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About the College

Founded in 1982, Northeastern's College of Computer and Information Science was the first college in the nation devoted to Computer Science. We are also one of the pioneers in the creation of degree programs in Information Science. As an independent college within a large university, we have the agility to form interdisciplinary programs with all other academic units and this has led to ties with Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, Criminal Justice, and the Bouve College of Health Sciences at the undergraduate and graduate level.

The college boasts one of the top programming languages research groups in the country. We also support strong research programs in software development, algorithms and theory, formal methods, networks, security, systems, databases, information retrieval and data mining, human-computer interaction, and artificial intelligence.

The 19 undergraduate degree programs draw upon the core programs in Computer Science and Information Science. The CS program requires an understanding of both functional and object-oriented design and includes principles of systems, networks, languages, and algorithms. The IS program builds on the basics of CS and examines the design and integration of systems for applications in business, government, and health care.

Undergraduates have the option of integrating the core programs with important applications domains. Dual majors are offered that combine CS or IS with either Business or Cognitive Psychology. In addition, there are dual majors that join CS with the sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Biology, or Environmental Science) or with the digital arts (Game Design, Multimedia or Music Technology). Finally, students who wish to learn both the CS and the IS perspectives may pursue a CS/IS dual major.

The MS degrees in computer science, information assurance, and health informatics are geared to professionals who wish to sharpen their understanding and practical skills.  The PhD program engages students in the research essential for advanced careers.

Under the direction of CCIS, Northeastern University has been certified as an NSA Center of Excellence in Information Assurance Education since 2001. Courses related to cyber security are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. NSA scholarships are available for highly qualified upper level undergraduates and master's level students.

CCIS is located in a newer facility which offers state-of-the-art classrooms and labs, wired and wireless networks, and open meeting space that is thoughtfully designed to stimulate informal interaction between professors and students as well as more systematic research collaboration. This building was awarded the 2005 Harleston Parker Medal by the Boston Society of Architects as the best new building in the Boston metro area.

CCIS offers the atmosphere of a small, close-knit college with all of the resources of a large, urban university. The campus is steps away from Boston's best venues for culture and entertainment, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Symphony Hall, and Fenway Park. Other attractions may be reached via short trips on the Boston transit system.

Both undergraduates and graduate students receive co-op and career positions with top companies, including Amazon, Intuit, Microsoft, Google, EMC, and IBM/Lotus. Opportunities also exist with small start-ups as well as with firms that are deeply involved with computing applications.