Computer Science

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As digital computers and networked systems have become ubiquitous, the need to understand the nature of computation, both in its fundamental theoretical capabilities and limitations, as well as in the design, implementation and application of practical systems, has become increasingly important. Our Computer Science Department provides opportunities, through PhD and Masters degree programs, for students to engage in research across this spectrum, and indeed, to make substantial contributions to the overall body of knowledge in computer science. To be prepared to join in this research, students must have a solid background in computer science and be motivated to explore frontiers of knowledge. Of course, with a field as dynamic as computer science, our instructional program continually strikes a balance between the incorporation of current innovations and the established foundations of computer science knowledge.

The spectrum of research opportunities available through our graduate programs includes wireless sensor networks, cyber-physical systems, real-time systems, programming languages and environments,  compilers, critical systems and survivability, computer architecture, electronic commerce, system security, cryptography, machine learning, algorithms, software engineering, program repair, distributed and cloud computing, computer graphics and vision, parallel computing, bioinformatics, mobile wireless health, and computational science and medicine. An emphasis in many of these areas is in empirical research framed by solid theoretical analysis and collaborative multi-disciplinary research. The department has a number of highly visible research projects that are building innovative, cutting-edge systems with national exposure. The department’s computer core infrastructure includes a state-of-the-art mix of hardware and software systems, connected with high-bandwidth networks, as well as high-quality software engineering tools, including commercial development and debugging tools for a variety of programming environments.

The department offers a Doctor of Philosophy of Computer Science degree, along with Master of Science and Master of Computer Science degrees at the graduate level and the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts majors at the undergraduate level. Regardless of the degree track all graduate students engage in substantial research. To this end, the department keeps its graduate classes small and fosters a one-to-one relationship with the faculty. In brief summary, the department offers five graduate degree paths:

1. A project-, exam- and coursework-based Master of Computer Science degree. MCS students are funded by assistantships or fellowships and often go on to complete a PhD.
2. A thesis-, exam- and coursework-based Master of Science degree. MS students are funded by assistantships or fellowships and often go on to complete a PhD.
3. A terminal, coursework-based version of the Master of Computer Science degree. Terminal MCS students are often self-funded.
4. A terminal, thesis- and coursework-based version of the Master of Science degree. Terminal MS students are often self-funded.
5. A research-based Doctor of Philosophy degree. PhD students are funded by assistantships or fellowships.

Graduate students are also expected to master one area of computer science in depth. To this end, each new student chooses a research advisor within the first semester, takes several advanced seminars, participates in professional conferences, and submits refereed publications during their tenure here. Although specific course requirements are minimal for the Ph.D. degree, students in the program are expected to develop the mathematical skills necessary for well-founded scientific research, participate in the ongoing intellectual life of the department, and regularly attend colloquia and seminars. See www.cs.virginia.edu/acad/graduate_program/ for more information on these degree paths, including particular course and credit requirements. The department also offers a Doctor of Philosophy of Computer Engineering degree, along with Master of Science and Master of Engineering degrees at the graduate level and the Bachelor of Science major at the undergraduate level. Please see www.cpe.virginia.edu/ for more information.