Northeastern University College of Computer and Information Science
Encyclopedia
The College of Computer and Information Science ("CCIS") is one of the eight colleges of Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.
The College offers Bachelor of Science ("B.S.")
, Bachelor of Arts ("B.A.")
, Master of Science ("M.S.")
, and doctoral degrees in computer science ("CS")
, as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees in interdisciplinary, computer-related fields. Some 200 masters and 65 doctoral candidates are enrolled in the College.
degree program. Originally located in Northeastern's Cullinane Hall, CCIS is now housed in West Village H.
Candidates for the M.S. in Computer Science can choose from the following concentrations:
The Ph.D program prepares students for research careers in government, industry, or academia. Candidates are required to take coursework in computer systems, principles of programming languages, advanced algorithms
, and computation theory
. Electives in these and other subjects are also available. Candidates are given a maximum of five years to complete this coursework and their doctoral thesis.
In 2010, CCIS's graduate program in computer science was ranked 61st in US News & World Report's list of the "Best Computer Science Graduate Schools." The publication also ranked the graduate program 15th on its list of "Best Programming Language Programs."
--the interdisciplinary study of how humans use information technology--combines a technical understanding of computer science and system design with the behavior context of the social sciences. Coursework covers the fields of information architecture
, information system
design and development, programming
design, database
design, and social informatics
, among others. A two-semester senior capstone project, designed to integrate the many skill sets developed in the program, is required. Currently, only the B.S. of Information Science is offered, though it may be offered in conjunction with another degree.
in 2006, and is now recognized by the National Security Agency
as both a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education and Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Research. Masters candidates take coursework addressing the various technical, policy, and criminal justice-related issues involved in information assurance, preparing them for careers as corporate and government information executives. In the 2011-2012 school year, the information assurance program will begin offering the Ph.D in Information Assurance, designed to be an interdisciplinary program with a focus on information assurance policy and research. Ph.D in Information Assurance candidates take a core curriculum of computer networking, network security, hardware and software security, information security
risk management
, and information assurance policy. Elective coursework is then taken in one of three areas of concentration (or "tracks"), namely:
Candidates for the Ph.D in Information Assurance have a maximum of five years to complete their required coursework and doctoral thesis.
, providing health-care and IT professionals with the technical and managerial skills necessary to lead health informatics projects. In addition, the program offers intensive, eight-month graduate certificates in three health informatics specialties, including:
The combined B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science substitutes four master-level courses for their undergraduate equivalents. Students then have only to take four master-level electives to complete the program. This allows a student to graduate with both degrees on either a five year track, or a six year track with co-op experience.
In addition, the College partners with other colleges at Northeastern to offer the following joint degrees:
Companies that participate in this program range from small startups to large enterprises including Google, Microsoft, John Hancock, and Amazon.com. The college has been able to achieve 100% placement in the past 7 years for all students who choose to go on 5 year co-op program.
The College offers Bachelor of Science ("B.S.")
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
, Bachelor of Arts ("B.A.")
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
, Master of Science ("M.S.")
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
, and doctoral degrees in computer science ("CS")
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
, as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees in interdisciplinary, computer-related fields. Some 200 masters and 65 doctoral candidates are enrolled in the College.
History
Founded in 1982, Northeastern's College of Computer and Information Science was the first college in the United States devoted to computer science. The College is also among the first to offer an information assuranceInformation science
-Introduction:Information science is an interdisciplinary science primarily concerned with the analysis, collection, classification, manipulation, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information...
degree program. Originally located in Northeastern's Cullinane Hall, CCIS is now housed in West Village H.
Academic Programs
In addition to a traditional computer science curriculum, CCIS offers numerous other information science programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.Computer Science
The computer science program at CCIS focuses on the fundamentals of computer program design, software design, computer networking, computation theory, and other technical computer-related subjects.Undergraduate Degrees
The CS program offers both Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees. While both require a core curriculum of computer science, mathematics, science, and humanities coursework, the B.A. candidates are required to take more humanities coursework than B.S. candidates. The B.S. is thus the more technical of the two degrees, with the B.A. aimed at giving students a social science context with which to frame their understanding of computer science.Graduate Degrees
Both Master of Science and doctoral degrees are offered in the CS program.Candidates for the M.S. in Computer Science can choose from the following concentrations:
- Artificial IntelligenceArtificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
- Computer-Human Interaction
- Database Management
- GraphicsComputer graphicsComputer graphics are graphics created using computers and, more generally, the representation and manipulation of image data by a computer with help from specialized software and hardware....
