Computer Science, M.S.

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Master’s Degree Requirements

To satisfy the requirements for the master’s degree, the student must complete 30 credits, as described below, with an overall average of B. In addition, a B average is required across the required algorithms course and the four core courses, and a grade of B or better is required for the capstone course, as indicated below. The master’s curriculum has four components: 3 credits of algorithms, 12 credits of core elective courses (one of which may also count as the capstone course), one 3 credit capstone course, and 12 credits of general elective courses.

Required Course in Algorithms

Students are required to take CS-GY 6033 Design and Analysis of Algorithms I or CS-GY 6043 Design and Analysis of Algorithms II . Most students will take the Algorithms I course to satisfy the algorithms course requirement. Advanced students who have taken an equivalent Algorithms I course before with a grade of B or better will have the option of taking the Algorithms II course to satisfy the requirement.

Core Course Requirements

Students must take at least four courses from the list of core courses below. The list will be periodically updated by the CSE Department and certain courses may be substituted with departmental consent.

CS-GY 6063 Software Engineering 3 Credits
CS-GY 6083 Principles of Database Systems 3 Credits
CS-GY 6133 Computer Architecture I 3 Credits
CS-GY 6233 Introduction to Operating Systems 3 Credits
CS-GY 6313 Information Visualization 3 Credits
CS-GY 6373 Programming Languages 3 Credits
CS-GY 6533 Interactive Computer Graphics 3 Credits
CS-GY 6613 Artificial Intelligence I 3 Credits
CS-GY 6643 Computer Vision 3 Credits
CS-GY 6813 Information, Security and Privacy 3 Credits
CS-GY 6843 Computer Networking 3 Credits
CS-GY 6923 Machine Learning 3 Credits
CS-GY 9223 Selected Topics in Computer Science 3 Credits

Capstone Course Requirement

Certain courses in our department will be designated as capstone courses. Capstone courses are drawn from key technical areas in the MS program and they involve a substantial amount of programming effort. Students are required to take at least one capstone course with a grade of B or better. The list of capstone courses will be posted by the department and will be updated from time to time. If a course is listed both as a capstone course and as a core course, the course can be used to satisfy both the capstone and core course requirements. An MS thesis can also be used to satisfy the capstone course requirement.

General Elective Requirements

In addition to the core electives, students are required to take four general elective courses with considerable flexibility; the only restriction is that no more than two of the courses may be taken from outside the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. In particular:

Master’s thesis (6 credits) and/or independent study courses may be part of a student’s elective courses.
Any of the courses in the 13 core areas may be chosen as electives.
Graduate-level courses from outside of the department (at most two) may be chosen as electives.
Any CS graduate course not included in the core areas may be chosen as electives.

These courses include (among others):

This list may be updated from time to time based on the current offerings of the department.

CS-GY 6003 Foundations of Computer Science 3 Credits
CS-GY 6033 Design and Analysis of Algorithms I 3 Credits
CS-GY 6043 Design and Analysis of Algorithms II 3 Credits
CS-GY 6063 Software Engineering 3 Credits
CS-GY 6073 Software Engineering II 3 Credits
CS-GY 6083 Principles of Database Systems 3 Credits
CS-GY 6093 Advanced Database Systems 3 Credits
CS-GY 6133 Computer Architecture I 3 Credits
CS-GY 6143 Computer Architecture II 3 Credits
CS-GY 6233 Introduction to Operating Systems 3 Credits
CS-GY 6243 Operating Systems II 3 Credits
CS-GY 6253 Distributed Operating Systems 3 Credits
CS-GY 6273 Performance Evaluation of Computer Systems 3 Credits
CS-GY 6313 Information Visualization 3 Credits
CS-GY 6323 Large-Scale Visual Analytics 3 Credits
CS-GY 6373 Programming Languages 3 Credits
CS-GY 6413 Compiler Design and Construction 3 Credits
CS-GY 6533 Interactive Computer Graphics 3 Credits
CS-GY 6543 Human Computer Interaction 3 Credits
CS-GY 6553 Game Design 3 Credits
CS-GY 6613 Artificial Intelligence I 3 Credits
CS-GY 6643 Computer Vision 3 Credits
CS-GY 6673 Neural Network Computing 3 Credits
CS-GY 6703 Computational Geometry 3 Credits
CS-GY 6753 Theory of Computation 3 Credits
CS-GY 6813 Information, Security and Privacy 3 Credits
CS-GY 6823 Network Security 3 Credits
CS-GY 6843 Computer Networking 3 Credits
CS-GY 6903 Applied Cryptography 3 Credits
CS-GY 6913 Web Search Engines 3 Credits
CS-GY 6923 Machine Learning 3 Credits
CS-GY 6963 Digital Forensics 3 Credits
CS-GY 9033 Web Services and SOA 3 Credits
CS-GY 9053 Introduction to Java 3 Credits
CS-GY 9093 Biometrics 3 Credits
CS-GY 9103 Object Oriented Design with Java 3 Credits
CS-GY 9133 Emerging Technology for IP 3 Credits
CS-GY 9163 Application Security 3 Credits
CS-GY 9223 Selected Topics in Computer Science 3 Credits

Preparatory Course

The Bridge to NYU Tandon Program is a prerequisite course recommended to those interested in applying for the Computer Science Master’s Degree who are lacking a background in computer science, mathematics, science, or engineering.

If you have a degree in liberal arts or similar, our one-course online program will provide you the tools needed to upgrade your computer science knowledge for consideration to a qualifying master’s degree at the School of Engineering. Should you complete this intensive bridge course with a grade of B+ or better, you are eligible to be admitted without any course deficiencies, should you meet all other School of Engineering admission requirements.

Learn more: Computer Science Bridge Program