From the Dean
With the explosion of data in today's society, every industry is affected by information and technology. Instead of focusing on technology’s limitations, at Drexel University’s College of Computing & Informatics (CCI), we think forward to tomorrow’s possibilities.
Drexel is one of a few U.S. institutions with a college that encompasses both the depth and breadth of computing and informatics – and the important interplay between those fields – under one roof. With a crosscutting, interdisciplinary curriculum, CCI is uniquely poised to meet the changing needs of society and underpin the transformational roles of information and technology in today’s economy.
With a modular design to support multiple pathways to success, our interdisciplinary online and on-campus undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs are preparing the next generation of innovators and solution-makers. With modular certificate programs and stackable credits, our sought-after programs are available to all, regardless of whether students have traditional computing backgrounds or not.
Through Drexel’s distinctive cooperative education model, leading-edge applied research and dedication to experiential learning, our College is producing the world’s next leaders who will meet the dynamic, changing needs of our society.
CCI is setting the pace for innovation in computing and information science education and research for the 21st century economy. Our students are ambitious, creative and entrepreneurial, and are actively engaged in computing and information technology projects for the social good.
We are advancing the field of computing and information technology through innovative research and collaborative partnerships. Our multidisciplinary faculty, comprised of world-class experts among a broad spectrum of computing and informatics fields, are actively engaged in research with industry and government partners across the globe to help address today’s – and tomorrow’s – most pressing technology challenges.
Join us at CCI, because the world can’t wait for new ideas.
Yi Deng, PhD
Dean and Isaac L. Auerbach Professor
College of Computing & Informatics
About the Dean
Yi Deng, PhD serves as dean and Isaac L. Auerbach Professor at the College of Computing & Informatics (CCI) at Drexel University. Deng came to Drexel in September 2016 after a seven-year tenure as dean of the College of Computing and Informatics at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where his leadership helped to transform the college leading to dramatic growth in academic programming, enrollment, and research funding. His leadership also helped to shape the university’s direction and priorities, and to establish the college as a powerhouse in the region’s economic development efforts. Prior to his post at UNC Charlotte, Deng served as professor and dean at the School of Computing and Information Sciences at Florida International University (FIU).
A leader in implementing large-scale diversity initiatives with sustained organizational changes, Deng established the School of Computing and Information Sciences at FIU as a national leader for educating under-represented minorities in computing at all levels. He spearheaded and led an ambitious Women-in-Computing initiative at UNC Charlotte to improve gender balance in IT at the national scale.
Deng received his PhD in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh and a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Science & Technology from the University of Science and Technology of China.
About CCI
The College of Computing & Informatics (CCI) contributes to theory and practice along dimensions that include technical, human, organizational, policy and societal considerations. This broad perspective positions the College to address the complex, multi-disciplinary problems that are increasingly common as society becomes more dependent on information technology.
CCI is home to one of the oldest continually ALA-accredited library and information science programs in the country: the Library and Information Science major in the College's Master of Science in Information degree program. The College is a founding member of the iSchools Caucus of 29 prominent colleges dedicated to advancing the information field in the 21st Century.
Currently, CCI administrative offices, labs and classrooms are located on the 9th, 10th and 11th floors of the state-of-the-art uCity Square building at 3675 Market Street. CCI's move to 3675 Market in March 2019 brought together our students, faculty, and professional staff together under one roof for the first time in the College's history (click here to view Drexel University's main campus map). View a virtual, interactive tour of our space at 3675 Market Street.
College History
CCI was founded in 2013 as a response to the growing role of computing and informatics in all sectors of the economy. A rich, cohesive academic program contributes to the development of the local innovation community while strengthening links to regional industry, government and not-for-profit entities.
The creation of the College combined the strengths and assets of many of Drexel's undergraduate, graduate, and professional computing and informatics programs. Specifically, the College unites the former College of Information Science & Technology (the iSchool); the Department of Computer Science (from the College of Engineering); and the Computing and Security Technology program (formerly housed in the Goodwin College School of Technology and Professional Studies).
Our Rankings
-
Our Library and Information Science graduate major is consistently ranked among the best graduate degrees in the US (#14, U.S.News & World Report, 2021). Other high-ranking specialties include information systems (No. 4), digital librarianship (No. 5) and health librarianship (No. 6)
-
Top 10 Best Online Master’s in Artificial Intelligence Program (MastersInAI.org/Degree Prospects, 2023)
-
#2 online undergraduate Cybersecurity programs in the world (Cybersecurity Guide, 2023)
-
Top 20 online Information Technology Programs for Veterans (U.S.News & World Report, 2024)
-
Top 15 percent of Computer Science undergraduate degree programs in the US (College Factual, 2024)
-
Top 20 Information Technology master's degree programs in the US (College Factual, 2024)
-
Top 25 Information Technology bachelor's degree programs in the US (College Factual, 2024)
-
Top 10 Cybersecurity programs in the U.S. (VentureBeat, 2022)
-
Top 50 Best Value UX Design Graduate Programs (Value Colleges, 2023)
-
Top 10 Undergraduate Game Design programs (The Princeton Review, 2023)
-
Top 35 Best Online Graduate Computer Information Technology Programs (U.S.News & World Report, 2024)
-
Top 100 Graduate Computer Science programs (U.S.News & World Report, 2023)
-
MS in Computer Science program is ranked #13 out of 380 for veteran friendliness of all U.S. colleges and universities (College Factual, 2023)
-
Top 10 Best Online Information Technology Degrees (ranked #2) for CCI's Bachelor of Science in Computing and Security Technology program (Guide to Online Schools/SR Education Group, 2023)
About Drexel University
Drexel University is a comprehensive global research university with a unique model of experiential learning that combines academic rigor with one of the nation’s premier cooperative education programs. In the U.S.News & World Report’s 2024 “U.S. News Best Colleges,” Drexel placed in the top 100, ranking at 98th out of 435 universities and 50th among private universities, and was also ranked 2nd for "Co-ops/Internships" and 18th “Most Innovative." U.S.News also ranked Drexel 17th for “Best Academic Programs Learning Communities” and 22nd in “Best Academic Programs Service Learning.” The Wall Street Journal listed Drexel as 54th among 400 institutions in its list of "2024 Best Colleges in the U.S.” In 2022, Drexel sustained its designation of "R1 Doctoral University — Very High Research Activity" by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions. With more than 22,000 students worldwide, Drexel is one of America's 15 largest private universities. Learn more about Drexel.