computer science phd programs

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Computer Science Ph.D. Program

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The Cornell Ph.D. program in computer science is consistently ranked among the top six departments in the country, with world-class research covering all of computer science. Our computer science program is distinguished by the excellence of the faculty, by a long tradition of pioneering research, and by the breadth of its Ph.D. program. Faculty and Ph.D. students are located both in Ithaca and in New York City at the Cornell Tech campus . The Field of Computer Science also includes faculty members from other departments (Electrical Engineering, Information Science, Applied Math, Mathematics, Operations Research and Industrial Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Computational Biology, and Architecture) who can supervise a student's Ph.D. thesis research in computer science.

Over the past years we've increased our strength in areas such as artificial intelligence, computer graphics, systems, security, machine learning, and digital libraries, while maintaining our depth in traditional areas such as theory, programming languages and scientific computing.  You can find out more about our research here . 

The department provides an exceptionally open and friendly atmosphere that encourages the sharing of ideas across all areas. 

Cornell is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. This beautiful area provides many opportunities for recreational activities such as sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, both downhill and cross-country skiing, ice skating, rock climbing, hiking, camping, and brewery/cider/wine-tasting. In fact, Cornell offers courses in all of these activities.

The Cornell Tech campus in New York City is located on Roosevelt Island.  Cornell Tech  is a graduate school conceived and implemented expressly to integrate the study of technology with business, law, and design. There are now over a half-dozen masters programs on offer as well as doctoral studies.

FAQ with more information about the two campuses .

Ph.D. Program Structure

Each year, about 30-40 new Ph.D. students join the department. During the first two semesters, students become familiar with the faculty members and their areas of research by taking graduate courses, attending research seminars, and participating in research projects. By the end of the first year, each student selects a specific area and forms a committee based on the student's research interests. This “Special Committee” of three or more faculty members will guide the student through to a Ph.D. dissertation. Ph.D. students that decide to work with a faculty member based at Cornell Tech typically move to New York City after a year in Ithaca.

The Field believes that certain areas are so fundamental to Computer Science that all students should be competent in them. Ph.D. candidates are expected to demonstrate competency in four areas of computer science at the high undergraduate level: theory, programming languages, systems, and artificial intelligence.

Each student then focuses on a specific topic of research and begins a preliminary investigation of that topic. The initial results are presented during a comprehensive oral evaluation, which is administered by the members of the student's Special Committee. The objective of this examination, usually taken in the third year, is to evaluate a student's ability to undertake original research at the Ph.D. level.

The final oral examination, a public defense of the dissertation, is taken before the Special Committee.

To encourage students to explore areas other than Computer Science, the department requires that students complete an outside minor. Cornell offers almost 90 fields from which a minor can be chosen. Some students elect to minor in related fields such as Applied Mathematics, Information Science, Electrical Engineering, or Operations Research. Others use this opportunity to pursue interests as diverse as Music, Theater, Psychology, Women's Studies, Philosophy, and Finance.

The computer science Ph.D. program complies with the requirements of the Cornell Graduate School , which include requirements on residency, minimum grades, examinations, and dissertation.

The Department also administers a very small 2-year Master of Science program (with thesis). Students in this program serve as teaching assistants and receive full tuition plus a stipend for their services.

College of Computing

Ph.D. in Computer Science

All students in the program receive the same degree regardless of their interest area, specialization, research focus or school affiliation. New students are affiliated with the school in which their advisor resides, but none of the schools impose any special requirements compared to another.

As a research-oriented degree, the Ph.D. in Computer Science prepares exceptional students for careers at the cutting edge of academia, industry and government. Students are expected to demonstrate excellence in both defining and executing a substantial research project that forms a novel contribution to the state of the art in computing. With a highly individualized program of study, the degree provides students with depth in their chosen research area coupled with a rigorous breadth of knowledge across the discipline.

First granting the doctoral degree in 1969 (as a Ph.D. in Information and Computer Science), the College of Computing represents a continuation of one of the earliest and most well-established graduate Computing institutions in the United States, and in the world. This stature is reflected in our national and international rankings and, most importantly, in the quality of the students who have graduated from our program.

The CS Ph.D. Structure

The coursework component of the Computer Science Ph.D. consists of an introductory course on graduate studies (CS 7001), along with the separate breadth and minor requirements.

The breadth requirement is intended to give students a broad competency across the discipline of computing through coursework in a range of the College's different research areas. This requirement is satisfied by taking five classes from across the College's different research areas and must include a Programming Proficiency course and a Theory course.

The minor is a 9-hour sequence of courses from outside the College that constitutes a coherent program of study and is determined by the student and advisor. The minor builds non-Computing expertise in an area related to the student's core research area.

As students progress, they must select a primary area of research and pass a qualifier (comprehensive exam) in that area to demonstrate mastery of the field in their chosen area, and readiness to do research.

While coursework plays an important role in the Ph.D., by far the most important component of the degree is the student's individual dissertation research project. This project should contribute to new knowledge in the field of computing, and should demonstrate the student's proficiency in defining and executing a compelling research agenda.

The dissertation research plan is formalized in a written proposal followed by an oral presentation. When a student passes his or her proposal, the student is admitted to candidacy and proceeds with the dissertation research, which is completed with the successful defense and submission of the approved doctoral dissertation.

Program of Study

Want to know more details about the program of study for the Ph.D. in CS? Find out about breadth component areas and courses, minors, qualifying exams, and more on the Ph.D. CS - Program of Study page.

Explore the Program of Study for the Ph.D. in CS

Computer Science Research

The breadth of the College's research endeavors makes our doctorate degree in computer science unique: the research specializations in the College span what is typically found in a "traditional" CS department, along with elements found in EECS, robotics, or information schools in other universities. This diversity allows students to formulate a unique individual program of study all within the CS degree, which may be impossible at other universities.

Learn more about our Areas of Research

Admissions Requirements and Applications

If this kind of work interests you and fits with your career aspirations, why not go ahead and apply?

Need more information about our admissions requirements? Find an overview of these requirements on our Ph.D. CS - Admissions Requirements page.

Ph.D. CS - Admissions Requirements

Current Ph.D. in CS Student Information

If you are a current student in our Ph.D. in Computer Science program, you can find information on your qualifying exams on our website. If you still cannot find the information you are looking for, please reach out to your assigned program advisor. 

Ph.D. CS - Qualifier Exam Information

CS Ph.D. Student Handbook

Older handbook:

2023 CS Ph.D. Student Handbook

2022  CS Ph.D. Student Handbook  

2021 CS Ph.D. Student Handbook

From the Catalog:

Computer Science, PhD

Computer science phd degree.

In the Computer Science program, you will learn both the fundamentals of computation and computation’s interaction with the world. Your work will involve a wide range of areas including theoretical computer science, artificial intelligence and machine learning, economics and computer science, privacy and security, data-management systems, intelligent interfaces, operating systems, computer graphics, computational linguistics, robotics, networks, architectures, program languages, and visualization.

You will be involved with researchers in several interdisciplinary initiatives across the University, such as the Center for Research on Computation and Society , the Data Science Initiative , and the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society .

