Computer Science

College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Why UWyo?

The Computer Science department conducts research in a wide variety of  areas, from functional programming, formal verification, and theorem proving to  artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and cybersecurity. Our faculty  regularly publish in top-level venues, including recent papers in Science and  the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

We are leading several interdisciplinary centers that involve other departments on campus; in particular the Center for Design Thinking, the Cybersecurity  Education and Research (CEDAR) Center, and the Artificially Intelligent Manufacturing (AIM) Center. We regularly collaborate with companies and other research institutions;  internships are available as part of these partnerships. Our interdisciplinary  collaborations allow us to integrate graduate students with a wide variety of  backgrounds — prepare to broaden your horizon beyond computer science!

We are a small department and you will have the opportunity to have an impact,  both with your research and on the department itself. We regularly provide  opportunities for all students to visit conferences and workshops and participate in other events that will further your research or put you in  contact with prospective employers. Our recent graduates are now pursuing  careers as scientists in industry or college professors.

Most of our graduate students receive a full stipend for tuition costs and  living expenses. The cost of living in beautiful Laramie is among the lowest in  the US. We are situated in the heart of a small college town between two mountain ranges that offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities year-round.

About Our Graduate Education Program

In the Department of Computer Science at the University of Wyoming, graduate students from around the world are brought together to learn in an exciting atmosphere of curiosity and discovery. The Department offers small graduate classes taught by well-qualified professors. State-of-the-art equipment allows you to gain hands-on experience as you explore the field of computer science.

The M.S. degree has been offered since the Department's formation in 1971, the Ph.D. in computer science since 1988.

The faculty includes professors, all of whom received their doctorates in computer science or closely related fields from respected institutions, as well as lecturers. Their research interests are diversified in several areas. Support for their research comes from a variety of internal and external sources, and many of the faculty and graduate students receive funding that provides research assistantships, equipment, supplies, travel, and other assistance.

We invite you to join our Department and explore your role in the future of computer science.

If you are interested in receiving further information about the Computer Science Department, please click here for our Pre-Applicant Survey.

Acceptance Criteria

**Please note our departments minimum acceptance criteria for admission are as follows**

Applicants for a graduate degree in computer science are expected to have completed undergraduate courses in Algorithms and Data Structures (COSC 3020 equivalent), Theory of Computing (COSC 4100 or 4200 equivalent), Operating Systems (COSC 4740 equivalent), and Programming languages or Compilers (COSC 4780 or 4785 equivalent). Applicants to the doctoral program must have completed a bachelor's degree in computer science or a closely related discipline at an accredited university or college.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all applicants. GRE scores are required with minimums of 40th percentile for the verbal score and 65th percentile for the quantitative score. Our strongest students tend to have scores substantially above these minimums, with quantitative scores often around the 90th percentile or higher.

Students whose native language is not English must also complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of at least 550 on the paper based TOEFL; 213 on the computerized test including a 58 or better in section 1-Reading; 80 for the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) including a score of 23 or better in section 1-Reading or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test with a 6.5 score or better.

You must submit to the online application system contact information for three references that can evaluate your potential for graduate study in computer science. If you wish to pursue a Ph.D., the letters should address your ability to pursue quality original research. Letters should also evaluate your oral and written communication skills.

If you meet the minimum criteria and would like to formally apply for admission you will also need to submit the following information during the completion of your application via the application portal:

Copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities (minimum GPA or equivalent 3.0 on a scale of 4.0) for all degrees attained. International applicants must submit copies of individual semester transcripts, consolidated transcripts will not be accepted.

Copy of GRE scores a minimum percentile of 40% on verbal and 65% on quantitative portions of the exam. The majority of admitted students tend to have scores substantially above these minimums.

Contact information for three recommendation letters (applicants should follow-up with recommenders to ensure this requirement is fulfilled; applications will not be processed further until all recommendations have been received).

International students will also need to submit a copy of TOEFL scores, or IELTS scores.

Deadlines

Deadline for application are September 15 for the following Spring semester and January 15th for the following Fall semester; only complete applications received by the previously noted deadlines will be considered further for program admission.  The admission decision will be based on all aspects of your application,

Please note a complete application requires that all application materials be received by the department and are unexpired. No guarantees can be made that admission will be considered for the desired start semester if application materials are received after the cited deadlines.

However, in the event that openings remain after the deadlines have passed, applications will continue to be reviewed.

The link below will allow you to log back into your graduate application at any time: https://www.uwyo.edu/admissions/graduate/application.html

Please note: ALL application materials must be submitted online through the applicant portal. If you are recommended for admission official copies for transcripts, GRE, and if necessary TOFEL/IELTS scores will need to be sent to the Admissions Office.

Here are additional informative links:

Graduate Admission Information: https://www.uwyo.edu/admissions/graduate/

Funding Graduate Education: https://www.uwyo.edu/uwgrad/prospective/finances.html

On-Campus Housing: https://www.uwyo.edu/reslife-dining/

Assistantships:

Financial support for qualified graduate students is available mainly in the form of teaching and research assistantships. Besides the stipend, the University of Wyoming waives tuition and fees for all graduate assistantships, depending on the amount of the assistantship awarded. Typical scores of those awarded financial support are GRE quantitative and verbal scores higher than 90 and 75 percentiles respectively.

Teaching assistantships (TAs) involve teaching-related activities such as a teaching assistant, laboratory assistant, and/or grader. International students are required to pass the English oral proficiency exam (OPI) before they can be awarded a TA.

Another source of financial aid comes through research assistantships (RAs). These positions are funded by research grants awarded to and administered by faculty. Students should contact faculty directly to be considered for RA positions.

Additionally, occasionally hourly employment as a laboratory assistant or as a grader is sometimes available, although such positions do not carry a tuition waiver.

International student information:

International Students Services: https://www.uwyo.edu/iss/

In order for international students to receive an I-20 or DS-2019 document it will be necessary for them to document to UW and to a consular official at a U.S. embassy or consulate that they can meet these costs for at least their first year of study in the United States.

As part of the admissions process it will be necessary to complete a Confidential Financial Statement document before final admission is granted. This is a standard process at institutions throughout the country. Cost of attendance is a key factor in considering which school to attend in the United States. Many schools are very expensive and the individual must have financial resources for their entire educational experience in the United States.

International students are required to have health insurance (it is available through the University). Other expenses will include housing, food, and textbooks.

Contact Information:

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the department:

Email: cosc@uwyo.edu

Mail:

Dept. of Computer Science

University of Wyoming

Dept 3315 1000 E University Ave

Laramie WY 82071