Department Overview
Program requirements are valid from the year you are accepted into the department in a master, major or minor program. If you have not yet been accepted into the program, you can find the current requirements in the online catalog. Please note that requirements do change and your specific graduation requirements are confirmed when you declare your major or minor.
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
The Computer Science Department offers Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree programs, accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Information regarding program objectives, student outcomes and graduation data can be found on the Department Mission Statement page.
The department offers joint majors with the mathematics and accounting departments, as well as a computer science minor in Internet Resource Creation and Management and three certificate programs (Web content development, Web programming, and Web site management). The Internet Resource Creation minor and certificate programs are designed so that computer science majors, as well as non-computer science majors, may gain the technical and communication background necessary for developing, maintaining, and managing Web sites and resources.
Bachelor of Science - Data Science
Data Science is the study of the mathematical and computational methods for extracting meaning from data. It involves the collection, processing, organization, quantitative analysis, visualization and modeling of data. It is interdisciplinary, drawing from the fields of computer science, mathematics, statistics, and information science, among many others. As data plays an increasingly important role in understanding and discovery across a wide range of disciplines, data science provides a set of tools that enable scholars to better analyze and answer important problems in their own field. In this way, data science often serves as a hub to foster collaboration within and across organizations.
Master of Science - Computer Science
The Computer Science Department offers the Master of Science (MS) Degree. Courses and research opportunities in a variety of topics are offered, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, bioinformatics, human and computer interaction, computer vision, computer graphics, computer education, big data, security and privacy, accessibility, and parallel and distributed systems.
We have a vibrant and diverse population of approximately 35 students in our MS program, including a substantial number of female students and students from abroad. The research work produced by our students has been presented in prestigious CS conferences and venues every year. We accept applications through the year in Fall, Winter and Spring Quarters (not including the Summer Quarter). Application deadline information can be found on the Computer Science Master's Program page. Current CS honors undergraduates can apply to the accelerated MS program.
Graduate students can receive financial assistance in the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, along with departmental/graduate school scholarships.
Our alumni have successful careers at many startups, well-known tech companies and research labs, including Facebook, Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Some have continued on with their education as PhD students at prestigious universities in the United States and internationally.
Cybersecurity
Through partnerships with some Washington Community Colleges, students can build directly upon their Associate's Degree to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, preparing students for a career in preventing and responding to internet security breaches that threaten businesses, corporations, and the government.
Internet Studies Center
The ISC offers courses and certificates in web development that help WWU students leverage the value of their four-year and graduate degrees. Students who complete one of the three ISC certificates will receive an industry certified certificate in conjunction with their WWU degree.