- Information SecurityInformation securityInformation security means protecting information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, perusal, inspection, recording or destruction....
- Networks
- Programming Languages
- Software EngineeringSoftware engineeringSoftware Engineering is the application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software, and the study of these approaches; that is, the application of engineering to software...
- Systems
- TheoryComputer scienceComputer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
The Ph.D program prepares students for research careers in government, industry, or academia. Candidates are required to take coursework in computer systems, principles of programming languages, advanced algorithms
Algorithm
In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm is an effective method expressed as a finite list of well-defined instructions for calculating a function. Algorithms are used for calculation, data processing, and automated reasoning...
, and computation theory
Theory of computation
In theoretical computer science, the theory of computation is the branch that deals with whether and how efficiently problems can be solved on a model of computation, using an algorithm...
. Electives in these and other subjects are also available. Candidates are given a maximum of five years to complete this coursework and their doctoral thesis.
In 2010, CCIS's graduate program in computer science was ranked 61st in US News & World Report's list of the "Best Computer Science Graduate Schools." The publication also ranked the graduate program 15th on its list of "Best Programming Language Programs."
Information Science
Information scienceInformation science
-Introduction:Information science is an interdisciplinary science primarily concerned with the analysis, collection, classification, manipulation, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information...
--the interdisciplinary study of how humans use information technology--combines a technical understanding of computer science and system design with the behavior context of the social sciences. Coursework covers the fields of information architecture
Information Architecture
Information architecture is the art of expressing a model or concept of information used in activities that require explicit details of complex systems. Among these activities are library systems, Content Management Systems, web development, user interactions, database development, programming,...
, information system
Information systems
Information Systems is an academic/professional discipline bridging the business field and the well-defined computer science field that is evolving toward a new scientific area of study...
design and development, programming
Computer programming
Computer programming is the process of designing, writing, testing, debugging, and maintaining the source code of computer programs. This source code is written in one or more programming languages. The purpose of programming is to create a program that performs specific operations or exhibits a...
design, database
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
design, and social informatics
Social informatics
Social informatics is the study of information and communication tools in cultural, or institutional contexts...
, among others. A two-semester senior capstone project, designed to integrate the many skill sets developed in the program, is required. Currently, only the B.S. of Information Science is offered, though it may be offered in conjunction with another degree.
Information Assurance
CCIS began offering the M.S. in Information AssuranceInformation Assurance
Information assurance is the practice of managing risks related to the use, processing, storage, and transmission of information or data and the systems and processes used for those purposes...
in 2006, and is now recognized by the National Security Agency
National Security Agency
The National Security Agency/Central Security Service is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, as well as protecting U.S...
as both a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education and Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Research. Masters candidates take coursework addressing the various technical, policy, and criminal justice-related issues involved in information assurance, preparing them for careers as corporate and government information executives. In the 2011-2012 school year, the information assurance program will begin offering the Ph.D in Information Assurance, designed to be an interdisciplinary program with a focus on information assurance policy and research. Ph.D in Information Assurance candidates take a core curriculum of computer networking, network security, hardware and software security, information security
Information security
Information security means protecting information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, perusal, inspection, recording or destruction....
risk management
Risk management
Risk management is the identification, assessment, and prioritization of risks followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability and/or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities...
, and information assurance policy. Elective coursework is then taken in one of three areas of concentration (or "tracks"), namely:
- Network/Communication Security
- System Security
- Policy/Society
Candidates for the Ph.D in Information Assurance have a maximum of five years to complete their required coursework and doctoral thesis.
