See who is recruiting for fall 2025!
Thank you for your interest in computer science graduate studies at CU Boulder.
The following faculty members and degree programs are recruiting new MS and PhD students for fall 2025.
Explore opportunities in computer science education and research at CU Boulder, and learn more about what student life is like in the department.
We have...
- CS Masters programs info sessions
- CS PhD info sessions
- Guides to applying to PhD programs at CU Boulder
- Research lab recruitment sessions
- Talk to lab members and understand more about their work
- Pre-research advising sessions
- Computer science researchers explain what they're working on so you can better understand how you might fit into their labs and groups.
Degrees and Admissions
Video of an MS in CS Overview session with Q+A
- Wednesday, Aug. 14th, 2024: 9 a.m.-10 a.m. (MST)
- Wednesday, Sept. 18th, 2024, 9 a.m-10 a.m. (MST)
- Wednesday, Oct. 2nd, 2024, 9 a.m-10 a.m. (MST)
- Thursday, Oct. 10th, 2024, 9 a.m-10 a.m. (MST)
- Wednesday, Oct. 16th, 2024, 9 a.m-10 a.m. (MST)
- Wednesday, Oct. 30th, 2024, 9 a.m-10 a.m. (MST)
- Wednesday, Nov. 13th, 2024, 9 a.m-10 a.m. (MST)
- Thursday, Dec. 5th, 2024, 9 a.m-10 a.m. (MST)
- Wednesday, Dec. 12th, 2024, 9 a.m-10 a.m. (MST)
- Wednesday, Aug 7th, 2024, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. (MST)
- Wednesday, Aug 28th, 2024, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. (MST)
- Wednesday, Sept 11th, 2024, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. (MST)
- Wednesday, Sept 25th 2024, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. (MST)
- Wednesday, October 9th, 2024, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. (MST)
- Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. (MST)
- Wednesday, Nov 6th, 2024, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. (MST)
- Wednesday, Nov 20th, 2024, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. (MST)
- Wednesday, Dec 4th, 2024, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. (MST)
- Wednesday, Dec 11th, 2024, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. (MST)
- Host: Sara Freix
- Watch Session Video
Join Network Engineering advisor Sara Freix to learn more about our master's in network engineering.
- Host: Dan Larremore
Join computer science and BioFrontiers Assistant Professor Dan Larremore for a discussion of how to choose good research questions, as well as what faculty are looking for in PhD or postdoc applicants.
Faculty, Labs and Research Groups
- Computer Systems Lab Website
- Shiv Mishra
- Systems lab Recruitment session: Monday, October 7th, 2024, 9 a.m. (MST)
- Pre-research advising session: September 18th, 2024, 2:30 p.m. (MST) registration coming soon
My research interests are in edge computing and social computing.
My research group is investigating:
- System support for building IoT and AI applications at the edge including generative AI models and digital twins at the edge.
- Socio-technical system to empower environmental justice communities.
- Cybersafety issues in the Internet including toxicity detection, classification and mitigation in online social media platforms.
D'Mello's research is at the intersection of the cognitive, affective, computing, and learning sciences. His team is interested in the dynamic interplay between cognition and emotion while individuals and groups engage in complex real-world tasks.
The team applies insights gleaned from this basic research program to develop intelligent technologies that help people achieve to their fullest potential by coordinating what they think and feel with what they know and do. This research uses a range of techniques such as eye tracking, speech and language processing, physiological sensing, computer vision, time series analyses, discourse modeling, and machine learning. The interaction contexts include educational games, collaborative problem solving, classroom discourse, computerized reading, and workplace activities. Data is collected in the lab, online, in schools, and the workplace.
D'Mello also directs the NSF National Institute for Student-Agent Teaming (iSAT) and a Learning Engineering Virtual Institute (LEVI) called Hybrid Human-Agent Tutoring (HAT) Platform to accelerate middle school math achievement for low income students.
- Human Interaction and RObotics (HIRO) Group Website
- Alessandro Roncone
- HIRO Group Pre-research advising session: Wed., October 23rd, 2024 2:30 p.m. (MST)
The HIRO group performs research at the intersection of human-robot interaction, artificial intelligence, and robot control & planning.
The goal of the group is developing robot technologies that enable close, natural, and extended cooperation with humans. As Director of the HIRO Group, Assistant Professor Alessandro Roncone seeks to lower the barriers to entry for humans to naturally interact with robots, and in doing so he designs robot systems that are able to work with and around people. With a large lab of undergraduate, graduate, and PhD researchers, HIRO Group alumni have gone on to work in industry at companies such as Microsoft, Facebook, Lumen, and Amazon.
- Utility Research Lab
- Michael Rivera
- Utility Research Lab Recruitment session, Monday, October 7th, 2024, 11:30am - 12:00pm (MST)
The Utility Research Lab invents and investigates digital manufacturing technology, tools, and techniques. The lab’s research combines computational fabrication, materials science, and sustainable design practices.
