The University of Oregon's new School of Computer and Data Sciences opened in fall 2023. The school combines the university’s established and growing strength in computer science with its five-year investment in data science. The new school, housed within the College of Arts and Sciences, offers courses to all UO students and is a home to research and experiential education activities.
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Ducks Take Flight
Liz Olson '17
Computer Science Major
Since graduating in Computer Science from UO in 2017, Liz Olson has held a steady focus on the study of robotics. More specifically, she’s been researching perception in robotics or, how robots learn from sensory data—how they perceive, comprehend and reason.
Now, having almost completed her PhD at the University of Michigan, Olson has set her sights on academia and industry to continue her research.
Lindsey Uribe '23
Data Science Major, Biology Domain, Mathematics Minor
Lindsey Uribe was interested in data science long before she knew it was a viable career option. She had always found working with numbers to be satisfying. But she also had an interest in biology. When she began looking for an academic program that might combine the two, she found a match with UO’s Data Science program.
Lindsey graduated in 2023 with a data science degree and a minor in mathematics. She then secured a full-time position as a data scientist with Dexcom, the company where she had interned.
Computer Science Interdisciplinary Specializations
We are home to state-of-the-art research in natural language processing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. We offer students and faculty a close-knit community in which to learn, discover, and innovate in a shared quest for solutions to a spectrum of challenging problems that stretch across campus:
Data Science Undergraduate Program Domains
Data science undergraduate students can choose from a variety of domain areas from across the university. Domain specialization provides students with the opportunity to apply core data science knowledge and skills to an area of interest, including:
2024 Grad Spotlights
Nathan Koga
Computer Science Major
Nathan Koga came to UO thinking he would study music. But a summer project with Oregon Networking Research Group presented Nathan with an intriguing opportunity—a major in computer science. He was interested in the subject matter and soon realized that a computer science major could be combined with other areas of interest. For Nathan, it would be music. It was a win-win.
After graduation, Nathan intends to find a career path that combines his love for music with computer science.
Kyle Humbert
Data Science & Accounting Dual Major, Accounting Analytics Domain
When Kyle Humbert began his college career, he was studying accounting but was eager to integrate his programming skills. UO’s data science program, with an emphasis in accounting, was a perfect fit.
For Kyle data science opens doors for dynamic career possibilities. Humbert's interests remain centered on his business goals and opportunities. After graduation, he hopes to build internal tools for an accounting firm.
“SCDS is a hub of innovation and exploration where students explore the limitless potential of computational technology. They dive into coding challenges, unlock data insights, and develop futuristic solutions. The school engages in cutting-edge research, experiential learning, and interdisciplinary collaborations, preparing students for the ever-evolving world of technology and data-driven fields.”
— Joe Sventek, Interim Executive Director, School of Computer and Data Sciences
Impactful Faculty Research
Rori Rohlfs
Associate Professor of Data Science
Rori Rohlfs, the first tenure-track faculty member in the new Department of Data Science, has built her reputation at the intersection of biology and computer science. She comes to UO with deep data science experience and a passion for its application to social justice.
"There's no avoiding social context when we’re doing science,” she says. "It’s clear in the questions we ask and our approaches to those questions, who we include on our scientific teams, what assumptions we make, and what assumptions we examine. How data science informs social justice is integral to this discussion.”
Ram Durairajan
Associate Professor of Computer Science and Ripple Fellow
When Ramakrishnan (Ram) Durairajan decided it was time to take on the beast that is the internet, he came prepared. Durairajan’s team is developing a new, more agile defense framework that can be programmed to control network infrastructure and forward behavior.
The endgame here is to deliver an exceptionally reliable level of protection from cyber-attacks. His strategy to meet this challenge is not only groundbreaking but also a promising path toward something the world is more than ready to welcome, a higher-functioning Internet.
“My goal is to build a better internet, one that is more secure, more performant, and more resilient.”
Research & News Stories