Health Informatics
In partnership with Northeastern's Bouvé College of Health Sciences, CCIS offers the M.S. in Health InformaticsHealth informatics
.Health informatics is a discipline at the intersection of information science, computer science, and health care...
, providing health-care and IT professionals with the technical and managerial skills necessary to lead health informatics projects. In addition, the program offers intensive, eight-month graduate certificates in three health informatics specialties, including:
- Management and Exchange
- Health Informatics Privacy and Security
- Health Informatics Software Engineering
Dual Degree Options
CCIS offers two dual degree options within its own programs, namely:- B.S. in Computer Science and Information Science
- B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science
The combined B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science substitutes four master-level courses for their undergraduate equivalents. Students then have only to take four master-level electives to complete the program. This allows a student to graduate with both degrees on either a five year track, or a six year track with co-op experience.
In addition, the College partners with other colleges at Northeastern to offer the following joint degrees:
- B.S. in CS or IS and Business
- B.S. in CS or IS and Cognitive Psychology
- B.S. in CS or IS and Environmental Science
- B.S. in CS and a science degree (mathematics, physics, biology)
- B.S. in CS and an arts degree (game design, interactive media, music technology, or digital art)
Notable Faculty
CCIS employs several faculty well-known as experts in their fields, including:- William ClingerWilliam Clinger (computer scientist)William D. Clinger is an Associate Professor in the College of Computer and Information Science at Northeastern University. Clinger is known for his work on higher-order and functional programming languages, and in particular for his contributions to the standardization of the Scheme programming...
, expert on, and contributor to, the SchemeSchemeScheme may refer to:* Scheme , a minimalist, multi-paradigm dialect of Lisp* Scheme , a concept in algebraic geometry* Scheme , a figure of speech that changes a sentence's structure-See also:...
programming language - Richard P. Gabriel, famed expert on the LispLispA lisp is a speech impediment, historically also known as sigmatism. Stereotypically, people with a lisp are unable to pronounce sibilants , and replace them with interdentals , though there are actually several kinds of lisp...
family of programming languages - Matthias FelleisenMatthias FelleisenMatthias Felleisen is a computer science professor and an author of German background.Felleisen is currently a Trustee Professor in the College of Computer and Information Science at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. In the past he has taught at Rice University after receiving his...
, author and co-author of several computer programming textbooks - Mitchell WandMitchell WandMitchell Wand is a Computer Science professor at Northeastern University. He received his Ph.D. degrees from MIT. His research has centred on programming languages and is a member of the Northeastern Programming Research Lab. He is also the co-author of Essentials of Programming Languages.-External...
, author of Essentials of Programming LanguagesEssentials of Programming LanguagesEssentials of Programming Languages is a textbook on programming languages by Daniel P. Friedman, Mitchell Wand, and Christopher T. Haynes.EOPL surveys the principles of programming languages from an operational perspective...
Student Groups
The following student groups and organizations are part of the CCIS community:- Association for Computing MachineryAssociation for Computing MachineryThe Association for Computing Machinery is a learned society for computing. It was founded in 1947 as the world's first scientific and educational computing society. Its membership is more than 92,000 as of 2009...
(ACM)http://acm.ccs.neu.edu/ - Undergraduate Experimental Systems Group (Crew)
- Upsilon Pi EpsilonUpsilon Pi EpsilonUpsilon Pi Epsilon : International Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines, is the first and only existing one of its kind....
Honor Society (UPE)http://www.ccs.neu.edu/groups/upe/ - Organization for Women in the Computing and Information Sciences (CISters)
Cooperative Education within CCIS
Students at CCIS have the option of participating in Northeastern's Cooperative Education Program ("Co-op program"). The Co-op program allows students to take semester-long internships with public and private-sector organizations, exposing them to the real world application of the skills and knowledge taught in their academic major. Nearly two-thirds of CCIS's graduating students are offered full-time positions by the companies for at which they worked a co-op.Companies that participate in this program range from small startups to large enterprises including Google, Microsoft, John Hancock, and Amazon.com. The college has been able to achieve 100% placement in the past 7 years for all students who choose to go on 5 year co-op program.