Master of Science Program

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The Master's curriculum is designed with these goals in mind:

  • Provide a solid foundation in the fundamental principles of computer science (the core).
  • Give exposure to a variety of subject areas (the 500-level electives).
  • Give exposure to research topics of current interest and to provide in-depth knowledge of several areas (the 600-level courses).

A student must take a total of 33 credits from the following courses (subject to the stipulations listed below):

Core: All four courses (12 credits – 3 credits each)

  • CSC520 — Foundations of Computer Science
  • CSC530 — Data Structures
  • CSC540 — Programming Languages
  • CSC560 — Analysis of Algorithms

Electives: At least four 500-level electives (at least 12 credits – 3 credits each)

  • CSC525 — Operating Systems
  • CSC535 — Networks and Data Communications
  • CSC545 — Database System Concepts
  • CSC555 — Software Engineering
  • CSC565 — Compiler Design
  • CSC570 — Computer Architecture
  • CSC573 — Graphics and User Interfaces
  • CSC575 — Artificial Intelligence
  • CSC581 — Topics in Computer Science
  • CSC582 — Topics in Information Systems
  • CSC583 — Topics in Computer Security
  • CSC584 — Topics in Web Technology
  • CSC585 — User Interfaces in Java
  • CSC586 — System Administration and Security
  • CSC587 — Web Services using XML and SOAP
  • CSC588 — Wireless Programming and Security
  • CSC589 — UML and Pattern Design with an emphasis on Data Access Control

Advanced: At least two 600-level (at least 6 credits – 3 credits each)

  • CSC600 — Advanced Seminar
  • CSC603 — Advanced Seminar in Computer Security
  • CSC604 — Advanced Seminar in Web Technology
  • CSC605 — Internship
  • CSC610 — Independent Research
  • CSC620 — Thesis

Stipulations

  1. The four core courses must be completed within the first six courses taken and the core must be completed before any 600-level course can be taken.
  2. At least one and no more than two Advanced Seminar courses must be taken.
  3. The CSC600 course is a vehicle for offering new advanced topics in Computer Science and can be taken twice with different topics.
  4. A student who elects to do a master's thesis must take the Independent Research (CSC610) and Thesis courses (CSC620) in successive semesters.

Admission Requirements

  1. Applicants for the Master of Science program in Computer Science must satisfy the graduate admission requirements of the University. Further, applicants should (ideally) possess an undergraduate degree in computer science or an equivalent degree.
  2. An applicant who does not have an undergraduate degree in computer science or the equivalent may, however, apply for admission into the Prerequisite Program which is an 18-credit program designed to give students a broad knowledge of standard topics in Computer Science.
  3. Applicants must also have submitted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) their verbal, quantitative, and qualitative Graduate Record Examinations results (GREs). These tests may be taken no more than five years prior to the application.
  4. TOEFL 550 (non-native speakers only).
  5. Three letters of recommendation.