Master of Computer Science
Computer science is central to today’s data-driven and interconnected world. The Master of Computer Science is a professional, course-based program designed to prepare students for careers in modern computing environments. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills and foundational knowledge in key areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, distributed and cloud computing, cybersecurity and information assurance, and large-scale software and computing systems. The program consists of 30 credit hours of coursework and is intended for students seeking a non-thesis degree oriented toward professional practice. It is suitable for individuals with a background in computer science as well as those transitioning from related fields. A full-time student with appropriate preparation in computer science can typically complete the program in one to one-and-a-half years. Optional areas of specialization allow students to tailor their studies to specific interests.
Curriculum
The Master of Computer Science degree program requires a core curriculum of twelve credit hours and 18 credit hours of elective courses. At least 20 credit hours must come from 500-level CS/CSP courses.
| Minimum Degree Credits | 30 |
| Minimum Core Course Credits | 12 |
| Minimum 500-Level CS/CSP Credits | 20 |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 12 | |
Select four core courses: at least one core course from four distinct core areas out of six available core areas listed below. 1 | 12 | |
| Electives | 18 | |
Please select 18 credit hours. 2 | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Core courses must be satisfied by courses taken at Illinois Institute of Technology. Courses transferred for credit cannot be used to satisfy core course requirements.
- 2
Elective credit may include 400- and 500-level CS and CSP courses, certain courses transferred from other departments (subject to prior approval of the advisor and the department), and up to six credit hours of accelerated courses. Interprofessional Projects (IPROs) and pathway courses (CS 201,CS 401,CS 402) cannot be included. There is a limit of six CS 597 credits.
CORE AREAS
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineering and Programming Languages | (15) | |
| CS 534 | Types and Programming Languages | 3 |
| CS 536 | Science of Programming | 3 |
| CS 586 | Software Systems Architectures | 3 |
| CS 588 | Advanced Software Engineering Development | 3 |
| CS 589 | Software Testing and Analysis | 3 |
| Systems and Networking | (21) | |
| CS 542 | Computer Networks I: Fundamentals | 3 |
| CS 543 | Software-Defined Networking | 3 |
| CS 544 | Computer Networks II: Network Services | 3 |
| CS 546 | Parallel and Distributed Processing | 3 |
| CS 547 | Wireless Networking | 3 |
| CS 550 | Distributed Systems | 3 |
| CS 551 | Operating System Design and Implementation | 3 |
| Theory and Algorithms | (15) | |
| CS 530 | Theory of Computation | 3 |
| CS 533 | Computational Geometry | 3 |
| CS 535 | Design and Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| CS 538 | Combinatorial Optimization | 3 |
| CS 539 | Game Theory: Algorithms and Applications | 3 |
| Data and Cloud Computing | (12) | |
| CS 525 | Advanced Database Organization | 3 |
| CS 553 | Cloud Computing | 3 |
| CS 554 | Data-Intensive Computing | 3 |
| CS 555 | Analytic Models and Simulation of Computer Systems | 3 |
| Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning | (21) | |
| CS 512 | Computer Vision | 3 |
| CS 577 | Deep Learning | 3 |
| CS 579 | Online Social Network Analysis | 3 |
| CS 581 | Advanced Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| CS 583 | Probabilistic Graphical Models | 3 |
| CS 584 | Machine Learning | 3 |
| CS 585 | Natural Language Processing | 3 |
| Cybersecurity and Data Privacy | (15) | |
| CS 527 | Software Security | 3 |
| CS 528 | Data Privacy and Security | 3 |
| CS 549 | Cryptography and Network Security | 3 |
| CS 557 | Cyber-Physical Systems Security and Design | 3 |
| CS 558 | Advanced Computer Security | 3 |
Master of Computer Science with Specialization in Artificial Intelligence
30 credit hours
This program is intended for students who are interested in ways in which computers may learn and adapt based on data so as to solve complex problems in various areas of computer science. Students must satisfy general Master of Computer Science requirements and complete four specialization courses.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Specialization Courses | (12) | |
| Select a minimum of four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Computer Vision | 3 | |
| Advanced Data Mining | 3 | |
| Deep Learning | 3 | |
| Reinforcement Learning | 3 | |
| Online Social Network Analysis | 3 | |
| Advanced Artificial Intelligence | 3 | |
| Probabilistic Graphical Models | 3 | |
| Machine Learning | 3 | |
| Natural Language Processing | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
Master of Computer Science with Specialization in Data and Cloud Systems
30 credit hours
This program is designed to provide in-depth knowledge of the principles of design and development of database and cloud systems. Students must satisfy general Master of Computer Science requirements and complete four specialization courses.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Specialization Courses | (12) | |
| Select a minimum of four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Data Integration, Warehousing, and Provenance | 3 | |
| Advanced Database Organization | 3 | |
| Cloud Computing | 3 | |
| Data-Intensive Computing | 3 | |
| Analytic Models and Simulation of Computer Systems | 3 | |
| Virtual Machines | 3 | |
| Advanced Computer Architecture | 3 | |
| Big Data Technologies | 3 | |
| Data Preparation and Analysis | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
Master of Computer Science with Specialization in Cybersecurity
30 credit hours
Information security, privacy, and information assurance are of prime importance in modern computer systems where data can be accessed from nearly everywhere. The Master of Computer Science with a Specialization in Cybersecurity is intended for students interested in aspects of security and assurance in modern e-commerce applications. Students must satisfy general Master of Computer Science requirements and complete four specialization courses.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Specialization Courses | (12) | |
| Select a minimum of four of the following courses: | 12 | |
| Software Security | 3 | |
| Data Privacy and Security | 3 | |
| Cryptography and Network Security | 3 | |
| Cyber-Physical Systems Security and Design | 3 | |
| Advanced Computer Security | 3 | |
| System and Network Security | 3 | |
| Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
Master of Computer Science with Specialization in Networking and Communications
30 credit hours
This program is designed to provide an in-depth knowledge of the theory and practice of computer networking and telecommunications. Students must satisfy general Master of Computer Science requirements and complete four specialization courses.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Specialization Courses | (12) | |
| Select a minimum of four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Computer Networks I: Fundamentals 1 | 3 | |
| Software-Defined Networking | 3 | |
| Computer Networks II: Network Services 1 | 3 | |
| Wireless Networking 1 | 3 | |
| High-Speed Networks | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
Master of Computer Science with Specialization in Software Engineering
30 credit hours
This program is designed to provide an in-depth knowledge of theory and practices in software engineering, including hands-on experience in software design, development, and maintenance. Students must satisfy general Master of Computer Science requirements and complete four specialization courses.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Specialization Courses | (12) | |
| Select a minimum of four courses from the following: | 12 | |
| Science of Programming 1 | 3 | |
| Trustworthy Machine Learning | 3 | |
| Software Systems Architectures 1 | 3 | |
| Software Project Management | 3 | |
| Software Testing and Analysis | 3 | |
| Software Modeling Development with UML | 3 | |
| Software Quality Management | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
