Masters of Science in E-Commerce Technology 2000

The Master of Science in E-Commerce Technology is directed toward those who want to work in the rapidly expanding field of e-commerce application development.  With the explosive growth of the Internet, industries are increasingly employing Internet and related E-Commerce technologies for such applications as Web-based retailing, electronic supply chain management, and Web publishing. In addition, Intranets provide a cost-effective approach to both intra-organizational data sharing and facilitation of collaborative work process. Reflecting the eclectic nature of current Web development, the MS in E-Commerce Technology exposes students to a broad and ever-changing mix of technologies, programming languages and tools.  Practicums, team projects, and work for real clients provide an authentic environment for learning. Students who have earned the MS in E-Commerce Technology will have the skills and knowledge necessary to lead e-commerce application development in large organizations or consulting firms, or establish their own consulting practices in this rapidly growing field.

For more information on placement or advising issues about this degree see http://www.depaul.edu/~schan/EC/ecmain.htm

The program follows a three-phase sequence, with each phase preparing the student for the subsequent phase. The master’s degree program consists of:

• Prerequisite Phase
• Core Knowledge Phase
• Advanced Phase

Upon acceptance into the master’s degree program, the student will meet with a faculty advisor to discuss required courses for the Prerequisite Phase. The Prerequisite Phase is intended to ensure that all students enter graduate courses with an equivalent background. While completing this phase, a student is considered a conditionally admitted master’s student. In the Core Knowledge Phase, a student will follow a sequence of courses to acquire an understanding of the technological and theoretical foundations for the particular degree. In the Advanced Phase of the program, the fundamental information learned previously allows a student to study advanced topics within the chosen degree. This phase adds depth to the work completed in the Core Knowledge Phase. Individual interests and needs are also addressed through a series of elective courses chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor.

Prerequisite Phase

By taking these courses and receiving a grade of a B- or better in each, the student will have completed the requirements of the Prerequisite Phase. All or part of the Prerequisite Phase may be waived if a student has the equivalent academic background. Alternatively, students with practical experience may complete a Graduate Assessment Examination (GAE) to show competency in a prerequisite. All students are blocked from enrolling in Core Knowledge Phase courses prior to completing their prerequisites. The student must submit a Change of Status request when the Prerequisite Phase is completed to inform the Student Services offices that the block can be removed. The form must be submitted two weeks before the student intends to register for graduate level classes. The student will then be considered a fully admitted student, and may pass to the Core Knowledge Phase of the program.

Core Knowledge Phase

Core Knowledge Courses

Fully admitted students in the Core Knowledge phase may register of a maximum of four Advanced phase courses. The Core Knowledge Phase courses for the MS in E-Commerce Technology are:

ECT 555	Design and Strategies for Internet Commerce
CSC 449	Database Systems
DS 420	Foundations of Distributed Systems

Core Knowledge Examination

This examination covers the subject matter of the Core Knowledge Phase courses. Students take this examination following successful completion of the Core Knowledge Phase course requirements.

To be eligible for core exam application, a student must have completed all prerequisite courses or be registered for the final prerequisite course in the quarter before the core exam for which the student is applying. Additionally, a student must successfully complete all prerequisite courses (B- or better required) before being allowed to sit for any core exam. Failure to successfully complete a core class (grade of C- or better required) may result in an administrative cancellation of the student's core exam(s).

The Core Knowledge Examination is offered three times during the academic year. Students are allowed at most two attempts at this examination. Two failures result in dismissal from the graduate program. Possible grades on the Core Knowledge Examination are Pass, Fail and Pass with Distinction. Students who pass the Core Knowledge Examination with distinction and maintain a 3.75 grade point average graduate with distinction. The student must submit a written or online application three months before taking the Core Knowledge Examination. A student must finish the Prerequisite Phase in order to be eligible for the Core Exam. There is no charge for the Core Exam.

Advanced Phase

The advanced phase provides breadth and depth in six areas, and allows for specialized interests in four course areas (three from the list and one free elective).

Students must take the following six Advanced Phase courses:

Students choose three courses from the following list:

ECT 423	Internet Multimedia
HCI 460	Evaluating Human-Computer Interaction
HCI 540	User Interface Implementation
DS 513	Client/Server Technologies
DS 594	Distributed Systems Project
DS 599	Topics in Distributed Systems
CSC 451	Database Design
CSC 452	Database Programming
CSC 453	Client/Server Database Application Development
TDC 463	Computer Networks and Data Systems
TDC 564	Local Area Networks
TDC 597	Topic: Multimedia Networking
IS 450	Technological Organizational Transformation
IS 482	Legal Aspects of Information Technology
IS 512	Groupware and Virtual Collaboration
IS 540	Global Information Technology
IS 549	Data Warehousing and Data Mining
IS 560	Enterprise Resource Planning
IS 574	Decision Support Systems and Executive Information Systems
IS 577	Information Technology Policies and Strategies
IS 575	Intelligent Information Retrieval
IS 578	Information Technology Consulting
ECT 596	Topics in E-Commerce Technology
ECT 690	Research Seminar
ECT 696	Master’s Project
ECT 698	Master’s Thesis

Students also complete one open elective in accordance with the elective course restrictions below.

Elective Course Restrictions

Elective courses are in the range of 420-699 and must be from the school of CTI. Credit for courses taken outside of the school will only be given if approved by a faculty advisor. Courses suggested for any Prerequisite Phase in any concentration do not count for elective credit. Any course required for the student’s concentration but taken as part of the requirements of another degree earned by the student may be waived, but cannot be used for elective credit.