Computer Science and Engineering

Chair: Gita Alaghband
Program Assistant: Sarah Mandos
Office: Lawrence Street Center, 8th Floor
Telephone: 303-315-1408
Fax: 303-315-1410

Faculty

Professors
Gita Alaghband, PhD, University of Colorado
Tom Altman, PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Boris Stilman, PhD, National Research Institute for Electrical Engineering, Moscow, Russia

Associate Professors
Bogdan Chlebus, PhD, Warsaw University, Poland
Min-Hyung Choi, PhD, University of Iowa
Ellen Gethner, PhD, University of British Columbia
Ilkyeun Ra, PhD, Syracuse University

Assistant Professor
Tam Vu, PhD, Rutgers University

Senior Instructors
Jason Lewis, PhD, Clemson University
Will Trobaugh, MS, University of Colorado

Mission Statement

With the advances in technology and the rapid and prevalent growth of the information-based economy, computer science has become an enabling science for nearly all disciplines that impact engineering, science, business, health and government. The future of the discipline promises even more innovative advances. he Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Colorado Denver are committed to providing outstanding education and research training to our diverse undergraduate and graduate students for productive careers in industry, academia and government in the Denver metropolitan area, state and beyond. Our faculty strive for excellence in teaching, research and service by covering a broad spectrum of the core fundamentals of the discipline as well as applied aspects including those of interdisciplinary nature. We will actively engage our students in classroom and out-of-classroom research and help them develop the skills needed to solve complex real-world technological problems of our modern society.

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering offers BS, MS and PhD degrees:

The undergraduate BS degree is awarded in computer science (CS). This curriculum is a rigorous study covering theoretical, software, systems and hardware interfaces providing students with a coherent and in-depth education of key components of the field.
The MS degree is awarded in computer science (CS) to those students who wish to pursue graduate studies to further develop their education. The MS in CS graduate program covers the core knowledge of key concepts of the computer science as well as offers flexibility to pursue specializing in various fields of interests.
The Computer Science and Information Systems PhD program is an interdisciplinary, joint program between the Department of Computer Science and Engineering in the College of Engineering and the Applied Science and Information Systems program in the Business School. The program offers a CS track with PhD degree awarded in CSIS from College of Engineering and an IS track where the degree is awarded in CSIS from the Business School.
The multidisciplinary Engineering and Applied Science PhD degree is available through the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

Most up-to-date information on all programs offered through the Computer Science and Engineering Department can be obtained from the department’s website. Please also see our Graduate Catalog for more details regarding these programs.

Undergraduate Information

Computer Science Program

Computers as a combination of software and hardware have become significant to the whole of society. They affect the way in which business is conducted and the way people study and learn. Very important is the use of computers to develop new avenues of human communication, interaction and cooperation. Communication networks and the combination of text with audio and video are providing more people with fingertip access to a vast array of information and knowledge.

The computer scientist is a professional who must be prepared to apply his or her skills, knowledge and creativity in a rapidly changing field. The bachelor of science in computer science at CU Denver prepares students for such creative work. The emphasis is on fundamental concepts and basic principles with a long useful life. The program is composed of five major study areas: mathematics, basic or engineering science, required computer science, technical electives and the CU Denver core curriculum .

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

Computer Science Curriculum

The mathematics, basic science and computer science core requirements give the student a broad exposure to the concepts, methods and practice of computer science and engineering; the student learns the fundamentals of producing solutions to problems.

Technical electives are chosen to add depth to a student’s knowledge in an area of special interest.

The CU Denver undergraduate core curriculum is designed to give the student an exposure to knowledge outside his or her major. For students in the College of Engineering and Applied Science, courses in the humanities, social sciences and human communications are required.

To be awarded the bachelor of science in computer science, a student must satisfactorily complete all course work shown in the curriculum below, satisfy all university graduation requirements and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA in all computer science courses attempted (see “Policy on Academic Progress” in the introductory section of this chapter). Students must meet with an undergraduate advisor each semester to assure that they are on track within the degree program and are aware of the current requirements of the program. An additional source of information is the CS Undergraduate Advising Handbook available online or the department’s website. Students are assigned faculty advisors and must meet with their assigned faculty at least once each semester. Students are required to meet all advising requirements. They must complete a 30-hour checkout before registering for the last 30 semester hours of their program. In addition, each student must complete an approved graduation plan within the academic year of their intended graduation date. Prerequisites will be strictly enforced.

Note: Prerequisites must be taken before a course that requires them. Co-requisites are to be taken concurrently.