COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) is a 33-unit graduate program designed to provide advanced theoretical foundations and specialized technical expertise in computing. The program prepares students for high-level careers in software engineering, systems development, research, and emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, distributed systems, and data-intensive computing.The curriculum includes 21 units of core coursework. All students must complete a Graduate Technical Writing course that fulfills the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR), ensuring strong professional communication skills. Students then select one course each from three core foundations: theoretical foundations (such as algorithms, theory of computation, or programming language principles), architecture (such as computer architecture, parallel processing, or networking), and systems software (such as cloud computing, databases, distributed systems, or compilers). These core selections build deep knowledge in fundamental areas of computer science.In addition, students complete 9 units of specialty courses chosen from a wide range of advanced topics, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, cybersecurity, bioinformatics, computer vision, blockchain, and advanced databases. This allows students to tailor their degree toward industry-relevant or research-focused domains. An additional 6 units of electives further expand flexibility, allowing coursework from computer science, mathematics, linguistics, or other approved interdisciplinary areas.The program concludes with a 6-unit culminating experience, which may be completed as either a thesis (Plan A) or a project (Plan B), along with a comprehensive oral examination. This final requirement emphasizes independent research or applied development under faculty supervision.Overall, the MSCS program provides a balanced combination of theoretical rigor, system-level understanding, and specialized expertise, preparing graduates for advanced roles in the technology industry or continued doctoral studies in computer science and related fields.