Rensselaer Hartford - Master of Science in Computer Science

The Computer Science curriculum focuses on the practical use of contemporary computer science and technology. Students may focus their studies in software engineering, software systems, computer communication networks, computer engineering, database, or information systems.

Students entering the Computer Science degree program are expected to have a Bachelor of Science or Arts degree with relevant background coursework in mathematics, computer science and/or engineering and meet the General and Specific Computer Science admission requirements. A Plan of Study for the degree of M.S. in Computer Science must include:

Applicants are assumed to have knowledge of computer concepts and programming in a high-level language (e.g., C, Pascal). To receive the Master of Science Degree in Computer Science, students must earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in Computer Science or Engineering courses and satisfy the following requirements:

Each student completes a Plan of Study in consultation with his or her advisor. See Computer Science Plan of Study Worksheet for the Master of Science in Computer Science. This Plan will include required immigration courses (if any), five core courses, Research Methods course, the Culminating Experience (Computer Science Seminar) and three elective courses. At least two of the elective courses should pertain to a specific area which reflects the student's professional or academic interest.

Immigration Courses
Depending on academic background and professional experience, some students may be required to begin their studies with one or more prerequisite "immigration" course(s) beyond the standard 30 credit hours. The immigration courses are:
CISH-4010 Discrete Mathematics and Computer Theory
CISH-4020 Object Structures
CISH-4030 Structured Computer Architecture

Students with two or more immigration courses as prerequisites may be admitted conditionally. Since these are the equivalent of undergraduate courses, students are expected to achieve a grade of "B"or better in each course. Achievement below this level is cause for reexamination of admission. In addition, these immigration courses will not enter into the calculation of a student's GPA for graduation.

Core Courses (15 credits)
Each Plan of Study will contain the following five courses:

CSCI-4210 Operating Systems
CSCI-4380 Database Systems
CSCI-6050 Computability and Complexity
ECSE-4670 Computer Communicaton Networks
ECSE-6770 Software Engineering I

Research Methods Course (3 credits)
CISH-6960H09 Research Methods in Computer Science

Culminating Experience (3 credits)
CISH-6902 Computer Science Seminar

Computer Science and Other Electives (9 credits)
With the exception of the immigration courses, all courses with the designation CISH or CSCI and most designated ECSE may be used as electives for the degree.

Advanced Courses
At least 18 credit hours must be at the "advanced" level. All courses with suffix numbers 6000-6990 fall into this category. These courses may include special topics courses which are offered under CISH or CSCI-6960 Topics in Computer and Information Sciences, or ECSE-6960 Topics in Electrical Engineering.

After completing course work in a particular area, students may elect to complete a six-credit Master's Project (CISH or CSCI-6980) or Thesis (CISH or CSCI-6990) in that area.

Program Completion
Students will complete their program of study via one of two paths:

For More Information
If you have questions or need additional information please contact Enrollment Management at info@ewp.rpi.edu or at (860) 548-2420