Businesses in most industries today rely on some type of computer networking to remain competitive. Students who hope to participate in this field may study the software and hardware needed to create these systems. Educational programs may include subjects such as network infrastructures and the various techniques and equipment used to create those networks.

The PhD is a doctoral degree, specifically called a "doctor of philosophy" degree. This is misleading because PhD holders are not necessarily philosophers (unless they earned their degree in philosophy!). That said, PhD recipients are able to engage in thought experiments, reason about problems, and solve problems in sophisticated ways.