M.S. Program in Computer Science
Note: The description below is for general informational purposes only. For current requirements please refer to the latest Graduate Handbook.
The M.S. program is designed primarily to train students with professional goals in business, industry, or government, requiring a detailed knowledge of computer science concepts and applications. The program concentrates primarily on applied computer science, emphasizing programming, software development, computer systems, and applications with appropriate theoretical background. Each student is given the experience of working on one or more projects involving analysis, design, evaluation, and/or implementation.
New: Students can now choose to complete a concentration in Data Science and Engineering as a part of their M.S. degree. Once the requirements for the concentration are completed, students may request the concentration to be reflected in their transript at the time of graduation. See the DSE Concentration web site for details.
Students in the M.S. degree program choose between three project options:
- Basic Project Option
In this option, the students receive a broad coverage of Computer Science with at least one project-oriented coursework. The student must take 3 credits of CSE 522 (Basic Project in Computer Science) as a part of his/her graduation requirement (see link below). - Advanced Project Option
In this option, the student undertakes a more involved, two-semester long project under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The student must take 3+3 credits of the two-semester long sequence of CSE 523/524 (Advanced Project in Computer Science I and II) as a part of his/her graduation requirement. - Thesis Option
In this option, the student performs a research project under the guidance of a faculty advisor (usually 2–3 semester long), and writes a dissertation. The student must take 6–9 credits of CSE 599 (M.S. Thesis) as a part of their graduation requirement.
Regardless of the chosen option, the students are required to:
- complete a minimum of 31 graduate credits in Computer Science courses, each with a grade of C or better (or S for S/U-graded courses)
- satisfy the M.S. breadth requirement by taking courses covering three of four designated groups of courses. For specifics, please refer to the latest Graduate Handbook.
- complete a minimum number of graduate-level lecture courses, depending on the chosen project option. Students in the basic project option need 8 additional lecture courses; students in advanced project option need 7 lecture courses; and students in the thesis option need 6 lecture courses. For specifics, please refer to the latest Graduate Handbook.
