The Department of Computer Science offers research-based advanced training leading to a Ph.D. in Computer Science. The department also offers an M.S. degree. The department has strong research programs in Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Complexity Theory and Complex Systems, Databases, Parallel and Distributed Computing, Programming Languages, Multimedia Systems, Networks, Robotics, Software Engineering, and Theory of Computing. Additional information about the department (research areas, faculty, research projects, courses, etc.) can be found here. In a typical year, approximately 100-125 full-time students are enrolled in the graduate program.

Recipients of Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Computer Science from Iowa State University have a virtually 100% success rate at obtaining top quality jobs in either academia or industry.

In addition to Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Computer Science, interdepartmental Ph.D. programs in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCB) , Human-Computer Interaction, and Neuroscience offer opportunities for research-based training of Computer Science graduate students. Students interested in pursuing these opportunities should apply for admission to the respective intedepartmental program as well. Computer Science department also participates in an interdepartmental MS degree program in Information Assurance.

Excellent faculty, state-of-the-art research laboratories, a well-funded research program, opportunities provided by the Center for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, DOE Ames Laboratory, Information Systems Security Laboratory, Virtual Reality Applications Center, provide a stimulating academic environment that nurtures leading-edge research and innovative education in Computer Science.

Iowa State University is a major land grant university located in Ames, Iowa. Ames is a pleasant, small yet cosmopolitan city with a population of 50,000 (25,000 students), a vibrant cultural scene, and a secondary school system that ranks one of the best in the United States. It is within convenient driving distance from the cultural and entertainment opportunities offered by Kansas City, Minneapolis, and Chicago.

Information for Applicants to Graduate Program in Computer Science

• Applying for Admission
• Admitted Students
• Financial Aid
• Traveling to Ames

Applicants to Concurrent Degrees, Transfers, and Graduate Minors

• Concurrent Degree of Transfer Students
• Graduate Minor in Computer Science

Graduate Degree Requirements

• PhD Degree Requirements
• MS Degree Requirements
• PhD Co-major Requirements

Graduate Research Opportunities in Computer Science

• Computer Science Faculty by Research Area(s)
• Overview of Faculty Research Interests
• Interdisciplinary Opportunities
• Current Major Research and Training Grants

Graduate Courses in Computer Science

• Graduate Courses
• Web pages of Computer Science Courses (not all courses have web pages)

Graduate Students and Alumni

• Graduate Students
• Graduate Alumni

Funding for Graduate Students

• Graduate Assistantships in Computer Science
• Graduate Traineeships in Bioinformatics and Computational Molecular Biology
• B.F. Goodrich Collegiate Inventors Program
• Merril Lynch Grants Competition
• National Academy of Science Predoctoral and Dissertation Fellowship Programs
• National Physical Sciences Consortium Fellowship Program for Minorities and Women
• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships

Advice on Graduate Studies

• Computer Science Graduate Student Handbook
• Thesis Guidelines
• Advice for Graduate Students
• Research Methods and Writing
• Computer Science Graduate Advisory Committee

Jobs for Graduates

• Jobs for Graduates

Graduate Program in Computer Science at Iowa State University

• ISU Graduate College
• Iowa State University
• Searchable ISU Phone and Email Directory
• Ames Community
• Ames City Information
• Iowa Information

Corrections and updates to this page should be directed to webmaster@cs.iastate.edu.