GRADUATE

STUDY
WE ARE WHOLE-BRAIN THINKERS
SEEING SIMPLICITY IN THE COMPLEX,
THE COMPLEXITY OF THE SIMPLE.

WE ARE WHOLE-BRAIN ENGINEERS,

BIG-PICTURE THINKERS, REAL-TIME

COLLABORATORS, ALL-OUT INNOVATORS.

WE ARE
TAKING THE
WORLD IN
A WHOLE NEW
DIRECTION.
Driving progress through innovation and leadership.
Turning research into patented processes and
life-changing inventions. Bringing products to market
with smart risk-taking and entrepreneurship.

FIND YOUR DIRECTION HERE.

 Empowering students with
advanced analytical and
problem-solving skills

24
MS PROGRAMS
Analysis. Logic. Synthesis. Math. All are elements
of “left-brain” thinking, all critical to engineering
success. To lead today in a world of change,
engineers require more. They need “right-brain”
skills. Intuition. Metaphorical thinking. Creative
problem solving. At Northwestern Engineering,
we celebrate whole-brain thinking and empower
their career opportunities through career-focused
initiatives and cross-school partnerships that
expand their perspectives and strengthen business
management skills.

Graduate students choose from an array of programs

aligned with their career goals and personal
passions. Master’s degree programs, full- and part-
our students to become whole-brain engineers.
time, are designed to meet ever-changing industry
Master’s and PhD students at Northwestern and research environments. Doctoral programs
Engineering build on that philosophy. They conduct allow students to work side-by-side with world-class
interdisciplinary research and collaboration faculty across disciplines researching advanced
with peers and faculty in other highly ranked topics in engineering.

14
departments. They develop leadership skills inside
and outside the classroom and lab. And they expand see areas of graduate study >

Whichever direction our graduate students take, all

PHD PROGRAMS become prepared to change the world for the better
and to lead others to do the same.

OVERVIEW
 RESEARCHERS AND COLLABORATORS

> 20
ONGOING RESEARCH
BREAKING BARRIERS AND CREATING THE FUTURE

Northwestern Engineering’s more than

200 faculty systematically confront some
of the world’s most pressing and complex
challenges in systems, materials, health and
wellness, energy, and the environment. Our
MAJOR CENTERS INCLUDE:

• Center for Advanced Regenerative Engineering

• Center for Robotics and Biosystems
• Center for Synthetic Biology
INITIATIVES WITH
interdisciplinary collaboration is exemplified • International Institute for Nanotechnology
OTHER NORTHWESTERN by ongoing research initiatives with more than
• Materials Research Science and
DEPARTMENTS 20 other departments across our extended
Engineering Center
Northwestern campus and dozens of other
universities and research centers worldwide. • Northwestern-Argonne Institute for
Science and Engineering
While the majority of University research
• Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems
funding comes from government sources,
corporate-sponsored research represents • Northwestern University Transportation Center
a growing opportunity. • Segal Design Institute

CAREER-FOCUSED PROFESSIONALS
PREPARING FOR SUCCESS IN BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, AND ACADEMIA

Northwestern Engineering is committed to For doctoral students, Management for

developing students for successful careers Scientists and Engineers, an eight-week
as leaders and researchers in business, summer course drawn from the Kellogg School
industry, and academia. The Engineering Career of Management core MBA curriculum, equips
Development office identifies and works with researchers with the knowledge they need to
students to secure internship opportunities and become better managers and leaders.
provides other career advancement services,
including full-time employment after graduation.

ENTREPRENEURS AND INNOVATORS

CHANGING THE WORLD FOR THE BETTER EVERY DAY

Northwestern Engineering students and faculty drive progress through innovation and leadership,
turning research into patented processes and life-changing inventions, bringing products to market
NUVENTION COURSES
through smart risk-taking and entrepreneurship. They typically account for a lion’s share of the
These courses are a visionary University’s inventions and faculty startups.
academic partnership created
to expand upon Northwestern’s ENTREPRENEURSHIP RESOURCES
excellence in interdisciplinary • The Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and • The Innovation and New Ventures Office
study and to foster a sense of Innovation provides incubators, mentorships, (INVO) advises faculty and students on the
collaboration throughout the and seminars and encourages the ongoing development of research with commercial
University. development of new, interdisciplinary curricula. potential and conducts seminars and
educational programs on entrepreneurship
• NUvention courses engage interdisciplinary
and innovation.
teams from across the University in the entire
innovation and entrepreneurial life cycle, • The Garage is an entrepreneurship space
including how to transform innovations into for Northwestern students to experiment,
viable business. collaborate, and build their ideas.

