Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences
Visit the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Science at:
http://www.ics.uci.edu/
School Overview
Computers and/or communication technologies are changing the world. From
the largest information processing software systems to the smallest
micro-chip, these technologies play a vital role. Futurists talk in terms
of the "information economy," the "information society," and even the
"information age." UCI's Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Science
(ICS) is in the center of this revolution, with programs of instruction and
research in a variety of areas within computer and information technology.
The fundamental intellectual features of the information and computer
sciences are applicable to many scholarly and scientific fields. ICS
faculty cover a broad spectrum of important topics in their research and
teaching interests, including:
- high-speed multi-media networks, distributed and parallel computing
architectures, operating systems and programming languages
- formal and mathematical methods for analyzing and improving the
performance of computational systems
- the design and synthesis of networked and embedded computer systems
- design and engineering of large software systems for critical
applications; artificial intelligence and knowledge discovery in databases;
computer graphics, geometry, and visualization
- information technologies in biology and medicine, including genomics,
the process of reverse engineering gene and protein networks and
understanding biology at the system level, and cost-effective health care
and medical information access as well as quality medical decision making
- computer-supported cooperative work, the study of how people work
together through computational systems and human-computer interaction,
the study of how people and systems interact
- the economics, sociology, and application of the technology in modern
organizations
The faculty are concerned with more than just technology; however, ICS is
truly an interdisciplinary department, simultaneously grounded in science
and oriented toward application.
Academic Offerings
An ICS undergraduate education is a blend of scholarship, science, technology,
and practical application that forms an excellent foundation for professional
life and prepares a student with serviceable skills useful for a lifetime.
The basis of the ICS undergraduate program is a set of fundamental courses
in mathematics and computer science, supplemented by a breadth of courses
from other academic disciplines. A premium is placed on communication and
analytic skills. Students start early with hands-on experience with advanced
computing systems, and intense use of computer and network technologies
continues throughout the undergraduate program. Students work with
state-of-the-art hardware and software technologies, learn several
contemporary programming languages, and make extensive use of distributed
learning environments, virtual worlds, and collaborative games.
The research mission of the University of California enables UCI to offer
a distinctive type of undergraduate education in which students can become
involved with advanced subjects even before texts are available on these
subjects. In a rapidly evolving field such as information and computer
science, this type of access is particularly important. ICS students can
gain experience with topics such as hardware/software codesign; embedded
systems; Internet, mobile and pervasive computing; computer security and
cryptography; biomedical informatics; and the managerial and social
aspects of computing technology.
The ICS curriculum is particularly flexible, allowing students to explore
in-depth particular information and computer science topics or to explore
areas in which these technologies are applied. Some students minor in areas
such as mathematics, management, digital arts, and linguistics. Others focus
their upper-division work by completing one or more specializations.
Artificial Intelligence
This specialization prepares students in both the theory and implementation
of artificial intelligence methods, covering such topics as search, expert
systems, neural nets, Bayesian networks, and knowledge discovery in
databases. These topics have practical applications and they also form the
foundation for research.
Computer Systems
Students in this specialization acquire in-depth knowledge of the design and
development of software and hardware computing systems for a number of
application domains. This prepares students for careers in a variety of
high-technology areas, and is relevant for business, scientific. and
engineering applications.
Implementation and Analysis of Algorithms
This specialization provides students with a course of study that includes
the understanding of the theoretical basis of algorithms and their analysis,
as well as providing a significant practical programming experience.
Information Systems
Students taking this specialization study aspects of management and
organizational behavior necessary to understand how computing systems are
built, adopted, and maintained in companies and organizations. This can
lead to careers in information technology groups, management consulting,
information system consulting, and human factors or usability engineering.
Networks and Distributed Systems
This specialization enables students to focus their studies on the rapidly
expanding subarea of computer science that deals with the design and use of
systems consisting of multiple computer nodes interconnected via a
communication network. This includes the study of networking architectures,
communication protocols, programming paradigms, distributed algorithms, and
distributed applications.
Software Systems
Students in this specialization focus their studies on topics related to the
analysis, design, development, and evolution of large-scale software systems.
Software technology plays a major role in computer-based solutions, and this
specialization allows students to deepen their understanding of this
critical technology area.
