Computer Science MS - Rochester Insti

The Computer Science Master of Science Degree is designed for students who have an undergraduate degree (or minor) in computer science, as well as those who have a strong background in a field in which computers are applied, such as engineering, science, or business. The degree is offered on a full- or part-time basis and can be completed either on-campus or online.

Why Pursue an MS in Computer Science at RIT?

STEM-OPT Visa Eligible: The STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows full-time, on-campus international students on an F-1 student visa to stay and work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation.
Flexible Learning: Choose between on-campus or online study.
Cutting-Edge Specializations: Explore dynamic fields such as computer graphics, data science, and artificial intelligence through specialized coursework, equipping you with advanced skills for career advancement.
Personalized Degree: Tailor your degree by selecting from a diverse array of cluster courses, allowing you to delve deeper into your areas of interest and expertise while gaining a broad understanding of the ever-evolving field of computer science.
Comprehensive Preparation: Our program, designed for both computer science majors and those with a strong background in applied fields, provides a comprehensive curriculum encompassing theoretical principles, practical applications, and research opportunities, preparing you for academic and research careers in computer science or related disciplines.

Careers and Cooperative Education

Typical Job Titles

Associate Software Engineer
Backend Developer
Big Data Platform Engineer
Data Scientist
Full-Stack Software Engineer
Site Reliability Engineer
Software Developer
Software Engineer
Technology Analyst

Cooperative Education

Cooperative education is optional but strongly encouraged for graduate students in the computer science MS degree. It provides relevant, hands-on career experience that sets you apart from other job applicants.

Curriculum

Computer Science (thesis option), MS degree, typical course sequence

CSCI-665: Foundations of Algorithms (3 credits)
CSCI-790: Computer Science MS Thesis (6 credits)
Cluster Courses (9 credits)
Electives (12 credits)

Computer Science (project option), MS degree, typical course sequence

CSCI-665: Foundations of Algorithms (3 credits)
CSCI-788: Computer Science MS Project (3 credits)
Cluster Courses (9 credits)
Electives (15 credits)

Admissions and Financial Aid

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Computer Science MS program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

Complete an online graduate application.
Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
Satisfy prerequisite requirements and/or complete bridge courses prior to starting program coursework.
Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
Submit two letters of recommendation.
Entrance exam requirements: GRE optional for Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 applicants. No minimum score requirement.
Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required.

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method. View the general cost of attendance or estimate the cost of your graduate degree.

Faculty

M. Mustafa Rafique, Associate Professor
Edith Hemaspaandra, Professor
Rajendra Raj, Professor

Research

Faculty members in the department of computer science are actively engaged in the following research areas:

Artificial intelligence
Computer graphics and visualization
Computer science education
Data science
Distributed systems
Language and tools
Security
Theory

Contact

Mandie Klingelhoffer, Senior Assistant Director, Office of Graduate and Part-Time Enrollment Services
Hans-Peter Bischof, Graduate Program Coordinator, Department of Computer Science

Program Outline

RIT’s computer science master’s degree is designed for students who have an undergraduate degree (or minor) in computer science, as well as those who have a strong background in a field in which computers are applied, such as engineering, science, or business. The degree is offered on a full- or part-time basis and can be completed either on-campus or online.

Computer Science Master’s Degree–On-Campus or Online

In the computer science master’s degree, you’ll apply theoretical principles underlying computer science, ensuring you acquire the intellectual tools necessary to keep up-to-date in this rapidly evolving discipline. With focused course work in areas such as computer graphics and visualization, data management, distributed systems, intelligent systems, programming languages and tools, and security, you’ll be prepared for career advancement in a range of areas.

The on-campus and online versions of the program–from curriculum, faculty, and cluster options–are identical. You will have access to RIT’s resources, including computing labs and libraries. Skilled advisors in the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education provide advice and guidance to help you plan, prepare, and meet your career goals and aspirations. Application requirements, the admission review process, and tuition are the same for both programs. All applications are considered for scholarships, regardless of online or on-campus study.

