Purpose
The main objective of the M.S. Concentration Option is to expose students to state-of-the-art concepts and techniques in the areas of web services, graphics and animation, database technologies, software testing and verification, system security and the infrastructure of modern computer information systems.
Program Description
A total of ten (four core and six elective) courses is the minimum for obtaining an M.S. degree in Computer Science with any of the following concentrations:
| Concentration | Coordinator |
|---|---|
| Information Sciences (IS) | Dr. George Grevera |
| Graphics and Visualization (GV) | Dr. Betul Atalay, Dr. George Grevera, Dr. Susanna Wei |
| Software Engineering (SE) | Dr. George Grevera |
| Web and Database Technologies (WDBT) | Dr. Babak Forouraghi |
Of the ten courses, a maximum of two courses may be for an approved research project.
Requirements for Four Core Courses
Students take the following two required core courses during their first and second semesters, respectively:
- CSC 550: Object Oriented Design and Data Structures
- CSC 551: Design and Analysis of Algorithms
The two elective core courses are taken from the following list:
- CSC 553: Computer Systems
- CSC 554: Theory of Computation
- CSC 552: Computer Architecture
- CSC 610: Software Engineering
- CSC 621: Database Systems
- CSC 680: Artificial Intelligence
- CSC 681: Programming Paradigms
The core courses require that a student must earn a grade of B or better.
Requirements for Six Elective (Concentration) Courses
Students who do not need prerequisite courses take four courses from the same concentration plus any other two CSC courses numbered 5000 and above to receive a specialized M.S. degree from that concentration:
Software Engineering (SE)
The Software Engineering option aims at providing students with the necessary knowledge and skills relating to SE processes, models, reliability, verification and testing methods, CASE tools, and new SE-related development concepts and paradigms. Students will be prepared for careers in the areas of design, development, analysis, and testing and verification of large software systems.
1. CSC 610: Software Engineering
2. CSC 611: Human Computer Interfaces
3. CSC 612: Program Verification
4. CSC 613: Software Testing
5. CSC 791: Research I
6. CSC 792: Research II
Web & Database Technologies (WDBT)
The Web & Database Technologies option exposes students to the XML technologies and Web services that are fast becoming the basis for virtually all Web-based and database-centric applications, coupled with datamining and data warehousing, and Web security. Students will be prepared for careers in Web and database management, Web security, and declarative data preprocessing in distributed and heterogeneous computing environments.
1. CSC 620: Internet Application Development
2. CSC 624: Networks and Distributed Systems
3. CSC 621: Database Systems
4. CSC 623: Data Communications and Networking
5. CSC 622: Advanced Database Concepts
6. CSC 625: Cryptography and Network Security
7. CSC 626: Web Technologies
8. CSC 791: Research I
9. CSC 792: Research II
Graphics & Visualization (GV)
The Graphics & Visualization option exposes students to state-of-the-art graphics, 3D animation, and gaming technologies. Students will be prepared for careers in the areas of computer art and animation, creative design, and scientific simulation and visualization.
1. CSC 630: Introduction to Computer Graphics
2. CSC 631: Computer Vision
3. CSC 632: Interactive 3D Game Development
4. CSC 633: Advanced Graphics and Visualization
5. CSC 634: Computational Geometry
6. CSC 791: Research I
7. CSC 792: Research II
Information Sciences (IS)
The Information Sciences option builds a strong technical understanding of modern information systems. Students will gain an understanding of the importance of information systems to the organization as well as understanding the underlying technical requirements of the design, implementation, and maintenance of the system. This program will prepare students for highly technical managerial positions.
1. ACC 550: Creating and Measuring Shareholder Value
2. MGT 551: Empowering Human Potential at Work
3. DSS 525: Emerging Technology and E-business
4. DSS (either 600, 610, and 620)
5. Two CSC electives
IS concentration students whose do not have background coursework in business may be required to take one or both of the following in addition to any mathematics or computer science prerequisite courses required: ACC 500 Accounting Concepts, MGT 500 Managing Work Organizations.