This page provides information about the Computer Science MS Degree requirements, including bulletin descriptions and supplemental notes.
NOTE: Information guides available on BC Knowledge do not substitute for requirements outlined in the relevant Bulletins available here.
Degree Requirements
Thirty credits are required for the degree. Students must maintain at least a B (3.00) average.
Students must complete 30 credits in courses numbered 7000 and above.
All students must complete each of the following core courses:
- CISC 7302X Computer Architecture
- CISC 7510X Database Systems or CISC 7512X Advanced Database Systems
- CISC 7540X Software Methodology
- CISC 7700X Intro to Data Science
Concentration Track Required Courses
Students in the Computation track must complete:
- CISC 7200X Analysis of Algorithms
- CISC 7221X Theoretical Computer Science
Students in the Information Systems track must complere:
- CISC 7500X Introduction to Management Information Systems
- CISC 7530X IT Project Management
Students in the Health Informatics track must complete:
- CISC 7450X Computer Applications in Health Sciences
- and three courses from Health & Nutrition Sciences
Electives
Additional electives may be needed to complete the 30 credit requirements. These courses must be graduate level numbered 7000 or above.
Courses should be selected in consultation with the program advisor.
Exit Requirements
As an exit requirement, all students must complete one of the following:
(a) CISC 7990G and a thesis acceptable to the department; no more than 6 credits in thesis research may be counted toward the degree (maintaining a 3.5 GPA required)
(b) Pass a written comprehensive examination in the final year
Health Informatics track students only may substitute:
(c) CISC 7980G Health Informatics Internship or a research project, with permission of the department chair or designee. The internship is the preferred option for the Health Informatics track.
Department Recommendations
Who is my academic advisor?
You can find the advisor for your graduate program on this page.
How long does it take to complete the degree?
Most students take 2 years to complete the degree, based on completing 2-3 courses each semester. Students who need a little more time beyond 7 years to complete the degree can file a petition for an extension.
What should I expect for the comprehensive exam?
Please take a look at the page describing the Computer Science Graduate Comprehensive Exams.
Comprehensive exams are scheduled in the Fall and Spring semesters only. Sign up for the exam when you’ve completed most of your coursework by the deadline for that semester. You can find the forms on the Graduate Student Forms page. The deadline to register for Fall semesters is the last Friday in September; for Spring semesters is the last Friday in February.
What are the requirements for the thesis track?
The student must have a GPA of 3.50 or above. The student needs to find an advisor who will mentor him or her for the thesis research. More information available in the Guidelines for Master’s Thesis Proposals.
I’ve completed my coursework, can I take a little more time to prepare for the comprehensive exam?
Yes. You will need to file a one time Maintenance of Matriculation to maintain in eligible status to complete your degree requirements. Email the enrollment services center to apply for maintenance of matriculation.
I’ve successfully completed 30 credits and one of the exit options. What else do I need to do to graduate?
File for graduation via the student self-service area on CUNYFirst. Instructions are available on this page How To: Apply for Graduation.
What are the prerequisites to this master’s program?
The degree program has three concentration tracks (Computation, Information Systems, and Health Informatics) and are designed for students who have a significant undergraduate education in computer science, but it is also possible for students without the required background to take the necessary undergraduate classes. These undergraduate classes are in addition to the requirements listed above. The required prerequisites are listed here.
Financial Aid
In common with most master’s programs, the programs at Brooklyn College have very little financial support to offer incoming students. Once you are a student in the program, there may be some institutional scholarships available for exceptional master’s students. The scholarship office website may have additional information.
The Office of Financial Aid can offer support on applying for federal aid programs.
There may be external sources of scholarships, such as through organizations that support STEM graduate studies. The scholarships office recommends the website FastWeb.com for external scholarship searches, because it is approved by the National Association of Scholarship Providers and because it has more graduate-level listings than some of the others.
Incoming Students
This page lists some of the steps and information you should be aware of as an incoming graduate student.
Prior to enrolling in your first semester, you must complete immunizations.
Prior to enrolling in your second semester, your final transcript from your undergraduate institution must be received by the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Correspondence from your graduate program academic advisor will typically be sent to your school email address, so please check it regularly.
Helpful links
- To view available courses, check the Class Schedule
- Register for classes on CUNYFirst
- For course selection advisement, reach out to your graduate advisor.
- For technical troubleshooting, check the Registration 101 knowledge base articles or contact the Registrar’s office
- Registration often begins around the 10th week of the semester prior to the one you are enrolling in, and courses are published a couple weeks before that.
- Academic Calendars contain important dates
- Campus Map
- Graduate Bulletin
- Check your degree progress and program requirements on DegreeWorks
- For all questions relating to tuitions and fees, check with the Office of the Bursar
- Book appointments with offices on campus with Navigate (What is navigate?)
For more useful information, search the BC Knowledge for students
International Students:
International students must be enrolled in at least 9 credits every semester, where at least 6 credits are in person. All of our graduate courses are in person.
The International Students Office is the best resource for matters relating to international students.
Sample 2-Year Degree Map
To help you plan your schedule, see the following examples. These are provided only for illustrative purposes. Please meet with your program advisor to discuss your plan.
Computation Track
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TOTAL CREDITS: 30
Information Systems Track
| Fall | Spring | |||||||||||||||||
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| Second Year |
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TOTAL CREDITS: 30
Health Informatics Track
| Fall | Spring | |||||||||||||||||
| First Year |
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| Second Year |
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TOTAL CREDITS: 30
Graduating Students
Apply for graduation in your final semester. You must either be currently enrolled in courses or have filed a maintenance of matriculation.
File for graduation via the student self-service area on CUNYFirst. Instructions and deadlines are available on this page How To: Apply for Graduation.