Computer Science, M.S.
Program Director: Xinlian Liu, Ph.D.; liu@hood.edu; 301-696-3981
The Master of Science in Computer Science is a 33-credit degree program for persons seeking to enhance their professional qualifications and stature through graduate study in computer science. Individuals who graduate from the program will acquire knowledge and develop problem-solving skills that prepare them to hold a variety of scientific and technical positions in the area of computing. The structure of the program and the number of available elective courses provides students with the opportunity to study a variety of topics ranging from artificial intelligence and software engineering to operating systems and machine learning or focus on one of the two available concentrations on data science and cybersecurity. Graduates will also be prepared for further work at the doctoral level.
Application Requirements:
All official transcripts and a résumé must be submitted.
For additional admission information, see Graduate Admission.
Program Requirements
Foundation Courses
The foundation courses represent background knowledge and skills necessary for successful completion of degree requirements. Some or all of the foundation courses may be waived by the program director, based upon an analysis of the student’s previous work. A student holding a baccalaureate degree in computer science will normally be granted exemption from, but not graduate credit for, all foundation courses. Any foundation courses required are in addition to the 33 credits required for program completion. Students who are waived from foundation coursework cannot complete it for elective fulfillment.
| MATH 505 | Discrete Math | 3.0 |
| CS 508 | Computer Organization and Design | 3.0 |
| CSIT 512 | Elements of Computer Programming | 3.0 |
| CS 519 | Advanced Data Structures | 3.0 |
Degree Requirements
A student must complete 33 credits beyond foundation courses, including 15 credits of Core requirements. The Core courses represent the general body of knowledge and skills that all students in the program are expected to master.
Core Requirements
One of the following courses:
| CS 561/CS 461 | Computer Architecture | 3.0 |
| CS 571 | Programming Languages: Their Design and Compilation | 3.0 |
Concentration Courses
Students may elect a concentration in Data Science (12 credits) or Cybersecurity (15 credits), completing the remaining credits (6 or 3) required for program completion from elective options. Students who do not wish to pursue one of these concentrations will complete 18 credits of elective coursework.
Data Science Concentration
Cybersecurity Concentration
Students pursuing the cybersecurity concentration cannot also earn the cybersecurity certificate.
Electives
Students must complete 3-18 credits of elective work, which may include a 6-credit thesis (CS 580), 6-credit field work project (CS 585) or a 6-credit software engineering project (CS 595). All elective courses must be chosen from CS or CSIT prefixed coursework. Certain, pre-approved courses by the department may also be chosen from the CYBR program.