MSCS Program Overview

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 with fully online summer courses.
• The curriculum includes courses spanning multiple areas of computer science, including systems, theory, data and intelligence, software engineering, and security.
• Students have the flexibility to explore a broad range of computer science topics while creating an individualized pathway that aligns with their interests, career goals, and desired areas of specialization.

The following are a sample of the types of courses you will complete in the MSCS program (though not every single course). MSCS degree requirements are currently being revised, and will be available in the 2027-28 Catalog, which will be published on March 1, 2027.

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 – Advanced 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

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 – Advanced 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 – Advanced 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 – Advanced 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

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