Apr 04, 2025

2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

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2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Computer and Information Sciences (MS)

After completing the MS, graduates will be able to:

summarize the professional and ethical responsibilities related to computer and information sciences as measured by the successful completion of Responsible Conduct of Research training and the seminar component of the coursework requirements
identify, analyze, and solve a broad range of computer and information sciences problems using appropriate tools, techniques, approaches, and algorithms as measured by the successful completion of the breadth component of the coursework requirements
demonstrate a deeper understanding of a chosen area of computer and information sciences as measured by successful completion of the elective component of the coursework requirements
assess the impacts of computer and information sciences on society and a chosen discipline as measured by the successful completion of the seminar component of the coursework requirements
optionally, if they enter the thesis track, plan, conduct, present, and defend a research project as measured by the successful completion of the thesis examination

Program Policy Document:

Please see the Program Policy Document for more information.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science Degree in Computer and Information Sciences (the MS) program is designed for students who are interested in obtaining a graduate-level understanding of computer and information sciences.

The non-thesis track is intended for students who view the MS as a terminal professional degree. The thesis track is intended for students who are also interested in research in computer and information sciences and may consider pursuing a PhD.

Students begin the program following the non-thesis track. Admission does not guarantee that a student can follow the thesis track. Entry to the thesis track occurs once the student’s advisory committee is approved by the Department.

Students who are confident in their interest in research in computer and information sciences are encouraged to apply to the PhD program.

Students who believe that they have already satisfied a degree requirement (e.g., by taking prior graduate-level coursework), may submit a degree requirements modification request.

Non-Thesis Track

Coursework Requirements

The coursework requirement comprises three components. The breadth component ensures that students have a broad view of computer and information sciences. The elective component allows students to specialize in an area that is related to their career goals. The seminar component prepares students to successfully complete the MS and exposes them to broader issues such as professional and ethical responsibilities and the impacts of computer and information sciences on society.

Breadth Component

Students must complete 12 credits of breadth classes, at least 3 credits from each of the following areas.

Breadth courses must be taken using the standard grading option (i.e., letter grades).

A breadth course may satisfy multiple areas. However, the same breadth course may not be used to satisfy more than one area.

Elective Component

Students must complete 18 credits of elective courses.

Elective courses must be taken using the standard grading option (i.e., letter grades).

Students are encouraged to use graduate-level courses in areas outside of computer and information sciences to satisfy this requirement. Students who wish to do so must submit a course substitution request.

BINF 685 - Modeling and Simulation for Bioinformatics Systems Credit(s): 3
CHEG 848 - Computing and Data Science for Soft Materials Innovation Credit(s): 3
CISC 601 - Elements of the Theory of Computation Credit(s): 3
CISC 604 - Logic in Computer Science Credit(s): 3
CISC 611 - Software Process Management Credit(s): 3
CISC 612 - Software Design Credit(s): 3
CISC 613 - Software Requirements Engineering Credit(s): 3
CISC 614 - Formal Methods in Software Engineering Credit(s): 3
CISC 615 - Software Testing and Maintenance Credit(s): 3
CISC 621 - Algorithm Design and Analysis Credit(s): 3
CISC 636 - Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Credit(s): 3
CISC 637 - Database Systems Credit(s): 3
CISC 640 - Computer Graphics Credit(s): 3
CISC 642 - Introduction to Computer Vision Credit(s): 3
CISC 649 - Topics in Computer Applications Credit(s): 3
CISC 650 - Computer Networks II Credit(s): 3
CISC 653 - Simulation of Computer Networks Credit(s): 3
CISC 655 - Communication Skills for CS Researchers Credit(s): 3
CISC 659 - Topics in Communications, Distributed Computing and Networks Credit(s): 3
CISC 662 - Computer Systems: Architecture Credit(s): 3
CISC 663 - Operating Systems Credit(s): 3
CISC 664 - Introduction to Network Security Credit(s): 3
CISC 669 - Computer Security Principles and Practice Credit(s): 3
CISC 670 - Programming Languages Credit(s): 3
CISC 672 - Compiler Construction Credit(s): 3
CISC 675 - Software Engineering Principles and Practices Credit(s): 3
CISC 681 - Artificial Intelligence Credit(s): 3
CISC 682 - Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction Credit(s): 3
CISC 683 - Introduction to Data Mining Credit(s): 3
CISC 684 - Introduction to Machine Learning Credit(s): 3
CISC 686 - Introduction to Multi-Agent Systems Credit(s): 3
CISC 688 - Introduction to Natural Language Processing Credit(s): 3
CISC 689 - Topics: Artificial Intelligence Credit(s): 3-12
CISC 691 - Software Engineering Practicum Credit(s): 3
CISC 830 - Combinatorial Optimization and Advanced Algorithms Credit(s): 3
CISC 844 - Computational Biomedicine Credit(s): 3
CISC 849 - Advanced Topics in Computer Applications Credit(s): 3-12
CISC 852 - Computer Network Performance Credit(s): 3
CISC 853 - Network Management Credit(s): 3
CISC 879 - Advanced Topics in Architecture and Software Systems Credit(s): 3-12
CISC 882 - Natural Language Processing Credit(s): 3
CISC 886 - Multi-Agent Systems Credit(s): 3
CISC 889 - Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence Credit(s): 3
CPEG 665 - Introduction to Cybersecurity Credit(s): 3
ELEG 817 - Large Scale Machine Learning Credit(s): 3
FSAN 850 - Financial Services Analytics Seminar Credit(s): 3

