Graduate Study in Computer Science

The School of Computing at Clemson University offers courses of study leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. Degrees in Computer Science and a MFA program offered jointly with the Department of Fine Arts in Digital Production Arts.

The Computer Science Gradaute Programs

The M.S. and Ph.D. graduate programs in Computer Science are designed to produce a strong broad-based core of advanced computer science knowledge and to encourage research in areas that reflect the student's interests. Graduates of either program are well prepared to accept the current and future challenges of the field.

The department has 24 graduate faculty members and approximately 110 graduate students, one third of whom are enrolled in the Ph.D. program. For Fall 2006, approximately two thirds of our graduate students have assistantships. Approximately 30 are supported directly by the department through graduate teaching and research assistantships. Many others have found assistantships elsewhere on campus.

In August of 2004, the department moved into a new facility in McAdams Hall. The new facility provides office space for faculty and graduate students as well as classroom, instruction lab, and research lab space.

Our research areas include algorithms and theory, bioinformatics, distributed systems, graphics and visualization, human computer interaction, multimedia databases, networking and, software engineering.

Digital Production Arts

The Digital Production Arts program at Clemson University is a professional degree program aimed at producing graduates who will be sought by the growing electronic arts industry, particularly by those companies engaged in special effects production within the entertainment and commercial video, film, and gaming industries. The program is offered jointly with the College of Engineering and Science and offers a unique blend of instruction from art, computer science, computer engineering, graphic communications, performing arts, philosophy, and psychology, together with newly designed courses targeted at specific production techniques. More information on the DPA program and admissions is available at http://www.fx.clemson.edu/

The University

Clemson University is a coeducational, land-grant university founded in 1889. Fall 2006 enrollment totaled slightly more than 17,000 students, including approximately 3,200 graduate students. Clemson, S.C., is a small college town that enjoys the beauty and water sports of Lakes Hartwell (61,350 acres), Keowee (18,500 acres) and Joccasse (7,500 acres); the scenery of the South Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina mountains (40-minute drive); and the challenge of many wild and scenic rivers such as the nearby Chattooga. Opportunities to participate in and enjoy plays, concerts, lectures, films and sports events are provided by many University and community groups. The combination of the academic and social activities provided by the University and the pastoral settings inherent to the Clemson area provide a stimulating environment for academic advancement and personal enrichment.

Cost of Attendance

The base academic fee for 2006-2007 for full-time, in-state students is $4,498 per semester and $9,110 per semester for full-time, out-of-state students. Graduate assistants have their base fee reduced to $934 per semester. Top PhD applicants can compete for first-year fellowships funded by the Clemson University Graduate School. Fellowship opportunities for top second year students are available. More financial details can be found at the Graduate School.

Applications

We accept new graduate students in both fall and spring semesters. for consideration for admission and financial support, students should have all application materials sent in by the following dates:

Fall
- to be considered for PhD fellowship: January 1
- to have full consideration for an assistantship: February 1
- to be considered for admission (international): April 15
- to be considered for admission (domestic): May 15
Spring
- to have full consideration for an assistantship: October 15
- to be considered for admission (international): October 15
- to be considered for admission (domestic): November 15

Dates for internationals are earlier to allow for time required to obtain necessary visas, etc.

To apply to Clemson, please visit the graduate school application page. All materials should be sent to graduate admissions.

GRE/TOEFL score information. Average scores of the two objective sections (verbal and quantitative) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for students enrolled in the computer science MS and PhD programs at Clemson are 543 and 720, respectively. Any applicant with a V+Q total below that average (1263) must be able to submit exceptional supporting materials to have a competitive application (transcript, reference letters, etc.). For financial support, the GRE V+Q total should normally well exceed the 1263 average.

Because of the strong communication component involved in obtaining a PhD, applicants for the PhD program with less than 4 on the analytical writing section of the GRE or international applicants who have a TOEFL score less than 600 (paper version) or 250 (computer version) should contact the graduate coordinator prior to initiating an application.

Expected Background. The successful applicant will have a background including courses in data structures, computer organization, theory of computation, operating systems, and programming language implementation. If one or two courses are missing in an applicant's background, they may be taken in the first semester. Applicants lacking significant computer science background should contact the graduate coordinator prior to initiating an application.

More Information

For more information, contact the director of graduate affairs Dr Mark Smotherman , or follow these links.

For enrolled students:

Scheduling the M.S. program
The students services graduate program coordinator is Lea Benson. Here is her appointment calendar.