Rice University Computer Science

10/15/2026

Join us for the In-Space Physical AI Workshop 2027, co-organized by Rice University, Purdue University, Vanderbilt University and NASA! This event is bringing together an exceptional community from industry, government, academia and the startup ecosystem.

The workshop will feature active participation from organizations across the space and technology ecosystem, including Blue Origin, Intuitive Machines, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft and many others. More exciting speakers, organizations, and program announcements are coming soon.

February 17–18, 2027
The Ion | Houston, Texas

Register and be part of the conversation:
https://luma.com/sedbx0uo

10/14/2026

Rice University plans to hire 75 AI-focused faculty, and Rice Computer Science is right in the middle of it.

Our chair, Chris Jermaine, leads the Rice AI Advisory Committee, and our new Master of Artificial Intelligence program launches in fall 2027. The Ken Kennedy Institute, led by computer scientist Lydia Kavraki, serves as a nexus for foundational and use-inspired research in AI and computing.

As Dean Luay Nakhleh put it, “The overarching theme of our approach to AI will be responsibility.”

Read the full story: https://ow.ly/T2iS50ZXKjs

Rice has launched a transformational universitywide AI initiative to recruit 75 faculty members working across disciplines, invest in a new, state-of-the-art facility that advances research and industry collaboration, and expand AI-related courses and degrees, accelerating the institution’s emerge...

10/13/2026

Want to build the software others rely on?
Join a virtual info session for Rice's on-campus Master of Computer Science program.

Using software is one skill. Building it and understanding how it works is another. Our MCS program is built for the second one, with five specializations, a required internship and a course in workplace communication so you can explain your work as clearly as you build it.

Hear a program overview, learn about the application process and bring your questions for the Q&A.

Upcoming sessions (all 5-6 p.m. CT):
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Thursday, November19, 2026
Thursday, January 21, 2027

Save your spot: https://ow.ly/Afy350ZVAIa

10/08/2026

Is a Master of Data Science your next move? Join a virtual info session for Rice's MDS program and get your questions answered.

Data science shapes the work happening in health care, energy, manufacturing and research. Doing it well takes more than one skill set. Our MDS program brings statistics, computer science and math together so you can use data to make informed decisions.

In each session, you'll learn about our on-campus options and how to apply.
Bring your questions.

Upcoming sessions (all noon-1 p.m. CT):
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Friday, January 22, 2027

Save your spot: https://ow.ly/gn4P50ZVzzW

09/25/2026

What can the brain teach us about building better neural networks?

Francesco Bullo, professor of mechanical engineering at UC Santa Barbara, is coming to Duncan Hall at Rice on Thursday, October 8, to deliver a Ken Kennedy Institute Distinguished Lecture: "Neural Circuits as Distributed Optimizers: From Probabilistic Models to Predictive Coding."

For anyone building neural networks, the big question is what the brain's approach can tell us about designing systems that learn well and stay stable. Bullo will tackle that with examples from sensory coding, decision-making and learning. If you work anywhere near machine learning or optimization, this is a good one to put on your calendar.

The lecture starts at 4 p.m. with a poster session to follow, so plan to stay for the conversation.

Please RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gHZ_mFYG

09/24/2026

Rice Computer Science is now accepting applications for our new Master of Artificial Intelligence (MAI). Join a limited inaugural class and learn from faculty doing cutting-edge AI research.

Not all AI programs are built the same. Our MAI is designed for recent computer science graduates and working professionals (engineers, scientists, and technologists) with technical backgrounds who want specialized depth in AI architectures, systems and deployment, rather than the breadth offered by our Master of Computer Science or analytics-focused Master of Data Science.

Instead, we focus exclusively on modern AI paradigms: retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), agentic systems and distributed training. You'll build working AI applications through an internship and a capstone while embedding ethical, responsible AI practices into your work.

The result? Engineers fluent in the language of AI systems.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/3URk50ZQHsn

09/23/2026

Rice Computer Science is No. 24 in the nation for undergraduate computer science programs in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. That's up six spots from last year.

The ranking is part of a strong year across Rice Engineering and Computing, which rose to No. 17 for undergraduate engineering and

Both the School of Engineering and Computing and the Computer Science Department rank in the top 10 among private universities.

Congratulations, Owls!

Read the full story: https://ow.ly/2J1F50ZQGkn

09/15/2026

Are you ready to elevate your expertise and advance your career?

Join us for an exclusive Student-Faculty Panel Discussion to discover what it takes to succeed in Rice University's top-tier online master's programs.

Hear directly from our esteemed faculty and current students about their experiences, gain insights into the rigorous curriculum and find out how Rice can help you achieve your professional goals in the fast-growing tech industry.

Event Details:
Programs: Online Master of Computer Science & Online Master of Data Science
Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Time: 12:00 p.m. CT
Location: Live on Zoom

Don't miss this opportunity to get your questions answered live and see if Rice University is the right fit for your future!

Register today: https://online.rice.edu/mcsmds

09/15/2026

Today is National Online Learning Day, and we're proud to offer two fully online Master's degrees: Computer Science and Data Science.

Both deliver the same curriculum, faculty interaction and rigor as our on-campus programs, built for working professionals advancing in place.

Choose your area of focus. Learn directly from faculty shaping the future of computing. Put your skills to work without stopping your career.

Explore our online Master's programs: https://ow.ly/SMJS50ZNs7C

09/11/2026

Rice Computer Science teaches you how AI actually gets built and deployed.

But here's what's different: our students are in Houston.
They can see how energy companies approach AI. How hospitals use it. How aerospace programs build it.

Different problems. Different constraints. Different solutions. All just minutes away.
Most students learn from textbooks. Ours learn from the ecosystem.

That's the Houston advantage.

cs.rice.edu