Examples of projects current and past students have worked on include leveraging machine learning to solve real-world sequential decision-making problems and using artificial intelligence to help conservation and anti-poaching efforts around the world.

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Computer Science Degree

Harvard School of Engineering offers a  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in Computer Science , conferred through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Prospective students apply through Harvard Griffin GSAS; in the online application, select “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your program choice and select "PhD Computer Science" in the Area of Study menu.

In addition to the Ph.D. in Computer Science, the Harvard School of Engineering also offers master’s degrees in  Computational Science and Engineering as well as in Data Science which may be of interest to applicants who wish to apply directly to a master’s program.

Computer Science Career Paths

Graduates of the program have gone on to a range of careers in industry in companies like Riot Games as game director and Lead Scientist at Raytheon. Others have positions in academia at University of Pittsburgh, Columbia, and Stony Brook. More generally, common career paths for individuals with a PhD in computer science include: academic researcher/professor, industry leadership roles, industry research scientist, data scientist, entrepreneur/startup founder, product developer, and more.

Admissions & Academic Requirements

Prospective students apply through the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). In the online application, select  “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your program choice and select "PhD Engineering Sciences: Electrical Engineering​." Please review the  admissions requirements and other information  before applying. Our website also provides  admissions guidance ,  program-specific requirements , and a  PhD program academic timeline . In the application for admission, select “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your degree program choice and your degree and area of interest from the “Area of Study“ drop-down. PhD applicants must complete the Supplemental SEAS Application Form as part of the online application process.

Academic Background

Applicants typically have bachelor’s degrees in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, or engineering.

Standardized Tests

GRE General: Not Accepted

Computer Science Faculty & Research Areas

View a list of our computer science faculty  and  computer science affiliated research areas . Please note that faculty members listed as “Affiliates" or "Lecturers" cannot serve as the primary research advisor.

Computer Science Centers & Initiatives

View a list of the research centers & initiatives  at SEAS and the computer science faculty engagement with these entities .

Graduate Student Clubs

Graduate student clubs and organizations bring students together to share topics of mutual interest. These clubs often serve as an important adjunct to course work by sponsoring social events and lectures. Graduate student clubs are supported by the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin School of Arts and Sciences. Explore the list of active clubs and organizations .

Funding and Scholarship

Learn more about financial support for PhD students.

• How to Apply

Learn more about how to apply  or review frequently asked questions for prospective graduate students.

In Computer Science

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Computer Science

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Computer Science is an area of study within the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Prospective students apply through Harvard Griffin GSAS; in the online application, select “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your program choice and select "PhD Computer Science" in the Area of Study menu.

In the Computer Science program, you will learn both the fundamentals of computation and computation’s interaction with the world. Your work will involve a wide range of areas including theoretical computer science, artificial intelligence and machine learning, economics and computer science, privacy and security, data-management systems, intelligent interfaces, operating systems, computer graphics, computational linguistics, robotics, networks, architectures, program languages, and visualization.

You will be involved with researchers in several interdisciplinary initiatives across the University, such as the Center for Research on Computation and Society, the Institute for Applied Computational Science, the Data Science Initiative, and the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society.

Examples of projects current and past students have worked on include leveraging machine learning to solve real-world sequential decision-making problems and using artificial intelligence to help conservation and anti-poaching efforts around the world.

Graduates of the program have gone on to a range of careers in industry in companies like Riot Games as game directors and lead scientists at Raytheon. Others have positions in academia at University of Pittsburgh, Columbia, and Stony Brook.

Standardized Tests

GRE General:  Not Accepted

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Questions about the program.

Doctoral Program

The primary focus of the doctoral program is research, with the philosophy that students learn best by doing—beginning as apprentices and becoming junior colleagues working with faculty on scholarly research projects. The faculty in the department conduct research in all areas of computer science. The doctoral degree requires a dissertation based on the candidate’s original research, which is supervised by a faculty member, and all students in the doctioral program are actively engaged in research throughout the program.

The PhD is the Computer Science Department’s primary doctoral program.  PhD students are expected to be full-time on-campus during every fall and spring academic semester from initial enrollment until the dissertation has been distributed to their defense committee, except during leaves of absence approved by the university.  PhD students spend at least half of their time on research under the direction of their faculty adviser from their first day in the program and devote themselves full time to research after coursework and other preliminaries have been completed. PhD students are also expected to participate in departmental and laboratory activities full time throughout the program, except possibly for summer internships elsewhere, and the department does not consider admission of part-time PhD students. The policy on outside activities by PhD students is here .

DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION FOR DOCTORAL STUDENTS

• Program Requirements
• MS leading to PhD
• Milestones Chart
• Milestones Registration Form: Candidacy, Thesis Proposal, Thesis Defense
• Doctoral Course Import Forms
• Doctoral Algorithms Prerequisite Form
• Data Science Specialization Option  (further details here )

SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY INFORMATION FOR DOCTORAL STUDENTS

• Registration
• SEAS Doctoral Fieldwork (CPT) Policy
• Time-Off Policy for Doctoral Students on Appointment in the Sciences and Related Research Fields

GENERAL DOCTORAL INFORMATION AND ADVICE

• CAREER Club
• Computer Science Open Data
• Computer Science Graduate Job and Interview Guide
• Background in case you ever need to teach online with two days notice
• The Definitive ‘what do I ask/look for’ in a PhD Advisor Guide
• The Thesis Whisperer
• Prem Devanbu’s Review Anti-Patterns
• Computer Science Rankings
• Michael Ernst’s Compilation of Great Advice
• Productivity Tips for PhD Students
• Getting Admitted to a Top PhD Program
• Tips on the Interview Process
• Networking on the network
• Advice on research and writing
• More advice on writing
• Corporate Lab or Academic Department, Which Fits?
• How To Survive A Thesis Defense
• 10 easy ways to fail a PhD
• Dealing with plagiarism
• Academic job site
• Computing Research Association
• IEEE Computer Society

(link suggestions appreciated; send email to [email protected] )

Last updated on July 11, 2024.

Find open faculty positions here .

Computer Science at Columbia University

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Press mentions, dean boyce's statement on amicus brief filed by president bollinger.

President Bollinger announced that Columbia University along with many other academic institutions (sixteen, including all Ivy League universities) filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York challenging the Executive Order regarding immigrants from seven designated countries and refugees. Among other things, the brief asserts that “safety and security concerns can be addressed in a manner that is consistent with the values America has always stood for, including the free flow of ideas and people across borders and the welcoming of immigrants to our universities.”

This recent action provides a moment for us to collectively reflect on our community within Columbia Engineering and the importance of our commitment to maintaining an open and welcoming community for all students, faculty, researchers and administrative staff. As a School of Engineering and Applied Science, we are fortunate to attract students and faculty from diverse backgrounds, from across the country, and from around the world. It is a great benefit to be able to gather engineers and scientists of so many different perspectives and talents – all with a commitment to learning, a focus on pushing the frontiers of knowledge and discovery, and with a passion for translating our work to impact humanity.

I am proud of our community, and wish to take this opportunity to reinforce our collective commitment to maintaining an open and collegial environment. We are fortunate to have the privilege to learn from one another, and to study, work, and live together in such a dynamic and vibrant place as Columbia.

