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Masters

MS in Computer Science

Boston University
Boston , United States
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Start Date
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Medium of studying
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Duration
12 months
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Program Details
Degree
Masters
Major
Computer Science | Data Science | Software Development
Area of study
Information and Communication Technologies
Course Language
English
About Program

Program Overview

MS in Computer Science Program Overview

The Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science program is designed for computer professionals and individuals who intend to move into the computer field from other areas of study. This program requires an average of 12–20 months to complete, with the option to begin in the fall, spring, or summer term.


Learning Outcomes

  • Advanced knowledge of computer language theory, software design, as well as databases, networks, or security.
  • Proficiency in algorithms, operating systems, computer language usage, software development, and the management of data, networks, or security.
  • Competence sufficient to investigate continually emerging new software technologies, applications, and approaches.
  • An understanding of, and ability to apply, the values and principles of professional ethics.
  • Effective communication, teamwork, and leadership skills.

Prerequisites

Applicants to the program are required to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and academic experience with programming, discrete mathematics, and computer systems. If college-level credit is not in evidence, the Admissions Committee will determine which prerequisite courses will need to be taken.


Degree Requirements

Students are required to finish the core curriculum and either a five-course concentration or five general electives. The minimum passing grade for a course in the graduate program is a C (2.0), but an average grade of B (3.0) must be maintained to be in good academic standing and be eligible to graduate.


Core Curriculum (five courses/20 units)

  • MET CS 535 Computer Networks or MET CS 579 Database Management
  • MET CS 566 Analysis of Algorithms
  • MET CS 575 Operating Systems
  • MET CS 662 Computer Language Theory
  • MET CS 673 Software Engineering

Students who have completed courses on core curriculum subjects as part of their undergraduate degree program may request permission from the Department of Computer Science to replace the corresponding core courses with graduate-level computer science electives.


General Electives (five courses/20 units)

Students who are not choosing a concentration must select five general electives (20 units) from the list below with at least three courses at the 600 level or above.


  • MET CS 544 Foundations of Analytics and Data Visualization
  • MET CS 550 Computational Mathematics for Machine Learning
  • MET CS 555 Foundations of Machine Learning
  • MET CS 561 Financial Analytics
  • MET CS 570 Biomedical Sciences and Health IT
  • MET CS 580 Health Informatics
  • MET CS 581 Health Information Systems
  • MET CS 599 Biometrics
  • MET CS 601 Web Application Development
  • MET CS 602 Server-Side Web Development
  • MET CS 622 Advanced Programming Techniques
  • MET CS 664 Artificial Intelligence
  • MET CS 665 Software Design and Patterns
  • MET CS 674 Database Security
  • MET CS 677 Data Science with Python
  • MET CS 683 Mobile Application Development with Android
  • MET CS 684 Enterprise Cybersecurity Management
  • MET CS 685 Network Design and Management
  • MET CS 688 Web Mining and Graph Analytics
  • MET CS 689 Designing and Implementing a Data Warehouse
  • MET CS 690 Network and Cloud Security
  • MET CS 693 Digital Forensics and Investigations
  • MET CS 694 Mobile Forensics and Security
  • MET CS 695 Cybersecurity
  • MET CS 699 Data Mining
  • MET CS 701 Rich Internet Application Development
  • MET CS 763 Secure Software Development
  • MET CS 766 Deep Reinforcement Learning
  • MET CS 767 Advanced Machine Learning and Neural Networks
  • MET CS 775 Advanced Networking
  • MET CS 777 Big Data Analytics
  • MET CS 779 Advanced Database Management
  • MET CS 781 Advanced Health Informatics
  • MET CS 787 AI and Cybersecurity
  • MET CS 788 Generative AI
  • MET CS 789 Cryptography
  • MET CS 790 Computer Vision in AI
  • MET CS 793 Special Topics in Computer Science

With advisor’s approval, students may choose to take courses outside of the general electives list.


