Doctor of Philosophy in Ontology
The Doctor of Philosophy in Ontology is an advanced research program designed to deepen understanding of the nature of being, formal ontological structures, and the application of ontological principles across various disciplines. This program is ideal for scholars who wish to pioneer new frameworks in structured reality, AI reasoning, and epistemic frameworks through rigorous research and philosophical inquiry.
About the Program
The Ph.D. in Ontology provides an intensive research-focused curriculum that engages students in the exploration of formal ontology, computational knowledge systems, and philosophical modeling. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of ontological theories and their applications, contributing to cutting-edge developments in artificial intelligence, epistemology, and metaphysics.
Through a combination of coursework, seminars, and independent research, students will be encouraged to formulate and test hypotheses, develop theoretical models, and apply ontological analysis to complex problems in both theoretical and applied settings. The program emphasizes the development of robust research skills and a deep philosophical understanding necessary to advance the field of ontology.
Key Areas of Study
**Advanced Formal Ontology and Ontological Analysis
**Computational Knowledge Systems and AI-driven Knowledge Representation
**Philosophical Modeling and Theory Development
**Applications of Ontological Principles in Epistemology and Metaphysics
Career Pathways
Graduates of the Ph.D. in Ontology are well-equipped for careers in academia, research institutions, and high-tech industries where advanced knowledge representation and theoretical modeling are crucial. They are prepared to lead research projects, develop innovative ontological frameworks, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in ontology research, AI-driven knowledge representation, formal epistemology, and metaphysical modeling.
Core Curriculum & Research Structure
Doctoral Degree Requirements:
Total Credits Required: 75 credits
Core Major Courses: 39 credits
Doctoral Research Seminars: 9 credits
Research & Dissertation: 27 credits
Year One – Foundational Research & Ontological Systems
Falll Semester 1
ONT 801 – Advanced Ontological Theories & Reality Structures (3 credits)
ONT 802 – Formal Ontology & Computational Knowledge Representation (3 credits)
ONT 803 – Metaphysical Foundations of Ontological Systems (3 credits)
ONT 804 – Advanced Logic & Ontology-Based Decision Systems (3 credits)
Doctoral Research Seminar I: Methodologies in Ontological Science (3 credits)
Spring Semester 2
ONT 805 – Ontology Engineering & AI-Based Knowledge Graphs (3 credits)
ONT 806 – Non-Classical Logics & Epistemic Ontologies (3 credits)
ONT 807 – Computational Ontology in Machine Learning & AI (3 credits)
ONT 808 – Advanced Topics in Applied Ontology (3 credits)
Doctoral Research Seminar II: Proposal Development & Review (3 credits)
Year Two – Specialized Research & Dissertation Development
Falll Semester 3
ONT 901 – The Ontology of Information & Formal Taxonomies (3 credits)
ONT 902 – Cognitive Ontology & Meaning Systems in AI (3 credits)
ONT 903 – Mathematical & Logical Foundations of Ontology (3 credits)
Independent Research in Ontological Science (3 credits)
Doctoral Research Seminar III: Advanced Dissertation Research (3 credits)
Spring Semester 4
ONT 904 – Experimental Ontology & AI Reality Simulations (3 credits)
ONT 905 – Ontology-Based Reasoning & Epistemic Computation (3 credits)
Comprehensive Doctoral Examination (Non-Credit)
Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Defense (Non-Credit)
Year Three – Dissertation Research & Defense
Falll Semester 5
ONT 990 – Doctoral Dissertation Research (9 credits)
ONT 991 – Advanced Topics in Ontology & AI (3 credits)
Spring Semester 6
ONT 992 – Dissertation Completion & Pre-Defense Review (9 credits)
ONT 993 – Final Dissertation Defense & Publication (3 credits)