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MSCS Program Requirements

Master of Science in Computer Science

MS Computer Science

Program Features:

  • Choose between a traditional pathway or an accelerated option that allows eligible students to complete the program in as little as three semesters (one calendar year).
  • Study from anywhere during the Summer with fully online courses.

Structure:

  • Complete a total of  34 units.
  • The curriculum is divided into five (5) areas: Systems, Theory, Data & Intelligence, Software Engineering, and Security.
  • Students must complete at least one course (4 units minimum) in four of the five areas.
  • A single course may count toward only one area; it cannot be double-counted across multiple categories.

Course Descriptions

Areas Courses
Systems (SYS)
  • CST 534 - Distributed Systems and Cloud Computing (4 units)
  • CST 511 – Computer Networks (2 Units)
  • CST 545 – Embedded Development (2 Units)
  • CST 546 – VLSI Design (2 Units)
Theory (THY)
  • CST 570 – Design and Analysis of Algorithms (4 Units)
  • CST 521 – Principles of Prog. Lang. (2 Units)
  • CST 575 – Theory of Computation (2 Units)
  • CST 523 – Compiler Construction (2 Units)
  • CST 557 – Quantum Computing (2 Units)
Data & Intelligence (DI)
  • CST 583 – Data Science (4 Units)
  • CST 563 – Advanced Machine Learning (4 Units)
  • CST 557 – Quantum Computing (2 Units)
Software Engineering (SE)
  • CST 538 – Advanced Software Engineering (4 Units)
  • CST 539 – Software Testing (2 Units)
  • CST 521 – Principles of Programming Languages (2 Units)
  • CST 542 – Computational Thinking (2 Units)
Security (SEC)
  • CST 515 – Computer Security (4 Units)
  • CST 543 – Blockchain and Cryptocurrency (2 Units)
  • CST 511 – Computer Networks (2 Units)

1 - Year Accelerated Sample Pathways:

The accelerated pathway provides flexibility for students to begin the program in the Fall, Spring, or Summer semester*. These sample pathways illustrate typical course sequences and may be adjusted in consultation with a faculty advisor based on course availability and individual academic goals.

*International Students can participate in the 1-Year Accelerated Program as long as they do not enroll in Summer courses for their first or last semester.

Starting Fall 2027

Fall Semester

Courses Units Area
CST 538 - Advanced Software Engineering   4 SE
CST 583 – Data Science  4 DI
CST 523 – Compiler Construction 2 THY
CST 521 – Principles of Programming Languages 2 THY | SE
Required Units:   12 / 12  

Spring Semester

Courses Units Area
CST 515 – Computer Security  4 SEC
CST 534 – Distributed Systems and Cloud Computing  4 SYS
CST 557 – Quantum Computing 2 THY | DI
CST 542 – Computational Thinking 2 SE
* CST 697 – Thesis Planning   2 GR
Required Units:   12 / 14  

*For students on the Thesis track

Summer (Fully Online)

Courses Units Area
CST 511 – Computer Networks  2 SYS | SEC
CST 545 – Embedded Development   2 SYS
CST 539 – Software Testing  2 SE
CST 699 – Graduate Capstone / Thesis 4 GR
Required Units:   10 / 10  

Starting Spring 2028

Spring Semester

Courses Units Area
CST 515 -  Computer Security 4 SEC
CST 534 – Distributed Systems and Cloud Computing 4 SYS
CST 544 – Quantum Computing 2 SYS
CST 542 – Computational Thinking  2 SE
Required Units:  12/12 10 / 10  

Summer (Fully Online)

Courses Units Area
CST 511 – Computer Networks 2 SYS | SEC
CST 545 – Embedded Development 2 SYS
CST 539 – Software Testing 2 SE
* CST 697 – Thesis Planning 2 GE
Required Units:   6 - 8 / 8  

*For students on the Thesis track

Fall Semester

Courses Units Area
CST 538 - Advanced Software Engineering 4 SE
CST 570 – Design and Analysis of Algorithms 4 THY
CST 583 – Data Science 4 DI
CST 546 – VLSI Design 4 SYS
CST 699 – Graduate Capstone / Thesis 2 GR
Required Units:  14 - 16 / 20  

Non - Accelerated Sample Pathways:

The standard pathway provides flexibility for students to complete the degree in 3 to 5 Fall and Spring semesters, depending on their course load and individual goals. The sample pathway below illustrates a possible course sequence.

Starting Fall 2027 

Fall Semester

Courses Units Area
CST 538 – Advanced Software Engineering 4 SE
CST 583 – Data Science 4 DI
CST 523 – Compiler Construction 2 THY
CST 521 – Principles of Programming Languages 2 THY | SE
Required Units:  8 - 12 / 12  

Spring Semester

Courses Units Area
CST 515 –  Computer Security 4 SEC
CST 534 – Distributed Systems and Cloud Computing 4 SYS
CST 544 – Quantum Computing 2 SYS
CST 542 – Computational Thinking  2 SE
* CST 697 – Thesis Planning 2 GR
Required Units:  8 - 14 / 14  

Fall Semester

Courses Units Area
CST 538 – Advanced Software Engineering 4 SE
CST 570 – Design and Analysis of Algorithms 4 THY
CST 583 – Data Science 4 DI
CST 546 – VLSI Design 2 SYS
CST 575 – Theory of Computation 2 THY
* CST 697 – Thesis Planning 2 GR
** CST 699 – Graduate Capstone/Thesis 4 GR
Required Units:  8 - 16 / 22  

* For students on the Thesis track 
** For students graduating early in 3 normal semesters

Spring Semester

Courses Units Area
CST 515 –  Computer Security 4 SEC
CST 534 – Distributed Systems and Cloud Computing 4 SYS
CST 563 – Advanced Machine Learning 4 DI
CST 521 – Principles of Programming Languages 2 THY | SE
CST 523 – Compiler Construction 2 THY
CST 699 – Graduate Capstone/Thesis 4 GR
Required Units:  0 - 8 / 20  

Fall Semester

Courses Units Area
CST 699 – Graduate Capstone/Thesis 4 GR
Required Units:  0 - 4 / 4  

Contact
Email: csgrad@csumb.edu
Telephone: 831-582-4221

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