Master’s Thesis Option in Computer Science (8 units)

Students majoring in computer science may elect a thesis option, to be completed within 12 months. This option is available to MS in Computer Science candidates who have completed at least seven courses toward their degree and have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.7 or higher.


Concentrations

Computer Networks

The Concentration in Computer Networks offers a broad foundation of information technology, along with an in-depth exploration of computer data communication and modern networking.


Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of data communication networks and protocols.
  • Identify issues involved in multiaccess media and devices as applied to wired and wireless networks.
  • Identify key areas for performance analysis and debugging of networks, along with techniques for network management in small- to large-scale networks.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in data communication protocols and networks.
  • Demonstrate competence sufficient to design, specify, and develop data transfer protocols for specific purposes.

Concentration Requirements

In addition to the Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science core curriculum (20 units), students pursuing a concentration in Computer Networks must also take the following concentration requirements and electives:


  • MET CS 635 Network Media Technologies
  • MET CS 685 Network Design and Management
  • MET CS 690 Network and Cloud Security
  • MET CS 775 Advanced Networking
  • One course selected from the list of computer science general electives

Data Analytics

The Concentration in Data Analytics will explore the intricacies of data analytics and expose students to various topics and tools related to data processing, analysis, and visualization.


Learning Outcomes

  • Familiarity with applied probability and statistics and their relevance in day-to-day data analysis.
  • The ability to explore the various data visualization techniques and their applications using real-world data sets.
  • An understanding of web analytics and metrics; how to procure and process unstructured text; and hidden patterns.
  • Skills in facilitating knowledge discovery using data-mining techniques over vast amounts of data.

Concentration Requirements

In addition to the Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science core curriculum (20 units), students pursuing a concentration in Data Analytics must also take the following concentration requirements and electives:


  • MET CS 544 Foundations of Analytics and Data Visualization
  • MET CS 555 Foundations of Machine Learning
  • MET CS 688 Web Mining and Graph Analytics
  • MET CS 699 Data Mining
  • One course selected from the list of computer science general electives

Security

The Concentration in Security provides in-depth knowledge of emerging security threats and solutions to prepare technical leaders to identify, develop, and implement highly secure systems and networks that support organizational goals.


Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstration of advanced knowledge of cybersecurity concepts, models, principles, and practices, and ability to apply the knowledge to identify and solve the cybersecurity problems.
  • The ability to identify and explain social, legal, and ethical issues related to cybersecurity and privacy, and how they guide and apply cybersecurity design, planning, and decisions.
  • Demonstration of advanced knowledge of crypto algorithms and their applications.
  • Demonstration of advanced knowledge of network security and its applications.
  • The ability to identify and develop technologies and tools to prevent, detect, react, and recover from attacks in various contexts using both offensive and defensive thinking.

Concentration Requirements

In addition to the Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science core curriculum (20 units), students pursuing a concentration in Security must also take the following concentration requirements and electives:


  • MET CS 690 Network and Cloud Security
  • MET CS 695 Cybersecurity
  • MET CS 789 Cryptography
  • One course selected from the list below:
    • MET CS 599 Biometrics
    • MET CS 674 Database Security
    • MET CS 684 Enterprise Cybersecurity Management
    • MET CS 693 Digital Forensics and Investigations
    • MET CS 694 Mobile Forensics and Security
    • MET CS 763 Secure Software Development
    • MET CS 787 AI and Cybersecurity
    • MET CS 793 Special Topics in Computer Science
  • One course selected from the list of computer science general electives

Declaration of More Than One Concentration

Students in the Master of Science in Computer Science program have the option to concentrate in more than one area. Each concentration must be finished before the student officially graduates from their program. No additional concentrations may be added after graduation. In the case of some courses overlapping between one or more concentrations, only one course may count toward both concentrations. If more than one course overlaps, the student must take an elective in its place so that each concentration is completed.


Second Master’s Degree Option

In appreciation of the converging needs of management and technology, the departments of Actuarial Science, Administrative Sciences, and Computer Science collaborate to offer a unique opportunity to students currently enrolled in their degree programs as well as alumni of those programs.


Accreditation

Boston University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).


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