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University of California, Davis - CS and Engineering MS/PhD

UC Davis’s Computer Science and Engineering MS/PhD Program offers a dynamic research environment at the intersection of cutting-edge technology, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world impact. Part of the UC Davis College of Engineering, the program is known for strengths in high-performance computing, data visualization, artificial intelligence, computer security, and software engineering. Below is a detailed overview, including notable faculty, research directions, work-life balance in Davis, admissions competitiveness, funding structures, and career outcomes.





1. Research Focus & Notable Faculty

  1. Dr. Kwan-Liu Ma

    • Role: Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and founder of the Visualization & Interface Design Innovation (VIDI) Lab.

    • Research Focus: Scientific visualization, high-performance computing (HPC), and immersive analytics. His lab’s collaborations with national labs (e.g., Lawrence Livermore) drive innovations in large-scale data analysis, 3D rendering, and user-centered design.

    • Reference: VIDI Lab at UC Davis

  2. Dr. John D. Owens

    • Role: Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), with a joint appointment in Computer Science.

    • Research Focus: GPU computing and parallel processing architectures. His group’s work on optimizing GPU kernels has broad applications in real-time computer graphics, deep learning, and scientific simulations.

    • Reference: John Owens Lab

  3. Dr. Nina Amenta

    • Role: Professor of Computer Science, former Chair of the Department.

    • Research Focus: Computational geometry, shape reconstruction algorithms, and spatial data analysis. Her seminal work on the “power crust” algorithm is widely cited in both academic and industrial fields such as 3D modeling and robotics.

    • Reference: Amenta Lab

  4. Dr. Matt Bishop

    • Role: Professor of Computer Science and a leading researcher in cybersecurity.

    • Research Focus: Computer security, forensics, and privacy. His teaching and research emphasize secure software engineering practices, system vulnerabilities, and policy.

    • Reference: Bishop Research Group

The program’s breadth also extends to robotics and autonomous systems, natural language processing, networking, bioinformatics, and more. Interdisciplinary collaborations with departments like Mathematics, Statistics, and Biomedical Engineering further enrich the research portfolio.


2. Program Structure & Work-Life Balance

  • Degrees Offered: Students may pursue a Master of Science (MS) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science or Computer Engineering. MS programs typically take 1.5–2 years, while PhD students generally spend 4–6 years depending on research progress.

  • Coursework & Research: Early in the program, students complete foundational courses—such as advanced algorithms, computer architecture, or AI—and participate in seminars. MS students often undertake a thesis or project, while PhD candidates focus on dissertation research under faculty mentorship.

  • Work-Life Balance: Davis is renowned for being a bike-friendly college town with tree-lined streets and a relaxed atmosphere. Students frequently cite the department’s culture of open communication with advisors about research timelines and personal commitments. The Engineering Graduate Student Association (EGSA) also organizes social gatherings, wellness workshops, and networking events.


3. Life in Davis & Housing

  • Location: About 15 miles west of Sacramento and 72 miles northeast of the San Francisco Bay Area, Davis is surrounded by farmland, vineyards, and nature preserves.

  • Cost of Living: While more affordable than Bay Area cities, rent can still be competitive due to strong student demand. Popular graduate housing includes communities in North Davis (near the Greenbelt paths) and South Davis, both offering easy bike access to campus.

  • Lifestyle: Davis is celebrated for its weekend farmers markets, cafes, and proximity to biking trails. For those seeking urban excitement, Sacramento’s growing arts scene is a quick drive or train ride away.


4. Admissions Competitiveness

Admission to the UC Davis Computer Science and Engineering graduate programs is moderately to highly competitive, especially at the PhD level. Annual applicant pools often exceed 1,500 across MS and PhD, with admission rates varying by specialization but estimated in the range of 15–25%. Successful candidates commonly demonstrate:

  • Strong Academic Background: Solid GPAs in CS, CE, or related STEM fields.

  • Research Experience: Publications, research projects, or relevant internships.

  • Alignment with Faculty Interests: A compelling Statement of Purpose that aligns with one or more UC Davis labs.

(Source: Departmental data summaries and anecdotal reports from faculty committees.)


5. Funding & Financial Support

  1. Teaching Assistantships (TAs): Many graduate students receive partial or full funding by assisting with undergraduate courses—leading discussions, grading, or holding office hours.

  2. Research Assistantships (RAs): Labs with external grants (from NSF, DOE, private industry) often employ RAs, covering tuition and providing a monthly stipend.

  3. Fellowships: UC Davis offers internal fellowships like the Provost’s Graduate Fellowship or the Graduate Scholars Fellowship, and encourages external fellowship applications (e.g., NSF GRFP, DOE CSGF).

  4. Summer Internships: Proximity to Sacramento and the Bay Area means many students secure industry internships or part-time consulting roles, further defraying costs.


6. Outcomes & Career Paths

Graduates of UC Davis’s Computer Science and Engineering programs are highly sought after by both academia and industry:

  • Industry: Many take roles at top tech companies like Google, NVIDIA, Apple, Intel, or at well-funded startups across Silicon Valley.

  • Academia & National Labs: Those with research-intensive backgrounds may secure postdoctoral or faculty positions, or continue at DOE National Laboratories (e.g., Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Lawrence Livermore) where UC Davis maintains collaborations.

  • Entrepreneurship: A subset of alumni launch startups in areas such as data analytics, security software, and visualization tools, leveraging the rich innovation ecosystem in Northern California.


References & Additional Links


In summary, UC Davis provides a collegial yet forward-leaning environment for graduate study in Computer Science and Engineering. Students benefit from access to top-tier faculty like Dr. Ma, Dr. Owens, Dr. Amenta, and Dr. Bishop, a supportive community emphasizing work-life balance, and ample funding avenues through assistantships and fellowships. The college-town charm of Davis, combined with proximity to major tech hubs, offers both a focused academic setting and extensive career opportunities—making UC Davis a compelling choice for future innovators and researchers in computing.

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