2022-2023 Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletin (with addenda) 
    
    Dec 30, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletin (with addenda)

Computer Science Tandon, M.S.


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.

For students who enroll in the program with full-time status, the M.S. program is designed to be a 2-year program. Since not all courses are offered every semester, your course options are likely to be more limited if you elect to finish the program in less than 2 years

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. Students are expected to have knowledge of Discrete Math equivalent to CS-GY 6003 Foundations of Computer Science  prior to taking the Algorithms I course. Students lacking that knowledge may be required to take CS-GY 6003 Foundations of Computer Science. Advanced students who previously took an equivalent Algorithms I course, and received a grade of at least A-, may want to take 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.

Capstone Course Requirement


Certain courses in our department will be designated as capstone courses. Capstone courses are drawn from key technical areas in the M.S. 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 M.S. 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. Note that the master’s thesis (CS-GY 997X) has an important requirement, as described here  .
  • Any of the core courses 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. 

Sample Course Plans


The particular courses that a student takes during the program will vary according to the student’s interests and background, course offerings, and whether the student does an internship. The following are two sample courses of study. These are just samples meant to help in planning the courses for the degree. Individual course plans may differ depending on when courses are offered.

Sample Plan 1


Sample course plan for a student not doing an internship and taking Foundations of Computer Science (CS-GY 6003).

Fall 1 Credits Spring 1 Credits
CS-GY 6003 - Foundations of Computer Science   3 CS-GY 6033 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms I  (algorithms requirement) 3
CS-GY 6373 - Programming Languages  (core) 3 CS-GY Elective or non-CS Elective 3
CS-GY 6083 - Principles of Database Systems  (core) 3 CS-GY 6643 - Computer Vision  (core) 3
Fall 2 Credits Spring 2 Credits
CS-GY 6513 - Big Data  (capstone) 3 CS-GY 6813 - Information, Security and Privacy  (core or elective) 3
CS-GY 6063 - Software Engineering I  (core) 3    
CS-GY 6923 - Machine Learning  (core) 3    

 

Sample Plan 2


Sample course plan for a student doing internships and not taking Foundations of Computer Science (CS-GY 6003).

Fall 1 Credits Spring 1 Credits
CS-GY 6033 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms I  (algorithms requirement) 3 CS-GY 6063 - Software Engineering I  (core) 3
CS-GY 6373 - Programming Languages  (core) 3 CS-GY Elective or non-CS Elective 3
CS-GY 6083 - Principles of Database Systems  (core) 3 CS-GY 6643 - Computer Vision  (core) 3
Summer Credits    
CP-GY 9911 - Internship for MS I  (elective) 1.5    
Fall 2 Credits Spring 2 Credits
CS-GY 6513 - Big Data  (capstone) 3 CP-GY 9921 - Internship for MS II  (elective) 1.5
CS-GY Elective 3    
CS-GY 6923 - Machine Learning  (core) 3    

 

Preparatory Course


The 100% online NYU Tandon Bridge course prepares students without a Computer Science degree or other substantial programming experience to apply for select NYU Tandon master’s degree programs. In the course, students will learn computer science fundamentals and programming with C++. Students’ performance in the Bridge will count toward their master’s degree application decisions. The Bridge is a non-credit certificate course, and those who complete the Bridge with a final grade of C or above will earn a Certificate of Completion, and those who earn a B+ or above will receive a Certificate of Completion with Distinction. Note: regardless of performance, successful completion of the Bridge course does not guarantee admission to any academic program.

The NYU Tandon Bridge course is taught by faculty members of the Computer Science department at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, aided by NYU Tandon Graduate student teaching assistants. Students will participate in interactive online modules, live webinars, assignments, and tests.

Learn more: Computer Science Bridge Program