Research Opportunities

Research-Related Courses

The OMSCS program currently hosts two explicitly research-related courses:

Additionally, students who are interested in engaging in research-related activities can take project-based courses that allow for a research-style component or build towards something that could eventually spin off into independent research. These include:

As with the on-campus degree program, OMSCS students can take independent research credits (CS 8903), pursue a thesis or project-based masters (CS 6999) with faculty approval and oversight, and participate in Vertically Integrated Projects (VIPs).

Research-Related Seminars

The OMSCS program currently hosts three annual seminars that are explicitly focused on research:

  • CS 8001 OPH: PhD Applicants (Every Fall)
    In this seminar, led by Dr. Nick Lytle, students planning to apply for PhD programs for the following Fall semester will meet to review statements of purpose, discuss application processes, and discuss PhD prospects.
  • CS 8001 ORS: PhD Research Brown Bag (Every Spring)
    In this seminar, led by Dr. Nick Lytle, students hear research talks from current graduate students at Georgia Tech and get to ask questions about their PhD experience and research.
  • CS 8001 ORW: Writing Research Workshop (Schedule TBD)
    In this seminar, led by Bobbie Eicher, students receive formative feedback on their academic writing to better prepare them for a conference or journal submission.

Additionally, many other seminars allow students to explore cutting edge research and progress in computing disciplines in a less formal setting through reading and discussing academic papers or other research materials. These include:

  • CS 8001 OLM: Large Language Model
  • CS 8001 OML: Machine Learning for Sensor-Based Human Activity Recognition: A Research Perspective
  • CS 8001 ORI: Robotics and Human-Robot Interaction
  • CS 8001 OST: Social Media and Technology

Independent Research Opportunities

Opportunities for independent research include both student self-directed options as well as explicitly listed and advertised opportunities. Before the start of each semester, we email OMSCS students a list of research projects that are seeking students hosted by faculty. An application page allows students to express interest; faculty will then select students and reach out to them to sign up for an independent study credit (CS 8903, etc.). Other advertised opportunities are listed on the OMSCS Ed Discussion board and emailed to the OMSCS student list serv.

Vertically Integrated Projects (VIPs)

The Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Program is "a transformative approach to enhancing higher education by engaging undergraduate and graduate students in ambitious, long-term, large-scale, multidisciplinary project teams that are led by faculty". Students can sign up for credit or volunteer on teams. More information about the program and a list of teams can be found on the VIP website.

OMSCS-to-Ph.D.

We have dozens of success stories of OMSCS students who pursued Ph.D. programs after OMSCS. Students who successfully transition from an M.S. to Ph.D. take advantage of (and create their own) research opportunities. We are working to expand offerings to allow a larger number of opportunities for OMSCS students to gain experience in cutting edge research in a larger set of CS research areas.

Research Assistantships

While rare, there is nothing stopping an OMSCS student from taking advantage of the same hiring opportunities as on-campus masters students, including research assistantships. Check opportunities through individual labs and research center websites.

Research Funding

Beginning in Fall 2025, students and alumni who have their research accepted to a reputable conference, or a journal for publishing in a peer-reviewed volume, are eligible to apply to have their conference registration or journal publication fees covered.