phd computer science osu

Graduate School

• Resources to Prepare for Graduate School
• Adonara Mucek, Ph.D. Geology '17
• Adriana Mendoza, Ph.D. Mathematics '14
• Andrew Olsen
• Becca Maher ('21, Ph.D.)
• Bryan Lynn, Ph.D. Integrative Biology
• Celeste Frazier Barthel, Ph.D. Education '21
• Diane Brandt
• Francesca Germano, Toxicology, M.S.
• Garrett Rogers
• Jafra Thomas
• Jen Hayes, Horticulture, PhD
• Jordan Jimmie
• Jordan Spradlin, Public Health, MPH
• Kalina Fahey, Psychology, Ph.D.
• Katie Stelling, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Ph.D.
• Kelsey Contreras
• Layla Ghazi
• Marie Tosa, Ph.D. Wildlife Sciences
• Sara Letton
• Tiara Walz, Ph.D. Public Health
• Glossary of Terms
• Master's Students
• Doctoral Students
• Certificate Students
• Graduate School Orientation 2024
• Graduate Teaching Orientation 2024
• Do I Qualify to Attend Graduate Summer Step?
• Orientation for Winter, Spring and Summer Terms
• Co-sponsorships
• Your Graduate Committee
• Student Resources
• Grad Research Photo Competition
• Tips for Scheduling Committee Meetings
• Program of Study
• Formatting a Thesis or Dissertation
• Pretext Pages Templates
• Commencement
• Grad Inspire
• Grievance Procedures
• Request a Workshop
• Earning Concurrent Degrees or Pursuing a Dual Major
• Career Preparation
• Grad Writing Group Challenge
• Graduate Writing Center Online
• Changing or Adding a Degree, Major or Certificate
• GRAD 420 - Graduate School Preparation
• GRAD 512 - Current Issues in Higher Education
• GRAD 513 - Professional Development in College and University Teaching
• GRAD 516 - Graduate Teaching Seminar
• GRAD 520 - Responsible Conduct of Research
• GRAD 521 - Research Data Management
• GRAD 542 - The Inclusive College Classroom
• GRAD 543 - Dialogue Facilitation in Professional Contexts: Skills and Practice for Graduate Students
• GRAD 550 - Introduction to Online Course Development and Facilitation
• GRAD 560 - Theories of Teaching and Learning
• GRAD 561 - Course Design and Methods
• GRAD 599 - Creating Happiness
• GRAD 599 - Cultivating Productive and Positive Academic Relationships for Graduate Success
• WR 599 - Graduate Writing for English Language Learners
• WR 599 - Scientific and Technical Research Writing
• WR 599 - Writing Workshop for Thesis and Dissertation Writers
• OSU Grad Advantage
• Graduate Faculty Membership
• Graduate Council Representatives
• Policy updates
• Holistic Admissions
• Defining the Graduate Mentor
• The Importance of Mentors
• Apprenticeship and Mentoring
• Mentor and Mentee Pairing
• Maintaining and Evaluating Mentoring
• Suggestions for Mentoring Programs
• Handbooks, Manuals, and Guides
• Mentoring Bibliography
• Communication Items
• Detailed Considerations for a Joint Degree Program
• MOU Outline for Creating a Joint Program
• College and Program Recruitment Representatives
• Graduate Recruitment Tips
• Helpful Recruitment Links
• Shared Graduate Recruitment Schedule
• Leave of Absence and Family Medical Leave Eligibility
• Mentor Training for Faculty
• Student Funding
• Student Progress
• Student Progress Information for Programs
• Student Registration Information
• August 2023 Newsletter
• Sept 2023 Newsletter
• October 2023 Newsletter
• November 2023 Newsletter
• April 2024 Newsletter
• Dec 2023 Newsletter
• Feb 2024 Newsletter
• Jan 2024 Newsletter
• June 2024 Newsletter
• March 2024 Newsletter
• May 2024 Newsletter
• Strategic Plan
• Request Info
• Current Students
• Faculty Resources

You are here

Computer science (ph.d., meng, m.s., minor).

The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Oregon State University provides a comprehensive, state-of-the-art education that prepares our students to be successful in engineering practice, advanced studies and research.

The computer science master's program provides advanced instruction beyond the undergraduate degree. It prepares students for careers in which a higher level of experience is required. The Ph.D. program prepares students for work in government or industry research laboratories or industry research laboratories or for careers at universities.