Mary C. Boyce Dean of Engineering Morris A. and Alma Schapiro Professor

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Academics | PhD Program

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The PhD degree is intended primarily for students who desire a career in research, advanced development, or teaching. A broad Computer Science, Engineering, Science background, intensive study, and research experience in a specialized area are the necessary requisites.

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is conferred on candidates who have demonstrated to the satisfaction of our Department in the following areas:

• high attainment in a particular field of knowledge, and
• the ability to do independent investigation and present the results of such research.

They must satisfy the general requirements for advanced degrees, and the program requirements specified by our Department.

Program Requirements

On average, the program is completed in five to six years, depending on the student’s research and progress.

Progress Guidelines

Students should consider the progress guidelines to ensure that they are making reasonable progress.

Monitoring Progress

Annual reviews only apply to PhD students in their second year or later; yearly meetings are held for all PhD students.

Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science

Doctoral programs.

In any of the Ph.D. programs across our seven departments, you'll be matched with an advisor based primarily on mutual research interests and begin a research project on day one. All our Ph.D. students receive full financial support while in good academic standing, which helps ensure freedom to explore regardless of funding hurdles. We also believe that it's vital for advisors and students to work as peers, and the inherent flexibility of our programs means students often work with more than one faculty member and many other students during their time in SCS.

Together, our research environment and interdisciplinary mindset produce graduates who emerge into the world ready to tackle its biggest problems.

• Doctoral Programs Home

Interested in Applying?

• Graduate Admissions Overview
• Frequently Asked Questions

Program Contact

Robert Frederking Associate Dean for Doctoral Programs

Explore Our Ph.D. Programs

Ray and stephanie lane computational biology department, computer science department, human-computer interaction institute.

Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction

Language Technologies Institute

Ph.D. in Language and Information Technologies

Machine Learning Department

Robotics institute.

Ph.D. in Robotics

Software and Societal Systems Department

Ph.D. in Societal Computing (SC) Ph.D. in Software Engineering (SE)

Dual Degree Ph.D. Programs

The carnegie mellon portugal program (cmu portugal), ph.d. in computer science/dual degree portugal, ph.d. in human-computer interaction/dual degree portugal, ph.d. in language and information technologies/dual degree portugal, ph.d. in robotics/dual degree portugal, ph.d. in software engineering/dual degree portugal.

Secondary Menu

Phd program, find your passion for research.

Duke Computer Science gives incoming students an opportunity to investigate a range of topics, research problems, and research groups before committing to an advisor in the first year. Funding from the department and Duke makes it possible to attend group meetings, seminars, classes and colloquia. Students may work on multiple problems simultaneously while finding the topic that will motivate them through their first project. Sharing this time of learning and investigation with others in the cohort helps create lasting collaborators and friends.

Write a research proposal the first year and finish the research the second under the supervision of the chosen advisor and committee; present the research results to the committee and peers. Many students turn their RIP work into a conference paper and travel to present it.

Course work requirements are written to support the department's research philosophy. Pass up to four of the required six courses in the first two years to give time and space for immersing oneself in the chosen area.

Years three through five continue as the students go deeper and deeper into a research area and their intellectual community broadens to include collaborators from around the world. Starting in year three, the advisor funds the student's work, usually through research grants. The Preliminary exam that year is the opportunity for the student to present their research to date, to share work done by others on the topic, and to get feedback and direction for the Ph.D. from the committee, other faculty, and peers.

Most Ph.D students defend in years five and six. While Duke and the department guarantee funding through the fifth year, advisors and the department work with students to continue support for work that takes longer.

Teaching is a vital part of the Ph.D. experience. Students are required to TA for two semesters, although faculty are ready to work with students who want more involvement. The Graduate School's Certificate in College Teaching offers coursework, peer review, and evaluation of a teaching portfolio for those who want to teach. In addition, the Department awards a Certificates of Distinction in Teaching for graduating PhD students who have demonstrated excellence in and commitment to teaching and mentoring.

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Graduate Program

• Information for Prospective Graduate Students
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For Prospective Graduate Students:

Welcome ! Thank you for your interest in the Computer Science Department at Princeton. This site is designed to give information on our graduate study program and the requirements for the Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) . Candidates may apply directly to the Ph.D. program after completion of a bachelor's degree; a master's degree is not required for admission.

Admission to Princeton is for the fall semester only. We do not offer evening, weekend, or summer courses. We do not have a distance learning program. Normally a student admitted for graduate study is expected to have completed a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, science, or mathematics; a degree in computer science is not required.

The application deadline for Fall 2025 is December 15, 2024  for all applicants. It is important that all materials reach the University by the deadline dates.

• Admission Requirements and Application Materials
• Financial Aid
• Research Fields
• Courses Offered - Graduate , Undergraduate
• Graduate Student Housing

For more information, see the  frequently asked questions . You can also contact our Graduate Coordinator at [email protected].

For Current Ph.D. Graduate Students:

• Courses Offered -  Graduate ,  Undergraduate
• Breadth Requirements (for students beginning Fall 2020 or later)
• Breadth Requirements (for students beginning Fall 2019 or earlier)
• Degree Requirements
• Upcoming Fellowship Opportunities
• Princeton Grad Student Guide to Resources

For Current MSE & M.Eng. Graduate Students:

Graduate Programs

The Department of Computer Science offers research-oriented graduate programs that lead to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Master of Science (M.S.) degree.

Students in the Ph.D. programs work side-by-side with world-class faculty and researchers to advance the state of the art across a remarkable range of research areas in computer science.  Ph.D. graduates pursue careers in academia or advanced research and development positions in industry, tech startups, non-profits, and government.

The M.S. programs combine advanced coursework with opportunities to engage in research. M.S. graduates continue to Ph.D. programs at UCI or other institutions or pursue research and development careers in industry, technology startups, non-profits, and government.

The Department also offers graduate professional master’s programs that prepare students for careers in industry through a projects-based curriculum that deepens technical expertise while promoting communication skills and teamwork.

For information about these programs, please visit:

Research Programs

Doctor of philosophy (ph.d.).

Computational Science

Computer Science

Networked Systems

Master of Science (M.S.)

Professional programs.

Master of Computer Science

Master of Data Science

Master of Embedded and Cyber-Physical Systems

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Academics   /   Graduate PhD in Computer Science

The doctor of philosophy in computer science program at Northwestern University primarily prepares students to become expert independent researchers. PhD students conduct original transformational research in extant and emerging computer science topics. Students work alongside top researchers to advance the core CS fields from Theory to AI and Systems and Networking . In addition, PhD students have the opportunity to collaborate with CS+X faculty who are jointly appointed between CS and disciplines including business, law, economics, journalism, and medicine.

Joining a Track

Doctor of philosophy in computer science students follow the course requirements, qualifying exam structure, and thesis process specific to one of five tracks :

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Computer Engineering

Within each track, students explore many areas of interest, including programming languages , security and privacy and human-computer interaction .

Learn more about computer science research areas

Curriculum and Requirements

The focus of the CS PhD program is learning how to do research by doing research, and students are expected to spend at least 50% of their time on research. Students complete ten graduate curriculum requirements (including COMP_SCI 496: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Computer Science ), and additional course selection is tailored based on individual experience, research track, and interests. Students must also successfully complete a qualifying exam to be admitted to candidacy.

