Computer Science

The opens in a new tabDepartment of Computer Science (CS) at Stanford University, founded in 1965, is consistently ranked among the top computer science departments in the world. As a center for field-transforming research and world-class education within the School of Engineering, the department is home to several A.M. Turing Award winners, MacArthur Fellows, and members of the National Academies of Engineering, Medicine, and Science. 

Faculty work spans all areas of computing, driving extensive multidisciplinary collaborations across the university. Guided by a strong belief that diversity produces better technological solutions, the department strives to be an inclusive community where different viewpoints are valued, and everyone is welcome and respected.

Undergraduate Programs and Interdisciplinary Studies

With a deep departmental commitment to exceptional teaching, Computer Science is the largest undergraduate major at Stanford. Students pursuing undergraduate studies have the option of declaring a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or a Minor in Computer Science. Additionally, the department participates in collaborative undergraduate interdisciplinary programs, including Symbolic Systems and Data Science.

The mission of the undergraduate program is to develop students' breadth of knowledge across the discipline, including their ability to apply the defining processes of computer science theory, abstraction, design, and implementation to solve problems. The curriculum is built on a solid foundation of essential programming techniques and mathematical principles. Students complete core coursework and explore advanced topics such as:

• Programming techniques and systems programming

• Automata and complexity theory

• Computer architecture and analysis of algorithms

• Artificial intelligence and practical applications

This comprehensive preparation equips graduates with the skills needed for successful careers in the corporate sector, government, law, or for pursuing advanced graduate study.

Graduate Programs and Global Impact

At the graduate level, the department offers programs leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees:

• The CS Master's Program: Intended as a terminal professional degree, this pathway does not lead to the Ph.D.

• The CS Ph.D. Program: Designed primarily for students who desire a career in research, advanced development, or teaching.

Graduates of our Ph.D. program have gone on to take faculty positions at top universities worldwide and play leading roles in industrial research labs. Serving as an intellectual seedbed for Silicon Valley, the department’s faculty and alumni have founded some of the world's most influential technology companies, including Alphabet/Google, Netflix, VMware, and Arista Networks.

Computing Facilities and Infrastructure

The department operates and supports specialized computing facilities to meet the educational, research, and administrative needs of its community. Students have access to a dedicated departmental student machine for general use, as well as computer labs located in the William Gates Computer Science Building.

To support specific research initiatives, individual research groups maintain tailored systems, which include workstations, computer clusters, GPU clusters, and local file servers running Linux, MacOS, or Windows. General coursework and instructional activities are further supported by systems provided through University IT (UIT) and the School of Engineering (SoE).