2019-2020 Computer Science

Scope and Objectives

Computer science is concerned with the design, modeling, analysis, and applications of computer systems. Its study at UCLA provides education at the undergraduate and graduate levels necessary to understand, design, implement, and use the software and hardware of digital computers and digital systems. The programs provide comprehensive and integrated studies of subjects in computer system architecture, computer networks, programming languages and software systems, information and data management, artificial intelligence, computer science theory, computational systems biology and bioinformatics, and computer vision and graphics.

The undergraduate and graduate studies and research projects in the Department of Computer Science are supported by significant computing resources. In addition to the departmental computing facility, there are over a dozen research laboratories specializing in areas such as distributed systems, multimedia computer communications, distributed sensor networks, VLSI systems, VLSI CAD, embedded and reconfigurable systems, computer graphics, bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence. Also, the Cognitive Systems Laboratory is engaged in studying computer systems that emulate or support human reasoning. The Biocybernetics Laboratory is devoted to multidisciplinary research involving the application of engineering and computer science methods to problems in biology and medicine.

The B.S. degree may be attained through the Computer Science and Engineering major, the Computer Science major, or the Computer Engineering major described below.

In addition, UCLA Samueli offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science, as well as minor fields for graduate students seeking engineering degrees. In cooperation with the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management, the Computer Science Department offers a concurrent degree program that enables students to obtain the M.S. in Computer Science and the M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration).

Department Mission

The Computer Science Department strives for excellence in creating, applying, and imparting knowledge in computer science and engineering through comprehensive educational programs, research in collaboration with industry and government, dissemination through scholarly publications, and service to professional societies, the community, state, and nation.

Computer Science and Engineering Undergraduate Program Educational Objectives

The computer science and engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission and the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

The computer science and engineering undergraduate program educational objectives are that our alumni (1) make valuable technical contributions to design, development, and production in their practice of computer science and computer engineering, in related engineering or application areas, and at the interface of computers and physical systems, (2) demonstrate strong communication skills and the ability to function effectively as part of a team, (3) demonstrate a sense of societal and ethical responsibility in their professional endeavors, and (4) engage in professional development or postgraduate education to pursue flexible career paths amid future technological changes.

Computer Science Undergraduate Program Educational Objectives

The computer science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

The computer science undergraduate program educational objectives are that our alumni (1) make valuable technical contributions to design, development, and production in their practice of computer science and related engineering or application areas, particularly in software systems and algorithmic methods, (2) demonstrate strong communication skills and the ability to function effectively as part of a team, (3) demonstrate a sense of societal and ethical responsibility in their professional endeavors, and (4) engage in professional development or postgraduate education to pursue flexible career paths amid future technological changes.

Computer Engineering Undergraduate Program Educational Objectives

The undergraduate computer engineering program prepares students to be able to (1) understand fundamental computing concepts and make valuable contributions to the practice of computer engineering; (2) design, analyze, and implement complex computer systems for a variety of application areas and cyberphysical domains; (3) demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a team and communicate their ideas; (4) continue to learn as part of a graduate program or otherwise in the world of constantly evolving technology.

Distinguished Professor of Computer Science Leonard Kleinrock with the Interface Message Processor, the backbone of the Arpanet.