Thank you for visiting our Department of Computer Science web site.
As a Department within the College of Engineering we join with a group of departments that are on the cutting edge of research and development that are making major changes in the world. We are dedicated to educational excellence as well as scholarly achievement. The faculty of the Computer Science Department provide guidance and research in many areas including artificial intelligence, bio-informatics, networking, wireless networking, databases, distributed and parallel computing, security, graphics and visualizations, and software engineering. A high-quality, innovative, education, focusing on the fundamentals of computer science while emphasizing technology, prepares students for employment and advanced studies.
In the College of Engineering we currently offer an undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree and the graduate degrees of Master of Science and PhD in Computer Science. Through our affiliation with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences we are able to also offer a Bachelor of Arts, as well as an undergraduate degree in Information Systems Technology and a certificate in Scientific Computing. In addition, because of our close affiliation with the School of Medicine, graduate students now have the opportunity to complete their Ph.D. work in Computer Science with a concentration in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology.
We have recently revised our curriculum to better serve our student population. Hallmarks of the new undergraduate curriculum include a high degree of hands-on experience with real-world systems, increased personal attention; undergraduate participation in research projects; and a carefully crafted progression of course content as students advance through the program. The increase in lab courses is supported by seven state-of-the-art computer teaching labs. Undergraduate students now have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge by choosing among a variety of concentrations including Software Engineering, Databases, Web Technology and Computer Gaming, to name only a few. We also offer a large number of our courses as web-based classes so students do not have to be physically on campus to participate in many of our courses. Study abroad opportunities are available with European schools including the Polytechnic School of Nantes, France.
In recent years, the Department has hired several new faculty members, leading to a substantial increase in interdisciplinary scholarship. In fact, the Department of Computer Science is a major focus for interdisciplinary activities within the university and has the potential for gaining much greater prominence. Our annual R&D expenditures are between $2 and $3 million. The Department's commitment to community service includes a new joint degree program with Focus: HOPE, as well as offering summer computer camps for middle and high school students.
Please explore our web site to learn more about us and our research interests. Please contact us if you wish additional information about our programs or offerings. We look forward to hearing from you.
Xuewen Chen
Chair