Computer Science -- the theory, representation, processing, and use of information, is fundamentally transforming every aspect of science, technology, and society. As a result, human endeavor is no longer constrained only by what is physically possible, but by what is computationally realizable. Being an informed citizen in this information age requires the ability to apply computational ways of thinking to design, analysis, experimentation, creative expression, and problem solving. Indeed, as a recent article in New York Times suggested, it is impossible to pursue scientific research in virtually any discipline without in the process doing Computer Science. Hence, every modern university, especially one emphasizing Science and Technology like Iowa State does, must have a strong Department of Computer Science.

The Department of Computer Science embraces its mission in research and graduate education (discovery), undergraduate education (learning) and outreach (engagement) in Computer Science. 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, Virtual Reality Applications Center, provide a stimulating academic environment that nurtures leading edge research and innovative education in Computer Science.

Research and Graduate Education (Discovery)

Academic research in Computer Science has been, and continues to be critical to our understanding of computation, information, and communication on the one hand and the development of advanced information technologies on the other. Our department pursues its research mission through strong research programs in several key areas of Computer Science including Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Computational Complexity, Database Systems, Distributed Systems and Networks, and Software Engineering and Programming Languages. Given the central role of computer science and information technologies enabled by it in our modern society, there is a critical need for training of the next generation researchers and educators in this area. Our graduate curriculum seeks to address this need. The Department offers research-based graduate training leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science. It also plays a central role in interdepartmental graduate majors and minors in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Complex Adaptive Systems, Information Assurance, and Neuroscience.

Undergraduate Education (Learning)

With the increasing reliance of our society on advanced information technologies in almost every aspect of our lives, there is a critical national need for preparing the scientific and technological workforce of the twentyfirst century through education in Computer Science. Such education should equip the students not only with a sound knowledge of the foundations of computer science, but also the problem solving and system design skills necessary for designing and building robust, efficient, reliable, scalable, and flexible software systems. Our undergraduate curriculum seeks to address this need. The department has a strong undergraduate program leading to a B.S. in Computer Science.

Outreach (Engagement)

Computer science faculty and students contribute to the community at large in a number of ways including: technology transfer to industry, dissemination of knowledge and expertise to the general population, mentoring of precollege students, knowledge transfer to highschool teachers, and consulting and advising activities for industrial, government, and non-profit organizations.

The Department of Computer Science is central to Iowa State University's research and educational mission. The constant flow of students and researchers armed with the concepts and techniques from Computer Science courses into virtually every discipline, department, and research center at Iowa State University testifies to the department's pivotal role in the research and education programs across the university. The department offers nationally and internationally recognized research and educational programs in several areas of Computer Science and plays a central role in several interdisciplinary programs such as Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. The constant flow into the department of some of the brightest students, researchers, and faculty from around the world and the high demand for our graduates and their success in leadership positions in both academia and industry bear testimony to the effectiveness of our research and educational programs.

Please direct any comments on this page to chang@cs.iastate.edu.