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The proliferation of computers and the expanding scope of information technology has affected virtually every aspect of human society. As a discipline, computer science is concerned with the theory, analysis, design, and implementation of processes that describe and transform information. With roots in mathematics and engineering, computer science uses formal techniques and methodologies of abstraction to create models that can be automated to solve real-world problems.
The Master of Science in Computer Science program is designed to appeal to a broad range of individuals. The program balances theory with practice, offers an extensive set of traditional and state-of-the-art courses, and provides the necessary flexibility to accommodate students with various backgrounds. As a result, the program will appeal to computer professionals with undergraduate degrees in computer science seeking to broaden or deepen their understanding of the discipline as well as to scientists and engineers who wish to gain deeper insights into the field of computing.
Courses are offered across a wide variety of topic areas including distributed computing, software engineering, information assurance, data communications and networking, bioinformatics, database systems, artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, systems, and theory. Research and development interests of the faculty span the entire spectrum of computer science.
Students may take courses at the Applied Physics Laboratory, the Montgomery County Campus, the Dorsey Center, and online. Extensive computing facilities are available and can be reached from any of the sites or from home. A variety of software systems, applications, development tools, and specialized lab facilities are also supported.
Program Committee
Ralph D. Semmel, Program Chair
Principal Professional Staff
Applied Physics Laboratory
Robert S. Grossman, Program Vice Chair
Principal Professional Staff
Applied Physics Laboratory
Eleanor Boyle Chlan, Associate Program Chair
Senior Lecturer in Computer Science
Whiting School of Engineering
Marty Hall
President
Coreservlets.com, Inc.
Thomas A. Longstaff
Senior Professional Staff
Applied Physics Laboratory
Horace Malcom
Principal Professional Staff
Applied Physics Laboratory
Hashmat Malik
President
Software Productivity Strategists, Inc.
Richard Nieporent
Senior Principal Engineer
MITRE Corporation
John A. Piorkowski
Principal Professional Staff
Applied Physics Laboratory
John Sadowsky
Scientist
Lending Edge Design and Systems
Vincent G. Sigillito
Principal Professional Staff (ret.)
Applied Physics Laboratory
Scott Smith
Professor and Chair, Computer Science Department
Whiting School of Engineering
J. Miller Whisnant
Principal Professional Staff
Applied Physics Laboratory |
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have received a grade of A or B in each of the prerequisite undergraduate computer science courses. Applicants must meet the general requirements for admission to a graduate program, as stated in this catalog. In addition, computer science master’s degree candidates must have taken one year of calculus; a course in programming using a modern programming language such as Java or C++; a course in data structures; a course in computer organization; and a mathematics course beyond calculus (e.g., discrete mathematics, linear algebra, or differential equations). This is summarized below:
- Computer Science Courses:
- Introduction to Programming Using Java or C++, one term
- Data Structures—one term
- Computer Organization—one term
- Mathematics Courses:
- One year of calculus— 2 semesters or 3 quarters
- Additional mathematics course beyond calculus—one term
Applicants who have not taken the prerequisite undergraduate courses may satisfy admission requirements by completing the specified courses with grades of A or B. The program offers the following undergraduate courses, which may be taken as needed to satisfy the computer science prerequisites and the requirement for a mathematics course beyond calculus: Telecommunications and Networking Option
Computer science students may elect a telecommunications and networking option by taking seven courses in telecommunications and networking from the computer science and electrical and computer engineering programs. A maximum of three of those courses can be from the electrical and computer engineering area. Students are strongly encouraged to take courses from both the computer science and electrical and computer engineering areas. Students lacking an electrical engineering background or equivalent must take 625.260 Introduction to Linear Systems as an undergraduate prerequisite for taking electrical and computer engineering telecommunications and networking courses. The computer science and electrical and computer engineering telecommunications and networking courses for the telecommunications and networking option are listed on the Telecommunications and Networking Option page. Bioinformatics
Computer science students may pursue a Master of Science in Computer Science with a Concentration in Bioinformatics or an Advanced Certificate for Post-Master’s Study in Bioinformatics. The Advanced Certificate requires that students hold a Master of Science in computer science or a closely related discipline, such as electrical and computer engineering or applied and computational mathematics. The certificate requires six courses, four of which must be graduate courses selected from the Computer Science Bioinformatics Concentration Area. For both the concentration and certificate, students may take up to two electives from outside Computer Science. While these electives will typically be selected from programs in the Whiting School of Engineering, advisers can approve bioinformatics courses from other divisions of the university. Students who take electives from other programs must meet the requirements for the selected courses. Before taking any graduate Computer Science bioinformatics courses, students must have taken 605.205 Molecular Biology for Computer Scientists, or an equivalent course, and received a grade of A or B.
Students interested in a Master of Science in Bioinformatics with a focus on the interpretation of complex biological information and the analysis of sequence data using sophisticated bioinformatics software may be interested in the joint degree program offered by the Whiting School of Engineering and the Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences. Advanced Certificate for Post-Master's Study in Computer Science
Applicants who have already completed a master’s degree in computer science or a related discipline are eligible to apply for an advanced certificate of Post Master’s Study in Computer Science. Six one-term courses must be completed with grades of A or B within three years. At least five of the six courses must be computer science courses. Students are allowed to take one elective course, subject to adviser approval. Course Requirements for Master's Degree
Ten courses, approved by an adviser, must be completed within five years. At least eight courses must be from the computer science curriculum, which includes computer science courses as well as selected courses from information assurance and information systems and technology. Three courses must be from the same concentration area and at least two courses must be 700-level. No more than one course with a grade of C, and no course with a grade lower than C, may be counted toward the degree.
While students often choose ten courses from computer science, students may take up to two electives from outside computer science. These may be selected from electrical and computer engineering, applied and computational mathematics, and applied physics. Electives from other programs require approval of the computer science program chair or vice chair. Students who take electives from other programs must meet the specific course and program requirements listed for each course.
Graduate students not pursuing a master’s degree in computer science should consult with their advisers or with the computer science special student adviser to determine what courses must be successfully completed before 400- or 700-level computer science courses may be taken. It should be noted that 700-level courses are open only to students who have been admitted with graduate status.
Please refer to the course schedule each term for dates, times, locations, fees, and instructors. Foundation Courses
All students working toward a master’s degree in computer science are
required to take the following three graduate foundation courses before
taking other graduate courses: Foundation Course Waivers
One or more foundation courses can be waived if a student has received an A or B in equivalent courses. In this case, the student may replace the waived foundation courses with the same number of other graduate computer science courses, and may take these courses after all remaining foundation course requirements have been satisfied. Graduate Courses by Concentration Areas
The computer science concentration areas including all applicable courses from computer science, information assurance, and information systems and technology are as follows: IV. Information Assurance
V. Database Systems and Knowledge Management
VII. Human-Computer Interaction and Visualization
VIII. Data Communications and Networking
(For the telecommunications and networking options in electrical and computer engineering and computer science, please see the Telecommunications and Networking page of this catalog.) IX. Distributed Computing
Online Options
Students may complete the Master of Science in Computer Science online, and all students may take advantage of online offerings. While not all courses are available online, a complete program is offered and additional online courses are being supported each year. Interested students should review the information at ep.jhu.edu/online-degrees or consult an academic adviser. |
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