Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences - Graduate Programs in Information and Computer Science

DONALD BREN SCHOOL OF INFORMATION AND COMPUTER SCIENCES

Graduate Programs in Information and Computer Science

The Bren School of ICS offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science, Information and Computer Science, Networked Systems, and Statistics.

ICS Ph.D. students must complete a concentration in Informatics (INF).

ICS M.S. students must complete one of the following concentrations: Critical Practices in Art, Science and Technology (CPAST), Embedded Systems, or Informatics (INF).

See page 355 for additional information about the graduate program in Computer Science. See page 367 for additional information about the graduate program in Statistics. The degree program in Networked Systems is supervised by an interdepartmental faculty group from the Department of Computer Science in the Bren School and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in The Henry Samueli School of Engineering. Information is available on page 376 in the Interdisciplinary Studies section of the Catalogue.

ADMISSION

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of their prior academic record. Applicants for the M.S. degree are expected to have a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Those who do not have an undergraduate degree in computer science may take the Computer Science Advanced GRE test to demonstrate sufficient background in the field. Scores are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Ph.D. applicants will be evaluated in their potential for creative research and teaching in Information and Computer Science.

Applicants are expected to have (1) skills in computer programming at least equivalent to those obtained in college-level courses in programming and language development; (2) skills in mathematics equivalent to those obtained in complete college-level courses in logic and set theory, analysis, linear algebra and modern algebra, or probability and statistics; (3) data structures, analysis of algorithms, automata theory, or formal languages; and (4) computer architectures.

All applicants are evaluated on the materials submitted: letters of recommendation, official GRE test scores, official college transcripts, and personal statement. For more information, contact the ICS graduate counselor at (949) 824-5156 or send e-mail to gcounsel@ics.uci.edu.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance is available to Ph.D. students in the form of fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships. Although assistance varies, it is the School's goal to support all entering Ph.D. students, subject to availability of funds. International students who are not citizens of countries where English is either the primary or dominant language, as approved by Graduate Council, and who apply for teaching assistantships must take one of the approved English proficiency examinations. More information is available in the Graduate Division section of the Catalogue.

Financial assistance may be available through teaching assistantships and corporate internships for ICS M.S. students.

Students with a Previously Earned Master's Degree

Credit for one or all required courses may be given at the time of admission to those students who have completed a master's degree in computer science or a closely related field. Course equivalency will be determined by the Bren School Associate Dean for Student Affairs following a written recommendation from a sponsoring research advisor. Research advisors can require that a student take additional courses when this is appropriate.

An additional M.S. degree will not be awarded if the student currently holds an M.S. degree in computer science or a related field from another university.

Course Substitutions

A student who has taken relevant graduate courses at UCI or another university may petition to have a specific course certified as equivalent to one which satisfies Bren School of ICS requirements. The petition should describe the course and should be approved by either the student's advisor or the instructor teaching the class, and by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Only two courses can be substituted.

Master of Science Program

The Bren School offers M.S. degrees in Computer Science, Information and Computer Science, Networked Systems, and Statistics.

Students pursuing the M.S. in Information and Computer Science must complete a concentration in Critical Practices in Art, Science and Technology (CPAST), Embedded Systems, or Informatics (INF).

See page 355 for additional information about the graduate program in Computer Science. See page 367 for additional information about the graduate program in Statistics. See page 376 in the Interdisciplinary Studies section for additional information about the Networked Systems program.

M.S. students may select one of two options, the thesis plan or the comprehensive examination plan, as described below. The normative time for completion of the M.S. degree is two years. All study must be completed within four calendar years from the date of admission.

Plan I: Thesis Plan. The thesis option is available for graduate students who may wish to continue on to a Ph.D. program or those who wish to concentrate on a specific problem. To qualify for this option, students must be in good academic standing with their Department. The student must enroll in at least two quarters of Thesis Supervision (CS 298 or Informatics 298) that will substitute for two required courses as specified under the concentration area or specialization of choice. All required courses must be completed with a grade of B or better, and the student must write a research or thesis project. A committee of three faculty members (voting members of the Academic Senate) will guide the student and give final approval of the thesis. The committee will consist of an advisor (ICS faculty member) who is willing to supervise the thesis project, and two other faculty members (one of which must be from ICS) who are willing to serve on the committee as readers of the thesis. An oral presentation of the thesis to the committee will be required. Seminar courses such as Informatics 209S, CS 239S, CS 259S, CS 269S, and CS 279S cannot be applied to the required "other graduate courses" units.