ICS Minor
Students outside of the ICS School who wish to supplement their major
program of study with valuable computing skills may choose to pursue the
minor in Information and Computer Science. The ICS minor provides a focused
program of study that contributes to students' competence in computing and
proficiency in computer programming as well as exposing them to the
fundamentals of computer science. A minor in ICS prepares students for a
profession, career, or academic pursuit where computing is an integral part
but isn't the primary focus; the minor allows students enough flexibility to
take courses that complement their major field or address specific
computer-related interests.
Informatics Minor
The minor provides a focused study of Informatics to supplement a student's
major program of study and prepares students for a propfession, career, or
academic pursuit in which information and software design is an integral
part but is not the primary focus. The minor allows students sufficient
flexibility to pursue courses that complement their major field or address
specific interests. The minor particularly centers on understanding the
relationships among computers and people, and how these relationships must
be addressed in information and software design. Alternatively put,
Informatics designs solutions in context, and takes into account the
social, cultural, and organizational settings in which computing and
information technology will be used.
Computing Resources
Computer resources within the School include a wide range of instructional
and research machines. For instructional computing these include UNIX
servers, 50 SPARC workstations, and more than 200 Pentium II/III PCs. For
research computing, resources include a Sequent multiprocessor and more than
250 varying types of UNIX workstations, servers, and PCs. ICS students also
have access to UCI's computing resources at Network and Academic Computing
Services and in the Library. Campus dial-up lines provide support for home
connections to campus systems as well as to systems within ICS. Wireless
access is readily accessible throughout the ICS complex. Consisting of
11 access points deployed throughout the four ICS buildings, the upgraded
IEEE 802.11b standard offers 100 percent signal coverage to anyone, any
time.
Special Programs and Opportunities
Honors Program in Information and Computer Science
ICS offers an honors program for junior- and senior- level students. The
program provides an opportunity for selected ICS majors to pursue advanced
work in one of the School's research areas. Students admitted to the
program participate in the honors seminar, followed by a minimum of two
quarters of independent, supervised research and submit a thesis to the
program advisor upon completion of their research.
Undergraduate Research in ICS
In addition to the ICS honors program, undergraduates may elect to
participate in a variety of research projects while attending UCI. Faculty
will often advertise these opportunities to encourage undergraduates to take
advantage of this valuable experience.
Scholarships
ICS offers a variety of scholarships to outstanding freshmen upon admission
to the major. In addition, students have the opportunity to apply for
numerous merit-based scholarships throughout the year.
Work Experiences
Through the ICS's extensive network of affiliated companies, students have
exposure to numerous internship and career opportunities.
Information Sessions
On a quarterly basis, the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Science
invites several affiliated companies to make recruiting presentations to
computing students. Each information session spotlights one company.
Benefits from participation in these information sessions:
- Receive first-hand information about the variety of industries
interested in recruiting computer scientists.
- Meet human resources personnel in a relaxed and informal setting.
ICS Resume Book
The ICS School produces an annual resume book for distribution to the
corporate community. For information about including your resume in this
book, contact Kristin Huerth, (949) 824-3074, or email:
khuerth@ics.uci.edu.
Career Expo
The Career Expo is a conference-style program that enable ICS undergraduates
and corporate representatives to interact, and provides students with
opportunities to learn about available career options.
ICS.Jobs
The ICS School offers a Web-based job board, ICS.Jobs, for companies to
post internships and job opportunities specifically for computing students.
To find out more about using this resource please contact the ICS Student
Affairs Office.
Career Opportunities
The ICS undergraduate major prepares students for professions and careers in
industry and provides students with the tools for pursuing advanced education
at the graduate level. Undergraduate students have the opportunity to
undertake internships in various computer science-related fields that will
complement their education in ICS. This leads ICS graduates to pursue a
variety of careers. Many specify, design, and develop a variety of
computer-based systems comprised of software and hardware in virtually every
application domain, such as biomedical, consumer products, engineering,
entertainment, environmental, finance, investment, law, management,
manufacturing, and pharmacology. Graduates also find jobs as members of
research and development teams, developing advanced technologies, designing
software and hardware systems, and specifying, designing, and maintaining
computing infrastructures for a variety of institutions. Some work for
established or start-up companies; others work as independent consultants;
many move into management or advanced technical positions.
Additional Information
Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Science
Student Affairs Office
University of California
Irvine, CA 92697-3425
Telephone: (949) 824-5156
http://www.ics.uci.edu/
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