CS PhD Manual Apply now

Request More Information

Download a PDF program guide about your program of interest and get in contact with our graduate admissions staff.

Request info about the PhD degree

Opportunities for PhD Students

Cognitive science certificate.

Computer science PhD students may earn a specialization in cognitive science by taking six cognitive science courses. In addition to broadening a student’s area of study and improving their resume, students attend cognitive science events and lectures, they can receive conference travel support, and they are exposed to cross-disciplinary exchanges.

The Crown Family Graduate Internship Program

PhD candidates may elect to participate in the Crown Family Graduate Internship Program. This opportunity allows the doctoral candidate to gain practical experience in industry or in national research laboratories in areas closely related to their research.

Management for Scientists and Engineers Certificate Program

The certificate program — jointly offered by The Graduate School and Kellogg School of Management — provides post-candidacy doctoral students with a basic understanding of strategy, finance, risk and uncertainty, marketing, accounting and leadership. Students are introduced to business concepts and specific frameworks for effective management relevant to both for-profit and nonprofit sectors.

Career Paths

Recent graduates of the computer science PhD program are pursuing careers in industry & research labs, academia, and startups.

• Georgia Institute of Technology
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Northeastern
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Rochester
• University of Washington
• Naval Research Laboratory
• Northwestern University

Industry & Research Labs

• Adobe Research
• Narrative Science
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory

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What Students Are Saying

"One great benefit of Northwestern is the collaborative effort of the CS department that enabled me to work on projects involving multiple faculty, each with their own diverse set of expertise.

Northwestern maintains a great balance: you will work on leading research at a top-tier institution, and you won't get lost in the mix."

— Brian Suchy, PhD Candidate, Computer Systems

What Alumni Are Saying

"In the early stage of my PhD program, I took several courses from the Department of Economics and the Kellogg School of Management and, later, I started collaborating with researchers in those areas. The experience taught me how to have an open mind to embrace and work with people with different backgrounds."

— Yiding Feng (PhD '21), postdoctoral researcher, Microsoft Research Lab – New England

Read an alumni profile of Yiding Feng

"My work at IBM Research involves bringing together symbolic and deep learning techniques to solve problems in interpretable, effective ways, which means I must draw upon the research I did at Northwestern quite frequently."

— Maxwell Crouse (PhD '21), AI Research Scientist, IBM Research

Read an alumni profile of Maxwell Crouse

The theory group here is very warm and close-knit. Starting a PhD is daunting, and it is comforting to have a community I can lean on.

— Vaidehi Srinivas, PhD Candidate, CS Theory

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PhD Program Admissions

Applying to our PhD Program

We’re thrilled that you are interested in our PhD program in computer science! This page provides an overview of the application process, some guidelines, and answers to specific questions. Please check our FAQ before emailing [email protected] with any questions not answered here.

Our program accepts a large number of applicants each year from a diverse range of backgrounds. Our applicants come directly from undergraduate or master’s programs, as well as industry positions, and from within United States and numerous countries around the world.

Visit the interactive PhD program statistics page   to view historical program data pertaining to admissions, enrollment, retention/attrition/completion, and time to degree conferral. (Select “ Computer Science” from the “Choose Program” drop-down menu.)

Ready to start your PhD application?

We’re ready for you. Click on the link below to start your application to become a PhD student at Johns Hopkins University

The Application: General Advice

The most important question we ask when reviewing applications is "Will this individual excel at research?" Every part of your application is helpful insofar as it answers this question. The three major components of an application are the statement, letters of recommendation, and grades.

This is one of the most important parts of your application; it lets us get to know you and creates a narrative of your academic career and future plans. Before you write your statement, start by thinking about what you want us to learn about you. Make a list of important achievements, perspectives, and goals. Build your statement around this list. We are looking for students who have made the most of the opportunities they have been presented with and who are smart, creative, and motivated. Keep in mind that we also have your CV and letters of recommendation, so we don’t necessarily need a list of all your accomplishments. However, your statement can fill in the narrative around what you did and, more specifically, why you did it. What motivates you? What are your research interests and why? These details aren’t found elsewhere in your application, so focus on them in your statement.

There are a few things we suggest not including in your statement. While it’s tempting to give a rationale for why you are applying to our program, don’t include it if it’s uninformed. Consider: “I want to apply to Johns Hopkins because it’s one of the premiere academic programs.” We know that already! If you do have specific reasons to be interested in our program (e.g. location, a specific project, a faculty member, etc.), be sure to mention them.

In terms of your motivation, be specific! Don’t write: “I’ve wanted to do a PhD in CS since I was six years old.” We don’t trust that six-year-olds make good career decisions. If you write “I have always found AREA X fascinating,” explain why.

Letters of Recommendation

The two most important factors of a recommendation letter are: 1) select someone who knows you well, and 2) select someone who knows how to write a letter.

First, it’s tempting to ask Professor X. to write a letter for you because they are a well-known person in the field. While we can better contextualize letters from people we know, it’s only helpful if the letter contains meaningful information. If Professor X. writes, “I’ve met the applicant a few times and they seem sharp,” that’s not useful information. It’s more important to select someone who knows you well and can discuss your achievements in detail.

Second, your letter writer should know how to write a letter. Academic research programs look for different things than a company. We often read letters from work supervisors that say nice things, but don’t speak to the qualities we find most important.

Of course, it’s a balance. You want someone who knows you well, but they still need to know how to write a good letter of recommendation.

We understand that three letters are a lot, especially for an undergraduate applying directly to a PhD program. We don’t expect each candidate to have three amazing letters. Your choices should be about balance: you want people who know you well, can write good academic letters, and know the research field. Use your choice of your three letter-writers to create this balance.

There isn’t much you can do about your grades—you have the grades you have. However, we do not use any grade cutoffs or thresholds in admissions. We want to see that you did well and excelled in whatever program you were in. Did you push yourself to take upper-level classes? Did you do well in the classes most directly related to your research area? If you have special circumstances that explain some of your grades, please include a description of them in your statement.

The Whiting School of Engineering does not require GRE General Test scores for applications to our PhD programs.

TOEFL or IELTS

Non-native English speakers must take the TOEFL or IELTS exams. Details on accepted exams, scores, and exceptions to this requirement can be found here .

Application Tips

There are many helpful guides for PhD applications. Here are a few we recommend:

• How to be a Successful PhD Student (co-authored by our own Mark Dredze )
• What Readers Look for in a Statement of Purpose
• Student Perspectives on Applying to NLP PhD Programs
• A Survival Guide to a PhD

Application Deadlines

Application Deadline:

The deadline for fall is December 15th. (No recruiting for spring admissions.)

The application will be available for submission on or around August 15.

Vivien Thomas Scholars

The Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI) is an endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields. It provides full tuition, stipend, and benefits while also providing targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities. Students who have attended a historically black college and university or other minority serving institution for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. To be considered for the VTSI, all application and supplementary materials must be received by December 1, 2021.