Seminar Component

Students must register for and satisfactorily participate in the Departmental seminar (CISC890) each semester.

CISC 890 - Colloquium: Computer Science Credit(s): 0

Non-Thesis Track Credits to Total a Minimum of 30

Thesis Track

Coursework Requirements

The coursework requirement comprises four components. The breadth component ensures that students have a broad view of computer and information sciences. The elective component allows students to specialize in an area that is related to their career goals. The seminar component prepares students to successfully complete the MS and exposes them to broader issues such as professional and ethical responsibilities and the impacts of computer and information sciences on society. The thesis component ensures that students have time to devote to their research.

Breadth Component

Students must complete 12 credits of breadth classes, at least 3 credits from each of the following areas.

Breadth courses must be taken using the standard grading option (i.e., letter grades).

A breadth course may satisfy multiple areas. However, the same breadth course may not be used to satisfy more than one area.

Theory, Mathematical, and Formal Reasoning

CISC 601 - Elements of the Theory of Computation Credit(s): 3
CISC 604 - Logic in Computer Science Credit(s): 3
CISC 614 - Formal Methods in Software Engineering Credit(s): 3
CISC 621 - Algorithm Design and Analysis Credit(s): 3
CISC 670 - Programming Languages Credit(s): 3

System Design and Implementation

CISC 611 - Software Process Management Credit(s): 3
CISC 612 - Software Design Credit(s): 3
CISC 613 - Software Requirements Engineering Credit(s): 3
CISC 614 - Formal Methods in Software Engineering Credit(s): 3
CISC 615 - Software Testing and Maintenance Credit(s): 3
CISC 637 - Database Systems Credit(s): 3
CISC 650 - Computer Networks II Credit(s): 3
CISC 653 - Simulation of Computer Networks Credit(s): 3
CISC 662 - Computer Systems: Architecture Credit(s): 3
CISC 663 - Operating Systems Credit(s): 3
CISC 664 - Introduction to Network Security Credit(s): 3
CISC 672 - Compiler Construction Credit(s): 3
CISC 675 - Software Engineering Principles and Practices Credit(s): 3

ML/AI, Interacting with Data, and Statistical Applications

BINF 685 - Modeling and Simulation for Bioinformatics Systems Credit(s): 3
CISC 636 - Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Credit(s): 3
CISC 681 - Artificial Intelligence Credit(s): 3
CISC 683 - Introduction to Data Mining Credit(s): 3
CISC 684 - Introduction to Machine Learning Credit(s): 3
CISC 686 - Introduction to Multi-Agent Systems Credit(s): 3
CISC 688 - Introduction to Natural Language Processing Credit(s): 3

Human-facing

CISC 640 - Computer Graphics Credit(s): 3
CISC 642 - Introduction to Computer Vision Credit(s): 3
CISC 655 - Communication Skills for CS Researchers Credit(s): 3
CISC 669 - Computer Security Principles and Practice Credit(s): 3
CISC 682 - Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction Credit(s): 3
CPEG 665 - Introduction to Cybersecurity Credit(s): 3

Elective Component

Students must complete 12 credits of elective courses.

Elective courses must be taken using the standard grading option (i.e., letter grades).

