Choosing a Specialization

Artificial Intelligence includes the study of AI principles and techniques, as well as foundational material on topics such as logic, probability, and language. Topics in the AI concentration include knowledge representation and logical reasoning, robotics, machine learning, probabilistic modeling and inference, natural language processing, cognition, and applications in domains such as biology and text processing.

Also consider: Real-World Computing, HCI, Theoretical CS

Biocomputation is an interdisciplinary specialization focusing on computational challenges and solutions in the biological and medical informatics application areas. Courses covering advanced algorithms, databases, networking, modeling and simulation, as well as those covering biocomputation, bioengineering, and medical informatics are included in this specialization.

Also consider: Real-World Computing, Artificial Intelligence

Provides students with an in-depth understanding of the current challenges facing computer scientists designing and developing secure, safety-critical systems. Course work includes networking and network security, advanced operating systems, cryptography, secure databases, etc.

Also consider:Systems, Artificial Intelligence

How do you design for users? Is a keyboard and mouse the best we can do? Human-computer interaction spans interfaces from large wall-size computing down to handheld devices and invisible "ubiquitous computers". HCI teaches user-centered design thinking and methods for user studies. HCI research applies to areas like collaborative work, information visualization, and "tangible computing".

Also consider: Real-World Computing, Systems, Artificial Intelligence

Information Management and Analytics provides coverage of the principles underlying modern database and information management systems, as well as methods for mining massive data sets. The track spans topics ranging from developing applications for database and information systems; to system design, architecture, and management; to applying algorithms and techniques from data mining and machine learning to perform analyses over massive data sets. Related topics include distributed systems, networking, and security on the system side, as well as text mining, bioinformatics, web search, and social media on the applications side.

Also consider: Systems, Theoretical CS

This new track provides an organizing domain for connecting a broad, multidisciplinary set of topics across engineering. It connects theory - in both the mathematical and psychological sense - with hands-on system building. Mobile and Internet Computing focuses on the sociotechnical nature of modern systems design. Decisions about the economic markets and networking protocols affect how people use a system. In this very broad concentration students will take classes in networking, operating systems, web applications, security and cryptography, and interface design.

Also consider: Real-World Computing, Systems, Human Computer Interaction

Real-World Computing lets you dabble in a little of everything, sharing coursework in common with each of the other specializations. Many people who want to focus on graphics choose Real-World Computing, because it is the only specialization that lets you count all our graphics courses toward your depth. It’s also a popular choice for people who want to study robotics.

How do you write secure code? How smart can you make a compiler? Software theory looks at properties of programming languages and applications to areas like security. This area is very similar to Theoretical Computer Science, but slightly more applied: in particular, ST students tend to take more systems-ish courses on programming languages, compilers, and databases.

Also consider: Theoretical Computer Science, Systems, Artificial Intelligence

Want to build an operating system? Or a router? The systems specialization is home to most of the "hard-core programming" classes that usually come to mind when you think of CS. But the challenges are bigger--designing the next-generation Internet backbone, managine ever-expanding datasets, and balancing security and privacy. Systems is also the only specialization that can be completed entirely remotely by Honors Co-op (HCP) students, making it a popular choice.

Also consider: Real-World Computing, Software Theory, Artificial Intelligence

How do you find the most efficient and fair network topology? How do you make computers reason about logic? Theoretical CS looks at reactive systems, programming language theory, and algorithms. This specialization is very similar to Software Theory, but slightly more abstract. TCS students tend to take more courses in logic and formal methods.

Also consider: Software Theory, Artificial Intelligence, Real-World Computing