Computer Science

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Fall 2024, Winter 2025 Outstanding Teaching Assistants and Peer Mentors

Fall, Winter Outstanding Teaching Assistants and Peer Mentors

The quarterly department awards recognize exceptional service to the CS community.Read more

Northwestern Computer Science Research Track program cohort

Learning the Fundamentals of Academic Research

On April 3, the cohort of Northwestern Computer Science Research Track program students presented projects they developed over fall and winter quarters.Read more

Professor Michael Horn and students

Professor Michael Horn Honored with University Teaching Award

The five honorees demonstrate excellence in undergraduate teaching and were selected by a committee chaired by the provost and made up of senior faculty members, University administrators and a student representative.Read more

WildHacks 2025

Record-Breaking WildHacks 2025 Showcases Problem-Solving Skills

A record 348 students representing 57 universities completed 94 innovative software projects during the WildHacks 2025 event held April 5-6 at Northwestern.Read more

View open faculty and postdoc positions in the department

View Open Positions

About the Department

Transforming the way we work, play, think, and live

Watch our video:Why Join Northwestern Computer Science?

Computers and computational thinking are changing everything. At Northwestern University’s Department of Computer Science, we aim to lead that change.

Northwestern Computer Science is an ideal hub for highly interdisciplinary computer science education and research. With numerous collaborations across disciplines at Northwestern's top-ranked schools, students and faculty have the power to explode the possibilities of computer science. The department, which has radically expanded its faculty and moved to state-of-the-art facilities to support its vision, also fosters a culture of belonging, mentorship, and student support. This combination offers our students and researchers an experience like no other.

Read a message from the Chair

Department News

Going Quantum

Magazine

Going Quantum

Northwestern Engineering researchers, including Professor Kate Smith, are collaborating to harness the extraordinary phenomena that underlie the origin and structure of the universe.

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Research Areas

Pushing the boundaries of computer science

CS+X Initiative

Exploding the possibilities of interdisciplinary research

We are working to actively discover and support relationships between computer science and diverse disciplines across the University. In doing so, we can drive transformational connections and potentially spark entirely new fields of study.


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Chicago Tech

Connecting with Chicago's growing technology sector

Situated along the lake, 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, Northwestern’s unique location offers unsurpassed access to research partnerships and networking opportunities at neighboring tech organizations.


Programs

Learning on the cutting edge

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Combined BS/MS Degree Program

Minor in Artificial Intelligence

Minor in Computer Science

Note: The department offers a bachelor of science in computer science for students enrolled in the McCormick School of Engineering, as well as a bachelor of arts in computer science for students enrolled in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. The computer science-specific requirements of the two degrees are identical.

Introduction to Computer Science

Northwestern students who are interested in changing their major, or simply sampling the computer science field, can take individual introductory courses.

Learn more about introductory courses

Graduate

Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence

Master of Science in Computer Science

PhD in Computer Science

PhD students may earn a specialization in cognitive science by taking six cognitive science courses and may elect to participate in the Crown Family Graduate Internship Program.

Affiliated

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

Human-Computer Interaction Certificate

Master of Science in Computer Engineering

Master of Science in Information Technology

Master of Science in Robotics

Minor in Machine Learning and Data Science

PhD in Computer Engineering

PhD in Computer Science and Learning Sciences

PhD in Technology and Social Behavior

The MBAi Program

Department Events

Bringing relevant conversations to the forefront

Learn and engage with our community at one of our CS department events. 

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Discover Our Whole-Brain Engineering Philosophy

We augment the analytical core of engineering with design, entrepreneurship, leadership, personal development, and unusual collaborations to imagine what's next and take the world in a whole new direction.

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