Program Overview

Computer Science and Engineering Program

The Computer Science and Engineering program at the University of California, Riverside, offers a comprehensive education in computer science and engineering. The program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in computer science and engineering principles, as well as hands-on experience in software development, computer systems, and data analysis.

BS+MS Degree in Computer Science

The BS+MS degree in Computer Science is a five-year program that allows students to earn both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science. The program is designed for students who want to pursue a career in computer science or a related field.

BS+MS Students Requirements for the MS Degree

Students admitted to the BS+MS degree in Computer Science complete the MS portion of the degree in one year. The degree is awarded after completion of the following degree requirements:

• A total of 36 units of graduate courses consisting of 8 units of Core, 8 units of Breadth, and 20 units of Elective courses are required toward the degree.
• Up to 12 units of coursework taken as a UCR undergraduate must be petitioned to be double counted.

Course Requirements

The course requirements for the BS+MS degree in Computer Science include:

• 8 units of Core courses
• 8 units of Breadth courses
• 20 units of Elective courses

Professional Development Requirement

One quarter of CS 287, GDIV 301, GDIV 403, or at least one unit of CS 298I must be satisfactorily completed to meet this requirement. Other professional development courses may be used to satisfy this requirement if approved by the graduate advisor.

Capstone Experience

All students must complete a capstone experience that synthesizes and integrates the knowledge and skills obtained throughout the master's program, by either passing a comprehensive exam, writing a thesis, or completing a project.

Comprehensive Exam Option

Students must pass a comprehensive examination administered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

Project Option

Students must complete a research project under the guidance of a faculty member. The project will be approved by a committee of at least two faculty members and requires a presentation and written report.

Thesis Option

Students must submit a master's thesis in accordance with the general requirements of the university. The thesis is original research work, and it should demonstrate the student's ability to study a research area, identify an open problem, and make a research contribution.

Program Overview

The program overview includes:

• Core Requirements (8 units): One course from two of the three Core Areas, with no grade lower than a B-
• Breadth Requirements (8 units): Two approved breadth courses were chosen in such a way that together the core and breadth courses covered 4 different major specialty areas (A to H)
• Electives (20 units): A total of 20 units are taken based on the students' capstone option

Research Areas

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering has several research areas, including:

• Algorithms and Theory of Computation
• Architecture, Compilers, and Embedded Systems
• Bioinformatics
• Computer Science Education
• Cybersecurity
• Databases, Data Mining, and Artificial Intelligence
• High-Performance Computing and Graphics
• Programming Languages and Software Engineering
• Systems and Networks

Graduate Programs

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering offers several graduate programs, including:

• PhD in Computer Science
• MS in Computer Science
• BS+MS in Computer Science
• MS in Computational Data Science
• MS in Computer Engineering
• MS in Robotics