OVERVIEW
A DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF LEADERS
GAINING EXPERIENCE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOMS AND LAB

The McCormick Graduate Leadership • Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA)

Council helps solidify a graduate student • Chinese Students and Scholars Assoc. (CSSA)
community among the nine departments within
• Graduate Student Association for Latino
Northwestern Engineering by organizing social,
and Spanish Activities (G-SALSA)
academic, and professional activities, and
• Indian Graduate Student and Scholars
facilitating communication with administration.
Assoc. (IGSSA)
Students can also participate in the Graduate
• International Society for Optics and Photonics
Student Association, department-centered
(SPIE)
student groups, and other student associations
• Queer Pride Graduate Student Assoc. (QPGSA)
that promote interactions among graduate
students, provide academic and social programs, • Society of Women Engineers (GradSWE)
and serve as student advocates. These include: • Women in Science and Engineering Research
(WISER)

OVERVIEW
 COLLEAGUES, FRIENDS, AND FAMILIES

12
MILES
LIVING AND LEARNING IN ONE OF THE WORLD’ S
MOST DYNAMIC METROPOLITAN AREAS

Stretching along the shore of spectacular Lake

Michigan, Northwestern’s Evanston campus
provides an environment conducive to serious
shuttle, Northwestern students have easy
access to the wealth of professional sports,
music, art, and cultural diversity that the
scholarship and rich in rewarding opportunities nation’s third-largest city offers.
FROM DOWNTOWN
for every lifestyle. Evanston boasts the amenities
CHICAGO Northwestern’s location also means
of a big city in a manageable suburban setting.
unsurpassed access to major corporations,
With Northwestern’s downtown Chicago campus research centers, and other organizations eager
only 12 miles away and readily accessible to engage Northwestern Engineering students in
by public transportation or the intercampus experiential learning, internships, and careers.

OVERVIEW
 MS IN

MACHINE
LEARNING
AND DATA
SCIENCE
 Leverage and Apply
QUICK FACTS

DEGREE EARNED
the Full Value of Data.
Master of Science in
Machine Learning and Data
Northwestern Engineering’s Master of persuasively as they lead data science projects.
Science Science in Machine Learning and Data
The 15-month, five quarter Master of Science
Science (MLDS) program, housed within
in Machine Learning and Data Science program
LOCATION the Department of Industrial Engineering and
has two major components:
Northwestern University’s
Management Sciences, immerses students
Evanston campus in a comprehensive and applied data science • COURSEWORK is a sequenced data science
curriculum. The professional master’s program curriculum with a business focus taught
Easy access to Chicago’s
varied industries offers a comprehensive and applied curriculum by tenured faculty from the McCormick
exploring the underlying data engineering, data School of Engineering, the Kellogg School
TIMING science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, of Management, and the Medill School of
and business of analytics. Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing
15-month, full-time program
including required summer Communications. Case studies of real-world
internship Graduates can identify and assess the
analytics problems ground the curriculum in
opportunities, needs, and constraints of data
practical data science.
usage within an organization; integrate data
CLASS SIZE
engineering and data science to maximize • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT includes
Cohort of ~55 students an industry internship and Practicum project,
data’s value; develop and deploy machine
learning and artificial intelligence solutions, a robust speaker seminar series, career fairs,
and design innovative data analytics solutions. and a capstone project.
Graduates are ready to communicate clearly and

MS MACHINE LEARNING AND DATA SCIENCE

 PROGRAM STRUCTURE view our course listings >

Students start in fall and progress through the and the final capstone project in the fifth quarter.
five-quarter program together as a cohort. The Course topics include predictive analytics,
first three quarters consist of classwork deep learning, data visualization, analytics
and practicums. The fourth – or summer quarter for big data, data warehousing, and leadership
– is dedicated to an industry internship, and for organizations.
the program ends with the remaining courses

JEFF PARKER
MSIA ‘17*

It is a really cutting-edge
program, in that you’re learning
some of the most recent trends
and techniques that are out
there, and it’s really exciting.”

*newly renamed MS in Machine

Learning and Data Science COHORT EXPERIENCE meet our faculty > meet the cohort >

The small size of the cohort—about 55 alumni network. Students come from a variety
students—ensures a high degree of of experiential and academic backgrounds. This
individualized instruction and attention. diversity within the cohort strengthens ties
Students form a tightly knit community, and equips teams with different viewpoints
fostering relationships that transcend the from which the students learn and engage in
academic setting and strengthen our robust industry-supplied projects.

