Program Overview:
The Master of Science in Computer Information Systems is a Professional Science Master’s (PSM) degree program that presents students with an applied education in advanced topics associated with computer science, computer engineering, and information systems. Our program is endorsed by the National Professional Science Masters Association (NPSMA). Students can enroll in this program on either a full-time or a part-time basis.
The program is designed for students with some experience in computer technology and programming, who wish to advance their technical skills and knowledge, and who also wish to improve their communication and business skills. The goal of the program is to produce graduates who are technically proficient in their field and capable of working successfully in government and business.
All students must take six required courses in areas that are central to computer information systems. These areas are data structures, computer architecture, database management systems, data communications, user interface design, and software engineering. All students must also take two courses in a chosen area of specialization and complete a master’s project in this area, under the supervision of a department faculty member. The current areas of specialization include Internet Programming, Bioinformatics, Database, and Parallel and High-Performance Computing.
Surveys reveal that employers want their technical employees to be able to communicate well, work well in teams, and be able to work and communicate successfully with people from many cultures in an increasingly global workplace. Therefore, all students are required to take a course in technical communication in order to foster these skills. In addition, the department seeks to build communication and team skills throughout all courses throughout our master’s program.
Program Contacts:
To email the Chairperson of Computer Science,
Dr. Ian MacDonald, Computer Science
Program Webpage,
Computer Information Systems M.S.
Program Requirements:
Requirements for Degree
All students must complete a total of 33 credits, which includes a three-credit Master’s project. All students must also take six credits within their area of specialization.
Core Requirements (12 Credits)
*All students must receive a grade of at least a B in all core courses.
Course Requirements (9 Credits)
**A student with sufficient experience that is equivalent to a required/core course may substitute (with departmental approval) an additional elective course or independent study.
Area of Specialization Courses (6 Credits)
Students must choose a concentration sequence below to satisfy this requirement:
Bioinformatics
Internet Programming
two of:
Database
Parallel and High-Performance Computing
| CSC 561 | Parallel & High Performance Computing | 3 |
| CSC 562 | Parallel & High Performance Computing 2 | 3 |
CSC Elective (3 Credits)
Research Requirement (3 Credits)
All students must complete a master’s project of significant scope closely related to their area of specialization. The topic for the project will be decided by the student in consultation with the faculty primarily responsible for teaching courses in the chosen specialization area. At the end of the semester, all projects must be formally presented to department faculty and student colleagues.
Fall and spring presentation dates will typically be held on the last Friday before the final exam/alternate schedule period. The summer presentation date will typically be held the week just prior to the start of the fall semester.
The comprehensive assessment must be successfully completed at least four (4) weeks prior to the formal presentation of the project.
Comprehensive Assessment (CSC 999) (0 Credits)
All students must show that their master’s project demonstrates mastery in each of the core courses (CSC 501, CSC 503, CSC 505 and CSC 507). Faculty responsible for teaching each core course will provide guidelines for meeting the satisfactory comprehensive assessment in their respective area. Students must meet these requirements four (4) weeks prior to the presentation date. Faculty must provide their approval or disapproval, along with other feedback, to the student two (2) weeks prior to the presentation date. If a faculty member does not approve, the student will be permitted to present their corrected documents to the faculty with the deadline of one (1) week before the presentation date. Without faculty approval from all core areas, the presentation cannot occur, and the student must receive an incomplete.
The computer science department chair reserves the right to modify the mastery demonstration requirements under special circumstances.
Culminating Academic Experiences:
Research Requirement (3 Credits)
All students must complete a master’s project of significant scope closely related to their area of specialization. The topic for the project will be decided by the student in consultation with the faculty primarily responsible for teaching courses in the chosen specialization area. At the end of the semester, all projects must be formally presented to department faculty and student colleagues.
Fall and spring presentation dates will typically be held on the last Friday before the final exam/alternate schedule period. The summer presentation date will typically be held the week just prior to the start of the fall semester.
The comprehensive assessment must be successfully completed at least four (4) weeks prior to the formal presentation of the project.
Comprehensive Assessment (CSC 999) (0 Credits)
All students must show that their master’s project demonstrates mastery in each of the core courses (CSC 501, CSC 503, CSC 505 and CSC 507). Faculty responsible for teaching each core course will provide guidelines for meeting the satisfactory comprehensive assessment in their respective area. Students must meet these requirements four (4) weeks prior to the presentation date. Faculty must provide their approval or disapproval, along with other feedback, to the student two (2) weeks prior to the presentation date. If a faculty member does not approve, the student will be permitted to present their corrected documents to the faculty with the deadline of one (1) week before the presentation date. Without faculty approval from all core areas, the presentation cannot occur, and the student must receive an incomplete.
The computer science department chair reserves the right to modify the mastery demonstration requirements under special circumstances.
Professional Accreditation:
The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs are fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.
The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267-284-5000). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Admissions and Financial Aid Information:
General Admission Information
Eligibility for admission to The College of Saint Rose graduate programs is typically based upon the following minimum requirements:
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Submission of a completed application and a Statement of Purpose of approximately 300 words detailing the applicant’s goals for graduate study.
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Evidence of the possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution through submission of official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
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Academic and professional qualifications for graduate study, as indicated by two letters of recommendation.
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A grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), overall and in the undergraduate major.
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Other admission criteria specified by academic programs such as submission of resumes, writing samples, portfolios, test scores, and participation in interviews or admissions workshops.
Applicants to The College of Saint Rose are responsible for completing their applications by submitting all required components. Prospective students may wish to visit our website for online application options and downloadable forms.
See Graduate Admissions section for more information.
Financial Aid
The College of Saint Rose has long been committed to the premise that a quality education should be within the reach of qualified students. To this end, the College serves its student body through a comprehensive program of federal, state, and institutional financial aid. While the basic responsibility for financing education lies with the students and their families, scholarships, loans, and/or assistantships can supplement insufficient family resources. The amount of aid available through the College is limited and is awarded on the basis of academic merit. All financial assistance from the College is subject to adjustment if the recipients are later granted aid from other sources. Financial aid awards are contingent upon students’ maintaining good academic standing and satisfactory academic progress.
See Financial Aid section for more information.
Additional Computer Information Systems Admission Information
A student seeking admission to the program must fulfill all general requirements for admission to graduate study. In addition to meeting these criteria, all students must have either a grade point average of 3.0 or better in their undergraduate work or present a portfolio of professional work to be evaluated by the faculty of the Computer Science department.
All students are expected to complete the following prerequisite courses with a grade of B or better:
| CSC 202 | Introduction to Programming | 4 |
| | or | |
| CSC 522 | Object-Oriented Programming | 3 |
| | | |
| CSC 302 | Data Structures | 4 |
| | or | |
| CSC 523 | Advanced Programming | 3 |
| | | |
| CSC 321 | Database Management Systems | 4 |
| | or | |
| CSC 520 | Introduction to Database | 3 |
One or more of the above prerequisite courses may be waived for students who have completed equivalent coursework at an accredited institution and have earned a B or better. Prerequisite courses do not count towards the 33 credit total required for the degree.
All students must have at least nine credits in undergraduate mathematics courses
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