Overview
Unique Bachelor's-Master's Program Complements M.S. and Ph.D. Programs in Computer Science and Computer Engineering
The Department Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at UCSD offers a number of study programs and course specializations culminating in a master's or doctoral degree. Many full-time students become involved in research, tutoring, and mentoring programs. In addition to the standard Master of Science and Ph.D. study programs, UCSD provides students a unique opportunity to enroll in a Five-Year Bachelor's-Master's (B.S./M.S. or B.A./M.S.) Degree Program. The program is available to CSE majors who have achieved exceptional academic results during their undergraduate study program. It is an accelerated academic program that provides students with access to advanced master's level research and study while still completing their bachelor's degree.
Within a year following completion of the bachelor's degree, students can generally obtain a master's. The majors for a master's or Ph.D. are either in computer science or computer engineering, with programs that can be completed either full- or part-time. Students unsure if they want to complete an M.S. degree can, with the permission of the instructor, enroll in individual graduate classes through the UCSD Concurrent Enrollment Program. A small number of these courses can then be credited to a master's degree at a later stage. Ph.D. programs are highly specialized and include fields of specialization such as artificial intelligence, security and cryptography, and computer graphics. The courses are focused on high-quality, interdisciplinary research with active student participation.
CSE Students Enjoy State-of-the-Art and Technologically Advanced Computer Research Facilities UC San Diego
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering at UCSD has a state-of-the-art research and learning center. The extensive computer resources include several hundred desktop and laptop computers that operate on a variety of UNIX/Linux- and Windows-based platforms. In addition to the standard e-mail and general-purpose software, students also have access to advanced network servers and high-performance computer clusters. The San Diego Supercomputer Center is a highly specialized national computer facility. With access to the center through the Computer Science and Engineering programs at UCSD, students can work on and research parallel, vector, and multithreaded supercomputers. The department Internet connections function on an advanced, high-speed wireless system, facilitating easy communications for resident students.
UCSD Offers Financial Aid to Qualified CSE Students Through Fellowships, Loans, and Assistantships
For Ph.D. students and a select number of M.S. students, UCSD offers one year of financial support as part of the admissions package. If there are sufficient resources and a student achieves good academic grades, the financial support can be extended beyond the first year. The financial support packages are made up of fellowships, loans, and assistant research and teaching posts. Fellowships are awarded on a merit basis to deserving graduates, and students are expected to maintain a high level of academic achievement. Loans have specific repayment terms that must be adhered to, and assistant teaching posts follow a detailed and specific program. Students are required to attend a training course regardless of previous teaching experience. The assistants offer great value to other UCSD students by complementing the activities of the course instructors. The benefit to students enrolled as teaching assistants is that they get to work under the supervision and mentorship of a highly experienced faculty member. Research assistantships similarly benefit the students in terms of access to advanced research material. Assistantships form part of the financial support packages, as students are compensated in the form of a fee subsidy for hours worked.
Leading-Edge Computer Science Programs Are Enhanced by UCSD's Excellent Reputation and Prime Location
Overlooking the magnificent Pacific coastline, the University of California, San Diego, is located on 1,200 acres of coastal woodland. The sheer natural beauty of the campus does not detract from the fact that UCSD is recognized as one of the top universities in the United States for higher education and scientific research. The Department of Computer Science and Engineering is ranked in the Top 20 nationwide and in 2002 was awarded the number one position by "Forbes."
The department's progressive approach to scientific research and engineering has earned the university a reputation of excellence in the computer science field. Graduates from UCSD's computer science and engineering study program are sought by companies in the computer, wireless communication, biotechnology, and Internet industries. Alumni are frequently among the keynote speakers at IT conferences and many go on to become industry leaders. The university has a strong focus on research, and faculty members are a team of highly specialized individuals who have distinguished themselves in various fields of computer science and engineering. The study program provides opportunities for students to have a greater involvement with the faculty by becoming research or teaching assistants, or becoming involved in mentoring programs.
