- This page lists special topics courses (i.e., 498, 798, 8x8) by semester, and for each course, indicates the following:
- Fall 2015 and later - whether it is MS/PhD qualifying and area
- Spring 2015 and earlier - whether it is PhD qualifying and area; whether it is MS qualifying and area; whether its exams consistute an MS comp in an area and, if so, which of its exams.
- [Spring 2015 and earlier: MS or PhD qualifying courses must base their grades primarily on exams (and not on paper readings, presentations, etc). An MS comp must be based entirely on exams (and not projects, homeworks, term papers, etc). It can be one or more of the regular exams in the course (e.g., final, midterm + final), regular exams augmented with additional questions, a separate exam, or any combination.]
- Instructors offering such courses should email the relevant information to the grad office well before the start of the semester.
- Information for a semester is finalized when the semester starts.
- If a special topics course being offered is not listed here, then it does not count as MS/PhD qualifying or toward MS comps.
This page is updated live (starting 4/12/2018). An archive of the previous page can be found here.
Spring 2021
-
CMSC818T: Sorting in Space and Words and Foundations of Multidimensional & Metric Data StructuresMS/PhD qualifying in Database Systems
MS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing -
CMSC828D: Introduction to Data VisualizationMS/PhD qualifying in Database Systems
MS/PhD qualifying in Software Engineering/Programming Languages/HCI -
CMSC828E: Privacy and Ethics in Data Management SystemsMS/PhD qualifying in Database Systems
-
CMSC828F: Computational PsycholinguisticsNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828I: Multilingual Natural Language ProcessingMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
-
CMSC828L: AI and Existential Threats to CivilizationNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828M: Applied Mechanism Design for Social GoodMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
-
CMSC838E: Compiler ConstructionMS/PhD qualifying in Software Engineering/Programming Languages/HCI
-
CMSC858Q: Quantum AlgorithmsMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
-
CMSC858T: Introduction to Secure Distributed ComputationMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
Fall 2020
-
CMSC818B: Decision-Making for RoboticsMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
MS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing -
CMSC818E: Distributed And Cloud-Based Storage SystemsMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC818F: Applied Cryptography and Hostile Governments SeminarMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC818K: Coding Theory and ApplicationsMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
-
CMSC818W: Wireless and Mobile Systems for the IoTMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC818X: Introduction to Parallel ComputingMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC828C: Statistical Pattern RecognitionMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
-
CMSC828I: Advanced Techniques in Visual Learning and RecognitionMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
MS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing -
CMSC828J: Common-sense Reasoning and Natural Language UnderstandingNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828P: Algorithms and Machine Learning for Analyzing Mutations in CancerMS/PhD qualifying in Bioinformatics
-
CMSC828U: Algorithms in Machine Learning: Guarantees and AnalysesMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
-
CMSC828V: Numerical Methods for Data Science and Machine LearningMS/PhD qualifying in Scientific Computing
-
CMSC828W: Foundations of Deep LearningMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
-
CMSC838J: Interactive Technologies in Human-Computer InteractionMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
MS/PhD qualifying in Software Engineering/Programming Languages/HCI -
CMSC838X: Personal Health Informatics & VisualizationMS/PhD qualifying in Software Engineering/Programming Languages/HCI
-
CMSC858D: Algorithms, Data Structures and Inference fo High-Throughput GenomicsMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
MS/PhD qualifying in Bioinformatics
Spring 2020
-
CMS828Y: Advanced Topics in Information Processing; Human-Level AIMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
-
CMSC818D: Advanced Topics in Computer Systems; Human Factors in Security and PrivacyMS/PhD qualifying in Software Engineering/Programming Languages/HCI
-
CMSC818N: Advanced Topics in Computer Systems; RoboticsMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
MS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing -
CMSC828B: Advanced Topics in Information Processing; Neural Machine TranslationNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828M: Advanced Topics in Information Processing; Applied Mechanism Design for Social GoodMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
-
CMSC838E: Advanced Topics in Programming Languages; Compiler ConstructionMS/PhD qualifying in Software Engineering/Programming Languages/HCI
-
CMSC838J: Advanced Topics in Programming Languages; Interactive Technologies in Human-Computer InteractionMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
MS/PhD qualifying in Software Engineering/Programming Languages/HCI -
CMSC858R: Advanced Topics in Theory of Computing; Ramsey Theory and its ApplicationsMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
Fall 2019
-
CMSC818B: Decision-Making for RoboticsMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
MS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing -
CMSC818E: Distributed and Cloud-Based Storage SystemsMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC818O: Computer and Network SecurityMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC818W: Wireless Systems and Mobile Systems IoTMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC828C: Statistical Pattern RecognitionMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
MS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing -
CMSC828D: Interactive Data AnalyticsMS/PhD qualifying in Database Systems
MS/PhD qualifying in Software Engineering/Programming Languages/HCI -
CMSC828I: Advanced Techniques in Visual Learning and RecognitionMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
MS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing -
CMSC828O: Computational and Mathematical Analysis of Biological Networks across ScalesMS/PhD qualifying in Bioinformatics
-
CMSC828Q: Nature-Inspired ComputingMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
-
CMSC828X: Physically-based Modeling, Simulation, and AnimationMS/PhD qualifying in Scientific Computing
MS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing -
CMSC828Y: Advanced Topics in Information Processing - Unsupervised LearningMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
-
CMSC828Z: Information Retrieval SystemsMS/PhD qualifying in Database Systems
-
CMSC838X: Personal Health Informatics & VisualizationMS/PhD qualifying in Software Engineering/Programming Languages/HCI
-
CMSC858D: Algorithms, Data Structures and Inference for High-Throughput GenomicsMS/PhD qualifying in Bioinformatics
-
ENEE729P: Modern Discrete ProbabilityMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
Spring 2019
-
CMSC818N: RoboticsMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
MS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing -
CMSC818W: Wireless Systems and Mobile Systems IoTMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC818X: Special Topics in Operating SystemsNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC818Y: Fault Tolerant Distributed SystemsMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC828F: Computational PsycholinguisticsNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828U: Algorithms in Machine Learning: Guarantees and AnalysesMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
-
CMSC828X: Algorithms for Probabilistic and Deterministic Graphical ModelsMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
-
CMSC838J: Interactive TechnologiesMS/PhD qualifying in Software Engineering/Programming Languages/HCI
-
CMSC858M: Algorithmic Lower Bounds: Fun with Hardness ProofsMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
Fall 2018
-
CMSC818E: Distributed and Cloud-Based Storage SystemsMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC818O: Computer and Network SecurityMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC828C: Information ProcessingMS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing
-
CMSC828D: Interactive Data AnalyticsMS/PhD qualifying in Database Systems
MS/PhD qualifying in Software Engineering/Programming Languages/HCI -
CMSC828G: Advanced Topics in Information ProcessingMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
MS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing -
CMSC828I: Advanced Techniques in Visual Learning and RecognitionMS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing
-
CMSC828L: Deep LearningMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
MS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing -
CMSC828N: Database System Architecture and ImplementationMS/PhD qualifying in Database Systems
-
CMSC828O: Computational and Mathematical Analysis of Biological Networks across ScalesMS/PhD qualifying in Bioinformatics
-
CMSC828P: Algorithms and Machine Learning for Analyzing Mutation in CancerMS/PhD qualifying in Bioinformatics
-
CMSC838X: Personal Health Informatics & VisualizationMS/PhD qualifying in Software Engineering/Programming Languages/HCI
-
CMSC858B: Blockchains, Cryptocurrencies, and Smart ContractsNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC858E: Approximation AlgorithmsMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
Spring 2018
-
CMSC818C: Blockchain and Cryptocurrency TechnologiesNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC818D: Human Factors in Security and PrivacyMS/PhD qualifying in Software Engineering/Programming Languages/HCI
-
CMSC818G: Information-Centric Design of SystemsMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC828J: Deep Learning Models for Video AnalysisNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828M: Applied Mechanism Design for Social GoodMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
-
CMSC858R: Ramsey TheoryMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
Fall 2017
-
CMSC818E: Distributed and Cloud-Based Storage SystemsMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC818O: Computer and Network SecurityMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC828C: Statistical Pattern RecognitionMS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing
-
CMSC828E: From Data to InsightsNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828N: Database System Architecture and ImplementationMS/PhD qualifying in Database Systems
-
CMSC828O: Computational and Mathematical Analysis of Biological NetworksMS/PhD qualifying in Bioinformatics
-
CMSC828P: Algorithms and Machine Learning for Analyzing Mutations in CancerNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828R: Spectral Methods and Reinforcement LearningNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828T: Vision, Planning and Control in Aerial RoboticsMS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing
-
CMSC858K: Introduction to Quantum Information ProcessingMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
Spring 2017
-
CMSC818G: Information-Centric Design of SystemsMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC818O: Computer and Network SecurityMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC828F: Computational PsycholinguisticsNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828Y: Human-Level Artificial IntelligenceNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC838M: Model CheckingMS/PhD qualifying in Software Engineering/Programming Languages/HCI
-
CMSC858C: Randomized AlgorithmsMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
-
CMSC858Q: Quantum AlgorithmsNot MS/PhD qualifying
Fall 2016
-
CMSC818Y: Advanced Topics in Operating SystemsNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828E: From Data to InsightsNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828G: Image UnderstandingMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
MS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing -
CMSC828L: Deep LearningNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828M: Applied Mechanism Design for Social GoodMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
-
CMSC828Z: Reinforcement LearningNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC858G: Bandits, Experts, and GamesNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC858K: Introduction to Quantum Information ProcessingMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
-
ENEE731: Image UnderstandingMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
