computing ms degrees masters degrees in computing at gmu jeff offutt professor of software...

Computing MS Degrees

Masters Degreesin

Computingat

GMU

Jeff OffuttProfessor of Software EngineeringChair, Graduate Studies Committee

Coordinator, MS-SWE program

MS in Software Engineering (SWE)MS in Information Systems (INFS)

MS in Information Security Assurance (ISA)MS in Computer Science (CS)

Offered by the Department of

Computer Science


What Is An MS ? A degree that says you have “mastered” the material in

a field Beyond a 4-year college degree Usually 30 credits – one to two years

– 10 classes or 8 classes and an MS thesis More focused … all classes on one subject

– No General Ed requirements At GMU, more than 75% of MS students are part-time

students, working full-time

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Why Get An MS ?1. We haven’t taught you enough as an undergrad to be

successful in your job2. To update your knowledge and skills

– More important for people who come back to school after working for a few years

3. Higher salary4. Job security5. More choices of tasks at work6. To change field or direction in your field

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Most of you will get an MS degree eventually

The questions are when and what field


When To Get An MS ?1. Immediately after BS

↑ Can use “accelerated MS” option↑ You already have study habits↑ BS knowledge is still fresh↓ You might need a salary … NOW↓ You might be really really tired of school

2. A few years after BS (4 or 5)↑ A little experience will help make the classes more relevant↑ A way to help take the “next step” at work↑ Learn new material that was not available↓ Study habits are gone↓ Financial impact↓ Do you have time for school?

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When To Get An MS ?3. Several years into a career (10 or 20)

↑ Chance to learn new material↑ Experience helps give confidence and decide what’s important↓ Conflicts with life … children, house, demanding career, …↓ Less mental and physical energy to study↓ It takes more time to learn↓ You may have forgotten fundamentals (or they may have

changed)

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Our students fall in all three categories

Most succeed

ABOUT 40% category 1, 40% category 2, 20% category 3


How To Get Accepted ? Appropriate foundation material

– Discrete math, data structures, computer organization, OO programming, appropriate theory (for MS-CS)

– You get all these in a BS-CS degree, most in a BS-ECE degree Undergrad GPA of 3.0 or above

– Exceptions for “close to 3.0” with high grades in major or last 60 hours

Accelerated BS to MS program– Must have GPA of 3.5 or above– Take two graduate courses in your senior year – they are

applied to both your BS and MS degrees– Full-time students will finish the MS in one year

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Which MS Program ? The CS department at GMU has four

– We also have 100 MS-level lecture based classes We are truly the university of diversity !!!

– No university in the world can match this

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• MS in Software Engineering (SWE)• MS in Information Systems (INFS)• MS in Information Security Assurance (ISA)• MS in Computer Science (CS)

Which one should I choose ? How do I know what’s right for me ?


Which MS Program ?

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MS-SWE

MS-INFS

MS-ISA

MS-CS

How to design, build, and maintain databases and other data retrieval

systems

How to provide secure networks, information systems and software

products

How to engineer high quality large scale software products

Fundamentally understand what we can do with computing devices

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Distinguishing SWE and CS

Building High Quality Softwarespecifying, modeling, designing,

implementing, evaluating, deploying, maintaining, …

etc. ...

ReliabilityScalabilityMainta

inabilit

y

Usability

Securit

y

Availability

Engineering software is distinct from the science of computing

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Computing MS Program “Mosts”

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Computer Science

Most theoretical, most programming

Software Engineering

Most broad, most teamwork

Info Security Assurance

Most specialized

Information Systems

Most diverse students


MS in Computer Science Courses : 10 Courses for the MS CS Degree

– Core (1): Analysis of Algorithms– Advanced : At least five “advanced” graduate courses, i.e.,

with graduate prerequisites– CS : At least six courses must be CS

• Including 2 “advanced” courses

– Electives : At least eight courses from a list of pre-approved courses

Distance Education : Students can take enough courses via distance education to finish an MS

Websitehttp://www.cs.gmu.edu/programs/masters/cs/

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http://www.cs.gmu.edu/programs/masters/cs/


MS in Information Security and Assurance

Courses : Ten courses for the MS-ISA Degree– Foundations : Computer Architecture, Program Design & Data

Structures, Discrete Math, Object-Oriented Programming in Java

– Core (4): Computer Networks, Information Security Theory and Practice , Security Laboratory, and Network

– Security Electives : Four ISA courses– Electives : Two courses from a list of pre-approved courses

Websitehttp://www.cs.gmu.edu/programs/masters/isa/

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http://www.cs.gmu.edu/programs/masters/isa/


MS in Information Systems Courses : Ten courses for the INFS Degree

– Foundations : Computer Architecture, Program Design & Data Structures, Discrete Math, Object-Oriented Programming in Java

– Core (4): Computer Networks, Database Management, Info Systems Analysis and Design, Information Security

