Prospective Student FAQs

The CSE program includes emphases in foundational areas such as high-performance computing, computational data analysis and machine learning, modeling and simulation, discrete algorithms, and numerical and scientific computing. It is inherently interdisciplinary, integrating topics in computer science, mathematics, science, and engineering and including one or more application domains where computing skills could be used to solve real-world problems. Students are required to take courses outside of computer science to develop broader computational skills and deeper knowledge in application areas, such as biology or finance. 

A computer science program typically includes a wider range of traditional computer science areas and is not intended to be interdisciplinary.  Students may take little to no coursework outside of computer science and may not be interested in application areas. 

Each student chooses to apply to the CSE program through a specific “home unit,” which is a School/Department that will serve as the student’s academic and administrative home within the CSE program if the student is admitted. Application deadlines, financial assistance and lab space are typically determined by the rules and practices of each home unit. In addition, in many home units there is an expectation that students will select some courses from the home unit. See the CSE Student Handbook for more information. 

You should choose a home unit that aligns with your background and interests. For Ph.D. and M.S. thesis students, an important consideration is the home unit of the program faculty with whom you have the closest research interests, since your research advisor(s) must be a CSE program faculty member in your home unit. In general, students homed in a particular discipline will be expected to have some proficiency background or demonstrated interest within that discipline; for example, students homed in the School of Physics would be expected to have or to develop some expertise in physics. 

I am interested in your master’s degree program, but my undergraduate degree is not in computer science, mathematics, a physical science (e.g., physics, chemistry, or biology) or engineering. Can I still be considered for admission?

My background isn’t in computers, but I’ve worked with them a lot. What types of prerequisite courses should I take to prepare me for the program?

Possibly; such a change requires the approval of the home unit to which you would like to transfer. At the Ph.D. level, an important consideration in granting such requests will be whether a potential research advisor(s) in the home unit to which you wish to transfer has been identified and has expressed a commitment to supporting you. Please contact the home unit to which you would like to transfer for further information about the process.

How long does it take to complete the program?

If I am admitted to the master’s program and later decide that the Ph.D. degree is what I really want, do I have to reapply as a Ph.D. applicant?

The School of Computational Science and Engineering participates in five Ph.D. programs: the interdisciplinary Computational Science and Engineering, Machine Learning, Bioinformatics, and Bioengineering programs as well as the Computer Science program.

Both the Computer Science Ph.D. program and the interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs in which the School of CSE participates (Computational Science and Engineering, Machine Learning, Bioinformatics, and Bioengineering) are offered through multiple Schools. When you prepare your application for any of these programs, you will need to choose to apply through one of the participating Schools, which will oversee the review of your application. You should choose the School whose faculty research interests best align with your own. In particular, your Ph.D. research advisor will need to be a member of that School’s faculty as well as a member of the program’s faculty. If you apply to a Ph.D. program through the School of CSE, it is highly recommended that you express interest in working with at least one member of the School of CSE faculty.

In most cases, it is not necessary to know at a detailed level the type of research problem you want to study. However, faculty are heavily involved in reviewing applications, and students typically are matched with research advisors when offers of admission are extended to facilitate involvement in research from each student’s first semester. Describing your past research projects and your research interests and goals as a Ph.D. student will help faculty to assess whether there is a good alignment with current opportunities. 

Most home units, including the School of CSE, admit students only in the Fall semester. Please contact your desired home unit if you wish to enroll during Spring.

See information about Georgia Tech’s English proficiency requirements; some home units may have higher requirements.  

The GRE general test is required for CSE M.S. applications by most home units, but it is optional for applications at the Ph.D. level for any School of CSE Ph.D. program.

What codes do I use to send GRE and TOEFL scores?

We prefer letters that can speak to your academic capabilities and, for Ph.D. students, potential to conduct research. Often, letters from faculty at universities or scientists in research laboratories can speak to these issues in a compelling way.  Nevertheless, a professional reference from your current supervisor in your place of employment, if applicable, may complement academic references, especially if you have been out of school for a while. Professional references should address your technical skills and abilities.

Can I apply to more than one Georgia Tech program, degree level, and/or home unit?

An admitted applicant is sometimes allowed to defer their admission for up to one year. Such situations are handled on a case-by-case basis.  Please contact your home unit. Deferrals of more than one year are not allowed; a new application would be required and admission would not be guaranteed.

I did not receive an offer of admission to this program, but I feel that my record is very strong. Can you give me feedback on how to strengthen my application?

You will still need to apply, but as a current student you will use a different process. Contact the home unit to which you wish to apply for further information about the process of adding/changing to the CSE degree for that unit. The School of CSE has a single annual deadline of February 1 to apply to add/change to the CSE M.S. degree. 

Georgia Tech policy generally allows up to six credits (two courses) to be counted toward two different MS degrees; some dual-degree programs have been specifically approved to allow more sharing. 

All relevant prior courses taken before your program change can be applied to help fulfill the requirements of the CSE M.S. program. 

At present, no. Many courses are offered only in person through the Atlanta campus.  

In most cases no, at least not entirely.  Many courses are offered only in person through the Atlanta campus, and the research component of the Ph.D. degree requires working closely with a faculty advisor. Thus, completing the program requirements likely would not be possible without spending time on the Atlanta campus. With approval from their advisors, some students  can spend part of their time in the program away from campus, especially after they have completed early degree requirements, such as coursework and the qualifying exam, and have established their dissertation topic.