Computer Science Master’s Curriculum

Regardless of how you complete the computer science master’s degree (on-campus or online), the program consists of one core course, three cluster courses, four electives, and a thesis or project. The program prepares for academic and research careers in computer science or related disciplines. It is designed for students who have an undergraduate major or minor in computer science as well as those who have a strong background in a field in which computers are applied.

Full-time students take three or four courses per semester and may be able to complete the course work in three semesters. Full-time students who are required to take additional bridge courses may be able to complete the course work in four semesters.

Part-time students take one or two courses per semester and may be able to complete the course work in four to five semesters. The time required to complete a master’s project is one semester. To complete the master’s thesis, two semesters is typical.

Clusters: You will select three cluster courses from the following areas:

The computer graphics and visualization cluster provides the technical foundations for graduate studies in computer graphics and image understanding. Areas for further study include graphics programming, rendering and image synthesis, computer animation and virtual reality, image processing, and analysis, and data visualization.
The data science cluster studies the foundational data management and knowledge discovery challenges prevalent in the design, analysis, and organization of data. The courses cover general database issues including database design, database theory, data management, and data mining.
The distributed systems cluster studies systems formed from multiple cooperating computers, including the analysis, design, and implementation of distributed systems, distributed middleware, and computer networking protocols, including security.
The artificial intelligence cluster encompasses the study of algorithms and architectures that enable effective decision-making in complex environments. Courses cover computer vision, robotics, virtual theater, sensor networks, data mining, document recognition, and the theoretical foundations of decision-making (e.g., Markov chains and the properties of voting protocols).
The languages and tools cluster combines language design and implementation together with architecture and the use of software development tools. Students specializing in this cluster gain a broad understanding of theoretical and applied knowledge.
The security cluster spans topics from networking to cryptography to secure databases. By choosing different domains in which to study security students gain a broad understanding of both theoretical and applied knowledge.
The theory cluster studies the fundamentals of computation, which includes complexity theory to determine the inherent limits of computation, communication, and cryptography and the design and analysis of algorithms to obtain optimal solutions within those limits.

Electives: Electives provide a breadth of experience in computer science and applications areas. Students who wish to include courses from departments outside of computer science need prior approval from the graduate program director. Refer to the course descriptions in the departments of computer science, engineering, mathematical sciences, and imaging science for possible elective courses.

Master's Thesis/Project: Students may choose the thesis or project option as the capstone to the program. Students who choose the project option must register for courses titled Computer Science MS Project. Students participate in required in-class presentations that are critiqued. A summary project report and public presentation of the student's project in poster form occur at the end of the semester.

Students are also interested in: Computing Security MS, Software Engineering MS, Information Technology and Analytics MS, Computing and Information Sciences Ph.D., Computer Engineering MS

This program is offered on-campus or online.

Careers and Cooperative Education

Typical Job Titles

Associate Software Engineer	Backend Developer
Big Data Platform Engineer	Data Scientist
Full-Stack Software Engineer	Site Reliability Engineer
Software Developer	Software Engineer
Technology Analyst

Salary and Career Information for Computer Science MS

Cooperative Education

What makes an RIT education exceptional? It’s the ability to complete relevant, hands-on career experience. At the graduate level, and paired with an advanced degree, cooperative education and internships give you the unparalleled credentials that truly set you apart. Learn more about graduate co-op and how it provides you with the career experience employers look for in their next top hires.

Cooperative education is optional but strongly encouraged for graduate students in the computer science MS degree.

Offered	Admit Term(s)	Application Deadline	STEM Designated
Full-time	Fall	Rolling	No
Part-time	Fall	Rolling	No

Admission Requirements

Michael Mior

Assistant Professor
Mohan Kumar

Professor
Aaron Deever

Principal Lecturer

Location

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