PhD in Computer Science

The PhD in Computer Science program provides students with the advanced coursework and groundbreaking research opportunities they need to contribute at the forefront of the world’s fastest-growing fields. Forging knowledge in 15 core areas like artificial intelligence, data science, programming languages, and human-centered computing, you’ll gain significant expertise in conducting and presenting the results of your research. Ultimately, you’ll produce and defend original work that contributes to critical discourse in your chosen area.

• Explore plan of study
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Khoury College doctorate students gain deep knowledge and invaluable experience—preparing you for a research career in academia or industry.

Khoury Computer Science PhD graduates have found prestigious positions across industry and academia.

Tenure-track faculty:

• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• University of British Columbia (UBC)
• Indiana University
• University of Maryland
• University College London
• NC State University
• UMass Boston
• City University of Hong Kong

Postdoc research scientists:

• University of Paris
• Virginia Tech
• Microsoft Research
• GE Global Research

Senior software engineers and industry leaders:

Students graduating with a PhD in Computer Science will:

• Gain a broad understanding of computer science fundamentals, spanning a substantial portion of the following core areas: artificial intelligence and data science, human-centered computing, software, systems, and theory
• Gain significant expertise in at least one research area in computer science
• Produce and defend original research in an area of computer science
• Be able to communicate research results effectively in both oral and written forms

Our flagship campus in Boston is just minutes away from esteemed universities, exciting start-ups, and leaders in tech, finance, health care, and more.

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Doctoral Degree in Computer Science

Carnegie Mellon's Ph.D. in Computer Science is, above all, a research degree. When the faculty award a Ph.D., they certify that the student has a broad foundation and awareness of core concepts in computer science, has advanced the field by performing significant original research and has reported that work in a scholarly fashion.

When you begin our Ph.D. program, you’ll take the Introductory Course for Doctoral Students — an intense two week program that orients you to the department, introduces you to research and education topics our faculty are interested in, helps you find a faculty advisor and familiarizes you with Carnegie Mellon’s resources. Next, you’ll gain a broad understanding of fundamental research issues in major areas of computer science through coursework and original research. Finally, you’ll write and orally defend a thesis that guarantees you understand the area well enough to advance the state of knowledge in the field.

During the first two years of the program, you’ll gain the foundation of knowledge that will allow you to become an expert researcher in computer science, primarily by

Mastering a body of graduate material, achieved by passing 96 university units worth of graduate courses (equivalent to eight full-time courses).

Learning how to organize and begin to carry out original research, achieved by participating in directed research.

You will also serve as a teaching assistant, hone your writing and speaking skills and maintain your programming prowess. You’ll also receive periodic evaluation of your progress, and must make satisfactory progress to continue in the program.

Time Commitment:

As a Ph.D. student in computer science at CMU, you'll spend roughly five years acquiring a body of technical knowledge that includes a familiarity with the breadth of the field, as well as a deep understanding of your research area. From your second month in the program, you'll work closely with your faculty advisor, who is charged with guiding your education and monitoring your progress through the program. You'll take courses, teach and perform directed research — all to ensure that you leave Carnegie Mellon as an expert in your field. For a complete breakdown of our program requirements, read our Ph.D. Handbook .

Financial Information:

The Computer Science Department offers all Ph.D. students full financial support while they are in good academic standing in their respective programs. To learn more about Ph.D. funding, visit the SCS  Doctoral Programs  webpage.

Graduate Tuition: https://www.cmu.edu/sfs/tuition/graduate/scs.html

Student Fees: https://www.cmu.edu/sfs/tuition/fees/index.html

Carnegie Mellon Graduate Student Financial Aid: https://www.cmu.edu/sfs/financial-aid/graduate/index.html

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Ph.D. Program

The Allen School provides every student accepted to our Ph.D. program with full financial support in the form of teaching and research assistantships or fellowships, from program inception to degree. Students earn an integrated Master’s Degree on their path to the Ph.D. Key features of our program include:

• Comprehensive, high-quality graduate computer science curriculum.
• A vibrant academic and social community.
• Welcoming and inclusive environment for international students, women, and other underrepresented groups.
• Robust schedule of colloquia and lectures on current topics in research and technology.
• Leading-edge interdisciplinary research opportunities, on and off campus.

Our students benefit from many collaborations and relationships that we have developed across the campus and in the region. In addition to being the headquarters of established technology leaders such as Microsoft and Amazon, Seattle is also home to an extensive (and ever-growing) list of engineering centers established by major industry players from outside the Pacific Northwest.

Admission to the Allen School’s Ph.D. program is competitive. Each year, we receive applications from approximately 2,500 prospective graduate students from around the globe for 50 - 60 positions. We accept applications once a year, for entrance in the following autumn quarter. Our application process opens on September 1, and all application materials are due December 15, or the next following business day, if the 15th falls on a weekend. The Allen School hosts its annual Grad Visit Days in March for applicants who have received an offer of admission. This event provides an opportunity for applicants to meet with faculty, get to know their prospective colleagues, and experience the Seattle area’s quality of life.

The Ph.D. Process

The Allen School's Ph.D. process consists of three components: coursework, research, and thesis preparation. At the beginning of the program, students will take graduate-level courses in an array of topics spanning theory, systems, programming, and applications. They will also develop and refine their research skills working with their faculty advisor and other collaborators. These skills include information analysis and synthesis as well as written and verbal presentation capabilities. Student progress is measured at multiple steps throughout the program: the Qualifying Evaluation (a.k.a. “quals”), the General Exam, and the Candidacy of Philosophy, leading to the preparation and defense of their dissertation to obtain their Doctor of Philosophy degree.

Course Guide

Students are required to complete approximately 90 credits on their way to obtaining a Ph.D. degree in Computer Science & Engineering from the Allen School, 60 of which must be earned at the University of Washington. Explore our online course guide to peruse available courses, teaching schedules, internship credit, and specialized degree tracks available to Ph.D. students.

Student Handbook

Visit our online student handbook for essential information and advice about being a Ph.D. student in the Allen School, from available fellowships and travel grants, to navigating the annual review of progress, to mentoring undergraduate researchers. This section also contains practical information such as allocation of office space and obtaining health insurance, as well as the forms students will need to complete at various points throughout the program.

The Allen School's graduate advising team is here to guide prospective and current students as they navigate the application and registration process and help tailor the Allen School experience to their education and career goals.

Graduate Programs

Computer science.

Working with faculty who are leaders in the field, our Ph.D. students conduct cutting-edge research, earning prestigious fellowships and awards. After graduation, they contribute widely to science, learning, culture and their communities.

Brown's Computer Science Ph.D. program offers one of the best environments for research and education in computer science. The faculty, consisting of world leaders in their research areas, has grown steadily in number over the years. The program offers a wide variety of research options in both established and emerging areas of the discipline, and seeks out Brown's many opportunities for multidisciplinary research. Ph.D. candidates can earn a master's degree on the way to completing the Ph.D., but students admitted for a terminal master's degree cannot automatically transition to Ph.D. candidacy.

Additional Resources

The Department of Computer Science provides leading–edge computing technology to all its students. PhD students' offices are very similar to those of faculty, with windows overlooking the campus and surrounding area. Students also have access to compute clusters and labs.

Application Information

Application requirements, gre subject:.