Additional areas of concentration may be arranged with other departments, for example, numerical analysis or computer algebra with the Department of Mathematics.

The M.S. and MEng degrees are also available online.

  Computer Science Website

  College of Engineering

 Corvallis  Ecampus

Corvallis Campus Contact

Ecampus contact, admissions requirements.

• Winter Term
• Spring Term

Fall admit term for M.S. and Ph.D. Fall, winter, and spring admit term for MEng

Required Tests

MEng doesn't require the GRE. GRE scores for M.S. and Ph.D. are optional.

English Language Requirements ?

• TOEFL iBT: 80
• TOEFL Paper: 0
• IELTS: 6.50

MEng: TOEFL iBT 80 (18 subscores) IELTS 6.5 (5.5 subscores)

Additional Requirements

Additional supplemental information is requested.

Paper applications will not be accepted.

Application requirements, including required documents, letters, and forms, vary by program and may not be completely represented here. The processing of your application will not be completed until these requirements have been met. Please, before applying to this program, always contact the program office to confirm application requirements.

Application Process

Please review the graduate school application process and Apply Online .

International students interested in the Master of Engineering (MEng) program should apply through Master’s International Direct.

Dates & Deadlines ?

Admissions deadline for doctoral applicants, admissions deadline for m.s. applicants, admissions deadline for meng applicants.

Check the program website for exact dates

Concentrations ?

Mais participation.

This program may serve as a primary, secondary, or third field of study in a MAIS degree .

AMP Participation ?

This program participates in the Accelerated Masters Platform (AMP)

AMP Contact

Contact info.

Graduate School Heckart Lodge 2900 SW Jefferson Way Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331-1102

Phone: 541-737-4881 Fax: 541-737-3313

• Programs - Majors, minors and certificates
• Academic Progress
• Student Success
• Faculty Support
• Staff Directory
• Graduate Catalog

The Ohio State University

• BuckeyeLink
• Search Ohio State

Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD)

PhD applicants:  We have two paths to the PhD degree

BS to PhD:  for applicants with a BS degree already complete or that will be completed by the admission semester.

MS to PhD:  for applicants with a completed MS degree already complete or that will be completed by the admission semester.

Go to Required ECE Materials  to apply.

Current or previously enrolled Ohio State ECE MS students apply to the ECE PhD program through an internal application which is explained in the ECE Handbook: MS to PhD .

The Ohio State University

• BuckeyeLink
• Find People
• Search Ohio State

PhD Research in Computer Science and Engineering

Description / conditions .a,.b{fill:#c2c2c2;}.b{opacity:0;} single-arrow-square, course detail .a,.b{fill:#c2c2c2;}.b{opacity:0;} single-arrow-square, course goals and learning objectives .a,.b{fill:#c2c2c2;}.b{opacity:0;} single-arrow-square, topics and contact hours .a,.b{fill:#c2c2c2;}.b{opacity:0;} single-arrow-square.

Grading and Texts .a,.b{fill:#c2c2c2;}.b{opacity:0;} single-arrow-square

ABET Student Learning Outcomes .a,.b{fill:#c2c2c2;}.b{opacity:0;} single-arrow-square

Embedded literacies (ug courses only) .a,.b{fill:#c2c2c2;}.b{opacity:0;} single-arrow-square, attachments / additional notes or comments .a,.b{fill:#c2c2c2;}.b{opacity:0;} single-arrow-square.

• Tools & Services
• Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering
• Civil and Construction Engineering
• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
• Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering
• Nuclear Science and Engineering
• Biological & Ecological Engineering
• Alumni & Partners

Computer Science

Earn a degree that’s built for the future.

Join the technical force shaping the future by studying computer science. As a computer science student at Oregon State, you'll learn to use algorithms to develop software and design solutions to real-world problems.

Choose between two concentrations: an applied curriculum that lets you customize your academic pathway based on your interests and career goals or a systems curriculum that focuses on developing software and preparing you for an advanced computer science degree.

Our faculty are leaders in cutting-edge fields like cybersecurity, bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence, and you'll have the opportunity to work on exciting research projects that make a real impact. Plus, with a strong demand for Oregon State computer science graduates, you'll have your pick of diverse and rewarding career paths after you graduate.

Research experience in robotics led Breanne Oo, ’23, to focus on human-centered design. She found a lot of opportunities to build community through student clubs and other activities on campus.

Tamarsh Abeysekera, ’23, finished his degree online while continuing to work. In addition to learning to code, the program helped him develop interpersonal skills.

