Graduate Studies in Artificial Life Programming

Artificial Life (A-Life) involves breaking old programming paradigms in the software engineering field and moving forward with paradigms that mirror life systems. A-Life programming is revising the traditional scientific approach by simulating biological phenomena in digital environments to model biology and to extend the concepts of computing power into distributed computing networks that operate using biological theory. The graduate studies in A-Life track is appropriate for students with undergraduate degrees in biology, biotechnology, computer science, cognitive science, database, game programming, mathematics or similar majors.

Artificial Life Programming Objectives

• Explore and create examples of how A-Life programming is used in game and system security application.
• Understand and develop programs modeling real life organisms and situations.
• Research and discuss ways in which creating biological processes through programming can change our environment.
• Perform data analysis, algorithm and model development, and computational design and implementation.
• Identify, solve and deliver solutions to problems in areas of prediction algorithms and outcomes analysis.
• Develop algorithms, strategies and methodologies using the latest technologies in neural networks, machine learning, statistical modeling, pattern recognition and artificial intelligence to support model generation for computationally intelligent software components.
• Prototype and optimize algorithms in a software language.
• Develop test cases and strategies to demonstrate correct algorithm performance.
• Develop computational performance measures and testing strategies to demonstrate satisfactory execution times when solving problems.

Graduate Degree Requirements

Master of Science in Technology Program Description

Courses are balanced between theory, individual research and practical application to provide a solid understanding appropriate to a career in a continually changing field. Students in this program develop abilities to critically evaluate existing knowledge and extend it into fresh and original areas of inquiry and scholarship.

Master of Science in Technology Program Requirements

Graduation Requirements

Students enrolled in this program will be graduated with a Master of Science in Technology degree when they have:

• Successfully completed the required core classes.
• Successfully completed the minimum number of required credit hours.
• Achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0/4.0.
• Successfully defended their Thesis.
• Completed the Application for Graduation.

Program Core Objectives

• Generate sophisticated applications of advancing computer technology.
• Develop the ability to lead and manage in a technology-oriented environment.
• Enhance problem-solving skills through thinking techniques, effective communication and teamwork.
• Utilize theoretical as well as applied knowledge.
• Develop emerging technology into industry-applicable tools.
• Acquire a basic understanding of research methods and the ability to use them while solving business and technical problems.

Program Core Courses