RECENT OUTCOMES INDUSTRY WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS,

AND GUEST LECTURERS
$115,000 MLDS offers numerous opportunities for in analytics. Industry leaders regularly guest
MEDIAN STARTING SALARY students to engage with and learn from industry lecture about their specific expertise and
throughout their tenure with the program, experience, and students engage in applied
including seminars and workshops on the projects sourced directly from corporate

100% Evanston campus which explore best practices,

recent innovations, and common problems
partners.

STUDENTS WITH OFFERS

WITHIN THREE MONTHS
OF GRADUATION
AMPLE NETWORKING
47% MLDS students attend career fairs and
industry networking nights featuring recruiters
each quarter. While students lead their
internship and job searches, they are well
JOB OFFERS WITH
specifically looking for MLDS students supported by Northwestern University and the
SIGNING BONUS
and graduates. Informational sessions and McCormick School of Engineering resources.
presentations with companies searching for full- Graduates are highly sought after by data-savvy
time data scientists and interns are held organizations.

MS MACHINE LEARNING AND DATA SCIENCE

TIMELINE ADMISSIONS
APPLICATION OPENS The admissions review committee assesses Admission to the MLDS program is highly
September 1 each application holistically, taking into competitive and applicants are encouraged
account all materials including, but not limited to apply by the scholarship priority deadline.
OPTIONAL INFO to, transcripts, letters of recommendation, The strongest applicants for admission have
SESSION and exam scores, in order to develop a small a strong academic background, exceptional
Offered September–December cohort of exceptionally talented and strongly interpersonal, communication, and leadership
motivated students. skills, and a demonstrated interest in analytics
SCHOLARSHIP (and Northwestern’s program).
PRIORITY DEADLINE
December 1

FINAL DEADLINE
January 15
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
ADMISSION DECISION
Mid-March THREE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

PROGRAM BEGINS PERSONAL STATEMENT

September
SCHOLARSHIP STATEMENT (optional)

TRANSCRIPTS

GRE OR GMAT (optional)

START YOUR
TOEFL OR IELTS (if appropriate)
APPLICATION >
RÉSUMÉ OR CV

CANDIDATE VIDEO

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS (optional)

(certificates, course descriptions)

APPLICATION FEE

PLEASE DO NOT SEND HARD COPIES OF MATERIALS.

NEXT STEPS FINANCIAL AID review financial information >

MORE INFO Many master’s students find funding through The MLDS program awards a small number of
a variety of loan options or through other merit-based scholarships each year. Applications
mlds.northwestern.edu
scholarship and resource opportunities, some submitted and completed by the Scholarship
QUESTIONS of which are listed on McCormick’s website. Priority Deadline are automatically considered
mlds@northwestern.edu Additionally, students are encouraged to visit the for funding as part of the application process.
Evanston Office of Graduate Financial Aid for
information on a variety of federal and private
loan and funding options.

MS MACHINE LEARNING AND DATA SCIENCE

 MS IN

ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE
 Leading AI through the lens of
QUICK FACTS

DEGREE EARNED
technology, business strategy,
Master of Science in
Artificial Intelligence and human interactions
LOCATION
Northwestern’s Master of Science in Artificial • COURSEWORK focuses on an Artificial
Northwestern University’s
Intelligence (MSAI) program produces graduates Intelligence core and includes human
Evanston campus
who have exceptional technical skills in the computer interaction and human cognition.
Easy access to Chicago’s
emerging technologies of machine intelligence Elective course options from across
STEM industries
and an understanding of the nature of the human Northwestern University allow students to
environments in which the systems they build focus on areas closest to their individual
TIMING
will be deployed. career goals.
MSAI (traditional)
15-months, full-time In the MSAI program, students follow one of two • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT includes
MSAI+X tracks depending upon whether their desired a practicum course teaming with an industry
12-months, full-time career path is to work directly in industry partner and a robust, weekly speaker series
conceiving and creating complex AI systems featuring industry professionals. Additionally,
CLASS SIZE (traditional track), or to continue in their original the traditional track includes either an
field of study but with the understanding of external internship or project work / research
Cohort of ~40 students
the tools and techniques of AI in order to help opportunities within a Northwestern AI lab
transform their field (MSAI+X). and a capstone project producing work that
From either track, graduates leave ready to students can highlight in their portfolios.
identify opportunities and lead teams in the
design and development of sophisticated AI
technologies and products.