Plan II: Comprehensive Examination Plan. The student completes the required units as specified under the concentration area. Each course must be completed with a grade of B or better. Seminar courses such as Informatics 209S, CS 239S, CS 259S, CS 269S, and CS 279S cannot be applied to the required "other graduate courses" units. The student must take a comprehensive examination given by ICS faculty. The examination covers the core requirements and is given twice a year (fall and spring quarters).

ICS CONCENTRATION IN CRITICAL PRACTICES IN ART, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (CPAST)—M.S.

Critical Practices in Art, Science and Technology (CPAST) Building
(949) 824-2109
Robert Nideffer, Director

NOTE: Please contact CPAST for information regarding admission to the program.

As digital technologies infiltrate increasingly diverse aspects of cultural practice, and human culture at large is influenced by the presence of digital technologies, there is a profound need for a new type of professional in industry, in education, and in the arts, who can help to construct, manage, and monitor these changes. Such a professional must be technically skilled, artistically skilled, and theoretically skilled, all at an equally high and rigorous level. The goal of the M.S. concentration in Critical Practices in Art, Science and Technology is to provide students with a broad-based and interdisciplinary training at the intersection of digital technology and cultural and artistic practices. The CPAST program is administered within the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences. It places equal emphasis on technical, artistic, and critical proficiency. Strongly practical in composition, it provides students with the opportunity to explore in detail topics such as telematic performance, immersive and augmented environments, embodied interaction, and the cultural impact of new technologies. In addition to offering the M.S. concentration, CPAST seeks to offer an array of courses and other interdisciplinary opportunities accessible and relevant to students across the campus.

Graduation is by publicly presented thesis project and written thesis, in addition to completion of course work.

Core Faculty

Beatriz da Costa, Diplôme National Supérieur d'Expression Plastique, École d'Art d'Aix-en-Provence (France), Associate Professor of Studio Art, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Informatics (robotic art, tactical media, biotech initiatives, urban ecologies, surveillance projects, collaborative practice, social change)

J. Paul Dourish, Ph.D. University College, London, Professor of Informatics and of Computer Science (human-computer interaction, computer-supported cooperative work)

Robert Nideffer, M.F.A., Ph.D. University of California, Santa Barbara, Associate Professor of Studio Art and Informatics (electronic intermedia, interface theory and design, technology and culture, contemporary social theory)

Simon Penny, Graduate Diploma in Sculpture, Sydney College of the Arts, New South Wales (Australia), Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Studio Art, and Informatics (electronic media art: practice, history and theory; technologies for embodied interaction; cultural applications of emerging technologies; multi-camera machine vision, immersive environments, robotics and motion control)

Program Faculty

Jonathan Alexander, Ph.D. Louisiana State University, Campus Writing Coordinator and Associate Professor of English (writing studies, composition/rhetoric, new media studies, sexuality studies)

James E. Bobrow, Ph.D. University of California, Los Angeles, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (robotics, applied nonlinear control, optimization methods)

Tom Boellstorff, Ph.D. Stanford University, Associate Professor of Anthropology (sexuality, globalization, nationalism, HIV/AIDS, and cybersociality)

John Crawford, Media Artist and Software Designer, Director of the Digital Arts Minor and Associate Professor of Dance (dance film, interactive media, telematic performance, motion capture, digital arts)

Christopher Dobrian, Ph.D. University of California, San Diego, Professor of Music and Informatics (electronic music, composition)

Gillian Hayes, Ph.D. Georgia Tech, Assistant Professor of Informatics (interactive and collaborative technology: human-computer interaction/computer supported cooperative work, educational technology, ubiquitous computing )

Peter Krapp, Ph.D. University of California, Santa Barbara, Associate Professor of Film and Media Studies (digital culture and media history, secret communications, history and theory of gadgets, games and simulations, representations of north and south pole regions, cultural memory)

Antoinette LaFarge, M.F.A. School of Visual Arts, Associate Professor of Studio Art (digital media)

Cristina Videira Lopes, Ph.D. Northeastern University, Associate Professor of Informatics and Computer Science (programming languages, acoustic communications, operating systems, software engineering)

Gloria Mark, Ph.D. Columbia University, Professor of Informatics (computer-supported cooperative work, human-computer interaction)

Gopi Meenakshisundaram, Ph.D. University of North Carolina, Associate Professor of Computer Science (geometry and topology for computer graphics, image-based rendering, object representation, surface reconstruction, collision detection, virtual reality, telepresence)

Joerg Meyer, Ph.D. University of Kaiserslautern, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and of Biomedical Engineering (computer graphics, scientific visualization, large-scale rendering, biomedical imaging, virtual reality)