– Electives : Six courses from a list of pre-approved courses– Emphasis Areas : Database Management, Data Mining and

Data Warehousing, E-Commerce, Software Engineering, Knowledge Management, Information Security and Assurance

Websitehttp://www.cs.gmu.edu/programs/masters/infs/

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http://www.cs.gmu.edu/programs/masters/infs/


MS in Software Engineering Courses : Ten courses for the MS-SWE Degree

– Foundations : Computer Architecture, Program Design & Data Structures, Discrete Math, Object-Oriented Programming in Java

– Core (4): OO Software Specification and Construction, Software Testing, Software Modeling and Architectural Design, Distributed Software Engineering (4 courses)

– Emphasis Area : Three courses from an emphasis area (Software Design, Software Assurance, Software Management, Web Applications)

– Electives : Three courses from a list of pre-approved courses Website

http://www.cs.gmu.edu/programs/masters/swe/

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http://www.cs.gmu.edu/programs/masters/swe/


Emphasis of Concepts

Concept CS ISA INFS SWE

Math Heavy Moderate Light Heavy

Programming V. Heavy Heavy Light Moderate

Theory V. Heavy Moderate Moderate Moderate

Algorithms V. Heavy Heavy Light Moderate

Conceptual Moderate Heavy Light Heavy

Abstractions Moderate Light Moderate Heavy

Modeling Light Moderate Light Heavy

Teamwork Light Light Heavy V. Heavy

Communication Light Light Moderate Moderate

Management Light Light Moderate Moderate

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Emphasis of Quality Criteria

CS Speed of execution, Time-to-marketISA Security, Reliability

INFS Reliability, Maintainability, SecuritySWE Reliability, Maintainability, Usability, Scalability,

Security, Availability, Speed, Time-to-market

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Topics Emphasized

CS Algorithms, AI, Languages, Systems, Networks, Theory, Graphics

ISA Operating systems, Networking, Theory, Languages, Intrusion, Software

INFS Databases, Operating Systems, Networks, Systems analysis, Information systems

SWE OO programming, Requirements, Modeling, Design, Distributed software, Testing, User interfaces, Web applications, SOAs, Software patterns and architectures, Management

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Computer Science and Computing

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We have barely started the process that Physics / Engineering started a century ago

Computer Science

Fields Based on Computer ScienceElectronic CommerceInformation Security and AssuranceInformation SystemsSoftware EngineeringTelecommunicationsInformation Technology... others ... ??


Frequently Asked Questions (1/4)

Which MS program is better ?– They are all good, but different. Diversity benefits the student, so it

depends which one is suitable for you. Which MS program is harder ?

– They all focus on different things, and are harder in different ways Which will best prepare me for a PhD in CS or IT ?

– It probably depends on what area you want to work in as a PhD student. You should take MS classes that prepare you for the qualifying exams.

What undergraduate majors are acceptable in the MS programs?– All MS programs take students from all majors, although foundation

requirements may be required. Most CS students have a CS BS, about half of SWE students have a CS BS and many of the others are engineering or science, many INFS students have business BS

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Can I transfer from one program to another ?– Yes and many students do. Foundation requirements are similar and core

courses from one program can usually be used as electives in another. Can I take classes from another program ?

– Yes, all programs have free electives and most students take classes from multiple programs

Can I get two MS degrees ?– Yes, but GMU does not allow a course to be applied to two different MS

degrees. If you took a core course in your second degree as an elective for your first degree, we will make a substitution.

Can I get certificates with my MS degree ?– Yes, GMU allows up to two certificates within one MS degree; courses can

count to both an MS and a certificate

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Why do I have to take foundation courses ?– We want all of our students to do as well as possible. Foundation courses

teach undergraduate computing concepts that teachers assume the students know in MS courses. Many C grades in MS courses are a result of inadequate preparation.

– The foundation requirements are there to help you !!! If I get a C, am I kicked out of school ?

– No. You are allowed to graduate with at most two C grades if you have a 3.0 or above GPA (effectively, for every C, you need to get a complementary A).

Why is software engineering called “SWE”, not “SE” ?– “SE” is standard around the country, but our SWE program is the oldest

in the USA, so there was no standard. At GMU, “SE” is used by systems engineering.

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Why does GMU offer so many computing MS degrees ?– For the benefit of our many students. GMU is well known for

its diversity – we reflect that diversity by offering a diverse collection of classes and degree programs. We believe GMU has the most diverse collection of computing classes in the nation.

Why do you keep saying “computing” instead of “computer science”?– One of our degrees is called computer science, so we use “computing” to

reflect the breadth of our degrees – software engineering, security, information systems. They are all related to computer science, but have developed away from the core curriculum, just as engineering disciplines developed away from physics.

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computing ms degrees masters degrees in computing at gmu jeff offutt professor of software...

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