Not required

GRE General:

Dates/deadlines, application deadline, completion requirements.

Eight courses satisfying distribution requirements, major and minor course sequences, programming comprehensive examination and research project by the end of the second year in residence, dissertation proposal, and dissertation.

Alumni Careers

Contact and Location

Department of computer science, mailing address.

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• Graduate School Handbook

PhD Program

In many ways, the PhD program is the cornerstone of Computer Science at Boston University.  Our PhD students serve some of the most central roles of our department, from pursuing sponsored research together with supervising faculty members as Research Assistants, to serving as Teaching Fellows in support of our undergraduate and graduate curriculum.

Pursuing the PhD degree enables you to become an expert in a technical subfield of Computer Science and advance the state of the art by contributing original research in that discipline. Most PhD students also gain practical experience in the classroom, as well as, becoming a visible member of the research community by publishing research and delivering oral presentations at conferences and research seminars.

Upon completing your PhD degree, you will be able to set your own research direction, teach and advise students, and work at the forefront of cutting-edge research in academia or at an industrial laboratory.

Learning Outcomes

• Produce and defend original research in the field of Computer Science.
• Master broad knowledge of Computer Science across algorithms, software, systems, theory of computation, and in one of the areas of artificial intelligence, computer graphics, cryptography & security, and data science .
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a particular subject area within Computer Science.
• Actively participate in the Computer Science research community, for example by attending academic conferences and submitting research results for publication in professional conferences and journals.
• Be able to effectively communicate the results of research.

We invite you to learn more about our program through the links below.

PhD Program Information

• Program Milestones
• Breadth Requirements
• Subject Exams
• Specimen Curriculum

Fellowships & Awards

• Computer Science Fellowship Opportunities
• Research Excellence Award
• Teaching Excellence Award
• Teaching Fellow Expectations

More Information

• PhD in Computer Science – Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) Bulletin
• Graduate School of the College of Arts and Sciences (GRS) PhD Requirements
• Graduation Calendar
• PhD Profile for Computer Science

Apply Today

To apply to the Ph.D. program, please fill out an online application .

Deadline: December 15 for Fall admission.

With questions about admissions, please contact us at [email protected] .

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The Doctoral Program (Ph.D.) in Computer and Information Science (CIS) welcomes candidates   in disciplines related to computer science, information processing, and computing . Our curriculum is designed to develop the intellectual skills essential for the rapidly changing character of research and to meet the demands of academe and industry. Students develop their own advanced study focus, working with faculty mentors on topics ranging from the core computer science discipline to diverse scholarly interactions within the School of Engineering and the University.

Doctoral studies in the CIS department offer the opportunity for rewarding exploration and research. Research opportunities span a wide range of theoretical and application topics including algorithms, bioinformatics, databases, graphics, machine learning, programming languages, robotics, security, software engineering, systems, vision, as well as interdisciplinary collaborations with fields such as biology, electrical engineering, genetics, linguistics, and mathematics.

Our research laboratories offer myriad possibilities for exploration. Seminars hosting outstanding leaders in their fields at our departmental and laboratories’ colloquia provide rigor, breadth, and relevance to the research and education experience. The University of Pennsylvania’s schools and research centers create an academic environment whose synergy informs research and education in the CIS department.

Our faculty prepare our doctoral students to be tomorrow’s innovators, leaders, and visionaries. The CIS department is an exciting place to be, and we invite you to join us.  Read more about our research areas and   highlights of projects and activities .

New Concentration in “Machine Learning + X”

Recognizing the integration of machine learning into all specializations of computer science: starting in Fall 2020, the department is offering applicants the opportunity to specify a new concentration called “Machine Learning + X” as the primary concentration, where X is any of several existing specializations in computer science that intersect with machine learning. Such applicants must identify one or two of these specializations as their 2nd and 3rd concentrations.  The department has exciting research projects at the intersection of machine learning and these specializations.

“Machine Learning + X” cannot be used as your 2nd or 3rd concentration. T his concentration is used to facilitate review of your application by the faculty listed in the specializations above, based on your choice(s) of the 2nd and 3rd concentrations.

How to Apply: https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/

FAQ: https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/faq/

Graduate Program:

• Master of Computer and Information Technology
• MSE in Data Science
• MSE in Embedded Systems (EMBS)
• MSE in Robotics
• MSE in Computer Graphics and Game Technology
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• New Students
• How to Register
• Transferring from MSE to Ph.D.
• Graduation + Thesis Information
• Academic + Industry Job Postings

Your CIS Contacts:

Redian Furxhiu Graduate Coordinator for on-campus MCIT, CIS/MSE and CGGT programs Office: 308 Levine Phone: 215-898-1668 Email: [email protected]

Staci Kaplan Program Manager for DATS (Data Science MSE) Office: 308 Levine Phone: 215-573-2431 Email: [email protected]

Britton Carnevali Doctoral Program Manager Office: 310 Levine Phone: 215-898-5515 Email: [email protected]

Mariel Celentano Graduate Coordinator for ROBO Office: 459 Levine Phone: 215-573-4907 Email: [email protected]

Liz Wai-Ping Ng Associate Director for Embedded Systems MSE program Office: 313 Levine Phone: 215-898-8543 Email:  [email protected]

Julia Esposito PICS Program Coordinator, SCMP Academic Coordinator Office: 3401 Walnut, 5th Fl. Phone: 215-573-6037 Email: [email protected]

Computer Science MS

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS) offers two graduate programs in Computer Science: the Master of Science (MS), and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Master of Science (MS)

The Master of Science (MS) emphasizes research preparation and experience and, for most students, is a chance to lay the groundwork for pursuing a PhD.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Berkeley PhD in EECS combines coursework and original research with some of the finest EECS faculty in the US, preparing for careers in academia or industry. Our alumni have gone on to hold amazing positions around the world.

Contact Info

[email protected]

215 Cory Hall

Berkeley, CA 94720

At a Glance

Department(s)

Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences

Admit Term(s)

Application Deadline

December 9, 2024

Degree Type(s)

Masters / Professional

Degree Awarded

GRE Requirements

Curriculum Requirements

Ph.D. in Computer Science

Major Requirements

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Need Advisement?

Students with general queries regarding the Electrical or Computer Engineering programs can visit the ECE Department at  Jacaranda Hall 4509  or call  818-677-2190

Graduate Coordinator

Dr. Ruting Jia

Jacaranda Hall (JD) 3343 18111 Nordhoff St. Northridge, CA 91330-8332

Fax: (818) 677-6967

Department Chair

Xiaojun (Ashley) Geng

Jacaranda Hall (JD) 4509 18111 Nordhoff St. Northridge, CA 91330-8332

Phone: (818) 677-2190

M.S. Computer Engineering

The complexity of software and hardware systems calls for today’s computer engineers to be experts in power consumption, security and reliability — not just functionality. As a Masters of Computer Engineering student with the Electrical and Computer Engineering department, you’ll be working on hardware, software and networking systems for the computers of today and tomorrow. Gain the training through our program you’ll need to enter and advance in the computer engineering and information technology fields, along with gaining management opportunities and sourcing lucrative positions at larger firms.

Why Earn a Master's in Computer Engineering?