Bonnie Nardi, Ph.D. University of California, Irvine, Professor of Informatics (interactive and collaborative technology: human-computer interaction/computer-supported cooperative work, educational technology)

Lisa Marie Naugle, Ph.D. New York University, Department Chair and Professor of Dance (modern dance, choreography, dance and digital technology, improvisation, motion capture)

Kavita Philip, Ph.D. Cornell University, Associate Professor of Women's Studies (science and technology studies, South Asian studies, political ecology, critical studies of race, gender, colonialism, new media, and globalization)

Mark S. Poster, Ph.D. New York University, Professor Emeritus of History and of Film and Media Studies (theory and history of the media, theory of technology and culture, and Internet studies)

David J. Reinkensmeyer, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (neuromuscular control, motor learning, robotics, and rehabilitation )

Jennifer Terry, Ph.D. University of California, Santa Cruz, Associate Professor of Women's Studies and Comparative Literature (cultural studies; science and technology studies; formations of sexuality; critical approaches to modernity; American studies in transnational perspective)

Bill Tomlinson, Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology; M.F.A. California Institute of the Arts, Assistant Professor of Informatics (autonomous characters, computational social behavior, interactive media, real-time animation)

Tau-Mu Yi, Ph.D. Massachussetts Institute of Technology, Assistant Professor of Developmental and Cell Biology (G-protein signaling; systems biology)

Required Courses

The CPAST concentration consists of a two-year curriculum. The following courses are required:

CPAST Core: Five CPAST interdisciplinary theory seminars (ICS 270), four CPAST studio/labs (ICS 271-277), two CPAST project internships (ICS 279), and one quarter of CPAST thesis research (ICS 278).

(NOTE: A total of 48 units of Core courses must be completed. Any of the CPAST core category courses may be reduced by one and replaced with a different CPAST core course or an elective, in consultation with the student's advisor.)

ICS Core: Four ICS courses, with at least one from each category listed below, passed with a grade of B or better:

Graphics and Interactive Systems: Visual Computing (CS 211A), Introduction to Visual Perception (CS 213), Human-Computer Interaction (Informatics 231), Ubiquitous Computing and Interaction (Informatics 242).

Software and Data-Intensive Systems: Principles of Data Management (CS 222), Software Engineering (Informatics 211), Introduction to Ubiquitous Computing (CS 248A/Informatics 241), Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (CS 271), Data Mining (CS 277), Distributed Computer Systems (CS 230).

Hardware and Design: Introduction to Embedded and Ubiquitous Systems (CS 244/Informatics 244), Computer Systems Architecture (CS 250A), Internet (CS 232), Introduction to Computer Design (CS 252).

Two additional breadth electives: that may be chosen by students in consultation with an advisor, and/or may be assigned by the CPAST program committee in consultation with the student. These courses will compensate for lacunae in the student's background and may include upper-division undergraduate courses when appropriate and approved in advance by the candidate's advisor.

A program faculty member from the Bren School of ICS will advise on elective selection and may be on the thesis committee.

ICS CONCENTRATION IN EMBEDDED SYSTEMS—M.S.

The goal of this program is to prepare students for challenges in developing future embedded systems. These future systems will further integrate communications, multimedia, and advanced processors with complex embedded and real-time software for automotive, medical, telecommunications, and many other application domains. Furthermore, embedded systems are becoming parallel, deploying multiprocessor systems-on-a-chip and parallel application software. An in-depth knowledge of the underlying scientific and engineering principles is required to understand these advances and to contribute productively to development of such systems. This program helps students master embedded system fundamentals, advanced computer architecture and compilers, networking, security, embedded, parallel and distributed software, and computer graphics in a sequence of courses and labs. Students also complete a large embedded systems project and may choose to write a Master's thesis.

Required Courses

The following courses must be completed with a grade of B or better: all students must complete six courses from the following List A: Introduction to Embedded and Ubiquitous Systems (CS 244), Design Automation and Prototyping of Embedded Systems (CS 247), Computer Systems Architecture (CS 250A), Internet (CS 232), Network and Distributed Systems Security (CS 203), Parallel Computing (CS 242), Modern Microprocessors (CS 250B), Distributed Computer Systems (CS 230), High-Performance Architectures and Their Compilers (CS 243).

