Master of Computer Science

Computer science is at the center of our increasingly digital world. This professional master’s degree program in computer science will prepare you for a career in the ever-evolving tech landscape. The program consists of 30 credit hours of coursework in computer science and is designed for those without a prior degree in computer science, or those who are primarily interested in a (non-thesis) program preparing them for careers as working computer science professionals in business and industry. A full-time student with a background in computer science enrolled in the program should be able to complete the requirements in one to one-and-a-half years. Optional specializations in a number of areas are available.

Curriculum

The Master of Computer Science degree program requires a core curriculum of nine credit hours and 21 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 9
Minimum 500-Level CS/CSP Credits 20
Programming Core Courses (3)
Select a minimum of one course from the following:3
Topics in Computer Graphics3
Computer Vision3
Advanced Database Organization3
Syntactic Analysis of Programming Languages3
Topics in Compiler Construction3
Parallel and Distributed Processing3
Operating System Design and Implementation3
Cloud Computing3
Systems Core Courses (3)
Select a minimum of one course from the following:3
Computer Networks I: Fundamentals3
Computer Networks II: Network Services3
Wireless Networking3
Advanced Operating Systems3
Analytic Models and Simulation of Computer Systems3
Advanced Computer Architecture3
Software Systems Architectures3
Software-Defined Networking3
Theory Core Courses (3)
Select a minimum of one course from the following:3
Theory of Computation3
Computational Geometry3
Types and Programming Languages3
Design and Analysis of Algorithms3
Science of Programming3
Combinatorial Optimization3
Game Theory: Algorithms and Applications3
Elective Courses (21)
Select 21 credit hours21
Total Credit Hours30

Notes:

  • All core and specialization courses must be satisfied by courses taken at Illinois Institute of Technology. Courses transferred for credit cannot be used to satisfy core or specialization course requirements. Core course credit does apply toward the 20-credit hour requirement for CS/CSP courses.
  • Elective credit may include 400- and 500-level CS and CSP courses, certain courses transferred from other departments, and up to six credit hours of accelerated courses. Interprofessional Projects (IPROs) and deficiency courses (CS 201, CS 401, CS 402, and Calculus) cannot be included. There is a limit of six CS 597 credits. Consult the computer science department website (science.iit.edu/computer-science) for details.
  • Certain specializations have program requirements different from those above. See the Specializations tab on this page for more details.

Master of Computer Science with Specialization in Business

33 credit hours

This program is designed to help computer science professionals extend and deepen their technical and practical knowledge of the field while introducing themselves to core topics in modern business practices. Students must satisfy the general Master of Computer Science requirements, and complete 24 credit hours of CS/CSP courses and three specialization courses from the Stuart School of Business.

Specialization Courses (9)
Select a minimum of three courses from the following:9
Strategic Management3
Business Statistics3
Financial Statement Applications3
International Trade3
Analytics for Decision Making3
Leadership and Organization Design3
Financial Management 3
Marketing Strategy3
Total Credit Hours9

Note: Stuart School of Business tuition and fees apply to these courses. Applicants to the program are not required to take the GMAT. Students who have already taken Stuart School of Business courses as part of a degree program cannot reuse those courses to satisfy specialization course requirements.

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.

Specialization Courses (12)
Select a minimum of four courses from the following:12
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence3
Computer Vision 13
Advanced Data Mining3
Deep Learning3
Interactive and Transparent Machine Learning3
Online Social Network Analysis3
Probabilistic Graphical Models3
Machine Learning3
Natural Language Processing3
Advanced Artificial Intelligence3
Total Credit Hours12
1

CS 512 serves simultaneously as a specialization and a Programming core course.

Master of Computer Science with Specialization in Cyber-Physical Systems

30 credit hours

This program is intended for students who are interested in learning how to work with embedded controllers with integrated sensors and networking abilities and to utilize them for real-world applications. Students must satisfy general Master of Computer Science requirements and complete four specialization courses.

Specialization Courses (12)
Select a minimum of four courses from the following:12
Mobile Applications Development3
Distributed Real-Time Systems3
Cloud Computing 13
Analytic Models and Simulation of Computer Systems 13
Cyber-Physical Systems: Languages and Systems3
Cyber-Physical Systems Security and Design3
Advanced Computer Security3
System and Network Security3
Total Credit Hours12
1

CS 553 serves simultaneously as a specialization course and a Programming core course. CS 555 serves simultaneously as a specialization course and a Systems core course.

Master of Computer Science with Specialization in Data Analytics

30 credit hours

Intelligent analysis of large amounts of data is a crucial component in supporting business decisions. This program is intended for students interested in learning how to discover patterns in large amounts of data in information systems and how to use these to draw conclusions. Students must satisfy general Master of Computer Science requirements and complete four specialization courses.