We are looking for students who have backgrounds in computer graphics, simulation/optimization, robotics, electrical engineering, electromechanical design, and digital fabrication (such as 3D printing).
The SOS+CD Lab works on understanding current practices in science and developing semi-automated methods to mine scientific knowledge from the vast, unstructured dataset of full-text publications, citations, and images.
We use various computational techniques, including deep learning, natural language processing, graph analytics, image processing, and causal inference. See a list of our projects and publications. The ideal student should have a good grasp of quantitative methods and be a good programmer. In addition, the ideal candidate should have an undergraduate or master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Applied Statistics, Mathematics, or a similar quantitative field.
Nikolaus' research interests are spread across robotic manipulation and new "materials that make robots smart".
Such "robotic materials" tightly integrate sensing, actuation, computation, and communication to allow materials to sense their environment, and change their shape and appearance. Leading to novel tactile sensors, skins, and high-speed actuators that can augment existing robotic systems, such materials are also posing new challenges in manufacturing, in particular robotic assembly.
- Rolf Lab
- Esther Rolf
- Rolf Lab Recruitment session: Tues. Oct. 8th, 2024, 11 a.m. (MST)
- Rolf Lab Pre-research advising session: November 6th, 2024, 2:30 p.m. (MST)
I study statistical and geospatial machine learning. My research blends methodological and applied techniques to study and design machine learning algorithms with an emphasis on usability, data-efficiency and fairness.
Current directions include developing algorithms and infrastructure for reliable environmental monitoring using machine learning, and understanding the multifaceted nature of representation in data and how that affects our ability to train fair and effective machine learning systems. I'm looking for students interested in statistical or geospatial machine learning methodology and tailoring those methods to the context of real world problems. Prospective students should be excited about working in and actively fostering a collaborative, supportive, and communicative research community in our lab doing exciting, innovative, and sometimes interdisciplinary research. Ideal background includes skills in statistics, optimization, linear algebra and python.
- Lv Group
- Qin (Christine) Lv
- Pre-research advising session: Wed, Oct. 16th, 2024, 4 p.m. (MST)
My group conducts research on full-stack data analytics, which integrates systems, algorithms, and applications for effective and efficient data analytics in ubiquitous computing and scientific discovery. Please check my webpage to learn more.
We develop algorithm to explore massive genetic datasets that are used by researchers and clinicians across the world. We are looking for student who want to make an impact on human health and have strong algorithm and programming skills.
My research introduces new systems, algorithms, and abstractions to enable a more manageable network and computing infrastructure.
This is rooted in the fact that a significant portion of security and reliability issues are often a result of limitations in the management of networked systems. My research has been enabling and capitalizing on a more dynamic and programmable computing and network infrastructure, via such technologies as virtualization/containerization, software-defined networking, and the movement toward cloud based services.
In general, my students are interested in systems programming (writing software, using and modifying open source code, etc.). Entrepreneurial interest is a bonus -- I believe systems research and entrepreneurship go hand-in-hand, and find it a great avenue for students to pursue.
- Computational Tools for Science and Engineering (CompTools)
- Fruzsina Agocs
- CompTools Recruitment session: Tues., Oct. 8th, 2024, 10 a.m. (MST)
- CompTools Pre-research advising session: Wed, Oct. 2nd, 2024, 2:30 p.m. (MST)
The CompTools group works at the intersection of scientific computing, numerical analysis, and computational physics to design tools for modelling physical phenomena described by ordinary and partial differential equations (ODEs and PDEs).
The focus is on adaptive, efficient, and high-order accurate methods for the sake of user-friendliness and robustness even for badly conditioned problems. We emphasize building open-source software implementations of these methods.
The group is looking for students with a strong mathematical background (whether that is from engineering, physics, or applied math courses; particular emphasis on calculus, real and complex analysis, linear algebra, numerical ODEs/PDEs), some coding experience (for scientific computing), and an open mind to acquire new skills/learn new methods.
My research interests are in natural language processing, cultural analytics and healthcare. This involves analyzing social aspects of language (such as storytelling in online communities) and evaluation and probing of NLP models and datasets designed for cultural use cases.
I'm looking for students who are interested in quantum computing, control, optimization and learning.
My main research area is Human-Computer Interaction. My research goal is to augment human intellect and creativity by transforming the entire living world into a dynamic space for thought with the power of AR and AI. Keywords: AR x AI, tangible interfaces, human-robot interaction, human-AI interaction
- Ramin Ayanzadeh
- Recruitment session: Monday., Oct. 7th, 2024, 10 a.m. (MST), registration coming soon
Over the next few years, my research will primarily center on trustworthy quantum computing and quantum intelligence.