Six additional courses chosen in one of the following two ways: (1) for students pursuing the M.S. thesis option, two four-unit courses in Thesis Supervision (CS 298 or Informatics 298) plus four graduate courses taken from List A or the following List B; or (2) for all other students, six graduate courses taken from List A or the following List B: Advanced Compiler Construction (CS 241), Software for Embedded Systems (CS 245), Validation and Testing of Embedded Systems (CS 246), Introduction to Computer Design (CS 252), Advanced System Software (Engineering EECS 211), Visual Computing (CS 211A). Introduction to Ubiquitous Computing (CS 248A/Informatics 241), Software Engineering (Informatics 211), Advanced User Interface Architecture (Informatics 235), Wireless and Mobile Networking (CS 236), Digital System Verification and Testing (CS 251), Design Description and Modeling (CS 253), Design Synthesis (CS 254), System Tools (CS 255), Combinational Algorithm for Design Synthesis (CS 258), Data Compression (CS 267), Graph Algorithms (CS 265), Real-Time Computer Systems (Engineering EECS 223). M.S. students who do not have an undergraduate degree in Computer Science or equivalent must also take CS 260.

Comprehensive Examination or Thesis

Each student must either (1) pass a comprehensive examination administered by the Embedded Systems faculty; or (2) submit a thesis for approval by a three-person committee consisting of an advisor (who is an ICS Embedded Systems full-time faculty member) and two other full-time faculty members (one of which must be from ICS).

INTERNATIONAL ICS CONCENTRATION IN EMBEDDED SYSTEMS—M.S.

ICS now offers an international version of its M.S. degree program in Information and Computer Science with a concentration in Embedded Systems. The program is taught by UCI faculty in Naples, Italy, and at UCI. It starts with one five-week summer session at UCI, nine months in Italy, and concludes with an additional five-week summer session at UCI. This allows students to gain experience with the culture and business practices in the European Union, an important edge in the global corporate world. The program is geared toward the needs of both international and U.S. students who wish to participate. All courses will be taught in English. Internships at U.S. and European companies may be possible during or after the completion of the program. For more information see http://ms-es.cib.na.cnr.it/ or e-mail the program directors Alex Veidenbaum and Alex Nicolau at alex.veidenbaum@ics.uci.edu or nicolau@ics.uci.edu.

ICS CONCENTRATION IN INFORMATICS—M.S.

See course requirements under Doctor of Philosophy program below.

Doctor of Philosophy Program

The Bren School offers Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science, Information and Computer Science, Networked Systems, and Statistics.

Students pursuing the Ph.D. in Information and Computer Science must complete a concentration in Informatics (INF).

The Ph.D. program is research oriented and encourages students to work together with faculty to solve advanced problems in information and computer science. The program is designed for full-time study, and the normative time for completion of the Ph.D. is five years (four years for students who entered with a master's degree). The maximum time permitted is seven years. Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Teaching Requirements for the Ph.D. Program

All ICS doctoral students are required to participate in a minimum of two quarters of teaching activities before graduating. College-level teaching activities in UCI Summer Sessions or UCI Extension, or service at other U.S. universities may be accepted in fulfillment of this requirement.

Timeline for the Ph.D. Program

All course requirements must be satisfied prior to the student's application for advancement to candidacy. The normative time for advancement to candidacy is four years (three years for students who entered with a master's degree). Information on the selection of committees, advancement to candidacy, development of a doctoral dissertation, and final examination on the dissertation is available from the ICS Student Affairs Office.

Graduate Program in Mathematical and Computational Biology

The graduate program in Mathematical and Computational Biology (MCB) is a one-year "gateway" program designed to function in concert with selected graduate programs, including the Ph.D. in Information and Computer Science. The time to degree for students entering the Ph.D. program in ICS from MCB begins when the student first transfers to the ICS program. Detailed information is available online at http://mcsb.bio.uci.edu/ and in the School of Biological Sciences section of the Catalogue, page 150.

ICS CONCENTRATION IN INFORMATICS (INF)—M.S. AND PH.D.

Informatics is the interdisciplinary study of the design, application, use, and impact of information technology. It goes beyond technical design to focus on the relationship between information system design and use in real-world settings. These investigations lead to new forms of system architecture, new approaches to system design and development, new means of information system implementation and deployment, and new models of interaction between technology and social, cultural, and organizational settings.

In the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences, Informatics is concerned with software architecture, software development, design and analysis, programming languages, ubiquitous computing, information retrieval and management, human-computer interaction, computer-supported cooper

ative work, and other topics that lie at the relationship between information technology design and use in social and organizational settings. Effective design requires an ability to analyze things from many different perspectives, including computer science, information science, organizational science, social science, and cognitive science. Relevant courses in those disciplines are therefore an integral part of the program and give this concentration a unique interdisciplinary flavor—which is imperative as the computing and information technology fields play such a pervasive role in our daily lives.