BINF 685 - Modeling and Simulation for Bioinformatics Systems Credit(s): 3
CHEG 848 - Computing and Data Science for Soft Materials Innovation Credit(s): 3
CISC 601 - Elements of the Theory of Computation Credit(s): 3
CISC 604 - Logic in Computer Science Credit(s): 3
CISC 611 - Software Process Management Credit(s): 3
CISC 612 - Software Design Credit(s): 3
CISC 613 - Software Requirements Engineering Credit(s): 3
CISC 614 - Formal Methods in Software Engineering Credit(s): 3
CISC 615 - Software Testing and Maintenance Credit(s): 3
CISC 621 - Algorithm Design and Analysis Credit(s): 3
CISC 636 - Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Credit(s): 3
CISC 637 - Database Systems Credit(s): 3
CISC 640 - Computer Graphics Credit(s): 3
CISC 642 - Introduction to Computer Vision Credit(s): 3
CISC 649 - Topics in Computer Applications Credit(s): 3
CISC 650 - Computer Networks II Credit(s): 3
CISC 653 - Simulation of Computer Networks Credit(s): 3
CISC 655 - Communication Skills for CS Researchers Credit(s): 3
CISC 659 - Topics in Communications, Distributed Computing and Networks Credit(s): 3
CISC 662 - Computer Systems: Architecture Credit(s): 3
CISC 663 - Operating Systems Credit(s): 3
CISC 664 - Introduction to Network Security Credit(s): 3
CISC 669 - Computer Security Principles and Practice Credit(s): 3
CISC 670 - Programming Languages Credit(s): 3
CISC 672 - Compiler Construction Credit(s): 3
CISC 675 - Software Engineering Principles and Practices Credit(s): 3
CISC 681 - Artificial Intelligence Credit(s): 3
CISC 682 - Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction Credit(s): 3
CISC 683 - Introduction to Data Mining Credit(s): 3
CISC 684 - Introduction to Machine Learning Credit(s): 3
CISC 686 - Introduction to Multi-Agent Systems Credit(s): 3
CISC 688 - Introduction to Natural Language Processing Credit(s): 3
CISC 689 - Topics: Artificial Intelligence Credit(s): 3-12
CISC 691 - Software Engineering Practicum Credit(s): 3
CISC 830 - Combinatorial Optimization and Advanced Algorithms Credit(s): 3
CISC 844 - Computational Biomedicine Credit(s): 3
CISC 849 - Advanced Topics in Computer Applications Credit(s): 3-12
CISC 852 - Computer Network Performance Credit(s): 3
CISC 853 - Network Management Credit(s): 3
CISC 879 - Advanced Topics in Architecture and Software Systems Credit(s): 3-12
CISC 882 - Natural Language Processing Credit(s): 3
CISC 886 - Multi-Agent Systems Credit(s): 3
CISC 889 - Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence Credit(s): 3
CPEG 665 - Introduction to Cybersecurity Credit(s): 3
ELEG 817 - Large Scale Machine Learning Credit(s): 3
FSAN 850 - Financial Services Analytics Seminar Credit(s): 3

Seminar Component

Students must register for and satisfactorily participate in the Departmental seminar (CISC890) each semester.

CISC 890 - Colloquium: Computer Science Credit(s): 0

Thesis Component

Students must complete 6 credits of Master’s Thesis (CISC869).

CISC 869 - Master’s Thesis Credit(s): 1-6

Research Requirements

The research requirements comprise one component. The thesis examination ensures that students have the ability to perform research in a chosen area of computer and information sciences.

Thesis Examination

Students must pass the thesis examination.

The thesis examination ensures that students have the ability to perform research in a chosen area of computer and information sciences.

Each student must establish an advisory committee. The advisory committee must be approved by the Department.

Each student must author a thesis that describes the results of original research in a chosen area of computer and information sciences.

Each student’s advisory committee must assess the student’s ability to conduct and report the results of basic research in both oral and written form. The assessment must include a public, oral defense of the thesis.

The outcome of the thesis examination is decided by the student’s advisory committee. A majority vote in favor is needed to pass.

Computer and Information Sciences (MS)

Program Policy Document:

Degree Requirements

Non-Thesis Track

Coursework Requirements

Breadth Component

Theory, Mathematical, and Formal Reasoning

System Design and Implementation

ML/AI, Interacting with Data, and Statistical Applications

Human-facing

Elective Component

Seminar Component

Non-Thesis Track Credits to Total a Minimum of 30

Thesis Track

Coursework Requirements

Breadth Component

Theory, Mathematical, and Formal Reasoning

System Design and Implementation

ML/AI, Interacting with Data, and Statistical Applications

Human-facing

Elective Component

Seminar Component

Thesis Component

Research Requirements

Thesis Examination

Thesis Track Credits to Total a Minimum of 30

Last Revised for 2024-2025 Academic Year