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Information and Computer Sciences

College of Natural Sciences
POST 317
1680 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-7420
Fax: (808) 956-3548
Web: www.ics.hawaii.edu

Faculty

*Graduate Faculty

*M. E. Crosby, PhD (Chair)—human-computer interaction, cognitive science
*K. Baek, PhD—computer vision, neural computation, machine learning
*E. Biagioni, PhD—networks, systems, languages
*K. Binsted, PhD—artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, cognitive science, natural language processing
*H. Casanova, PhD—high performance computing, distributed systems
*D. Chin, PhD—artificial intelligence, natural language processing, cognitive science
D. DeRyke, MA—software engineering, data modeling
*R. Gazan, PhD—social aspects of information technology
*C. S. Ikehara, PhD—biometrics and physiological sensors, adaptive human-computer interfaces
*S. Y. Itoga, PhD—database systems, expert systems, logic programming
*P. Johnson, PhD—software engineering, artificial intelligence
*A. Lew, PhD—algorithms, systems programming, systems analysis, software engineering
*D. Pager, PhD—compiler theory, theory of computability, artificial intelligence
*W. W. Peterson, PhD—programming languages, software engineering
*G. Poisson, PhD—cognitive informatics, bioinformatics, machine learning
*L. Quiroga, PhD—information retrieval, databases, library systems, website design
*N. Reed, PhD—artificial intelligence, autonomous agents
*S. P. Robertson, PhD—human-computer interaction, digital government and digital democracy
*J. Stelovsky, DrTechSc—computer-hypermedia, human-computer interaction
*S. Still, PhD—bioinformatics/theoretical biology, information theory, machine learning
*D. Streveler, PhD—medical informatics
*K. Sugihara, DrEng—algorithms, distributed computing, visual languages
*D. Suthers, PhD—human-computer interaction, computer-supported collaborative learning, technology for education, socio-technical networks and online communities

Affiliate Graduate Faculty

D. R. Stoutemyer, PhD—computer algebra, mathematical software

Degrees Offered: BA in information and computer sciences, BS (including minor) in computer science, MS in computer sciences, MLISc in library and information science, PhD in computer science, and PhD in communication and information sciences (interdisciplinary)

The Academic Program

Information and computer sciences (ICS) is the study of the description and representation of information and the theory, design, analysis, implementation, and application of algorithmic processes that transform information. Students majoring in ICS will learn to use computer systems, a valuable skill which can be applied in all fields of study. Students will also learn the scientific principles and technology required to develop new computer systems and applications. The curriculum covers all major areas of computer science with special emphasis on software engineering, computer networks, artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction and bioinformatics, and areas uniquely suited to Hawai‘i’s role as a multicultural and geographical center of the Pacific.

Undergraduate Study

Bachelor’s Degree

To be admitted into the program, first-year students entering UH Manoa directly from high school must first be admitted into the Colleges of Arts and Sciences. For continuing students, a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 is required for admission.

BA in Information and Computer Sciences

Requirements

Students pursuing this degree are required to submit a short proposal listing the courses they intend to take to complete their ICS major. An ICS faculty advisor must approve this proposal in writing. Samples of course proposals are available at the ICS department office. Students must complete the following courses (49 credits):

• ICS 111, 141, 211, 212, 241, 311, 312, 313, and 321
• At least three ICS courses at the 400-level or above,
• Four upper division (300-level or above) courses in some area of concentration. The area of concentration courses do NOT have to be from the same department.

BS in Computer Science

Requirements

Students must complete the following courses (47 credits):

• ICS 111, 141, 211, 212, 241, 311, 312, 313, 321, and 331
• At least five ICS or other approved courses at the 400 level or above

Substitutions are permitted with the written approval of an ICS faculty advisor.

Waiver of certain requirements, such as by Advanced Placement CS Exam, must be approved by the ICS faculty advisor.

Minor

A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and a grade of B (not B-) or higher in ICS 111 in computer science are required for admission.

Requirements

Students must complete ICS 211, 212, and 241 and their prerequisites, 111 and 141, and three ICS courses at the 300 level and above with a grade of C (not C-) or better.

Graduate Study

The department offers the MS degree in computer science, the MLISc degree in library and information science (see the “Library and Information Science” section within the Colleges of Arts and Sciences for more information), and the PhD degree in computer science. The department is one of four academic programs that cooperate in an interdisciplinary doctoral program in communication and information sciences (see the “Communication and Information Sciences” section within the Colleges of Arts and Sciences for more information).

Applicants for the MS and the PhD in computer science are required to take the GRE General Test. The subject area examination in computer science is highly recommended. Applicants from foreign countries must be academically qualified, proficient in English (minimum 600 TOEFL), and have sufficient financial support.

