Fields of Study
The Graduate Major of Computer and Information Sciences involves education and research on core computing-related themes, computer systems for the study of computing-based information processing problems and information systems for the provision of comprehensive solutions to society's needs. Degree programs offered by the Graduate Major of Computer and Information Sciences provide students a foundation of knowledge in the two main departmental domains (Computer Science and Digital Media). This includes Computer Science fundamentals, structural essentials, parallel and intelligent processing, digital media processing, and cyber systems. Students are then prepared for careers as professional engineers or researchers in four specific fields of study that have value as core technologies for the formation of our 21st Century cyber world.
- Parallel Computing and Architectures
- Software System Sciences
- Virtual Reality Modeling
- CyberWorlds
These four fields span an array of subjects, including intelligent computing and other computer architectures for the creation of artificial worlds; parallel language processing and software engineering; image modeling and animation for the visualization and realization of virtual reality environments; and network systems for agent interaction between artificial and real worlds and the creation of cyber worlds. From the standpoint of building and implementing information systems, there is a hierarchical relationship between these fields of study. Degree students are provided opportunities for systematic and broad-based study of all four fields -- the first two of which have to do with core technologies for the construction of information systems, as described earlier, and the latter two of which involve modeling and other applications. Further, students may select one of the four subject areas as their degree major.