CSE Culture
UW Computer Science & Engineering is nationally recognized as having one of the most supportive cultures for graduate students. As a department we are highly collegial and collaborative. Many students are jointly supervised and benefit from the skills and advice of multiple faculty members. We take mentoring of graduate students seriously; our goal is to make our students successful, and we have an outstanding record at achieving this goal. As just one example, over the last five years, six of our recent Ph.D.s have been recognized with Technology Review TR-35 Awards, which are given to the top innovators in the country under the age of 35. We work hard to ensure that our students are prepared for research careers in academia or industry, and we have produced a large number of both industrial and academic leaders. We pride ourselves on creating an environment in which students can thrive technically, professionally, and personally.
In addition to professional collaboration, CSE offers many avenues for graduate students who wish to express and share their offline interests and skills or gather to discuss departmental goings-on. For example:
- Breakfast in the Atrium. Each Friday morning, a graduate student volunteer brings breakfast food to share, and graduate students meet to eat and engage in casual conversation.
- TGIF. Each Friday afternoon, graduate students, faculty, and staff gather to discuss their research, socialize, drink beer and soda, eat munchies, and play bridge. It's an opportunity to get out of our offices and labs and stay connected as a departmental community. A different group of graduate student offices or labs organizes TGIF each week.
- Once a year, and in conjunction with TGIF, the CSE department hosts a celebration of all things Potentially Computer Science. The conference draws a large crowd and features the presentation of (fake) papers on a wide variety of topics.
- Most Significant Bits is the newsletter of UW Computer Science & Engineering. Published semiannually, MSB reports news and information about the department, including the undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and the alumni. Click here to see a recent copy of MSB.
- Mossy Bits is the department’s periodic graduate student online creative arts journal. This journal is intended to be a creative outlet for the department's graduate students, and nearly all forms of creativity are appreciated. Past submissions have included poetry, short fiction, essays, travelogues, contests, music, drawings, sculpture, photography, and computer art, but anything that is reasonably entertaining and can be transmitted over the web is fair game.
- Representation on various academic and social committees, such as those that plan the annual Pit Party to welcome incoming grad students, Holiday party and skit at year’s end, bicycle or ski trips, or review the undergrad and grad course offerings/curriculum.
- Sports! CSE has an active, year-round presence in every conceivable sporting venture, from hiking and biking to kickball, ultimate Frisbee, climbing and Ping Pong. Click here to see the varied opportunities available on campus and in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

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