About the School of Computing | School of Computing | SIU

Mission Statement

The mission of the School of Computing is to provide a world-class education and research opportunities in the fields of Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT). The School’s primary mission is to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to excel in the students’ chosen disciplines within CS and IT. The School is dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and lifelong learning skills that allow graduates to adapt to changing work environments throughout their professional careers. The School is committed to being a preeminent institution in the field and driving significant global impact through groundbreaking scholarly research and professional endeavors. The School also supports faculty growth and development and fosters the creation of mutually beneficial alliances between academia and industry.

Useful Links

• Degree Programs
• Program Objectives & Student Outcomes
• Highlights of our Programs
• Industrial Advisory Board

Degree Programs

SIU's School of Computing offerings multiple undergraduate degree options as well as Master's and Ph.D degree programs. At the heart of our academic offerings are our degree programs in Computer Science, Information Technology, and Cybersecurity Technology. Whether you are interested in pursuing a Minor in Computer Science, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science, our rigorous programs are designed to equip you with the foundational knowledge and cutting-edge skills needed to excel in the tech industry.

For those looking to advance their expertise, we offer a Master of Science in Computer Science program tailored to deepen your understanding and prepare you for leadership roles in your chosen field. Furthermore, our Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science is designed to foster innovation and original research, preparing graduates for academic, governmental, and industry positions.

Recognizing the importance of specialized knowledge in today’s technology landscape, we also offer a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Technology, alongside a targeted Information Technology Certificate in Cybersecurity. These programs are structured to provide comprehensive education in critical areas of IT and cybersecurity, ensuring our graduates are well-prepared to address the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.

Accreditation

The School of Computing Computer Science Program maintains ABET accreditation. With ABET Accreditation, students, employers, and the society that we serve can be confident that our program meets the quality standards that produce graduates prepared to enter a global workforce.

ABET utilizes more than 2,200 experts from industry, academia, and government. These professionals give their time and effort supporting quality assurance activities around the world by serving as program evaluators, commissioners, board members, and advisors.

ABET is a recognized accreditor in the United States (U.S.) by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. ABET accreditation provides assurance that a college or university program meets the quality standards established by the profession for which the program prepares its students. ABET accredits postsecondary programs housed in degree-granting institutions which have been recognized by national or regional institutional accreditation agencies or national education authorities worldwide.

Courses

We offer approximately 136 courses (graduate and undergraduate) covering all major areas of computing. All required courses are taught both in the Fall and Spring Semesters and some required courses are offered in the Summer Semester as well. Elective and graduate courses are offered either in the Fall or in the Spring Semester and some are offered in the Summer Semester as well. You can find a list of courses in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.

Faculty

The faculty are committed to deliver high quality lectures at both undergraduate and graduate curricula. They develop and sustain high-quality research programs and make every effort to involve graduate students in their research. There exists an excellent tradition of encouraging and achieving close interaction between students and faculty. The faculty members have national and international visibility in their respective fields of expertise. Research activities of the School of Computing faculty have been supported by grants from federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense and Department of Energy and from high-tech industries.

Diversity

The School of Computing has an excellent tradition in attracting, developing and graduating minority students. Our commitment to diversity is reflected in our support for various student organizations, such as Minorities in Computer Science (MiCS) and Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS). These groups, advised by our dedicated faculty, provide a welcoming and supportive environment that fosters academic and professional growth. Through initiatives, mentorship, and networking opportunities, we strive to create an inclusive community where all students can thrive and succeed.

International Students

The School of Computing has an excellent tradition in recruiting international students in both its graduate and undergraduate programs. The diverse educational backgrounds and cultures of our student body create a vibrant environment, which is contributing to the success of our programs. Evidence for this success is the ability of our graduates to compete effectively in the job market, all over the world.

High Performance Computing

SIU Research Computing offers the BigDawg High Performance Computing Cluster (HPCC) which is among the University’s top research resources. This lightning-fast computing cluster supports computationally intensive research activities, and radically reduces the time needed to process and analyze information. Using BigDawg allows researchers to complete tasks that once required days of processing time, in just hours. Although BigDawg is not as large as some of the mega-clusters at other academic institutions, this computing cluster processes information with speeds comparable to any HPCC available today.

Industrial Advisory Board

The School of Computing Computer Science Degree Program has a Industrial Advisory Board which has included members from Ameren, Boeing, Enterprise Holdings, Google, Liaison Technologies, State Farm, Southern Illinois Healthcare and several other companies. You can find a list of our current members along with their bios on our website.

Research

Our esteemed faculty members, who hold doctoral degrees from leading research universities, are committed to developing and maintaining high-quality research programs. They actively involve students in their research endeavors, providing invaluable hands-on experience. Many faculty members enjoy national and international recognition in their fields of expertise and have secured prestigious research grants from prominent federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and the Department of Energy, as well as from high-tech industries. Additionally, the School of Computing boasts an NSF-approved research center and twelve state-of-the-art research labs, fostering an environment of innovation and discovery.

Research Centers

In March 2023, the NSF approved the NSF IUCRC for Intelligent, Distributed Embedded Applications and Systems (IDEAS). This center brings together leading researchers from Arizona State University, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and the University of Southern California. Our faculty, recognized nationally and internationally, have developed robust research programs supported by prestigious grants from agencies such as the NSF, NIH, Department of Defense, and Department of Energy. The School of Computing also houses an additional twelve advanced research labs.