The complexity of software and hardware systems calls for today’s computer engineers to be experts in power consumption, security and reliability — not just functionality

Gain the training you need to enter and advance in the computer engineering and information technology fields.

A master's degree can prepare you for management positions and high-paying jobs at larger firms.

For Admission to the Graduate Program

• A Baccalaureate degree in a technical field  * (e.g., Engineering, Physics or Mathematics from an accredited university or college) with an overall GPA of at least  2.75 .
• Have at least a  2.7  undergraduate grade point average in the last sixty semester units or ninety quarter units attempted.
• International students are required to submit a brief statement of purpose and  3  letters of recommendations.

*Regardless of undergraduate degree, all students must fulfill with a 3.0 GPA or higher.*

Please check the "Prerequisite Courses" accordion item for more information on Mathematics, Physics, and Electrical Engineering courses required for the program.

Prerequisite Courses

** The ECE Graduate Coordinator will determine which course(s) will be required.

For Advancement to Classified Graduate Status

• Fulfill University requirements for classified status.
• Complete prerequisite courses with 3.0 GPA or higher.
• Submit a tentative program of graduate study approved by the ECE graduate coordinator.
• Minimum grade in any course taken must be "C" or better while maintaining an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher

For the Degree:

• Completion of 30 units under either the  Thesis Plan  or the  Project Plan .  Note:  Students may not take a course (counting toward an MSEE degree) which is the same or equivalent to a course taken toward ones undergraduate program.
• Formal approval of granting the degree by the Engineering Faculty.

Thesis Plan:

• 24 units of course work applicable to the M.S. degree, of which at least 15 units must be 500/600-level ECE courses. Select a minimum of 12 units of Electrical and Computer Engineering courses and a minimum of 6 units of Computer Science courses plus 6 units selected from Electrical and Computer Engineering or Computer Science courses.
• 6 units of ECE 698(Thesis) and a successful oral defense of the thesis before the thesis committee.

Project Plan:

• 27 units of coursework applicable to the M.S. degree, of which at least 18 units must be 500/600-level ECE courses. Select a minimum of 12 units of Electrical and Computer Engineering courses and a minimum of 6 units of Computer Science courses plus 9 units selected from Electrical and Computer Engineering or Computer Science courses.
• 3 units of ECE 698 (Graduate Project) culminating in a comprehensive report.

Graduate Program:

The 30 units of coursework in the graduate program must form a cohesive plan of graduate study that consists of suggested and courses from Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science. The 30 units may include one graded unit of ECE 699A (Internship) as an elective course. Any additional enrollment in ECE 699A can only be taken on a Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) basis and will not be included in the 30 units required for the degree.

Admission Procedure and University Rules

Application forms can be accessed through  Cal State Apply  and are submitted online. The code number for the MSCompE is  562445M . Application deadlines for admission are set by the Office of Admissions .

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English must receive a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based, 213 on the computer-based or 79/80 on the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of 6.5 or higher on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Besides TOEFL and IELTS, CSUN currently accept other tests such as Duolingo. All acceptable English language tests and minimum scores are listed at prospective students .

Continuing students in either Post Baccalaureate or Graduate status may change their objective and seek admission to a MS in Computer Engineering by filling out a change of objective form that can be obtained from the Office of Admissions and Records.

It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of all University regulations and restrictions such as:

• No more than 9 units of transfer or extension work
• No more than a total of 9 units of ECE 400-level Digital course and/or Comp 400-level courses taken in residence can be counted toward Master in Computer Engineering
• Probation and Disqualification
• Repeat of courses rules
• Advancement to Candidacy
• Academic leave
• 7-years time limit for the completion of the degree
• Graduation with Distinction

For details on the above, students are advised to attend one of the ECE graduate orientation meetings to meet with the Graduate Coordinator. Prior to the formation of their Graduate Committee, graduate students are advised by the Graduate Coordinator. After the formation of their Graduate Committee, graduate students are advised by their Committee Chair. All courses taken towards the MS degree must be approved by the Committee Chair and the Graduate Coordinator. 

Required Courses (30 units)

For this degree, the student must define a program that conforms to the general M.S. in Computer Engineering degree requirements as established by the Department.

Students are advised to meet with an advisor as soon as possible to plan their program. No more than a total of 9 units of ECE 400-level Digital courses and/or Comp 400-level courses taken in residence can be counted toward Master in Computer Engineering.

Students may not take a course (counting toward MSCompE degree) which is the same or equivalent to a course taken toward one’s undergraduate program.

Students must select a minimum of 14 units of 500 or 600-level required Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) courses listed below:

• ECE 520/L System on Chip Design and Laboratory (3/1)
• ECE 524/L FPGA/ASIC Design and Optimization Using VHDL and Lab (3/1)  or  ECE 526/L Digital Design with Verilog and System Verilog and Lab (3/1)
• ECE 620 Advanced Switching Theory (3)
• ECE 621 Computer Arithmetic Design (3)  or ECE 622 Digital Systems Structure (3)

and a minimum of 6 units of 500 or 600-level Computer Science (COMP) elective courses in the following list:

• COMP 522 Embedded Applications (3)
• COMP 528 Mobile Computing (3)
• COMP 528L Mobile Computing Lab (1)
• COMP 529/L Advanced Network Topics and Lab (2/1)
• COMP 541 Data Mining (3)
• COMP 542 Machine Learning (3)
• COMP 560 Expert Systems (3)
• COMP 565 Advanced Computer Graphics (3)
• COMP 587 Software Verification and Validation (3)
• COMP 620 Computer System Architecture (3)

If students choose to do the Graduate Project (3 units of  ECE 698C ), the remaining 7 units must either be from Electrical Engineering or Computer Science courses.

If students choose to do the Thesis (6 units of  ECE 698C ), the remaining 4 units must be either from Electrical Engineering or Computer Science courses.

All graduate programs in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering must be approved by the faculty advisor and the Graduate Coordinator.

Electrical and Computer Engineering Courses

Computer Science Courses

Faculty Areas of Specialization

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Computer Science

About the program.

Computer scientists master the theory and practice of computing and explore new and exciting ways to use computers. Combined with electives in areas like mobile device programming and game development, the computer science program prepares you for employment opportunities in client and server-side web application development, computer network engineering and security, and mobile device application development.

B.S. in Computer Science

120 Credits to Graduate

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science covers theory, programming, and the cutting-edge development of computing solutions. Computer scientists master the theory and practice of computing and explore new and exciting ways to use computers.

Integrated Studies, Computer Science  

The individualized nature of the Integrated Studies degree is attractive to students with multiple interests. Emphases from computer science and information systems, accounting, technology management, and physical education are offered as part of this degree.

Helpful Links

• Code of Ethics
• Program Learning Outcomes
• ABET Program Learning Outcomes
• Advising Sheets
• B.S., Computer Science Emphasis (2022-2023)
• B.S., Full Stack Web Development Emphasis (2022-2023)
• Integrated Studies (2017-2018)
• A.A.S., Computing & Networking Emphasis (2022-2023)
• Computer Science A.S. (2022-2023)
• Computer Science Minor (2023-2024)
• Programmer Certificate (2023-2024)
• Degree Flow Charts
• B.S., Computer Science Emphasis (2023-2024)
• B.S., Full Stack Web Development Emphasis (2023-2024)
• B.S., Secure Computing Emphasis (2023-2024)

The B.S. in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Learn More About ABET Accreditation

Stack Your Degrees and Earn an Associate

The Department of Computer Science offers several Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science degrees that students can start with to build a core in computer science basics. Build an Associate of Science into a bachelor’s degree, or jump straight into the workforce with an Associate of Applied Science.

