MS in Computer Science
Complete coursework in computational science & explore its application to a variety of fields, including education, industry, research, business & government.
Why choose Rowan's computer science program?
Our Master of Science (M.S.) in Computer Science program provides a higher level of understanding in computational science and its application to a variety of fields, including education, industry, research, business and government.
As a student, you have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of advanced topics to tailor their coursework to meet your career and personal goals. Project-intensive courses provide hands-on experience with popular technologies such as game design, robotics and computer graphics.
Key considerations
Quick Facts
Credits
Application Deadlines
Fall Entry Term
Spring Entry Term
Summer Entry Term
Studying computer science at Rowan
What You'll Learn
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Computer Science program at Rowan University requires the completion of 31 semester hours (s.h.). Both a thesis and a non-thesis track are available. Ten distinct courses must be taken to fulfill the Master’s Degree. Any course taken that belongs in multiple categories cannot double count. Up to two courses may be taken from other, appropriate graduate programs subject to advisor approval, provided all requirements for this MS degree are fulfilled.
Tracks:
- Thesis Track: Students choosing the thesis track will also take 31 credits, but will substitute between 6 to 9 credits for traditional (non-thesis) courses.
- Non-Thesis Track: Students choosing the non-thesis track will take 31 credits of traditional (non-thesis) courses.
Algorithms Core:
- All students must complete a 3 credit Algorithms Core course
Common Core:
- All students must complete 9-credits of Common Core courses.
Advanced Courses:
- All students must complete 9-credits of advanced (600 level) courses. Thesis II and Thesis III courses will fulfill this requirement for thesis-track students.
Students accepted into the program are expected to be well versed in programming, discrete mathematics, computer organization/architecture, direct interactions with operating systems, data structures, and algorithmic thinking either through undergraduate course work or work experience. Students not meeting all of these criteria may be accepted into this master’s program but will be required to complete one or two computer science bridge courses before enrolling into other computer science graduate courses. These courses are:
- CS 01501 Essential of Computer Science I*
- CS 01502 Essentials of Computer Science II*
*CS 01501 and CS 01502 will not count toward the 31 graduate credits needed for degree completion.
The following courses make up the M.S. in Computer Science program.
- 11 Courses/ 31 Semester Hours
- Foundation Courses: No
- Graduation / Exit / Thesis Requirements: Yes
Required Courses: 4 S.H.
| Course Number | Title | S.H. (Credits) |
| CS 00500 | Computer Science Graduate Seminar | 1 |
| CS 07540 | Advanced Design & Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
Core Courses: 9 S.H Students are required to complete at least one course in each of any three of the five Common Core areas below:
- Algorithms and Theory
| Course Number | Title | S.H. (Credits) |
| CS 07510 | Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science | 3 |
| CS 07556 | Machine Learning I | 3 |
| CS 07559 | Advanced Models of Deep Learning | 3 |
| CS 07622 | Advanced Theory of Computing | 3 |
| CS 07650 | Concepts in Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| CS 07652 | Cryptographic Algorithms | 3 |
| CS 07656 | Machine Learning II | 3 |
- Software Design
| Course Number | Title | S.H. (Credits) |
| CS 04515 | Embedded Systems Programming | 3 |
| CS 04524 | Agile Software Engineering | 3 |
| CS 04563 | Parallel and Concurrent Programming | 3 |
| CS 04580 | Human Centered Computing | 3 |
| CS 04623 | Advanced Software Engineering | 3 |
| CS 04670 | Advanced Object Oriented Design | 3 |
- Cybersecurity
| Course Number | Title | S.H. (Credits) |
| CS 03551 | Advanced Cyber Security: Principles & Applications | 3 |
| CS 03552 | Graduate Digital Forensics | 3 |
| CS 03570 | Cyber Defense of Operating Systems and Networks | 3 |
| CS 03580 | Cloud Computing and the Internet of Things - Architectures and Security | 3 |
| CS 07652 | Cryptographic Algorithms | 3 |
| CS 09612 | Network Security | 3 |
- Data Management and Analytics
| Course Number | Title | S.H. (Credits) |
| CS 02505 | Data Mining I | 3 |
| CS 02530 | Advanced Topics in Database Systems: Theory and Programming | 3 |
| CS 02605 | Data Mining II | 3 |
| CS 02620 | Data Warehousing | 3 |
| CS 02625 | Data Quality and Web/Text Mining | 3 |
| CS 02630 | Advanced Topics in Database Systems | 3 |
| DS 02510 | Visual Analytics | 3 |
- Computer Networks
| Course Number | Title | S.H. (Credits) |
| CS 03580 | Cloud Computing and the Internet of Things - Architectures and Securities | 3 |
| CS 09510 | Computer Networks | 3 |
| CS 09605 | Wireless Networks & Systems | 3 |
| CS 09612 | Network Security | 3 |
| CS 09675 | Advanced TCP/IP & Internet Protocols & Technologies | 3 |
Advanced Courses: 9 S.H.
