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M.S. in Distributed Systems 2003

 
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Prerequisite Phase
Core Phase
Advanced Phase

2003 2002

For transition plans and course equivalency tables, please click here

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The Distributed Systems degree is a synthesis of the traditional disciplines of Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Telecommunications with modern technologies that incorporate the use of distributed platforms in their application. The core phase includes software development in languages such as Java, the study of  frameworks such as J2EE, .Net, and CORBA, and the use of traditional network routing and protocols. In the Advanced Phase, students study network and concurrent programming, databases, distributed algorithms, and distributed software, using these to develop sophisticated applications. Graduates of this program will be prepared to lead innovation in the new wave of Intranet, Internet, and Web-based applications.

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

Upon acceptance into the master’s degree program, the student will meet with their 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 their 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.

Grade and GPA requirements

Grades: Students must receive a grade of B- or better in each prerequisite course and a C- or better in all other courses. 

GPA: Students must maintain a graduate level GPA of 2.50 or higher while pursuing their degree. Students will not be approved for graduation with less than a 2.50 GPA. Students with a GPA of 3.75 and a designation of distinction on the core examinations will graduate with distinction.

Prerequisite Phase

The courses in the Prerequisite Phase for the MS in Distributed Systems are:

CSC 211 Programming in Java I
CSC 212 Programming in Java II
or CSC 224 Java for Programmers
(CSC 224 is equivalent to both CSC 211 and CSC 212.Only students with experience in programming languages should take CSC 224.)
CSC 309 Object-Oriented Programming in C++
CSC 343 Introduction to Operating Systems
CSC 323 Data Analysis
CSC 415 Foundations of Computer Science
CSC 416 Foundations of Computer Science II

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 an online Change of Status request when the Prerequisite
Phase is completed to inform the Student Services offices that the block
can be removed. The online request 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 Graduate phase
of the program. Students may submit the Change of Status request by logging in to
MyCTI at www.cti.depaul.edu/myCTI.

Core Knowledge Phase

Core Knowledge Courses

Fully admitted students in the Core Knowledge phase may register for a maximum of four Advanced phase courses.  The Core Knowledge Phase courses for the MS in Distributed Systems are

DS 420 Distributed Systems I
SE 450 Object-Oriented Software Development
CSC 449 Database Technologies

Core Knowledge Examination

These examinations cover the subject matter of the Core Knowledge Phase courses. Students have the option of taking one, two, or three core exams at one time after completion of the applicable course or courses. Possible grades on the Core Examinations are; Pass with Distinction, Pass, and Fail. Students are allowed at most two attempts at each exam. Two failures on one exam results in dismissal from the graduate program.

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).

Advanced Phase

A student must complete 40 credits (10 courses) in the Advanced Phase to earn the MS in Distributed Systems. Students in the Core Knowledge Phase may register for a maximum of four Advanced Phase courses prior to passing the Core Knowledge Examination. Students must complete the following five courses:

CSC 491 Applied Algorithms and Structures
DS 421 Distributed Systems II
SE 452 Object-Oriented Enterprise Computing
SE 550 Distributed Software Development
TDC 561 Network Programming

Students must also complete three classes chosen from the following list:

CSC 480 Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
CSC 503 Parallel Algorithms
CSC 546 Operating Systems Design
CSC 549 Database System Implementation
CSC 551 Distributed Database Systems
CSC 580 Artificial Intelligence Programming
DS 513 Client/Server Technologies
DS 520 System Design and Implementation with Distributed Object Frameworks
DS 575 Intelligent Information Retrieval
DS 591 Distributed Algorithms
DS 599 Topics in Distributed Systems
SE 533 Software Validation and Verification
SE 552 Concurrent Software Development
SE 554 Enterprise Component Architecture
SE 560 Structured Document Interchange and Processing
SE 570 Design and Architecture of Secure Software Systems
TDC 562 Computer-Communication Network Design and Analysis
TDC 568 Network Management

Elective Courses

Two elective courses must also be completed. See elective course restrictions below.

Elective Courses

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.

Master’s Research Option:

Two terms of DS 599 may be taken as a research project under faculty supervision. The two DS 599 courses replace (a) one open elective and (b) one advanced phase requirement.

Last Modified: Wednesday December 19, 2007