A.A.S. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering Emphasis  

63 Credits to Graduate

The program introduces the student to a wide range of computer systems hardware, software, device drivers, and peripheral devices.

A.A.S. in Computer Science, Computing & Networking Sciences Emphasis  

The program introduces the student to a wide range of networking and data communications technologies and entry-level programming.

A.S. in Computer Science  

61 Credits to Graduate

The Associate of Science in Computer Science is a transfer degree used when a student is contemplating changing schools and includes all general education courses.

Looking to Supplement Your Bachelor's Degree?

The computer science program has several minors and certificates available that provide students with training and introductory coursework in the field of computer science to further their career prospects.

Minor in Computer Science  

18 Credits to Graduate

The program provides the student with entry-level programming instruction and an overview of some portions of the program.

Programmer Certificate of Completion  

30 Credits to Graduate

The program introduces the students to basic entry-level programming.

Become a Graduate Student

The Master of Computer Science degree at Utah Valley University is an applied graduate program focused on preparing students to enter the local, national, and global workforce as leaders and innovators. The MCS program helps students to develop a broad base of competency by passing required courses in large-scale implementation, applied mathematics computing, information management, and software engineering.

Testimonials

"An exceptional and engaging learning environment."

"It is an exceptional and engaging learning environment that fosters the development of a comprehensive skill set. I was able to connect with industry professionals, facilitating invaluable networking opportunities that ultimately jumpstarted my career in technology."

Torick Davis, Computer Science Program

"Employers say that they love our graduates."

"UVU’s CS degree programs are fantastic and continue to grow in support of the increasing need
for domain-savvy programmers across all areas of industry, research, and government.
CS at UVU is hands-on and applied, with just enough theory mixed in to be rigorous
and relevant in today’s world and the future. Many of our students work and support families while in school, and many find great jobs upon graduation as well. Employers say that they love our graduates because they can do stuff and make an instant contribution when they are hired."

George Rudolph, Department Chair

Utah Valley University

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Computer Science Graduate Program

• [email protected]
• 270-745-6225
• http://www.wku.edu/~qi.li
• Ph.D. in Computer Science 2006
• University of Delaware, Newark, DE

Pattern Recognition, Computer Vision, Data Mining, Multimedia, Bioinformatics

• Editorial Board Member of Neurocomputing (2007-2019); Reviewer: IEEE Transactions on Image Processing, IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering, IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks, Journal of Machine Learning Research, IEEE Multimedia, Computer Vision and Image Understanding, Multimedia Tools and Applications, Neural Processing Letters
• Program Committee Member in past Five Years: IEEE International Conference on Computer Vision (ICCV’17, ’15); British Machine Vision Conference(BMVC’17); IEEE Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR’17, ’16); IEEE International Conference on Data Mining (ICDM’16, ’13, ’11, ’10, ’07); IEEE Asian Conference on Computer Vision (ACCV’16); IEEE European Conference on Computer Vision (ECCV’16).

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Computer Science Major

Technology honor society, contact admission.

• 617-333-2210
• [email protected]
• 1000 Brush Hill Rd.

B.S. in Computer Science

Computer Scientists design and create the computer systems that organize and simplify our life every day. They begin with the laws of physics and end up with today’s (and tomorrow’s) amazing devices that make our world smaller and more interesting.

Computer Science majors enter careers such as software engineering, applications engineering, systems engineering, network design and administration, software controlled networking, data science, web development, user experience design, systems architect, game development, mobile development, cloud architecture and development, computer hardware development, computer and network security, DevOps, and test engineering.

• Computer Science Major Requirements and Learning Outcomes

Learn Practical Methods and Skills, Attractive to Employers

• Clean Coding Practices
• Cloud Development
• Cybersecurity
• Data Sciences
• Software Engineering
• User Experience Design

Courses You’ll Love

Data Structures and Algorithms Modern Application Development Environments Programming and Problem Solving Programming Languages Software Engineering User Experience Design Web Development Project

You may also like...

• Business Administration Minor
• Criminal Justice Minor
• Mathematics Minor
• Video Gaming Studies Minor

Careers in Computer Science

Our alumni in the field.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the computer and information technology field to grow by roughly 13 percent by 2026 and recent data shows computer science job openings far exceeding U.S. degree production. Careers for Computer Science majors include tech roles across several industries that include both the public and private sector, healthcare, education, financial services, ecommerce and brick-and-mortar companies, that could include the following employers:

• Federal Reserve Bank
• Mass General Hospital
• National Security Administration
• Sony Entertainment Network
• State of Massachusetts

Dream Beyond the Classroom

Get real-work project experience – Computer Science majors participate in a two-semester senior project course that will allow students to solve a real business problem for a real-world client.

Join our on-campus community – Student chapters include ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) and ACM-W (Association for Computing Machinery-Women) and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).

Graduate with distinction – Join the Curry College Delta Chi Chapter of the Epsilon Pi Tau Honor Society, an international honor society dedicated to the technology fields.

Pursue an advanced degree – Computer Science majors frequently go on to graduate school studying topics as diverse as theoretical physics and business. Curry students have pursued graduate degrees at a variety of schools including Boston University, Syracuse University, and Northeastern University.

Attend industry events – Network with the pros at professional conferences such as Boston Code Camp and more.

Present among the best – Computer Science students at Curry are often invited to present a professional session at leading industry events and area Code Camps.

Laptop Requirements for Majors

The minimum laptop requirements for Accounting, Business Administration, Marketing, Sport and Recreation Management, and Computer Science majors are:

• Windows 10 or 11 operating system
• Minimum 64-bit Intel I-7 or 64-bit AMD Ryzen 7
• Minimum quad core processor
• Minimum 8 GB memory
• Minimum 500 GB internal storage

NOTE: MacBooks and Chromebooks do not qualify.

Explore Related Programs:

Curry College is a member of the Delta Chi Chapter of Epsilon Pi Tau. Epsilon Pi Tau is an international honor society dedicated to the technology fields and recognizes the academic excellence of students studying technology related fields at Curry, including the Computer Science major.

Study Abroad

Go global with Curry College faculty members as part of our very popular Short-term, Faculty-led Courses, or create your own customized Study Abroad opportunity!

First-Year Experience

Making the transition to college can be a little confusing and lot of fun. Your First-Year Experience at Curry College helps smooth out the bumps and puts you on the path to success.

At the heart of Curry College's undergraduate curriculum is our General Education (Gen Ed) Program. Gen Ed is based on our belief in the power and potential of the liberal arts.

Life-Changing Opportunities Await

Start with a foundation in the liberal arts. Add attentive faculty and countless opportunities to learn by doing. That’s what you’ll get with a bachelor’s degree from Curry. Learn what’s waiting for you today.

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