Students must complete the Survey courses, Informatics Core courses, Informatics Breadth courses, and a focus track in General Informatics, Software, Interactive and Collaborative Technology, or Ubiquitous Computing. All courses must be passed with a grade of B or better.

Survey of Research and Research Methods: Research Methods in Informatics (Informatics 201) and two quarters of Seminar in Informatics (Informatics 209S).

Informatics Core Courses: three courses chosen from Software Engineering (Informatics 211), Human-Computer Interaction (Informatics 231), Introduction to Ubiquitous Computing (Informatics 241), Social Analysis of Computing (Informatics 261).

Informatics Breadth: two four-unit graduate courses in ICS, CS, or Statistics, outside of Informatics.

Students must choose a track and complete the required courses:

General Informatics Track (GEN)
Electives: six four-unit graduate courses approved by the student's advisor and the Department Chair.

Software Track (SW)
Software electives: three courses from Formal Specification and Modeling (Informatics 213), Software Analysis and Testing (Informatics 215), Software Processes (Informatics 217), Software Environments (Informatics 219), Software Architecture (Informatics 221), Applied Software Design (Informatics 223), Knowledge-Based User Interfaces (Informatics 233), Advanced User Interface Architecture (Informatics 235), Special Topics (Informatics 295 by Software faculty; no more than two 295s are permitted).

Software Breadth: three graduate courses outside of Software, drawn from a list maintained by the Software faculty.

Interactive and Collaborative Technology Track (ICT)
ICT electives (group 1): two courses chosen from Computerization, Work, and Organizations (Informatics 263), Theories of Computerization and Information Systems (Informatics 265), Qualitative Research Methods in Information Systems (Informatics 203), Quantitative Research Methods in Information Systems (Informatics 205 or Social Science 201A and 201B).

ICT electives (group 2): two courses chosen from Knowledge-Based User Interfaces (Informatics 233), Advanced User Interface Architectures (Informatics 235), Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (Informatics 251).

ICT Breadth: two four-unit graduate courses approved by the student's advisor. Students are encouraged, but not required, to take them outside of Informatics.

Ubiquitous Computing Track (UBICOMP)
Additional required courses: Ubiquitous Computing and Interaction (Informatics 242) and Introduction to Embedded and Ubiquitous Systems (Informatics 244).

UBICOMP Breadth: four four-unit graduate courses approved by the student's advisor. Students are encouraged, but not required, to take them outside of Informatics.

Research Project for the Ph.D.

Each student must find an Informatics faculty advisor and successfully complete a research project with that faculty member by the end of the second year. The research project should be done over at least two quarters of independent study or thesis supervision (Informatics 299 or 298) with that faculty.

Written Assessment for the Ph.D.

Each student must pass a written assessment. Students in the SW and ICT tracks must pass a written examination (also known as phase II exam) regularly administered by the Department. This examination is based on predetermined reading lists maintained by the SW and ICT faculty, respectively. Students in the UBICOMP and GEN tracks must describe the research project in a publication-quality report, which must be approved by three UBICOMP and Informatics faculty, respectively.

Candidacy Examination for the Ph.D.

Each student must pass the oral advancement to candidacy examination, which assesses the student's ability to conduct, present, and orally defend research work at the doctoral level. The candidacy committee will consist of five faculty members, the majority of whom must be members of the student's program, and the examination is conducted in accordance with UCI Senate regulations. The student must complete the course requirements, complete the research project, and pass the written assessment prior to advancing to candidacy. The oral candidacy examination consists of a research presentation by the student, followed by questions from the candidacy committee.

Students in the UBICOMP and GEN tracks, additionally to questions about the presented research, will also be asked questions about a predetermined list of readings. In the case of UBICOMP, that list is maintained by the UBICOMP faculty; in the case of GEN, that list is to be determined by the student's committee.

Doctoral Dissertation Topic Defense

The student must present a substantial written document representing the student's dissertation plan. This document must include the proposed dissertation abstract, a dissertation outline, a comprehensive survey of related work, and a detailed plan for completing the work. The dissertation plan is presented by the student to the dissertation committee, which must unanimously approve the student's proposal. The dissertation defense committee is formed in accordance with UCI Senate regulations.

Doctoral Dissertation and Final Examination

The student is required to complete a doctoral dissertation in accordance with Academic Senate regulations. In addition, the student must pass an oral thesis defense which consists of a public presentation of the student's research followed by an oral examination by the student's doctoral committee. The thesis must be approved unanimously by the committee.