Computational Linguistics (CLASIC) Master's Degree
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More language has been recorded in the last twenty years than in the entirety of human history.ÌýUsing computer science algorithms, computational linguists can automatically process vast amounts of written and spoken communication in mere moments. This is the mechanism that turns the chaos of billions of individual voices into the symphony that is our civilization. Computational Linguistics is an attempt to manufacture the keys to a library containing the sum total of human knowledge and experience. Many of the answers to our questions already exist;Ìýwe need artificial intelligence to help us find them.Ìý
The Departments of Linguistics and Computer Science have teamed up to offer the first truly interdisciplinary professional master's in computational linguistics. The CLASIC (Computational Linguistics, Analytics, Search and Informatics) professional master’s degree is geared towards helping students find employment directly after graduation in Natural Language Processing, a growing and lucrative field.
CU is unique in its emphasis on having computational linguists undertake study in Computer Science and Linguistics in equal amounts. Computer science algorithms are needed to model language as a process,Ìýbut optimal performance can onlyÌýbe achieved through understanding the nuances of language.
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Companies
The interdisciplinary nature of CLASIC is a significant market strengthÌýbecause success in this developing field of Natural Language Processing requires a strongÌýbackground inÌýboth Linguistics and Computer Science. Students receive training that will prepare them for careers in predictive text messaging, search engines,Ìýquestion-answering, interactive virtual agents, and machine translation, among others. Many of these jobs are at the following types of companies.
Amazon
Sensory
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Roku
Allen Institute
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CLEAR (The Center for Computational Language and Education Research)
Much of a CLASIC student's workÌýoutside of the classroomÌýwill beÌýconducted within CLEAR,Ìýa center dedicated to advancing Natural Language Processing, and whichÌýhouses many government funded research projects. The facilities include labs,Ìýmeeting rooms,Ìýgraduate student offices,Ìýand computing resources.
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The NLP Process
Training computers to accurately deal with languages is a complex process that intricately weaves together linguistic insights and computational models that reference real world contexts. The process can begin with linguistic analysis, computational models, or a combination of the two. After it’s begun, however, it usually cycles in the following manner.
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