MS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing
Spring 2016
-
CMSC818D: Human Factors in Security and PrivacyMS/PhD qualifying in Software Engineering/Programming Languages/HCI
-
CMSC818G: Information-Centric Design of SystemsMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC828C: Logic and Artificial IntelligenceMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
-
CMSC828E: From Data to InsightsNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828K: Robotics and PerceptionMS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing
-
CMSC838G: Software SecurityMS/PhD qualifying in Software Engineering/Programming Languages/HCI
-
CMSC858X: Biological Network AnalysisMS/PhD qualifying in Bioinformatics
Fall 2015
-
CMSC818E: Distributed and Cloud-Based Storage SystemsMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC818V: Security in Distributed Systems and NetworksMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC828C: Statistical Pattern RecognitionMS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing
-
CMSC858F: Network DesignMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
-
CMSC858K: Introduction to Quantum Information ProcessingMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
-
CMSC858L: Foundations of Machine LearningMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
MS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory -
CMSC878R: Fast Multipole Methods: Fundamentals and ApplicationsMS/PhD qualifying in Scientific Computing
Spring 2015
-
CMSC818D: Human Factors in Security and PrivacyMS/PhD qualifying in Software Engineering/Programming Languages/HCI
-
CMSC828E: From Data to InsightsNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828F: Computational PsycholinguisticsNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828I: Multilingual Natural Language ProcessingMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
-
CMSC828V: Recent Advances in Visual ComputingNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828Y: Vision for Cognitive Robots: Recognition, Navigation and ManipulationMS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing
-
CMSC838F: Tangible Interactive ComputingMS/PhD qualifying in Software Engineering/Programming Languages/HCI
-
CMSC858C: Randomized AlgorithmsMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
-
CMSC858X: Computational Systems BiologyMS/PhD qualifying in Bioinformatics
-
CMSC878O: Sparsity and Machine LearningNot MS/PhD qualifying
Fall 2014
-
CMSC818E: Distributed and Cloud-Based Storage SystemsMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC828B: Advanced Topics in Information ProcessingNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828G: Image UnderstandingMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
-
CMSC828N: Logical Aspects of Artificial IntelligenceMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
-
CMSC828O: Introduction to Data Science I: Preparing, Storing, and Manipulating DataNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC858F: Algorithmic Lower Bounds: Fun with Hardness ProofsMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
Spring 2014
-
CMSC818G: Information-Centric Design of Context-Aware SystemsMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC818L: Cloud Computing SecurityNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828K: Artificial Life and Evolutionary ComputationMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
-
CMSC828T: Robots Learning Manipulation ActionsMS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing
-
CMSC828V: Advanced Topics in Information ProcessingNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828W: Linguistic Prediction: Brains Versus MachinesNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC838F: Tangible Interactive ComputingNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC838G: Software SecurityMS/PhD qualifying in Software Engineering/Programming Languages/HCI
-
CMSC858D: Computational ProteomicsMS/PhD qualifying in Bioinformatics
-
CMSC858F: Algorithmic Game TheoryMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
Fall 2013
-
CMSC818J: Designing Secure Systems with CryptographyMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC828C: Statistical Pattern RecognitionMS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing
-
CMSC828N: Logical Aspects of Artificial IntelligenceMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
-
CMSC858K: Introduction to Secure ComputationMS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
-
CMSC858T: Cryptography Against Physical AttacksNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC858Z: CyberSecurity Data ScienceNot MS/PhD qualifying
Spring 2013
-
CMSC818G: Information-Centric Design of Context-Aware SystemsMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC818P: Exascale ComputationMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC828B: Computational Linguistics: Bayesian NonparametricsNot MS/PhD qualifying
-
CMSC828G: Data-Intensive Computing with MapReduceMS/PhD qualifying in Database Systems
-
CMSC828J: Linear Subspaces and Manifolds in Computer Vision and Machine LearningMS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing
-
CMSC828V: Advanced Topics in Information ProcessingMS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing
-
CMSC858R: Ramsey Theory and its "Applications"MS/PhD qualifying in Algorithms and Computation Theory
-
CMSC878B: Numerical Methods for Mathematical Models Posed with UncertaintyMS/PhD qualifying in Scientific Computing
Fall 2012
-
CMSC818B: Distributed File Systems: Design and ImplementationMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC818J: Privacy Enhancing Technologies: From Theory to PracticeMS/PhD qualifying in Computer Systems
-
CMSC828D: Human-Level AI and Computational Cognitive NeuroscienceMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
-
CMSC828G: Image UnderstandingMS/PhD qualifying in Artificial Intelligence
-
CMSC828M: Foundations of Multidimensional and Metric Data StructuresMS/PhD qualifying in Database Systems
MS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing -
CMSC828X: Mobility of Data in a Network Computing EnvironmentMS/PhD qualifying in Database Systems
-
CMSC838F: Advances in Human Computer InteractionNot MS/PhD qualifying
Spring 2012
-
CMSC828B: Advanced Topics in Information Processing: Image SegmentationMS/PhD qualifying in Visual and Geometric Computing
Fall 2011
-
CMSC858S: Advanced Topics in Theory of Computing: Computational GenomicsMS/PhD qualifying in Bioinformatics