Undergraduate Information

Sample courses and requirements.

• Data Structures  
• Web Development  
• Software Engineering  
• Operating Systems  
• Analysis of Algorithms  

Sample class plan   Full list of requirements

Applied Option (Corvallis campus, Ecampus, OSU Cascades)

The Applied option allows students to develop a degree program that focuses on their area of interest. Students can shape a program that includes fields outside computer science such as music, chemistry, mathematics and medical fields, or specialize in an area of computer science such as artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, game and simulation development, human-computer interaction, and computer security. Students pick 32 credits of electives to develop a cohesive focus area and shape their degree to their particular interest or needs.

Requirements

Computer Systems Option (Corvallis campus)

The Computer Systems option is for students who want to take up computer science as a career and seek an in-depth understanding of computer science as an academic discipline. This option provides excellent preparation for those who plan to work for companies developing systems software or embedded systems.

Cybersecurity Option (Corvallis, Ecampus)

The Cybersecurity option allows students to gain foundational knowledge and skills in computer science with an in-depth focus on cybersecurity, allowing them to apply those concepts toward securing cyberspace. Students in the program will have the opportunity to further their skills through relevant courses and experiential learning, preparing them for a career in a variety of professions in cybersecurity and related disciplines.

Online programs

• Online postbaccalaureate computer science degree (B.S.) : This program is designed for students who want to earn their computer science degree online and who already have a bachelor’s degree in a different academic discipline.
• Online computer science degree (B.S.) : This program is for students who do not already have a bachelor's degree and want to earn a computer science wholly online, on campus, or a mixture of both.
• Undergraduate certificate in cybersecurity : This certificate is for any student currently pursuing a bachelor's degree at Oregon State (including students in the postbaccalaureate computer science program), or anyone who already has a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Online computer science minor : This minor provides a wealth of knowledge and skills that are in high demand in virtually every industry, from business and education to agricultural sciences and health care.

Clubs and organizations

• App Development Club  
• Artificial Intelligence Club   
• Association of Computing Machinery Women's Chapter  
• Girls' Empowerment, Engineering, and Outreach  
• Hackathon Club  
• Security Club, Oregon State University  

Search all clubs    

Have a question about a club? Ask the Engineering Student Council .

Student experience

“Being a leader for ACM-W has been one of my most impactful experiences at Oregon State. It’s where I’ve been able to exercise project management skills and people management skills as well, and come together as a team with the other officers and strive toward one goal.” – Anjali Vasisht, computer science  Read about Anjali’s experience at Oregon State . 

Alerting students toward better grades   Two Oregon State University students are winning entrepreneurship awards as part of the team developing Alerty, a mobile app to help students — especially those with ADHD — perform better in class. 

Student envisions AI for safer skies, takes home prize   Air travel can be made safer with artificial intelligence guarding against human error. That’s the vision of Andrew Dassonville, an engineering senior at Oregon State University, who recently took second place in a national airport design competition. 

Security Club caps off winning year with strong entry in global competition   Students involved in the Oregon State University Security Club have won or placed near the top in several computer security competitions over the past year, most recently qualifying for DEF CON 30 CTF. Oregon State’s team ranked 15th out of 469 teams around the globe in preliminaries for the capture the flag-style information security competition. 

Distance learning, remote working bring a new mom’s tech dreams closer   An online search led Ravonne Byrd to Oregon State’s postbaccalaureate computer science online degree program, which turned out to be the perfect fit for her.

Graduate Information

Program overview, degrees offered in computer science.

• Master of Science (M.S.)
• Master of Engineering (MEng) - coursework only
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

A final oral exam is required for all degrees. The M.S. degree is normally completed in 2-3 years of full-time study or in four years for part-time study. M.S. students intending to continue for a Ph.D. are encouraged to pursue the thesis option.

Ph.D. degrees are typically completed within four years subsequent to the completion of the M.S. degree. Students admitted into the Ph.D. program must pass a qualifying exam and must demonstrate a capability to undertake independent research in order to advance to candidacy as a full Ph.D. student.

Online M.S. or MEng in Computer Science

All online courses are developed and taught by Oregon State instructors, many of whom are working experts in the computer science industry. Not only will you benefit by learning from experienced professionals, but you’ll also have a robust support system from faculty, staff and a worldwide network of classmates.

More information

Graduate minor

A computer science minor can add additional technical skills to a graduate degree.  The flexibility of requirements allow students to tailor the interests to the skills they feel are necessary and complementary to their current graduate degree.

