computer science

Paul Hand, an assistant professor in the College of Science and the Khoury College of Computer Science, is using neural networks to construct images and searching for the mathematical theories behind those networks. Photo by Adam Glanzman/Northeastern University

Want machines to analyze images faster? Stay out of their way.

Paul Hand, an assistant professor of mathematics and computer science, has received a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation to figure out why neural networks are so effective at reconstructing and processing images.

by Laura Castañón March 31, 2019

Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Northeastern establishes the Khoury College of Computer Sciences

Northeastern University is naming its fastest-growing college the Khoury College of Computer Sciences in honor of alumnus and trustee Amin Khoury. Inspired by Northeastern’s leadership in digital innovation, Khoury has endowed the college with $50 million to support all aspects of the college’s future focus.

by Ian Thomsen December 17, 2018

Helen Liu and Bridget Zhou, both second-year students, demo video games in the What's Poppin' space on Dec. 6, 2018. The event was part of Professor Kellian Adams' capstone game design class. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Here’s a college classroom where it’s nothing but fun and games

Kellian Adams Pletcher’s capstone game design course requires students to create digital games from concept to completion. The course is offered as part of a College of Arts, Media and Design program that merges computer science and game development.

by Khalida Sarwari December 11, 2018

Alex Vespignani, left, and Marco Ajelli are taking another look at one of the basic assumptions of computer models that forecast the spread of epidemics: that in the early stages of an epidemic, the average number of new cases caused by each infected person is relatively constant. Photo by Adam Glanzman/Northeastern University

Tracking an epidemic requires computer models. But what if those models are wrong?

Researchers at Northeastern have found that one of the basic assumptions used in disease modeling simply isn’t realistic. Now they’re looking at how epidemics travel through various layers of a population to find a better way to track a disease.

by Laura Castañón November 19, 2018

The Swiss Army knife of Northeastern administrators

Doreen Hodgkin planned to be a gym teacher. She ends her career this summer, after 35 years at Northeastern, as associate dean of the College of Computer and Information Science.

by Bill Ibelle July 5, 2018

Chris Riedl is discovering ways to improve group creativity across time zones. <i>Photo by Liz Linder Photography</i>

Crowdsourcing innovation

Its common for business to use crowdsourcing to brainstorm product ideas and solve discrete technical challenges. But Chris Riedl, a professor of business and computer science, has found a way harness the creativity of the crowd to solve far more complex challenges.

by Bill Ibelle February 14, 2018

“In order to remain globally competitive, the U.S. needs to maintain and expand a well-educated STEM workforce,” said Ellen Carpenter, program officer in NSF’s Division of Undergraduate Education. Photo via iStock.

National Science Foundation grant bolsters Northeastern’s work to diversify computer science field

A $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation will expand Northeastern’s computer science ALIGN program, creating even more opportunities for students from demographic groups traditionally underrepresented in the field. The grant will fund scholarships and support services for more than 60 students.

by Molly Callahan March 30, 2017

Hackathon examines power of Big Data to change lives

Entire mountain ranges of data are growing all around, and they will either bury us or help us climb to new heights of understanding. It all depends on how we respond. This was the focus of a four-hour “hackathon” Wednesday night, sponsored by Northeastern to explore the intersection between public policy and Big Data analysis. The event, “Data Science, Journalism, and the Future of Justice,” was part of HUBweek, a series of more than 100 events that brought together the brightest minds in government, private industry, and academia to celebrate innovation in Boston.

by News@Northeastern September 30, 2016

09/12/15 - BOSTON, MA. - Andrew Colgin, CIS'20 poses for a portrait on Sept. 12, 2016. Photo by Adam Glanzman/Northeastern University

Tech enthusiast finds home at Northeastern

As a kid, Andrew Colgin liked to tinker with technology. And now—surprise, surprise—he’s a first-year student in the university’s computer science program. “There are students all around me who like a lot of the same things that I do,” he says.

by Jason Kornwitz September 26, 2016

Coast-to-coast collaboration targets food security

A team of 20 graduate students at Northeastern’s Boston and Seattle campuses spent the spring semester working together, collaborating via Skype, GitHub, and Google Hangouts to build a software platform aimed at connecting a global community of farmers, researchers, and educators.

by Jason Kornwitz July 20, 2016