Explore Our Programs

125 Graduate students

$93K Average starting salary

NACE Summer 2023

11 NSF Career Awardees

in department history

607 Undergraduates

In the Department of Computer Science, our international experts are recognized for their contributions in crucial research fields. Whether researching artificial intelligence (AI), data science, computer vision, cyber-physical systems, cloud computering, HPC, cybersecurity, or networking and computer systems, we engage students in compelling projects that affect how we live.

New Artificial Intelligence Certificate

OPEN TO ALL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: The AI certificate program is a 12-credit certificate offers mostly hands-on, in-person coursework and is open to students from all UK colleges.

The certificate program aims to arm students with the AI literacy necessary in today’s world. Despite popular belief, AI systems do not operate independently and require human participation to reach decisions.

Apply today!

Robotic UK Wildcat mascot sitting at a desk in a classroom. 'UK Wildcat in the classroom' image generated by OpenArt.ai. — "UK Wildcat in the classroom" image generated by OpenArt.ai.

OpenArt.ai

Molly Leppelmeier - Major in Computer Science

The resources and staff available to me has been so helpful. It really allowed me to accomplish everything in both the athletic world and the academic world.

CS Department News

2026 Lighthouse Beacon Foundation Scholars announced

Nov 3, 2025

Thanks to the generous support of Stanley and Karen Pigman and Kentucky’s Research Challenge Trust Fund (RCTF), engineering researchers are receiving additional annual funding to enhance the research priorities and programs of the Pigman College of Engineering. Established in 2024, the Lighthouse Beacon Foundation Endowment supports faculty, research, graduate students, facilities and research infrastructure in the Pigman College of Engineering. This year, the endowment made $235,000 in funds available for distribution.

UK Pigman Engineering researcher awarded NSF grant to harness AI aimed at detecting calf illness

Lindsey Piercy

Oct 30, 2025

Simone Silvestri, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Computer Science in the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering, is part of a research team that has been awarded a grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to answer that very question.

CS Department Chair Joshna and Nathanial

Computer Science student and alumnus honored at 34th annual Lyman T. Johnson Awards

Oct 29, 2025

Alumnus Nathaniel Hudson was awarded the Torch of Excellence Award alongside current graduate student, Joshna Kurra, who received the Torch Bearer Award.

Group photo of the new Pigman College of Engineering faculty in 2025

Pigman College of Engineering welcomes 7 new faculty members

Aug 26, 2025

This month, the University of Kentucky Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering welcomed seven new members to its faculty. Brooks Lane, assistant professor in the F. Joseph Halcomb III, M.D. Department of Biomedical Engineering Lane earned his Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina in 2019 and most recently served as a postdoctoral fellow at Drexel University. His research interests are:

UK Engineering receives record number of NSF CAREER awards

Aug 20, 2025

Six Pigman College of Engineering faculty members received National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) awards, the Foundation's prestigious awards in support of early-career faculty, in the 2025 funding cycle. This year, the Pigman College of Engineering recorded its highest number of NSF CAREER awardees in the 30-year history of the program. In addition, the college boasted a 75% success rate for CAREER awards in the 2025 funding cycle.

Seales to present in NSF CISE Distinguished Lecture Series September 11, 11:00AM-12:30PM

Aug 20, 2025

Dr. W. Brent Seales, Stanley and Karen Pigman Chair of Heritage Science and Professor of Computer Science at the University of Kentucky will be presenting "On Perseverance: Virtually Unwrapping the Herculaneum Scrolls" in the Computer & Information Science & Engineering Directorate (CISE) Distinguished Lecture Series.

View all department news

Department Recognitions

Brian Stewart

Hall of Distinction - Inducted in 2025

B.S. in computer engineering, 1996 Brian Stewart has cultivated a distinguished 26-year career in global payroll and human resources (HR) solutions. Stewart earned his Bachelor of Science in computer engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1996. Following graduation, he founded a business in Lexington, utilizing a database he developed to facilitate the electronic transfer of insurance claims from medical offices to insurance companies.

Anna Workman, posing by leaning with one elbow on a green chair.

Anna C. Workman, BSCS 2004

Hall of Distinction - Inducted in 2024

Anna Workman has been a driving force in UPS's technological evolution, exhibiting leadership and innovation across various business domains within UPS Technology Group since the early 2000’s.

Jesus Caban, MSCS 2006

Hall of Distinction - Inducted in 2022

Jesus Caban met University of Kentucky professor Brent Seales in his home of Puerto Rico, and soon after, was interning for him in Lexington, Kentucky. Caban quickly taught himself English and enrolled in UK’s master’s program with Seales as his faculty advisor. He graduated with his master’s degree in computer science from UK in 2005.

View all recognitions

Undergraduate Students

Graduate Studies