MS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
 CURRICULUM view our course listing >

The MSAI curriculum is systematically organized to build on the students’ increasing knowledge of
complex AI technologies and workflows. Students learn to recognize the psychological and design
implications of human interactions with intelligent systems and learn how business needs affect the
way intelligent systems are considered and deployed.

While students in the MSAI (traditional) and MSAI+X tracks begin and end at different times,
together they share the experience from the first fall through the end of the next spring quarter.

MSAI (TRADITIONAL) MSAI+X

WHO SHOULD APPLY Bootcamp for MSAI+X students to acquire,

SUMMER practice and refine programming and
MSAI students are ambitious, mathematical skills
creative and collaborative thinkers.
FALL Core courses to establish baseline knowledge through deep introduction
Those in the traditional track
generally seek to become architects WINTER Core courses to augment foundation and prepare students for upcoming practicum

of intelligent systems as well as SPRING Elective courses and team participation in industry-led practicum
developers. MSAI+X students
Internships in industry, or project work
possess an advanced degree – MD, SUMMER
within a Northwestern lab.
PhD, or JD – and plan to remain in
their chosen fields while providing
One core, two electives, and the
leadership on AI technologies being FALL
final capstone project.
envisioned and deployed.

MS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
 meet our faculty >
PEOPLE meet our students >

To enhance the academic experience, the cohort bond with their peers for support and
is limited to about 40 students who progress experiential learning. Renowned Northwestern
through the program together. Students receive faculty and leading AI and business executives
a high degree of individualized instruction and offer an array of perspectives.

INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS
QUINCIA HU
MSAI ’19 MSAI offers a robust speaker series and Students gain an understanding of how the
welcomes weekly talks and presentations from technologies and techniques they are learning
The MS in Artificial Intelligence professionals in the industry who share their view can be applied, and explore networking
program at Northwestern is of the needs and requirements of companies in relationships with companies from all sectors
outstanding, as this program is the sphere of AI. around Chicagoland and throughout the country.
aimed to support many types
of career trajectories in the
artificial intelligence world: AI
architect, machine learning
PROJECT PORTFOLIO
engineer, or even data analysts.”
During the course of the program, students demonstrate their skills to potential employers.
develop systems and demonstrations that MSAI faculty help students prepare this model of
become part of their individual “calling “show, don’t tell” as a communication tool that
cards.” Students in the traditional MSAI track will serve them for their entire careers.
subsequently develop portfolios of work that

MS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
TIMELINE ADMISSIONS
APPLICATION OPENS The MSAI admissions team reviews all elements The admissions team seeks to create a
September 1 of the application submission to assess the balanced, cohesive cohort and providing the
likelihood of a student’s success in the program. optional video is advised to help the team get
INFO SESSION Besides holding a BA/BS in computer science or to know a candidate’s personality, work style,
October–February similar field, applicants with at least two years and leadership capabilities. First consideration
of work experience in a related field, such as is given to complete applications received by
APPLICATION DEADLINE development, design, or software architecture, the priority deadline.
DECEMBER 15 are given strong preference.
Priority Decision

MARCH 15
Final Decision

RECEIVE DECISION
January–April
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
PROGRAM BEGINS
UNOFFICIAL ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS
JULY
MSAI+X
GRE SCORES (optional)
SEPTEMBER
MSAI (traditional)
THREE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

TOEFL SCORES (if applicable)

START YOUR RÉSUMÉ OR CV

APPLICATION >
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL SHOWING EVIDENCE OF
SELF-DIRECTED WORK IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

PERSONAL STATEMENT

CANDIDATE VIDEO (optional)

PLEASE DO NOT SEND HARD COPIES OF MATERIALS.

NEXT STEPS FINANCIAL AID view financial information >

MORE INFO Many master’s students find funding through the Evanston Office of Graduate Financial Aid for
a variety of loan options or through other information on a variety of federal and private
msai.northwestern.edu
scholarship and resource opportunities, some loan and funding options.
QUESTIONS of which are listed on McCormick’s website.
Additionally, students are encouraged to visit
msai@northwestern.edu