M.S. and Ph.D. applications and admissions - Campus & Ecampus (MS only) Applicants

Application deadlines for fall 2025 start.

• Start: Fall 2025
• Ph.D. application deadline: December 1, 2024
• M.S. application deadline: January 1, 2025

Applications are not reviewed until after the application deadlines.

All applicants are considered for School of EECS and university scholarships, fellowships, or assistantships.

Applicants will be notified of admission decisions by mid-March.

If accepted by the School of EECS, the Graduate School will notify the applicant of additional documentation needed for full admission, such as official transcripts, test scores, or financial documentation.

Need additional information? Contact  [email protected] .

Note: The following requirements are in addition to those listed in the Graduate School's application pages.

In order for your application to be complete, the following information must be submitted in the online application:

• Fee:  as determined by the Graduate School. The School of EECS does not provide application fee waivers.
• Three letters of professional reference are required from former professors or employers familiar with the applicant's technical ability. Particularly valuable are letters that assess the applicant's preparation and ability to complete a research project. Applicants with a master's degree should include the major professor as one reference. Letters must be submitted electronically as part of the online application.
• Applicants must include a description of their objectives in pursuing an advanced degree. This should be a brief (one page) summary of the applicant's career goals, research interests, and pertinent experience. This information is submitted as part of the OSU online application.
• Resume/CV:  Please upload a current copy as a PDF to your online application.
• Prior Degree: Applicants must have or complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university before the start of the term. International students must have completed the equivalent of a four-year US baccalaureate degree.
• Unofficial Transcripts: Applicants must upload unofficial copies of transcripts. Web printouts and kiosk copies are not accepted. Current and former Oregon State University students are not required to provide OSU transcripts.
• A baccalaureate degree of at least three years duration with a B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale) in the last two years, plus all subsequent graded course work; OR
• A baccalaureate degree of at least three years duration with a two-year (equivalent to 45-quarter credits) graduate degree.
• GRE:  The GRE is not required for admission to the Computer Science M.S. or Ph.D. program.
• TOEFL/IELTS:  Please refer to the  language requirements  required by the Graduate School.

All documents must be in PDF format and under 10 MB in size.

Official documentation information can be found on the  Graduate School ’s website.

MEng application and admissions - Campus & Ecampus Applicants

MEng applications are accepted throughout the year with the following deadlines:

• Start: Winter 2025 Application deadline: December 9, 2024
• Start: Spring 2025 Application deadline: March 3, 2025
• Start: Fall 2025 Application deadline: August 15, 2025

U.S. MEng students

International MEng students

The following requirements are in addition to those listed in the Graduate School's application pages.

• Fee:  As determined by the Graduate School. The School of EECS does not provide application fee waivers.
• Prior Degree: Applicants must have or complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university before the start of the term. International students must have completed the equivalent of a four-year American baccalaureate degree.
• 2.0 GPA in one year of college-level math
• Algorithm Design and Analysis
• Computer Architecture
• Operating Systems
• Automata Theory/Theory of Computation
• Programming Language Fundamentals
• Compilers/Translators

Optional Materials:  (a) recommendation letters, (b) statement of objectives, (c) resume/CV (d) GRE scores. These materials will be reviewed but are not required for application or admission

All documents must be in PDF format and under 10 MB in size.  Official documentation information can be found on the  Graduate School ’s website.

Accelerated Masters Program

The Accelerated Master’s Platform (AMP) allows students to apply and be pre-accepted into graduate program. AMP students can utilize up to 22 graduate level credits between both undergraduate and graduate degree. This is great opportunity for EECS undergraduates considering applying to a graduate program in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Artificial Intelligence. Learn more about AMP here:

Research areas

Students are encouraged to develop programs of study in close cooperation with the faculty members in their areas of interest.

• Data Science and Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
• Cybersecurity
• Computer Graphics and Visualization
• Computer Science Education
• Health Engineering
• Networking and Computer Systems
• Programming Languages
• Software Engineering and Human Computer Interaction
• Theoretical Computer Science

Outstanding Scholars Program

The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science offers four-year financial packages to highly qualified Ph.D. applicants in all specialty areas through our  Outstanding Scholars Program , allowing students to focus on research starting in their first year. EECS is committed to ensuring all full-time Ph.D. students are funded through internal or external sources.