The department offers three forms of financial aid: teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and tuition waivers. The department offers a limited number of assistantships each semester, most of which are teaching assistantships. Teaching and research assistants work approximately 20 hours per week under the supervision of a faculty member and receive a stipend as well as a tuition waiver. Teaching assistants support instruction and research assistants support extramurally funded research projects. Teaching assistantships are awarded to those applicants who can best support the instructional program. Similarly, research assistantships are awarded to those applicants who can best assist faculty with their research projects. Applicants accepted for admission may be eligible for partial financial aid in the form of a tuition waiver from the Graduate Division and foreign applicants from Pacific or Asian countries may be eligible for Pacific-Asian Scholarships. Prior to submitting a tuition waiver application form, foreign applicants must submit TOEFL scores and documentation of financial support for expenses other than tuition to the Graduate Division Admissions Office. To apply for any of these forms of support, student should submit the ICS Graduate Assistantship Application along with three letters of recommendation using the Graduate Assistantship Evaluation Form. Because we can offer assistance to only a small fraction of applicants, we highly encourage students to also seek other forms of support, such as the East-West Center or computer-assisted databases.

Master’s Degree

The master’s program is intended for students planning to specialize in computer science or to apply computer science to another field. Applicants who do not possess an undergraduate degree in computer science from an accredited institution will need to complete equivalent coursework.

Requirements

Plan A (thesis) and Plan B (non-thesis) are available. A minimum of 31 credit hours is required under both plans. A minimum B average must be maintained in all courses.

Plan A (Thesis) Requirements

1. At least six ICS graduate courses - i.e. courses with numbers between ICS 600 and ICS 692, with the exception of ICS 690. At least one course must be taken from each of four areas of concentration in the program to ensure breath of knowledge;
2. Two additional elective 600-level courses must be taken either from the ICS department or some related discipline (such as LIS, EE, MIS, etc.) on a topic related to Computer Science. Elective courses must have prior approval from the ICS Graduate Chair as to the suitability prior to enrollment in the courses;
3. Thesis research taken as 6 credits of ICS 700 is required for the degree. These credits are typically taken close to or during the final semester in the program consist of six credits of ICS 700; and
4. ICS 690 (taken for CR/NC) for one semester.

Plan B (Non-thesis) Requirements

1. At least six ICS graduate courses--i.e. courses with numbers between ICS 600 and ICS 692, with the exception of ICS 690. At least one course must be taken from each of four areas of concentration in the program to ensure breath of knowledge;
2. Two additional elective 600-level courses must be taken either from the ICS department or some related discipline (such as LIS, EE, MIS, etc.) on a topic related to computer science. Elective courses must have prior approval from the ICS Graduate Chair as to the suitability prior to enrollment in the courses;
3. A final project taken as ICS 699 (a maximum of six credits is counted toward the degree) taken under the supervision of a faculty member with a written report of the final project is required at the of the student’s program of study; and
4. ICS 690 (taken for CR/NC) for one semester.

The administrative procedures for the program include the following rules

1. The student must meet with the graduate program chair during the first semester;
2. Upon completion of a least 12 credit hours of courses applicable to the degree, students must file a degree plan by selecting Plan A (Thesis) or Plan B (Non-Thesis) options;
3. Plan A students must choose a thesis topic and committee upon completion of 18 credit hours of applicable courses; and
4. All requests for changes in degree plan must be submitted in writing by the student and approved by the graduate program chair before the diploma application is filed.

PhD in Computer Science

The department offers a PhD in computer science that prepares students for creative research, teaching and service. There are two programs leading to the PhD degree, one designed for applicant entering with bachelor’s degrees, and the other for those who already have master’s degrees. Students may begin their program either in the fall or spring semesters.

Applicants with bachelor’s degrees must first satisfy the admission and degree requirements of the master’s degree in computer science. Advantages to this route are (1) students are admitted at an early stage to the PhD program, (2) they will, in practice, usually take a year LESS to obtain their PhD since the MS portion of the program will prepare them for their qualifying examination, and (3) students who have completed the MS requirements will have the option of obtaining a master’s degree even if they do not continue with the PhD program.

Applicants with master’s degrees in areas other than computer science may be admitted to the program, but will be required to fulfill their program deficiencies with additional coursework.

Requirements for students to complete the PhD program are:

1. Passing a qualifying examination demonstrating core competency in computer science no later than the end of the first year of their PhD studies;
2. Preparing a portfolio showing research readiness by the end of the first year PhD program;
3. Defend their PhD proposal;
4. Final Defense of PhD dissertation.

In addition, students must continue to pass a seminar course(s), ICS 690, during the “PhD portion” of their program. After passing the oral examination covering their general preparation for the research involved, students must write a dissertation that must be approved by the doctoral committee.

Interdisciplinary Doctoral Degree Program

The ICS department participates in an interdisciplinary program in Communications and Information Sciences (CIS) that integrates computer science, library science, communication and management information systems. Due to the broad knowledge base required to support the program draws on a variety of majors such as behavioral science, economics, engineering, and political science. The Computer Science program is one of four academic programs (COM, ICS, ITM, and LIS) that support this degree. See the “Interdisciplinary Program” section for more information on this program.

ICS Courses