and image processing, code theory, Internet security issues and e-commerce systems.

This involves data engineering with activities in technology development for the new, open and globally distributed information structure. Candidates will study fundamental theory and methods, short-term practical applications and also more long-term experimental applications.

They will also seek to utilize the interaction between practical, engineering-related challenges in design of distributed computer systems and new theoretical insight into distributed algorithms. The following areas are emphasized:

* Cryptography, information security and error detection
* Distributed systems, algorithms and object-oriented applications
* Internet, digital money and electronic commerce
* Communication protocols and architectures for mobile data solutions
* Signal and image processing with research activities within adaptive filtering, signal compression, filter banks and also multi-rate techniques for the above
* Work on classification and segmentation of images and also motion estimation in image sequences (video)

In addition to this, the programme will include application of signal processing in different types of signals/images: Seismic data, medical images, bio-electrical signals, DNA sequences and various types of test signals.

The programme also includes research on cybernetics with activities in modelling, identification, simulation and regulation of different types of processes. Candidates will also work with applications in the petroleum and light metal industry, on board ships and in robot control. Examples of this are process monitoring based on status estimation, simulation and regulation of production pipelines and also model-based tuning of industrial robots.

Contents

The instruction component shall include the academic and methodical training required to carry out work on the dissertation.

The instruction component shall include courses amounting to a minimum of 30 credits and a maximum of 45 credits. At least 10 of these credits shall include the course(s) in philosophy of science and ethics on the relevant level. At least 20 credits shall be ordinary doctoral courses. The faculties may determine additional regulations for the contents of the instruction component.

The instruction component should be completed at the beginning of the study programme and must be approved before submission of the dissertation. The faculty may grant exemption from part of the instruction component in the event that the student has completed equivalent and approved instruction or courses at another unit or organization.

Instruction component for Information Technology:

The programme includes an instruction component of at least 30 credits. The instruction component common for all students includes a 10-credit course in philosophy of science and ethics. In addition students must choose courses amounting to at least 20 credits. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering currently offers ten different courses at PhD level. Courses offered at other departments may also be chosen, and courses at other institutions may be approved as part of the instruction component following an application.

Requirements

Before you can apply for admission to one of the PhD programmes at the University of Stavanger, certain requirements must be fulfilled.

In order to be admitted to one of our PhD programmes, you need to secure your funding in advance or apply for this along with the application for admission. The most common source of funding is research fellow positions at UiS. These are advertised under "Job vacancies" at the University of Stavanger's web site. You may also apply for scholarships from external sources of funding, such as the Research Council of Norway or relevant commercial or industry companies.
You also need to fulfil the set requirements for previous education (in order to be admitted to a PhD programme applicants typically need to have a five year Master´s degree with an average grade weighted at B or better). Applicants must also write a good project description that falls within the subject area of one of our programmes.
Only applications signed by the applicant´s main supervisor will be considered in full. Applicants who have not found a supervisor at the time of application, but fulfil the remaining requirements for admission, may submit their application form as a preliminary application. If your project description falls within the subject area of one of our programmes, the research training secretariat will be happy to put you in contact with a relevant supervisor.
Applications without enclosed project description, certified documentation of previous relevant studies or a complete plan for funding, will normally be rejected.
There is no deadline for applications to the doctoral programmes. Applicants are admitted continuously.

Funding

PhD students who are accepted at one of the UiS PhD programmes can apply for mobility scholarships to finance research visits lasting from three to six months at acknowledged institutions abroad.

The mobility scheme includes all academic programmes at UiS, and the scholarship is calculated according to the Norwegian Research Councils rates for overseas research grants. The scholarship is intended to cover expenses in connection with getting established abroad, as well as additional expenditures. Travel expenses should be covered by the student´s financial resources.

PhD students who submit complete application forms are guaranteed funding for three months, but may apply for extra funding (se below) for extended stays up to six months, or visits shorter than three moths.

Additional funding

Applications for additional funding will be processed at the end of the budget year and are prioritized as follows:
1. Extended stays beyond three months or stays shorter than three months (for students who are unable to go abroad for three months due to family or other social commitments)
2. Application for incoming mobility to UiS (mainly for PhD students who are staying at an institution in a developing country that has a collaboration agreement with UiS)
3. Travel expenses (can only be applied for if your annual capital equipment (30 000 NOK) are insufficient and your travel methods are as cheap as possible).
The Doctoral Committee at the Faculty will consider equal applicants according to progress and relevance in the dissertation work.