“At first I was a little bit sad that I missed out on an undergraduate computer science experience. But as I got up to speed and I didn’t feel behind my peers, I realized that it’s totally an asset coming from a different background like I do.” – Amy Glen, doctoral student, computer science. Read about Amy’s experience at Oregon State .  

Curiosity leads to computer science master’s degree program    Once thinking he’d never study at a university, Daniel de Leon is now a master’s student in computer science at OSU and a GEM Fellow with a stack of internships under his belt.

Research stories

Addressing global challenges, advancing the Oregon economy   Harnessing one of the nation’s most powerful supercomputers, Oregon State University faculty and students will solve the world’s greatest challenges. The $200 million complex — including a $50 million gift to the OSU Foundation from NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang and his spouse, Lori — will increase OSU’s support for the semiconductor and technology industry in Oregon and beyond when it opens in 2025. The Huangs are OSU College of Engineering graduates. 

OSU among 7 universities to receive FAA drone research, education and training grants   Researchers, led by Rakesh Bobba, have received ~$600,000 from the FAA to address UAS cybersecurity oversight and risk management as it pertains to the National Airspace System and other FAA systems. 

OFFSET Swarms Take Flight in Final Field Experiment   Julie A. Adams and two doctoral students have participated in field experiments for the OFFensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics (OFFSET) program at the Cassidy Combined Arms Collective Training Facility in Fort Campbell, Tennessee, with objectives of increasing complexity and difficulty, such as coordinating hundreds of robots for missions in urban areas. 

Promoting diversity in open-source software communities   Oregon State University associate professor of computer science Anita Sarma has been named one of 21 international recipients of the Google-sponsored Award for Innovative Research (AIR) in 2021. Debuting last year, the AIR Program aims to foster academic research in computing and technology that advocates for the needs of historically marginalized groups around the world. 

CyberCorps Scholarship for Service

This program provides scholarship packages for up to three years of support for cybersecurity undergraduate and graduate education. In return for their scholarships, recipients must agree to work after graduation for the U.S. government, in a position related to cybersecurity, for a period equal to the length of the scholarship.

Job Market Outlook

Make an informed decision to help meet your career goals by using this real-time job market information.

Accreditation

Undergraduate.

The Bachelor of Science and Honors Bachelor of Science degree programs in the Computer Science Computer Systems Option are accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET,  http://www.abet.org .

Programs in Computer Science, Information Systems option; Computer Science, Applied Computer Science option are not accredited.

Educational Mission Statement

Our undergraduate educational mission is to provide a comprehensive, state-of-the-art education that prepares our students to be successful in engineering practice, advanced studies and research.

Program Educational Objectives

Bachelor of Science (BS) and Honors Bachelor of Science (HBS) degrees in Computer Science ( Computer Systems Option only)  are accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of ABET, http://www.abet.org .

In accordance with accreditation criteria, we have defined a set of Program Educational Objectives , which are “broad statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years of graduation.” These are based on the needs of the program’s constituencies. They were developed and approved by the EECS faculty and our Industry Advisory Committee (includes employers and alumni).

The Computer Science undergraduate program has the following Program Educational Objectives:

• Graduates of the program will have successful careers.
• Graduates of the program will continue to learn and adapt to a changing world.
• Graduates of the program will practice ethical and inclusive principles that foster collaborative environments.

CS Student Outcomes

The CSO of the CS program has the following Student Outcomes that correspond to the five recommended EAC-wide Student Outcomes and one program specific Student Outcome. These Student Outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities expected of each graduate. Each Student Outcome addresses one or more of the Program Educational Objectives described above.

Graduates of the program will have an ability to:

• Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
• Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
• Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
• Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
• Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
• Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions. [CS]

The Mapping Between Old Student Outcomes a-k and New Student Outcomes 1-6

Prior to AY2019-2020, ABET Student Outcomes were defined as a-k, thus the CSO of the CS program relied on these Student Outcomes. However, starting AY2019-2020, the old Student Outcomes a-k have been remapped to the new Student Outcomes 1-6. The following table shows the mapping between the old and the new Student Outcomes.

Related Stories

Ohio State nav bar

The Ohio State University

• Buckeye Link
• Find People
• Search Ohio State
• Graduate admissions
• Steps to apply
• Know deadlines and requirements

Graduate admissions Steps to apply 2. Know deadlines and requirements

Applicants must meet two sets of requirements:, first, graduate school requirements.

• The equivalent of a four-year bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited college or university, earned by the expected date of entry into your graduate program.
• A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for the last bachelor's or advanced degree earned.
• Transcripts or other credentials documenting that you have completed prerequisite academic work.

