Computer Science

Graduate Programs

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Computer Science (PhD)

Ph.D. students in the Computer Science Department are prepared to be technical problem solvers, are competent in the state of the art, and have mastered a particular aspect of Computer Science. They are trained to identify and clearly formulate problems, to develop and analyze algorithmic solutions, and to direct research. All Ph.D. students are active in one of the Department's research labs, working closely with a faculty advisor. Ph.D. graduates make a novel contribution to Computer Science in the form of a dissertation and scholarly publications. They are an asset to their employers, as they demonstrate increased insight into formulating and solving problems. Furthermore, they have the skills to see the discipline clearly and to lead out on their own.

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Computer Science (MS)

Students in the Master of Science program in the Computer Science Department are prepared to be technical problem solvers, are competent in the state of the art, and have mastered a particular aspect of Computer Science. All students are active in at least one of the Department's research labs and work closely with a faculty advisor in the completion of their M.S. thesis. Consequently, they are able to engage in further research where computers will have a significant impact. M.S. graduates are an asset to their employers as they demonstrate increased insight into solving problems, and are able to manage and complete significant projects.

Faculty

See a full list of Computer Science department graduate faculty

Courses

See all Computer Science graduate courses

Contact

2248 TMCB
(801) 422-3027
graduate@cs.byu.edu
Department Website

The Department of Computer Science offers two degrees: an MS in Computer Science and a PhD in Computer Science.

The MS degree is designed to prepare students either to be technically capable of leading development teams in industrial software development or to be ready to continue on for a PhD. The PhD degree prepares students to be researchers and teachers either in industry or academia. Areas of particular emphasis are listed under Resources and Opportunities and under research faculty interests.

The expected duration of the MS program for full-time students who enter without deficiencies is two years. Depending on the number of deficiencies, some students may require additional semesters. Students may not enter the PhD program with deficiencies. For full-time students in the PhD program, the expected duration is three years for those entering the program with an MS in computer science and from four to five years for those entering without an MS in computer science. These expectations assume that students take a full graduate load and begin and complete the steps in their thesis or dissertation research in a timely manner.

Chair: Michael Jones
Associate Chair: Bryan Morse and Mark Clement
Graduate Coordinator: Xinru Page

Resources & Opportunity

The Computer Science Department offers research in the following areas:

Artificial intelligence and machine learning
Computational science and control
Computer networks, systems, and security
Data and text analytics
Graphics, animation, and computer vision
Human-computer interaction and software development

For more detailed information please see our website: https://cs.byu.edu/

Financial Assistance

The Computer Science Department recognizes that most students require financial assistance to remain in school. The department has funds in the following forms: teaching and research assistantships and tuition awards.