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Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS)
(Catalog 2008)

Background Preparation

Students admitted into the MSCS degree program are required to have the following background preparation. A student with any deficiency is required to clear it by either (1) taking the course at NPU and earning a grade of at least C- or higher or (2) taking and passing a proficiency exam on the subject. The student must clear all deficiencies before attempting to enroll in graduate level courses.

1. Mathematics and English/Communication:

Statistics (MATH208);
English/communication (One of the following: CS398, BUS300 or a College English course);

2. Computer Science Subjects:

Programming languages and data structures (CS200, CS204 & Lab, CS350 & Lab, CS360);
Operating systems (CS230 & Lab, CS380, CS385 & Lab);

3. Electronics Subjects: (EE205 & Lab, either CE305 or EE323 and Lab);
4. Mezzanine courses (*Student may earn graduate credit by taking the courses at NPU):

CS457/G Database Design
CS470/G Computer Networks

MSCS Curriculum

A minimum of 36 semester units of graduate study are required for the MSCS program. A maximum of four (4) 4xxG courses (400 level courses with a G designation taken as elective courses) are allowed to count towards graduation credits. The student must meet prerequisite requirements when taking any of the following courses.

I. Required Courses  (6 units)

The required courses emphasize understanding of (1) the principles and architecture of computer networks and (2) the design of modern operating systems. A student must take the following two courses to complete the required graduate course requirement. These two courses cannot be used to meet concentration coursework requirements.

CS503    Advanced Computer Networks
CS506    Operating System Design

II. Area of Concentration  (12 units)

In addition to the two required graduate courses in section I, a student must select an area of concentration and complete at least 12 units (four courses) listed in one chosen concentration area. This is to ensure the student's competence in a selected area.   As new courses are also offered between publications of school catalogs, the students are advised to refer to the "Concentration Area Course Tables" published with each release of the semester class schedule to select courses for meeting the concentration area requirements.

Area A. Computer Networks and Network Security
Required courses:
CS510    UNIX/Linux System Programming
CS515    Linux/UNIX Network Programming

Select two other graduate courses in this concentration area.

Area B. Internet Technology and Digital eBusiness Systems
(*Background requirements: CS480/G Java Programming and Internet Applications)
Required courses:
CS526    .NET Web Programming
CS532    Advanced Java Programming

Select two other graduate courses in this concentration area.

Area C. Database Technology
(*Background requirement: CS480/G Java Programming and Internet Applications)
Required courses:
CS540    Database Administration
CS547    Advanced Database Design and Development

Select two other graduate courses in this concentration area.

Area D. Embedded Engineering
(*Background requirement: CE450/G Fundamentals of Embedded Systems)
Required course:
CE521    Real-time Systems and Programming

Select three other graduate courses in this concentration area.

Area E. Bioengineering
(*Background requirement: BE450G Introduction to Bioengineering)

Required courses:
BE510    Biometrics and Computer Aided Detection (CAD) Technology
BE520    Bioinformatics Programming and Applications

Select two other graduate courses in this concentration area.

III. Courses for Breadth of Study  (6 units)

The student is required to take at least 6 units in graduate coursework outside the chosen concentration area. The courses may be at 400 level with a "G" designation or 500 level and above. The student must observe the limits on the number of 400 level courses with a "G" designation.

IV. Electives  (12 units)

The student may elect graduate-level courses in any discipline, in or outside the chosen concentration area, to meet the elective requirements. Elective courses may also include mezzanine courses taken to meet the background requirements for the program and/or for the chosen concentration area. The student must observe the limits on the number of 400 level courses with a "G" designation.

Mezzanine Courses for program requirement - Students admitted with a background deficiency in (1) database design and/or (2) computer networks must take the courses (1) "CS457G Database Design" and/or (2) CS470G Computer Networks at NPU. Credit earned can be counted as elective credit towards the MSCS graduation requirements.

* Other background requirements for the concentration area: Each concentration area requires certain 400 level background courses. Students may earn credit towards the degree, if observing the limit for the number of 400-level courses for the program, by taking these courses, such as CS480G, BE450G, or CE450G.

MSCS Total Requirements (36 units)


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