Overview
Earn a Master of Science, Master of Engineering, or Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Computer Science and Engineering
The Computer Science and Engineering Department at Penn State is highly ranked and has world-renowned faculty comprised of some of the best minds in their fields. The faculty members are not only excellent teachers, but are also deeply involved in contributing to the core discipline of computing. They also help to address critical challenges facing the nation, ranging from health care and energy to social computing and national defense.
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering offers three graduate programs: a Master of Engineering in Computer Science and Engineering, a Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering, and a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering.
Students may start in a master's program and then continue in the Ph.D. program.
Regardless of which degree a student is seeking, the Computer Science and Engineering Department programs focus on core areas that include theory, algorithms, programming languages, systems, computer vision, networks, security, cyber enabled discovery, data mining, computer architecture, VLSI, embedded and mobile systems, and high performance computing.
Students learn about the design and construction of biological analysis systems, imaging devices, data management issues, thermal-aware design techniques, cutting edge technologies in performance enhancing systems software, and human-computer interaction.
Ph.D. Students in the Computer Science and Engineering Program Frequently Earn Funding for Free Postdoctoral Education
Students in the Computer Science and Engineering Department's programs who have earned a Ph.D. and choose to pursue a postdoctoral education to develop further skills are often the future leaders in their respective fields. For this reason, most postdoctoral education is supported by research funding for external grants or contracts awarded to university faculty, in recognition of the important contributions that such graduates may one day provide to Penn State's academic community and to society at large.
Penn State and the Computer Science and Engineering Department Rank among America's Highest in Research Expenditures
Penn State ranks among the nation's 10 largest public research institutions. Penn State ranked 11th among major U.S. universities in research expenditures in science and engineering fields, with 11 distinct research fields at Penn State being ranked among the top 10 in the nation.
Nationally, Penn State ranks third in industry-sponsored research, and computer science and engineering at Penn State ranks 8th in the nation for total external research expenditures.
Graduate Students at Penn State Receive Research Assistantships and Teaching Assistantships to Help Fund Their Education
Graduate students at Penn State often take on teaching assistantships or research assistantships. Roughly 3,000 assistantships are awarded each year, requiring students to work for 18 weeks in either the classroom or the laboratory. Research assistantships tend to be for 48-week appointments, covering two 18-week terms in addition to a 12-week summer session term.
Occasional work study is also available in the Computer Science and Engineering Department, for jobs such as clerical assistant.
Penn State, in the Nittany Valley, Offers Students a Diverse and Collegial Environment for Collaborative Research
Penn State is located in the Nittany Valley region of central Pennsylvania, and is a multi-campus public research university that exists thanks to a land grant from the state of Pennsylvania. The University Park campus is the main campus in Nittany Valley, and serves as the home to numerous departments and programs, including the Computer Science and Engineering Department.
Graduate students at Penn State enjoy a supportive research environment that provides modern facilities and sufficient funding to make groundbreaking discoveries. According to National Science Foundation data for 2007, Penn State ranked 11th overall among major U.S. universities in research expenditures in the science and engineering fields, making research a priority.
This focus on research fits with the university's belief in the importance of the development of critical thought. One of the strengths of Penn State is original thought derived from demographic and cultural diversity. The university fosters an atmosphere that encourages representation of faculty, staff, and students from typically underrepresented groups, ranging from different races and religions to students of different nationalities and sexual orientations.
Penn State's graduate programs attract students from 105 countries across the world, creating a highly-diverse collaborative research environment where students can benefit from the diverse perspectives that their classmates bring to the table.
Penn State Students Join Academic Organizations, Fraternities, Service Organizations, and Nittany Lions Sports Teams
Penn State offers a number of different student organizations and clubs, ranging from academic and professional associations to more religious and spiritual clubs. Interested students may choose to take part in the student government or, if qualified, join the Honor Society.
There is a rich Greek life at Penn State, and students wishing to join fraternities and sororities will find numerous choices. Students with more community-oriented mindsets may join one of the college's 30 service organizations, ranging from 4H and Big Brothers/Big Sisters to Habitat for Humanity and the Special Olympics.
Sports teams may be Penn State's most popular group of student organizations. The Nittany Lion serves as the mascot for Penn State's 800 student-athletes, who compete in a wide variety of sports, and frequently win. Over the years, Penn State teams have claimed 60 national championships, including NCAA titles, 40 Big Ten conference championships, and 10 tournament titles, including a league record five championships during the 2005 fall season. The athletics program at Penn State encourages student-athletes to reach their highest potential on the field, in class, and at home.
