Computer Science

CS

While technology and algorithms are an important part of computer science, the computing field is centered around helping people and society. In the WPI Computer Science Department, we explore both the theory and practice behind core systems, algorithms, foundations, and design in computing. We apply these capabilities to advance humanity through intelligent tutoring, bioinformatics, human-computer interaction, security and privacy, graphics and animation, and more. Our educational mission helps students learn the core of computing to apply it to help others. Our research mission is to advance humanity's knowledge and create a positive impact in the world.

WPI's Computer Science department is an incubator of interdisciplinary programs, such as in Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Cyber Security, Data Science, Interactive Media and Game Development, Neuroscience, and Learning Sciences and Technology. Our faculty collaborate broadly to integrate computing across disciplinary boundaries.

Our department fully embraces project-based learning both in our classes and as separate endeavors. We help students learn how to identify problems, evaluate potential solutions, and build the structure needed to make those solutions a reality. Our graduates do more than build software tools; they build lasting, positive value.

CONTACT
Phone: 508-831-5357
Fax: 508-831-5776

377,500


Annual job openings through 2032

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Best Computer Science MS


Top 12 on campus and top 9 online

Fortune (2024)

$136,620


Median salary for computer and information research scientists

Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022)

Computer Science Education, the WPI Way

Click below to hear CS faculty discuss their passion for teaching, advising undergraduate projects and graduate research, ensuring that WPI students are being taught the most up-to-date curriculum, their commitment to ensuring the entire community is inclusive to all students, and their drive to help new students feel like they belong. 

Dept Head and Professor Craig Shue

Talks about the magic of computer science, his drive to share this passion with students in the classroom, through undergraduate projects and advising graduate research. He also shares what students can expect from the WPI experience. 

Putting Theory into Practice

Project based learning is a pilar of the WPI academic experience. Undergraduate students can work in teams across the globe to make major impacts on our community and beyond. This global project is the Interactive Qualifying Project. The second is the Major Qualifying Project, which is completed senior year focusing on a project in Computer Science. 

Our graduate students and faculty work on cutting-edge research in the fields of Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Learning Sciences & Technology and Cybersecurity just to name a few. Click below to hear more! 

Undergraduate MQP Poster Presentations

Increasing Accessibility at the Worcester EcoTarium

CS students Joe Fox, Owen McGinley, Dylan Olmsted, Dylan Phillips and Brandon Vuong discuss their project in which they created an app for visually impaired users who visit the EcoTarium in Worcester, MA. 

Graduate Student Research

Clustering for Confidentiality

Adam Beauchaine presents his cyber security research: Clustering for Confidentiality, An Exploration of Unsupervised Learning for the Security of Data Assets. 

WPI offers two master’s degrees in computer science to help students find the right academic path to reach their career goals. Find out which degree is right for you.

CS Faculty Highlights

Assistant Professor Roee Shraga

Describes his work to improve the data used by Artificial Intelligence systems and algorithms, specifically efficient ways to find, clean and organize data for better science.

Read about the Accomplishments of our Award Winning Faculty in the Most Recent Edition of SIGBITS

Faculty Spotlights

Professor Erin Solovey

Associate Professor Erin Solovey

Selected as Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellow for the 2024-2025 academic year. “Stepping into the rich intellectual community created by the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship will provide the space and platform to engage with the wider world to identify areas where AI and computer science can help humans and the planet as well as where it may open new problems,” Solovey said. “This type of intellectual exchange is much-needed right now in computer science and artificial intelligence research. The field is moving rapidly and its impact on people and the planet is substantial and growing.”

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Our students do really well in the workforce. They are solving problems, they are able to work quicker, better and more efficiently than their peers. Beginning Quote Icon of beginning quote
  • Amanda Laungani from the Heebner Career Development Center

Careers in Computer Science

The widespread and increasing use of computers and information technology has generated a need for highly trained, innovative workers with extensive practical and theoretical expertise. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics continually predicts a faster-than-average growth rate in computer science jobs, thanks to the continued creation and adoption of new technologies.

Alumni Success Stories

people in construction clothes

Digging Deep

To aid a fragile planet, alumni trio uses AI to improve scrap metal recycling in the face of growing demand.

Meet Our Students

Giampaolo Maneri '26
Giampaolo Maneri '26
BS in Computer Science

Giampaolo thrives in WPI’s project-based learning environment, gaining varied opportunities and support for his academic and professional endeavors.[...]

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