Master of Computer Science

The Master of Computer Science (M.C.S.) is a professionally-oriented, course-based, non-research program for students who wish to enhance their careers with advanced knowledge of computer science.

The Master of Computer Science (M.C.S.) requires a minimum of 32 s.h. of graduate credit, including at least 24 s.h. earned at the University of Iowa. Students must maintain a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 2.75.

The Master of Computer Science requires the following coursework.

Theory

Algorithms

Colloquium

Students are graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) basis. They must attend at least 80 percent of scheduled talks to earn a satisfactory grade in the course.

Electives

Students complete their remaining 24 s.h. (eight additional courses) with a combination of computer science graduate courses, research and project courses, and non-computer science graduate courses approved by their advisor. The choice of electives must satisfy the following constraints.

• At least six courses (18 s.h.) must be classroom-based computer science graduate courses numbered 4300 or above, excluding CS:5110 Introduction to Informatics, CS:5990 Individualized Research or Programming Project, CS:6000 Research Seminar: Colloquium Series, CS:6990 Readings for Research, and CS:7990 Research for Dissertation.
• At most, one offering of CS:5990 Individualized Research or Programming Project. This course is an excellent option for students interested in exploring an area in computer science beyond that provided by computer science classroom-based courses. Students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. usually benefit from taking CS:5990.
• At most, two technical courses (approved by the advisor) that are not computer science graduate courses. For students who want to take courses outside the department, those in mathematics, statistics, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, and management sciences are some popular options. Students also may include one computer science course taken during their first year in the M.C.S. program from these: CS:3620 Operating Systems, CS:3640 Introduction to Networks and Their Applications, or CS:3820 Programming Language Concepts.

Software Engineering Subprogram

The Department of Computer Science, with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, offers a M.C.S. subprogram in software engineering. Students receive a software engineering subprogram designation on their transcript after they complete CS:5800 Fundamentals of Software Engineering, CS:5810 Formal Methods in Software Engineering, CS:5820 Software Engineering Languages and Tools, and CS:5830 Software Engineering Project, and earn their M.C.S. degree. Students should meet with the academic services coordinator to file the appropriate paperwork when they apply for degree, if they did not originally declare their intent to complete the software engineering subprogram.

Students gain:

• in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of concepts and/or technologies covering a breadth of computer science,
• problem solving in the context of the areas covered,
• a grounding in theoretical aspects of computer science, and
• exposure to cutting-edge research.

Students pursue software design and development careers in the technology sector, including UIX, mobile, and web development. Recent graduates hold positions at technology giants such as Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, or Intel, while others have taken positions in internationally established organizations whose primary business lies in the consulting, financial, health care, insurance, or media/entertainment sectors. A few M.C.S. students enter the start-up market or pursue additional graduate education leading to the Ph.D. at the University of Iowa or elsewhere.