Master of Science in Computer Science 2008

Computer science is a broad field that spans such diverse areas as computational biology, data mining and databases, distributed and mobile systems, intelligent systems and gaming, security and cryptography, robotics and computer vision, computer graphics and animation, user interfaces and other areas. Computer Science professionals typically work on improving the performance of current computer applications, or on developing new applications for computer systems. They do this by applying some key concepts, techniques, structures, or algorithms, by using their deep understanding of the workings and the API of modern computer systems, and by applying their expertise in programming and software development.

The Master of Science in Computer Science program at DePaul CTI is structured to provide students an expertise in the core areas: 1) algorithm development and computer science concepts, 2) computer systems and 3) programming and software development. The program also allows students flexibility to apply the core knowledge to diverse applied areas. The program follows a three-phase sequence, with each phase preparing the student for the subsequent phase:

• A.  Prerequisite Phase
• B.  Core Foundation Phase
• C.  Advanced Phase

The goal of the prerequisite phase is to give students the background in programming, mathematics, data structures and computer systems that is necessary for starting the graduate program. Typically, a student with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science will be waived from this phase. The foundations phase consists of three graduate courses that provide the foundation in the three core areas of algorithm development, computer systems and software development. The goal of the advanced phase is:

1. to further the student's expertise in these core areas through additional coursework in Computer Science Concepts and Computer Systems, with an emphasis on Software Development throughout, and
2. to expand the student's expertise to other areas in Computer Science: Databases, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, Bioinformatics, Computer Security, Computer Networks, Computer Graphics, Computer Game Development, User Interfaces, Security, etc.

The second part of the advanced phase gives students a great deal of flexibility. A student may choose to focus in a specific area by taking many courses in one area of computer science or to achieve a breadth of knowledge by selecting courses from a variety of areas. This degree is appropriate for students who wish to pursue a professional career in any of a number of areas of Computer Science, or for students who may wish to pursue a Ph.D. degree in the future.

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 3.90 or higher will graduate with distinction.

A. Prerequisite Phase

The courses in the Prerequisite Phase are:

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.

 B. Core Foundations Phase (3 courses)

The Core Foundation Phase consists of 3 required courses:

 C. Advanced Phase (10 courses)

The Advanced Phase consists of 3 parts:

1. Core electives: Two courses from each core group: Computer Science Concepts and Computer Systems (total: 4 courses)
2. CS electives: Four additional courses (two of which must be 500-level) from the below comprehensive list of courses. The courses are grouped as follows for convenience: Computer Science Concepts, Computer Systems, Database Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics, Computer Vision, Data Analysis, Computer Graphics, Software Engineering, Security, Network Technologies, Computer Games and Animation, User Interfaces, and Information Systems. Two of the courses must be 500-level. The Independent Study course (CSC 695) may be taken for up to 8 credits and each 4 credit-hours of CSC695 will count towards one 500-level CS elective. A student may concentrate in one area by taking all 4 courses from the same group of courses, or may wish to take courses from a variety of areas.
3. CTI electives: Two elective courses. Elective courses are any CTI courses in the range 420-699.

Overall, at least four 500-level courses. A Master's Thesis or a Master's Research option is available to interested students.

CS Elective Courses

CS elective courses include courses in the Computer Science Concepts and the Computer Systems groups, as well as the courses listed below. The courses are grouped for convenience. A student may concentrate in one area by taking all 4 courses from the same group of courses, or may wish to take courses from a variety of areas.

Database Systems courses

Artificial Intelligence courses

Bioinformatics courses

Computer Vision courses

Data Analysis courses

Computer Graphics courses

Software Engineering courses

Security courses

Network Technologies courses

Information Systems courses

Computer Game Development courses

User Interfaces Courses

Master’s Independent Study

Masters Research

A student who has made a significant contribution to a research project, through work done in 2 quarters of CSC 695 (8 credit-hours), may choose to complete the Master's Research option.  The student must submit a technical report detailing the results of the research project.  This report must be approved by the student's research supervisor and the faculty advisor, at which point it will be made available to the public as a CTI Departmental Master's Research Technical Report.  In that case, the student will be allowed to register for the 0 credit course CSC 696 (Master's Research) and the transcript will show the research project title as the course topic.  

Master's Thesis

A student who has made an original contribution to the area (through work done by CSC 695, typically) may choose to complete a Master's Thesis. The student and the student's research advisor should form a Master's Thesis Committee of 3 faculty. The student will need submit to the committee a thesis detailing the results of the research project. After a public defense, the committee will decide whether to accept the thesis. In that case, the student will be allowed to register for the 0 credit course CSC698 (Master's Thesis) and the transcript will show the thesis title as the course topic. The thesis will be made available to the public as a CTI Departmental Master's Thesis Technical Report.

Printable version

Last Modified: Tuesday May 26, 2009