College of Sciences and Technology
Graduate Faculty
Bover, David C., PhD, software engineering, software quality assurance, computer security.
Fizzano, Perry, PhD, algorithms, optimization, bioinformatics.
Hearne, James W., PhD, artificial intelligence, computational science.
Johnson, James Lee, PhD, database theory, probabilistic algorithms.
Jusak, Debra S., PhD, distributed computing, middleware, embedded systems.
Matthews, Geoffrey B., PhD, artificial intelligence, data mining, scientific visualization.
Meehan, J. Michael, PhD, parallel and distributed computing, programming languages, networks.
Nelson, Philip A., PhD, parallel and distributed computing, compilers, computer networks.
Osborne, Martin L., PhD, object oriented computing, Internet-related computing.
Zhang, Jianna J., PhD, AI, machine learning, robotics, natural language processing.
Program Advisor: Jianna J. Zhang.
Send e-mail related to the graduate program in computer science to gradinfo.cs@wwu.edu. For further information concerning the program, consult the departmental website at www.cs.wwu.edu.
Goals
❑ To graduate students with a strong, in-depth background in computer science.
❑ To prepare students for PhD programs.
❑ To engage students in high quality research-oriented projects.
Objectives
❑ To educate students in core concepts in computer science.
❑ To provide students with in depth knowledge, skills, and experiences in computer science.
❑ To focus on the applied aspects of computer science, especially real-world projects that use core concepts and expert knowledge of computer science.
❑ To provide students and faculty opportunities to engage in research in computer science.
Prerequisites
Students who have completed an undergraduate degree and who meet the requirements of the Graduate School and who show evidence of superior scholarship are invited to apply for admission to the graduate program in computer science. Students may be admitted into the computer science master’s degree program in one of three ways: full admit, full admit with prerequisite course work, and provisional admit. Students who have a sufficient background in computer science, i.e. an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, and who meet the general requirements of the Graduate School can be given a “full admit.” Due to the nature of this field of study, it is often the case that students with an undergraduate degree in an area other than computer science seek admission to the graduate program in computer science. Such students usually require a number of prerequisite undergraduate courses before they can embark on their graduate studies. If they meet the other requirements of the Graduate School, such students can usually be given a “full admit with prerequisite course work.” The student is admitted into the graduate program but is required to complete a number of undergraduate prerequisite courses. Other constraints may be placed on such admissions, such as a minimum acceptable grade(s) for the prerequisites and perhaps a time frame for completion of the prerequisites. The exact nature of the composition of the prerequisite course work will be determined on a case by case basis. In rare cases, students who do not meet the general requirements of the graduate school, for example do not have the required minimum GPA, can be given a “provisional admit” provided their background is such that it indicates a high probability of success in the program.
In case of provisional admission, the program advisor may interview the candidate individually and consider the following factors:
- Related background knowledge and work experience
- Classes taken since graduation
- Reference letters
- GRE scores
Application Information
Admission Deadlines: Fall, April 15; Winter, October 1; Spring, February 1.
TA Deadlines: Same as admission deadlines. Application requirements and forms are available from the Graduate School website.
Test scores: GRE General Test. An applicant with an advanced degree need not submit test scores. A statement of purpose is recommended.
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