UMass Boston

Computer Science MS

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Prepare for a professional career in software development.

UMass Boston's Computer Science master's program thoroughly prepares students for a professional career in software development. This established and innovative program stresses the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical applications. Our Computer Science MS graduates are in high demand with major tech sector employers and startups.

Capstone Requirement

To complete the MS program, students must participate in a software development project by taking the software development sequence (CS680, CS681, and CS682). In general, this sequence is taken during the last two semesters in the MS program. The project is approved by a committee that consists of two faculty members (professors who are currently teaching the software development course and supervise the software development laboratory) and the Graduate Program Director.

In exceptional circumstances, students with significant industrial experience may request a waiver of the software development requirement by applying to a faculty committee established for this purpose. As a part of the waiver application, the student must present a portfolio demonstrating the nature of this experience. Students who receive a waiver will be required to complete an MS thesis.

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Plan Your Education

How to Apply

Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements:

  • A minimum, cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (or international equivalent) in all undergraduate work
  • A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of recognized standing or an international equivalent at the time of enrollment
  • Official GRE score
  • Official transcripts for all institutions where you have earned more than 6 credits. If your transcript is in a language other than English, please include an English translation, validated by an official public translator.
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Applicants who completed the majority of their undergraduate coursework outside of the United States are typically required to submit official TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo English proficiency test scores.

Deadlines & Cost

Deadlines: June 1 for fall, December 1 for spring

Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

Estimate Your Program Cost: Get a feel for your expected program costs using the Graduate Program Cost Calculator.

Program Cost Information: For more detailed information on costs, please visit the Bursar's website.

Curriculum

Object-Oriented Software Development (6 Credits)

  • CS 681 - Object-Oriented Software Development 3 Credit(s)
  • CS 682 - Software Development Laboratory I 3 Credit(s)

Theoretical Electives (6 Credits)

Take two from below.

  • CS 620 - Theory of Computation 3 Credit(s)
  • CS 622 - Theory of Formal Languages 3 Credit(s)
  • CS 624 - Analysis of Algorithms 3 Credit(s)
  • CS 720 - Logical Foundations of Computer Science 3 Credit(s)
  • CS 724 - Topics in Algorithm Theory and Design 3 Credit(s)

Undergraduate Courses (see Undergraduate Catalog for descriptions):

  • CS 420 Introduction to the Theory of Computation
  • MATH 470 Mathematical Logic

Applied Electives (18 Credits)

Take six from below.

Student approved for a master's thesis may take three credits of CS 699 - Research for MS Thesis.

  • CS 613 - Applied Cryptography 3 Credit(s)
  • CS 615 - User Interface Design 3 Credit(s)
  • CS 630 - Database Management Systems 3 Credit(s)
  • CS 634 - Architecture of Database Systems 3 Credit(s)
  • CS 636 - Database Application Development 3 Credit(s)
  • CS 637 - Database-Backed Websites 3 Credit(s)
  • CS 646 - Computer Communications Networks 3 Credit(s)
  • CS 648 - Wireless Networks and Mobile Computing 3 Credit(s)
  • CS 651 - Compiler 3 Credit(s)
  • CS 670 - Artificial Intelligence 3 Credit(s)
  • CS 672 - Neural Networks 3 Credit(s)
  • CS 675 - Computer Vision 3 Credit(s)
  • CS 680 - Object-Oriented Design and Programming 3 Credit(s)

Undergraduate Courses (see Undergraduate Catalog for descriptions):

  • CS 410 Introduction to Software Engineering
  • CS 411 Competitive Programming
  • CS 444 Operating Systems
  • CS 446 Introduction to Internetworking
  • CS 450 Structure of Higher Level Languages
  • CS 445 Real-Time Systems
  • CS 460 Graphics

For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.

Graduation Criteria

Complete a minimum of 30 credits from at least ten courses including two object-oriented software development courses, two theoretical electives, and at least six applied electives.

Capstone: Complete a software engineering project as part of CS 681 and 682 or a master’s thesis which requires a minimum GPA of 3.5 and approval of the graduate program director.
GPA: A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required from all courses applied toward the program. A student may not choose to take an additional course in lieu of a course in which he or she has earned a low grade.
Minimum grade: No courses with a grade below C may be applied toward the program. No more than two courses with a grade below B- may be applied toward the program.
Course level: At least 24 credits for the program must be from courses at the 600-level or higher. With the exception of CS 485, all 400-level computer science courses are considered graduate-level courses.
Statute of limitations: Seven years.

Contact

Graduate Program Director Dan Simovici
dan.simovici [at] umb.edu
(617) 287-6472

Administrative Assistant Gemma Galecia
gemma.galecia [at] umb.edu
(617) 287-6441

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