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M.S. in Computer Science

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Program Overview

The Rowan Experience
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Our Master of Science (M.S.) in Computer Science program provides a higher level of understanding in computational science and its application to a variety of fields, including education, industry, research, business and government. As a student, you have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of advanced topics to tailor their coursework to meet your career and personal goals. Project-intensive courses provide hands-on experience with popular technologies such as game design, robotics and computer graphics.

Curriculum
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The Master of Science (M.S.) in Computer Science program at Rowan University requires the completion of 31 semester hours (s.h.). Both a thesis and a non-thesis track are available. Ten distinct courses must be taken to fulfill the Master’s Degree. Any course taken that belongs in multiple categories cannot double count. Up to two courses may be taken from other, appropriate graduate programs subject to advisor approval, provided all requirements for this MS degree are fulfilled.

Tracks:

  • Thesis Track: Students choosing the thesis track will also take 31 credits, but will substitute between 6 to 9 credits for traditional (non-thesis) courses.
  • Non-Thesis Track: Students choosing the non-thesis track will take 31 credits of traditional (non-thesis) courses.

Algorithms Core:

  • All students must complete a 3 credit Algorithms Core course

Common Core:

  • All students must complete 9-credits of Common Core courses.

Advanced Courses:

  • All students must complete 9-credits of advanced (600 level) courses. Thesis II and Thesis III courses will fulfill this requirement for thesis-track students.

Students accepted into the program are expected to be well versed in programming, discrete mathematics, computer organization/architecture, direct interactions with operating systems, data structures, and algorithmic thinking either through undergraduate course work or work experience. Students not meeting all of these criteria may be accepted into this master’s program but will be required to complete one or two computer science bridge courses before enrolling into other computer science graduate courses. These courses are:

  • CS 01501 Essential of Computer Science I*
  • CS 01502 Essentials of Computer Science II*

*CS 01501 and CS 01502 will not count toward the 31 graduate credits needed for degree completion.

The following courses make up the M.S. in Computer Science program.

  • 11 Courses/ 31 Semester Hours
  • Foundation Courses: No
  • Graduation / Exit / Thesis Requirements: Yes
Course Number Title S.H. (Credits)
Required Courses: 4 S.H.
CS 00500 Computer Science Graduate Seminar 1
CS 07540 Advanced Design & Analysis of Algorithms 3

Core Courses: 9 S.H Students are required to complete at least one course in each of any three of the five Common Core areas below

Algorithms and Theory

CS 07510 Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science 3
CS 07556  Machine Learning I  3
CS 07559 Advanced Models of Deep Learning  3
CS 07622  Advanced Theory of Computing  3
CS 07650  Concepts in Artificial Intelligence  3
CS 07652  Cryptographic Algorithms  3
CS 07656  Machine Learning II  3
Software Design
CS 04515  Embedded Systems Programming 3
CS 04524  Agile Software Engineering 3
CS 04563  Parallel and Concurrent Programming  3
CS 04580  Human Centered Computing  3
CS 04623 Advanced Software Engineering  3
CS 04670 Advanced Object Oriented Design  3
Cybersecurity
CS 03551  Advanced Cyber Security: Principles & Applications  3
CS 03552  Graduate Digital Forensics  3
CS 03570  Cyber Defense of Operating Systems and Networks  3
CS 03580  Cloud Computing and the Internet of Things - Architectures and Security  3
CS 07652 Cryptographic Algorithms 3
CS 09612 Network Security 3
Data Management and Analytics
CS 02505 Data Mining I 3
CS 02530 Advanced Topics in Database Systems: Theory and Programming 3
CS 02605 Data Mining II 3
CS 02620 Data Warehousing 3
CS 02625 Data Quality and Web/Text Mining 3
CS 02630 Advanced Topics in Database Systems 3
DS 02510 Visual Analytics 3
Computer Networks
CS 03580  Cloud Computing and the Internet of Things - Architectures and Securities  3
CS 09510 Computer Networks 3
CS 09605 Wireless Networks & Systems 3
CS 09612 Network Security 3
CS 09675 Advanced TCP/IP & Internet Protocols & Technologies 3
Advanced Courses: 9 S.H. Students must complete three 600-level courses to obtain the Master’s Degree. Note: These courses are listed in areas below and can fulfill a course requirement, as well, so long as 10 distinctive courses have been taken.
Remaining Courses: 9 S.H.

Required Thesis Track Courses: 6-9 S.H. Students may take either 6 credits of thesis and 1 elective, or they may take 9 credits of thesis. If thesis track is chosen, students must successfully complete and defend a Master’s Thesis.

CS 07530 Computer Science Thesis I 3
CS 07631 Computer Science Thesis II 3
CS 07632 Computer Science Thesis III optional 3
Non Thesis Track: Students must take 9 credits of electives, they may not take any thesis courses. Electives can be chosen from the core banks as well.
CS 01541 Bioinformatics - Advanced Computational Aspects 3
CS 02570 Information Visualization 3
CS 04548 Programming Languages: Theory, Implementation & Application 3
CS 04564 Compiler Design Theory 3
CS 04565 System Programming 3
CS 04571 Advanced Topics in Mobile Programming 3
CS 04590 Computer Game Design & Development 3
CS 04605 Advanced Web Programming 3
CS 06520 Topics in Computer Architecture 3
CS 07565 Computer Vision 3
CS 07545 Advanced Robotics 3
CS 07555 Natural Language Processing 3
CS 07595 Advanced Topics in Computer Science 3
CS 08560 Computer Graphics 3
CS 08680 Computer Animation 3

Note: The courses listed above are not official and are subject to change. For an official list of available courses please visit the Rowan Global section tally.

Admission Requirements
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The following is a list of items required to begin the application process for the program. There may be additional actions or materials required for admission to the program. Upon receipt of the materials below, a representative from the Rowan Global Admissions Processing Office will contact you with confirmation or will indicate any missing items.

  • Completed Application Form
  • $65 (U.S.) non-refundable application fee
  • Bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) in Computer Science or related field from an accredited institution of higher learning
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended (regardless of number of credits earned)
  • Current professional resume
  • Typewritten statement of professional objectives
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Submission of official GRE test results is highly recommended
  • Students accepted into the program are expected to be well versed in programming, discrete mathematics, computer organization/architecture, direct interactions with operating systems, data structures, and algorithmic thinking either through undergraduate course work or work experience. Students not meeting all of these criteria may be accepted into this master’s program but will be required to complete one or two computer science bridge courses before enrolling into other computer science graduate courses. These courses are:
    • CS 01501 Essential of Computer Science I*
    • CS 01502 Essentials of Computer Science II*
      • (*CS 01501 and CS 01502 will not count toward the 30 graduate credits needed for degree completion)
Career Outlook & Job Opportunities

What careers can I pursue with a M.S. in Computer Science?

As a student in our Master of Science in Computer Science program, you will strengthen your skills and better position yourself to pursue a variety of careers in the field of Computer Science. Check out the projected career outlook for a variety of job opportunities in Computer Science.

Admissions Information

Deadlines, Tuition and Financial Aid

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Ready to start your journey at Rowan?

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