Cutting Edge Tech
Get hands-on experience with today's most exciting technology, such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, data science, computer graphics, and more!
Learn Together
Collaborate with our research faculty on projects or scientific papers, and work with other students to gain valuable teamwork skills as software developers.
Meets on Fridays!
Welcome
The NIU Computer Science Department has been educating computer science professionals for nearly 50 years. Our programs emphasize strong foundations and practical preparation, enabling graduates to assume meaningful roles in the computing workforce. As artificial intelligence continues to transform computing across domains, the department actively evolves its curriculum in response to advances in AI, data-driven computing, and modern security challenges.
At the graduate level, we offer a flexible, track-based MS in Computer Science with areas of study including artificial intelligence and machine learning, data analytics, visualization, computer vision, natural language processing, and advanced software systems. The department also offers a separate MS in Cybersecurity, as well as a research-focused PhD in Computer Science, supporting a wide range of professional and academic pathways.
We invite you to explore our programs, research activities, and student opportunities as we prepare graduates for long-term success in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving computing landscape. — Nicholas Karonis, Chair
News
- Congratulations to Professor Kholidy on receiving his Best Paper Award for the third time as a Sole Author! "A Novel Blockchain Approach for Continuously Authenticating UAV's to Achieve Zero Trust Principles in 5G-enabled UAV's" is described as the first of its kind!
- Congratulations to CS Major and Research Rookie Minhaz Patel, who with his faculty mentor Professor Alhoori, won Second Place at NIU's Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement!
- Faculty member Geoffrey Decker has been selected as a 2022 IBM Champion, as well as for 2023! This program recognizes individuals who make extraordinary contributions to the IBM communities through advocacy, offerings, and programs; sharing their knowledge and expertise; and helping nurture and grow the community.
- The data, devices, and interaction laboratory (ddiLab), lead by PRSA Professor Michael Papka and Associate Research Professor Joe Insley, is designated by Intel as an oneAPI Center of Excellence.
- Check out the ACM Presentation this Thursday, October 14th in PM 103 with Brian Kasper from Insurance Auto Auctions as they discuss how CS majors fit into the job market today.
- Two CS Alumni are recognized by the NIU Alumni Association with Distinguished Alumnus (Velchamy Sankarlingam M.S. ’90) and Alumni Achievement in the Sciences Award (Matt Price ’09) distinctions.
- Professor Alhoori and Professor Koop are featured in a NIU Newsroom University broadcast highlighting their contributions to an "explainable AI" to help with the reproducibility crisis in research.
- NIU Master's student Ryan Lewis presented a poster on “Log-Based Fingerprinting of HPC Applications” at the annual ISC High Performance Conference.
Events
- Thursday, January 29th, 4:30pm to 6:00pm: ACM x IGDO is hosting a Social Event open to all CS students! Meet at the Opportunity Zone, next to Einstein Bros Bagel on the basement floor of the Founders Memorial Library!
BY THE NUMBERS
Degree Programs
External Funding
Patents