Master of Science in Computer Science
In the Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program at Berkshire University, you’ll learn to combine the fundamental knowledge and best practices for software engineering, database theory and design, and cloud computing. You’ll then have the opportunity to use those skills to solve real-world problems. Besides its comprehensive immersion in computing foundations, what sets this program apart is its emphasis on developing essential communication skills so you’ll be able to clearly discuss issues, trends, and solutions with both technical and non-technical audiences.
This online program offers specializations in several advanced areas, a three-month project solving a real problem for a real client against a deadline, and training that reflects current and future industry needs. MSCS degree graduates are prepared to assume a leadership role in the field.
Course Listing
CSC 242 Intro to Programming Concepts – 4.50
Prerequisite: MTH 215
This course introduces modern programming design techniques using C++. A study of fundamental control structures in C++ as well as syntax and semantics of the constructs in the language. The coverage includes data types, looping and decision statements, functions, and arrays. The course examines problem analysis, decomposition and modern programming paradigms and methodologies with introduction to object-oriented programming.
CSC 252 Programming in C++ – 4.50
Prerequisite: CSC 242
The course introduces the fundamentals of Object-Oriented Programming in C++ including class definition and object instantiation, inheritance and polymorphism. Detailed coverage of pointers, operator overloading, I/O and file streams, templates, and exception handling. Exposure to Data Structures and basic algorithms for sorting and searching.
CSC 262 Programming in JAVA – 4.50
Prerequisite: MTH 215
The course introduces the Java programming language and its features. Topics include introduction to object-oriented programming, basic control structures, Java graphics and GUI objects, exposure to event driven programming, arrays and strings in Java. Coverage includes inheritance, and polymorphism and exception handling.
Core Requirements
CSC 600 Advanced Programming – 4.50
Prerequisite: CSC 242 and CSC 252 and CSC 262; Students with a baccalaureate degree in Computer Science (CS), Computer Engineering (CE), Software Engineering (SE), or Information Systems (IS) do not need these prerequisites.
Review of structured, object oriented, event driven programming and java graphics. Coverage of java generic classes and lambda streams. Application development with multi-threading and database connectivity features.
CSC 603 Software Eng Fundamentals – 4.50
The course introduces students to tools, techniques, and processes needed to develop a software product, system or application, in a systematic manner. The course will expose students to various software development life cycle frameworks and activities, including Software Process and Requirement modeling. Students will also learn about basic and advanced software project design principles and concepts that are generally used in the current software industry.
CSC 605 Software Architecture Principles – 4.50
Prerequisite: CSC 603
Students on this course will learn about tools and techniques to systematically create and implement software design to meet applicable requirements and customer needs. The course will introduce the students to various techniques used by the industry for quality assurance, testing and configuration control.
CSC 606 Modern Operating Systems – 4.50
Prerequisite: CSC 600
A study of relation between architectures, system software and application software. Topics include process, thread, and memory management issues, multiprogramming, timesharing, multithreading, multiprocessing, inter-process communication, synchronization, virtual machines, client-server systems, distributed systems, real time systems, resource allocation, shared resources, input output, file systems, computer security and related problems. Scope and limitations of current Operating Systems are considered.
CSC 607 Security in Computing – 4.50
Prerequisite: CSC 606
This course examines the use of security vulnerabilities and threats in computer programs, operating systems, networks, and databases. The use of cryptography and other countermeasures to provide confidentiality, integrity, and availability is then evaluated in depth, from the perspectives of both technical effectiveness and ethics of users and developers.
CSC 670 User Interface Engineering – 4.50
Prerequisite: CSC 600
A study of techniques in design and implementation of user interfaces. Emphasis will be on effective human computer interaction strategies that meet human cognitive capabilities and organizational practices and processes.
CSC 675 Database Design and Impl. – 4.50
Prerequisite: CSC 600
Introduction to Database. DBMS Architecture. High Level Conceptual Data Models: ERI, Relational, ER to Relational Mapping. Operations and Relational Constraints Violations. Database Design Theory and Methodology: Functional Dependencies and Normal Forms. SQL *Plus environment and commands: Relational Algebra Operations, Creation and Modification of relations, Data Management and Retrieval using Multiple Tables.
CSC 678 Advanced Database Programming – 4.50
Prerequisite: CSC 675
This course teaches the skills for implementing and maintaining databases using Structured Query Language (SQL), including Data Design Language and Data Manipulation Language. Topics include creating databases, manipulate data, nest queries, views, and unstructured data.
CSC 680 Database Web Interface – 4.50
Prerequisite: CSC 678
This course addresses diverse issues arising when designing World Wide Web interface. Basic database concepts will be presented but the course will focus on discussion of interface issues specific to web databases, technologies for linking databases to web servers for delivery, discussion of various web-database applications, case studies, and industry trends. Students will design and develop front-end application using GUI/API, server-side and client-side programming.
CSC 685 Topics in Computing – 4.50
Each time this course is offered, it addresses a topic in computer science that is not covered as a regular course. The topic is covered at an advanced level that is appropriate for any student who has successfully completed the prerequisite courses. Possible topics include grid computing, semantic web, intelligent systems and knowledge abstraction.
CSC 686 Computer Science Project I – 4.50
Prerequisite: CSC 605 and CSC 607 and CSC 670 and CSC 680
A study of the software development practices. Emphasizes logical organization of system and communicating design through documentation suitable for generating a concrete implementation. Students construct an original project with practical applications utilizing software engineering concepts.
CSC 687 Computer Science Project II – 4.50
Prerequisite: CSC 686
A continuation of the student project. Student teams complete the project in this phase. The project is coded, module-tested, system-tested and all documentation is completed. Grading is by H, S or U only.
CSC 688 Computer Science Project III – 4.50
Prerequisite: CSC 687
In this course class meets twice a week. A continuation of the student project. Student teams complete the project in this phase. The project is coded, module-tested, system-tested and all documentation is completed. Grading is by H, S, or U. Course is eligible for In Progress (IP) grade.
Degree and Course Requirements
To receive a Master of Science in Computer Science, students must complete 58.5 quarter units of graduate coursework. A total of 13.5 quarter units of graduate credit may be granted for equivalent graduate work completed at another accredited institution, as it applies to this degree, and provided the units were not used in earning another advanced degree. The degree program consists of ten courses and a three-part MSCS graduate project (three courses, 4.5 quarter units each) that cannot be taken until CSC605, CSC607, CSC670 and CSC680 courses have been completed.
It is important to note that capstone course sequence CSC686, CSC687 and CSC688 needs to be taken in the consecutive months. In case a student is not able to complete this course sequence in consecutive months, they will be required to start with the CSC686 course in the future, whenever this course sequence is offered.
Program Learning Outcomes
Create software requirements specifications, and design and develop complex software systems.
Evaluate computer security vulnerabilities and threats, and countermeasures that are effective and ethical.
Analyze, design, and develop database solutions by translating database modeling theory into sound database design and implementation.
Analyze and design complex front-end applications for cloud and client-server architectures and integrate them with backend databases.
Compare and contrast alternative systems for process and memory management.
Demonstrate critical thinking and ability to analyze and synthesize computer science concepts and skills with ethical standards.
Admissions
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