Thinking About Graduate School?

Five students collaborate in a university laboratory.

Introduction

If you intend to apply to graduate school, you may be planning to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE, similar to the SAT) and the GRE Subject Test in Computer Science.

You should take these tests early in your senior year whether or not you intend to go to graduate school immediately after graduation. You will be much better off taking the tests while the material is fresh in your mind than waiting until several years after graduation. The tests can be retaken (similarly to the SATs). Descriptive brochures and further information on signing up for the tests are available from Career Design Center, 259 Capen Hall, 645-2231. Note that the Computer Science Test is not offered as frequently as the other tests.

GRE Subject Test in Computer Science

The GRE Subject Test in Computer Science consists of about 80 multiple-choice questions on the topics shown below. Next to each topic is the approximate percentage of question distribution and a list of CSE courses that are most relevant for the test.

Software Systems & Methodology (35%)

  • Data organization: CSE 116, CSE 241, CSE 250, CSE 462
  • Organization of program control: CSE 115, CSE 116, CSE 305, CSE 421
  • Programming languages & notation: CSE 115, CSE 116, CSE 305, CSE 443
  • Design & development: CSE 115, CSE 116
  • Systems: CSE 421, CSE 443

Computer Organization & Architecture (20%)

  • Logic design: CSE 241, CSE 341
  • Processors & control units: CSE 341
  • Memories & their hierarchies: CSE 241, CSE 341
  • I/O devices & interfaces: CSE 341, CSE 421
  • Interconnection: (no relevant courses)

Theory (20%)

  • Automata & language theory: CSE 396, CSE 443
  • Correctness of programs: CSE 192, CSE 451
  • Analysis of algorithms: CSE 192, CSE 250, CSE 431

Computational Mathematics (20%)

  • Discrete Structures: CSE 191, CSE 192
  • Numerical mathematics: CSE 437, CSE 438

Special Topics (5%)

  • Modeling & simulation: no relevant courses
  • Information retrieval: CSE 462
  • Artificial intelligence: CSE 472
  • Computer graphics: CSE 480
  • Data communications: CSE 489