Students must complete three 600-level courses to obtain the Master’s Degree. Note: These courses are listed in areas below and can fulfill a course requirement, as well, so long as 10 distinctive courses have been taken.
Remaining Courses: 9 S.H.
- Required Thesis Track Courses: 6-9 S.H. Students may take either 6 credits of thesis and 1 elective, or they may take 9 credits of thesis. If thesis track is chosen, students must successfully complete and defend a Master’s Thesis.
| Course Number | Title | S.H. (Credits) |
| CS 07530 | Computer Science Thesis I | 3 |
| CS 07631 | Computer Science Thesis II | 3 |
| CS 07632 | Computer Science Thesis III optional | 3 |
- Non Thesis Track: Students must take 9 credits of electives, they may not take any thesis courses. Electives can be chosen from the core banks as well.
| Course Number | Title | S.H. (Credits) |
| CS 01541 | Bioinformatics - Advanced Computational Aspects | 3 |
| CS 02570 | Information Visualization | 3 |
| CS 04548 | Programming Languages: Theory, Implementation & Application | 3 |
| CS 04564 | Compiler Design Theory | 3 |
| CS 04565 | System Programming | 3 |
| CS 04571 | Advanced Topics in Mobile Programming | 3 |
| CS 04590 | Computer Game Design & Development | 3 |
| CS 04605 | Advanced Web Programming | 3 |
| CS 06520 | Topics in Computer Architecture | 3 |
| CS 07565 | Computer Vision | 3 |
| CS 07545 | Advanced Robotics | 3 |
| CS 07555 | Natural Language Processing | 3 |
| CS 07595 | Advanced Topics in Computer Science | 3 |
| CS 08560 | Computer Graphics | 3 |
| CS 08680 | Computer Animation | 3 |
Note: The courses listed above are not official and are subject to change. For an official list of available courses please visit the Rowan University Academic Catalog.
Admission Requirements
The following is a list of items required to begin the application process for the program. There may be additional actions or materials required for admission to the program. Upon receipt of the materials below, a representative from the Rowan Global Admissions Processing Office will contact you with confirmation or will indicate any missing items.
- Completed Application Form
- No application fee required
- Bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) in Computer Science or related field from an accredited institution of higher learning
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended (regardless of number of credits earned)
- Current professional resume
- Typewritten statement of professional objectives
- Two letters of recommendation
- Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Submission of official GRE test results is highly recommended
- Students accepted into the program are expected to be well versed in programming, discrete mathematics, computer organization/architecture, direct interactions with operating systems, data structures, and algorithmic thinking either through undergraduate course work or work experience.
- Students not meeting all of these criteria may be accepted into this master’s program but will be required to complete one or two computer science bridge courses before enrolling into other computer science graduate courses. These courses are:
- CS 01501 Essential of Computer Science I*
- CS 01502 Essentials of Computer Science II*
- (*CS 01501 and CS 01502 will not count toward the 30 graduate credits needed for degree completion)
Tuition and Aid
At Rowan University, we pride ourselves on being vigilant and frugal about tuition. We work hard to provide quality education while seeking to reduce the barrier that college costs can present students.
We know paying for tuition can be a challenge. That is why Rowan provides students with the financial resources needed to put their education first by offering grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships.
Data Mining and Cloud classes were very useful for my line of work. It definitely helped me to understand the basics very well.
Ganesh C. Burlington County, NJ
This program will elevate you higher even if you have no programming background. It will put you on the playing field with everyone else, which is really valuable.
Maria D. Burlington County, NJ
Ask a lot of questions and work on your skill. People think when it's Thursday or Friday it's time to have fun. I say it’s time to get ahead or learn something new.
Elija A. Mercer County, NJ
Careers and outcomes
As a student in our Master of Science in Computer Science program, you will strengthen your skills and better position yourself to pursue a variety of careers in the field of Computer Science. Check out the projected career outlook for a variety of job opportunities in Computer Science.
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