UrbanSim Project: For Prospective Students
The UrbanSim project is actively recruiting new graduate students with an interest in interdisciplinary work on an important real-world application. The faculty working on the project are from several departments, and depending on the interests of the particular student, one or more of these might be the most appropriate home. The links below go to the departmental home pages, and also to detailed information on the graduate program and application procedures.- Department
of Computer Science & Engineering.
This would be the most
appropriate department for students interested in the computational aspects of
modeling, such as applying AI and datamining techniques, or generating
simulated streetscapes; and would also be very appropriate for students
interested in human-computer interaction.
Information for prospective CSE PhD students
- The Evans School of Public Affairs This would be appropriate for students particularly interested in the policy aspects of urban modeling, and working with public agencies on its application. The Evans School has a masters program only; students interested in the Ph.D. should apply to one of the other programs listed here (see in particular the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Urban Design and Planning). Information for prospective Evans School Students
- The Information School This program would be appropriate for students interested in how information from complex simulations and situations can be best presented and used, and good ways to interact with such simulations. A strength of the department is research on how to systematically consider human values throughout the design of a technological artifact. This would also be a very appropriate program for students interested in human-computer interaction. Information for Prospective iSchool PhD students
- The Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Urban Design and Planning. This program is highly interdisciplinary, with contributing disciplines ranging from Architecture to Sociology. It would be particularly appropriate for students interested in the technical aspects of modeling urban development, as well as in urban design and planning.
Other cooperating departments include Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Sociology, and Statistics, and the College of Forest Resources.
In some cases, it may be appropriate for students to apply to more than one of these departments, see which ones they get in to, and then make a decision.