A standardized test score ( GRE or GMAT ) is required only if:

• your program requires the score
• your degree is from an unaccredited college or university and your program requires the score
• your cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last bachelor's or advanced degree earned and your program requires the score

International students, please read about additional requirements for international students .

Second, graduate program requirements

Each graduate program has its own requirements, often more rigorous than the minimums set by the Graduate School.

Each program sets its own application deadlines and review schedule. Find this information by looking up your degree or program .

If you have a disability and experience difficulty accessing this content, please contact [email protected] .

Student Academic Services Building | 281 W. Lane Ave. | Columbus, Ohio 43210

Webmaster | Nondiscrimination notice | Annual Security Report | GP program resources

Privacy statement | Cookie settings

The Ohio State University

• BuckeyeLink
• Search Ohio State

Ruoqi Liu named a 2024 Rising Star in Data Science

PhD Student Ruoqi Liu has joined the 2024 cohort of Rising Stars in Data Science .  Liu has been selected to present a talk in the Rising Stars in Data Science workshop , hosted by the University of California San Diego, the University of Chicago and Stanford University.  The selection committee stated they were impressed with her strong application and innovative proposed research talk.

“Being selected for this honor is deeply meaningful to me. As I am on the academic job market this year, this workshop provides an invaluable opportunity to practice my job talk, engage with fellow rising stars in data science, and connect with faculty in the field,” Liu said. “Moreover, this recognition of my research achievements highly inspires me to pursue my research goals with renewed vigor and confidence. It affirms the impact of my work, which encourages me to continue my academic journey."

Rising Stars in Data Science , held from Nov. 14 to Nov. 15 at the University of California San Diego, is an intensive research and career workshop for graduate students and postdocs pursuing careers in data science. The event will feature career and research panels, networking and mentoring opportunities, as well as research talks from the Rising Stars. The workshop also aims to increase representation and diversity in data science by providing a platform and a supportive mentoring network to navigate academic careers in data science.

Liu is a PhD candidate in Computer Science and Engineering at The Ohio State University, advised by Associate Professor Ping Zhang .  Liu earned her bachelor’s degree in computer science from Wuhan University, China in 2018. She began her master program in CSE at Ohio State in 2018, and later transferred to the CSE PhD program in 2019. 

Liu is working with Zhang in AIMed (Artificial Intelligence in Medicine) Lab. Her research lies at the intersection of deep learning and causal inference, with applications in healthcare and biomedicine. She is interested in estimating treatment effects to derive evidence-based, actionable healthcare decisions from real-world patient data.

"Ruoqi’s achievements in research and publication have been truly outstanding, and her commitment to interdisciplinary research is particularly noteworthy," Zhang said. "She is dedicated to developing end-to-end machine learning approaches that are motivated by real-world healthcare problems, leading to both theoretical advancements and practical, tangible impacts. Ohio State, where the top engineering program meets the top medical school in Columbus, has grown Ruoqi as a rising star in AI for healthcare."

Ruoqi Liu’s Talk

Title: From Observational Data to Actionable Healthcare: Deep Learning for Treatment Effect Estimation

Abstract: Estimating causal effects from observational data is a fundamental problem in many fields that face challenges (e.g., expensive, time-consuming, or even unethical) in running randomized control trials. Classical causal inference methods often underperform with high-dimensional data (where estimation bias increases with dimensionality) or non-tabular data (which leads to information loss during feature engineering for text, images, EHRs, etc.). To overcome these challenges, I have developed new methods that integrate deep learning with causal inference for actionable healthcare using real-world patient data. First, I have developed a deep learning-based propensity score model for representing high-dimensional data and adjusting for confounding bias and leveraged the estimated average treatment effects for emulating clinical trials for drug development. Second, I have developed a deep learning-based balancing-matching method for controlling time-dependent and hidden confounders and leveraged the estimated individual treatment effects for clinical decision-making in antibiotic stewardship for sepsis. Finally, I have developed (knowledge-enhanced) foundation models for treatment effect estimation, which are pre-trained on large-scale patient data (and biomedical knowledge graph) to learn contextual patient representations and fine-tuned on small-scale patient data for estimating causal effects. In future work, I aim to continue exploring this interdisciplinary field by developing and deploying end-to-end deep learning and causal inference approaches in real-world clinical scenarios yielding new theoretical advances and practical impacts, with the goal of improving patients' well-being and extending their lifespans.

Related News