I intend to work on morphing the system and architecture of various types of quantum computers, encompassing both near-term devices and fault-tolerant systems, as well as emerging accelerators. My goal is to improve their reliability and applicability, addressing the full-stack optimization problem, including error correction/mitigation, compilers, programming languages, and pre/post-processing policies. Additionally, I am committed to ensuring the security and privacy of quantum users. Moreover, I plan to explore synergistic opportunities between quantum computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML), encompassing AI/ML applications for quantum computing and vice versa. Furthermore, I aim to employ quantum computers and quantum AI/ML models to address computationally challenging problems, including optimization, natural language processing, drug discovery, and climate studies. I am always looking for highly motivated students to join my research group. While a background in quantum computing is not necessary, students should possess a strong desire to explore new ideas and a passion for continuous learning.
- CUPLV
- Gowtham Kaki
- CUPLV Pre-research Advising Session, Wednesday, October 9th, 2024, 2:30 P.M.
CUPLV does cutting-edge research on Programming Languages, Formal Methods, and Software Engineering. Our students work on research problems critical to the foundations of Network Security, Scientific Computing, Natural Language Processing and Reinforcement Learning.
Morteza Karimzadeh is a spatial data scientist, with research and contributions cutting across geographic information retrieval, machine learning, geovisualization, and visual analytics.
Karimzadeh conducts integrative research that brings together data science with social/environmental science to inform best practices for a more sustainable and equitable society. His research primarily focuses on method development, spanning various domains including social media analytics, energy (resilience and production), crisis management, situational awareness, precision agriculture, and digital humanities and beyond.
- CUPLV
- Bor-Yuh Evan Chang
- Recruiting session, Friday, October 11th, 2024 [registration coming soon]
CUPLV does cutting-edge research on Programming Languages, Formal Methods, and Software Engineering. Our students work on research problems critical to the foundations of Network Security, Scientific Computing, Natural Language Processing and Reinforcement Learning.
Casey Fiesler is an associate professor in the Department of Information Science (and Computer Science, by courtesy) at the University of Colorado Boulder. Armed with a PhD in Human-Centered Computing from Georgia Tech and a JD from Vanderbilt Law School, she primarily researches technology ethics and law, human-computer-interaction, and online communities (occasionally all at the same time).
Our lab is an interdisciplinary group of researchers based at the University of Colorado Boulder, led by Dr. Orit Peleg. Our goal is to formulate and test phenomenological theories about natural signal design principles and their emergent spatiotemporal patterns.
We focus on universal problems that most communication systems must solve, whether they are animate or inanimate: How should organisms choose an optimal signal modality? How should they spatiotemporally integrate signals? And how should they respond (communicate a message back, locomote, Etc.)? We explore these questions using model organisms, such as fireflies and honeybee swarms. Examples include fireflies who communicate over long distances using light signals, and bees who serve as signal amplifiers to propagate pheromone-based information about the queen’s location.
- Wireless Interdisciplinary Research Group (WIRG)
- Register for the Pre-Research Advising Session: Wireless Interdisciplinary Research Group (WIRG) on Wednesday, September 25th, 2024 2:30-3:30 PM (MST)
The WIRG views improving radio frequency (RF) spectrum availability as a crucial challenge to address.
Note: Kevin Gifford is not recruiting new students for AY 25-26.
Spectrum availability for wireless internet access (cellular, Wi-Fi, etc.), for weather observing via Earth Observing Satellites (EOS), for Radio Astronomy scientific observations investigating the formation of the Universe, and for aircraft and military operations truly pervade every aspect of daily life. Our research focus is on the intersection of wireless communications, passive and active spectrum sharing, spectrum policy, and hardware security in support of secure spectrum sharing for communications and scientific purposes. Several of the lab’s ongoing projects are supported by the National Science Foundation and by NASA.
- Imagine AI Research Lab
- Register for the Pre-Research Advising Session: Imagine AI Research Lab on November 13, 2024 at 2:30 PM until 3:30 PM (MST)
From music and movie recommendation systems to digital assistants and facial recognition, systems powered by artificial intelligence (AI) surround us in our daily lives. Although these rapidly emerging AI technologies hold tremendous potential for improving lives, they also involve potential ethical risks related to bias and data privacy.
In this NSF-funded project, we’re working to develop curriculum modules to support youth in exploring critical ethical issues related to emerging AI technologies. Through these modules, which can be delivered on their own or integrated in other STEM, computer science/robotics or English Language Arts classes, middle and high school age youth can explore what AI is, how machines learn from data, and how AI systems may carry the biases of their programmers. Using a combination of online activities, short stories, comics and design/Making projects, these curriulum modules dive into the technology that powers AI and explore the potential societal impacts of this rapidly expanding technology.
- Theodora Chaspari
- Register for the Pre-research advising session: Human-centered AI on December 4, 2024 at 2:30 PM until 3:30 PM (MST)
Theodora’s research focuses on affective computing, human-centered and responsible machine learning, and health analytics.
Note: Theodora is not recruiting new students for AY 25-26.