Specialization Courses (12)
Select a minimum of four courses from the following:12
Data Mining3
Data Integration, Warehousing, and Provenance3
Advanced Data Mining3
Data-Intensive Computing3
Online Social Network Analysis3
Machine Learning3
Natural Language Processing3
Computer Vision3
Data Privacy and Security3
Information Retrieval3
Data Preparation and Analysis3
Big Data Technologies3
Total Credit Hours12

Master of Computer Science with Specialization in Database Systems

30 credit hours

This program is designed to provide in-depth knowledge of the principles of design and development of database systems. Students must satisfy general Master of Computer Science requirements and complete four specialization courses.

Specialization Courses (12)
Select a minimum of four courses from the following:12
Database Organization3
Data Integration, Warehousing, and Provenance3
Advanced Data Mining3
Big Data Technologies3
Advanced Database Organization 13
Information Retrieval3
Cloud Computing 13
Data-Intensive Computing3
Total Credit Hours12
1

CS 525 and CS 553 serve simultaneously as specialization courses and Programming core courses. 

Master of Computer Science with Specialization in Distributed and Cloud Computing

30 credit hours

The Master of Computer Science with a Specialization in Distributed and Cloud Computing is intended for students who are interested to learn about distributed systems and how they are applied to real world problems, as well as how emerging cloud computing technologies can be used to implement some of the world's most popular services and applications. Students must satisfy general Master of Computer Science requirements and complete four specialization courses.

Specialization Courses (15)
Select a minimum of four courses from the following:12
Introduction to Parallel and Distributed Computing3
Parallel and Distributed Processing 13
Advanced Operating Systems 13
Distributed Real-Time Systems3
Cloud Computing 13
Data-Intensive Computing3
Advanced Computer Architecture 13
CS 543Software-Defined Networking3
Big Data Technologies3
Total Credit Hours15
1

CS 546 and CS 553 both serve simultaneously as specialization courses and Programming core courses. CS 550 and CS 570 both serve simultaneously as specialization courses and Systems core courses.

Master of Computer Science with Specialization in Finance

33 credit hours

The Master of Computer Science with a Specialization in Finance is designed to enable computer science students to further their technical education while opening a path toward a career in finance.

Courses for the MCS/Finance degree program are taken from the Department of Computer Science and the Stuart School of Business. In addition to satisfying the general Master of Computer Science degree requirements, students must complete 24 credit hours of CS/CSP courses and three specified MSF courses.

Required Finance Courses (9)
MSF 504Valuation and Portfolio Management3
MSF 505Futures, Options, and OTC Derivatives3
MSF 506Financial Statement Analysis3
Total Credit Hours9

Note: Stuart School of Business tuition and fees apply to these courses. Applicants to the program are not required to take the GMAT. Students who have already taken Stuart School of Business courses as part of a degree program cannot reuse those courses to satisfy specialization course requirements.

Master of Computer Science with Specialization in Information Security and Assurance

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 Information Security and Assurance 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.

The U.S. government's Information Assurance Courseware Evaluation (IACE) program has certified the computer science department's courses as meeting the national training standards for Information Systems Security Professionals (NSTISSI 4011) and Systems Certifiers (NSTISSI 4015). These standards describe course content for studying telecommunications security and automated information systems security.

Specialization Courses (12)
Select a minimum of four of the following courses:12
Introduction to Information Security3
Advanced Database Organization 13
Data Privacy and Security3
Cryptography and Network Security3
Advanced Operating Systems 13
Advanced Computer Security3
System and Network Security3
Total Credit Hours12
1

CS 525 serves simultaneously as a specialization course and a Programming core course. CS 550 serves simultaneously as a specialization course and a Systems core course.

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.

Specialization Courses (15)
Select a minimum of four courses from the following:12
Data Communications3
Computer Networks I: Fundamentals 13
Computer Networks II: Network Services 13
Wireless Networking 13
High-Speed Networks3
Cryptography and Network Security3
Analytic Models and Simulation of Computer Systems 13
Cyber-Physical Systems Security and Design3
System and Network Security3
CS 543Software-Defined Networking3
Total Credit Hours15
1

CS 542, CS 544, CS 547, and CS 555 all serve simultaneously as specialization courses and Systems core courses. 

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.

Specialization Courses (12)
Select a minimum of four courses from the following:12
Software Engineering I3
Object-Oriented Analysis and Design3
Science of Programming 13
Software Metrics3
Software Systems Architectures 13
Software Project Management3
Software Testing and Analysis3
Software Quality Management3
Total Credit Hours12
1

CS 536 serves simultaneously as a specialization course and a Theory core course. CS 586 serves simultaneously as a specialization course and a Systems core course.