MS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
 MS IN

COMPUTER
SCIENCE
 Transforming the way we
QUICK FACTS
work, play, think, and live
DEGREE EARNED
Master of Science in
Computer Science The Department of Computer Science (CS) at students take the same classes as Northwestern
Northwestern University equips students with the undergraduates and PhD students, with ample
LOCATION technological expertise to build computer science opportunity for team projects with Northwestern
solutions for a better future and to work with leading students and faculty in CS and affiliated programs.
Northwestern University’s
Evanston campus researchers through interdisciplinary relationships
• COURSEWORK includes a tailored
with Northwestern’s top-ranked schools.
Easy access to research and curriculum in artificial intelligence, human-
industry partnerships in the Situated within the McCormick School of computer interaction, distributed interactive
Chicagoland area Engineering, CS engages in internationally systems, theoretical computer science,
recognized computer science research that is computer graphics, and computational optics.
TIMING impact-driven and future-focused in areas
• RESEARCH may include a multi-quarter
3–6 quarters including artificial intelligence and machine
research project or master’s thesis under the
learning; computer engineering; graphics; human-
guidance of a CS faculty member.
computer interaction and information visualization;
programming languages; robotics; security and • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT includes
privacy; systems and networking; and theory. conferences and workshops. Students have
full access to Northwestern’s extensive career
Master’s study within the computer science
placement resources.
department affords students the flexibility to
take courses and participate in research that
aligns with their career aspirations in this growing
and increasingly important field. Master’s

MS COMPUTER SCIENCE
CS+X CURRICULUM view more online >

Within the CS+X initiative,

Full-time students must take three or four PROGRAM PLANNING
Northwestern actively fosters
courses per quarter. At least 12 courses are
ongoing transformational
required to complete the MS program, which The director of the master’s program assists
relationships between computer
can include some units for research work for students in planning their study for each term
science and intersecting
students who are doing a research project or and registering for classes.
fields at Northwestern’s top-
master’s thesis.
ranked schools.

CS+X activities include:

• Joint hiring of faculty in
computer science and CAREER PATHS
intersecting fields.
Northwestern computer science graduates are consulting, database and systems analysis,
• Joint conferences and
recruited by employers in nearly every industry. data analytics, and financial risk analysis and
workshops
The wide range of career options for master’s trading. The program also provides effective
• Joint hiring and recruiting in graduates includes software development preparation for PhD studies.
intersection areas and engineering, information technology
• Shared cross-functional project
classes
• Shared student and faculty
research opportunities
• Visiting faculty and speakers at
the intersection

MS COMPUTER SCIENCE
 AREAS OF RESEARCH EXCELLENCE
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning • Programming Languages
• Computer Engineering • Robotics
(in collaboration with the Electrical and • Security and Privacy
Computer Engineering Department)
• Systems and Networking
• Graphics
• Theory
• Human-Computer Interaction and
Information Visualization

MARCELO WORSLEY
Karr Family Professor and
associate professor of computer FACULTY meet our core faculty >
science
Master’s students tackle today’s critical of computer science research by working with
By including critical computer science problems with faculty CS+X faculty who create interdisciplinary
discussions of the members who have developed new ideas to connections between computer science and
field and authentically achieve results in all aspects of computer fields ranging economics to law to art.
science. Students broaden their definition
collaborating with the
community, we can
develop better designs
and change perceptions
of what is valuable in
computing experiences.”

MS COMPUTER SCIENCE
TIMELINE ADMISSIONS
APPLICATION OPENS Applications and all supplemental materials for Northwestern Engineering’s Admissions
September admission are submitted through the Graduate instructions and the department’s Admissions
School’s online application system. Please view page for more information.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
February 28

RECEIVE DECISION
ON A ROLLING BASIS:
If applied by November 30, APPLICATION CHECKLIST
receive decision by January 10
If applied by December 31,
ONLINE APPLICATION
receive decision by February 10
If applied by February 28,
RÉSUMÉ OR CV
receive decision by April 30

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
ACCEPT OFFER
June ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS

PROGRAM BEGINS TWO OR THREE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

September
TOEFL SCORES/IELTS SCORES (if applicable)

PREFERENCES FOR AREA OF STUDY

OPTIONAL SUPPORTING MATERIALS

START YOUR
APPLICATION > APPLICATION FEE

PLEASE DO NOT SEND HARD COPIES OF MATERIALS.

NEXT STEPS FINANCIAL AID

MORE INFO To ensure our graduate students can fund their The Evanston Office of Graduate Financial Aid
education regardless of personal financial assists with these funding processes.
cs.northwestern.edu
circumstances, Northwestern Engineering
gradfinaid@northwestern.edu >
QUESTIONS provides opportunities for access to a variety of
federal and private loan and funding options. view funding resources >
ms-admissions@cs.northwestern.edu

MS COMPUTER SCIENCE