MS in CS

Eight CS courses (32 credits) approved for graduate study are required. Of the eight courses required, five courses must fulfill the core program breadth requirements, with at least one in each of the following areas:

• Theory
• Systems
• Software
• Applications 

The remaining three courses can be fulfilled by any graduate-level CS course of interest.

Students are expected to achieve a grade of B- or better in all graduate level courses that count towards the 32 degree credit requirement. In addition, among the grades received for the five breadth courses, the number of grades of B– must not be greater than the number of grades of B+ or higher. No grade lower than B– may be used for graduate credit. 

Of the eight required courses for the MS CS degree, students must take five (breadth requirement) courses, three of which satisfy the CS core and two of which satisfy the Specialization requirements of the student’s CS program track.

The MS in CS Core Breadth Requirements must be satisfied by all students pursuing an MS in CS, inclusive of specialization. This core requirement covers the three areas of software, systems, and theory. Students can satisfy each area of the core with any graduate level CS course that is applicable. However, it is recommended that the CS core be satisfied with the courses that have been explicitly designed to form the core CS foundation for Master’s students, specifically:

• Software: GRS CS 611 *recommended*
• Theory: GRS CS 630 *recommended*
• Systems: A choice of:
  • CAS CS 551 
  • CAS CS 552
  • CAS CS 561
  • GRS CS 651
  • GRS CS 654
  • GRS CS 655

Students wishing to satisfy a core area with a different course, other than the course recommended, have the option to do so with the approval of their CS advisor.

*With advisor permission, other courses that can satisfy, the Software requirement are:

• CAS CS 511
• CAS CS 520
• CAS CS 525

and, the Theory requirement are:

• CAS CS 530
• CAS CS 531
• CAS CS 535
• CAS CS 537 

In addition to the three course CS Core requirement, students must complete at least two additional courses specific to degree.

General CS track

Students who are in the general CS track, should take at least one additional course in the breadth area of applications. The fulfillment of the applications requirement can be completed with a wide array of courses in the Department of Computer Science. 

Any application related graduate level CS course satisfies the applications requirement. However, any course that is applicable for the Cybersecurity or Data Centric computing specialization or any course applicable for the MS in AI program, is recommended and will automatically fulfill this requirement.

The remainder of the general MS degree is elective courses. Students in the general degree program can tailor their elective courses with a choice of:

• Any graduate-level course in the Department of Computer Science (CAS CS 500-599 or GRS CS 600-999)
• Graduate-level courses in other departments (with approval):
  • Department of Mathematics & Statistics
  • College of Engineering
  • Questrom School of Business

Thesis

While not required for (non-PhD) students accepted into the Master’s Program. MS students have the option of augmenting their degree with a research-based thesis. A Master’s thesis is carried out with the approval of, and under the supervision of, a computing faculty or affiliated faculty member. Upon successful defense, Master’s theses are published with the BU libraries. 

Please view our Admissions page on how to apply.

Beyond the computer science offerings, students are encouraged to tap into the rich array of elective coursework spread throughout the University’s 16 schools and colleges, including the College of Engineering and School of Management. With years of experience, our faculty advisors are especially helpful in steering CS students toward valuable, supplemental classes. With approval from a CS advisor, students may take up to eight graduate-level credits of CS-related coursework offered in other departments or schools.