M.S. in Computer Science

Note

If you declared your major prior to Fall 2021, please follow the M.S. in Computer Science (Prior to Fall 2021) page.

Overview

The M.S. in Computer Science provides foundations of Computer Science while acknowledging that Computer Science is key to algorithms in the sciences. Other programs in the Computer Science Department with different foci are M.S. in Information Technology and the M.S. in Software Engineering.

The M.S. in Computer Science offers the following concentrations of specialization:

• No Concentration (Default)
• Artificial Intelligence
• Cybersecurity
• Computer Systems
• Thesis Track

STEM Designation

With a national shortage of professionals trained in STEM-related fields, employers are actively pursuing STEM degree holders. Distinguish yourself in technology with a STEM-designated degree.

The MS in Computer Science has been granted a STEM designation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The program achieved STEM designation because of its emphasis on teaching students how to solve computer science problems with a suite of quantitative and technological tools.

Under this STEM classification, international students can extend their training in the U.S. by working in their field of study. Students can qualify for a 24-month OPT (Optional Practical Training) Extension, bringing the total OPT time granted to 36 months.

Curriculum

• Each program requires a total of 30 credit hours

  • Generally 10 three-credit courses

• Students can receive up to 6 credit hours (replacing two of our courses) for graduate work taken elsewhere

  • See the transfer credit section of the Graduate Student Handbook for details.

Important

Students who have taken undergraduate Loyola classes:

Many 400-level courses in the department have closely related 300-level analogues, e.g. COMP 443: Computer Networks and COMP 343: Computer Networks. Students who enter the MS program after taking a Loyola course in this category must choose to take 400-level courses that are not closely related to any 300-level courses taken earlier, unless they have GPD permission.

Warning

The Computer Science Program has more prerequisites than other programs.

Overall, to achieve depth and breadth, Computer Science students must complete the following to obtain the required 30 credits to graduate:

• Two (2) required courses (6 credit hours)

• Four (4) electives restricted to a concentration (12 credit hours)

• Four (4) general electives (12 credit hours)

Major Prerequisites

A four-year undergraduate degree in any field. Computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, or related background highly recommended. For students without a programming or related background, see below the preparation courses that you have to take.

Prerequisite/Preparation Courses

All of these courses must be taken if you do not have a four-year undergraduate degree in a related field.

• COMP 400A: Foundations of Object-Oriented Programming

• COMP 400B: Data Structures I

• COMP 400C: Data Structures II

• COMP 400D: Introduction to Computing Tools and Techniques

• COMP 400E: Discrete Structures

Warning

Students may not use an introductory course to satisfy a foundation or elective requirement.

Preparatory courses do not count towards the 30 required credit hours of non-preparatory courses.

A student taking any necessary preparation course is considered to be a full-fledged student of the Graduate School. Preparation courses may be taken in the same semester as other graduate courses, provided the prerequisites for the other graduate courses are met. Students are expected, however, to take all necessary preparation courses early in their career.

A student may place out of an introductory course under any of the following conditions:

• The student has appropriate coursework equivalent to the introductory course.

• The student has appropriate and verified professional experience equivalent to the introductory course.

• The student passes a Graduate Competency Assessment (GCA) in the introductory course area.

• This can be waived under the discretion of the GPD.

If a student has had a preparatory course waived, departmental assistance will usually be necessary to allow the student to register for any other course having that preparatory course as a prerequisite.

Summary of Concentrations

No Concentration	Artificial Intelligence Concentration	Cybersecurity Concentration	Computer Systems Concentration
COMP 417 (required)	COMP 417 (required)	COMP 417 (required)	COMP 417 (required)
COMP 460 (required)	COMP 460 (required)	COMP 460 (required)	COMP 460 (required)
Choose four out of the following		Choose four out of the following	Choose four out of the following
COMP 413 (required)	COMP 479 (required)	COMP 401 (required)	COMP 410 (required)
COMP 410	One course from the following list	COMP 431	COMP 405
COMP 433	COMP 429	COMP 445	COMP 443
COMP 436	COMP 487	COMP 447	COMP 451
COMP 439	COMP 488 (Artificial Intelligence related topics)	COMP 448	COMP 453
COMP 442	Two additional courses from the following list	COMP 449	COMP 462
COMP 443	COMP 406	COMP 452	COMP 464
COMP 453	COMP 429	COMP 488 (Cybersecurity related topics)	COMP 472
COMP 464	COMP 448	Students may petition the GPD to substitute COMP 460 with an extra course from the list above	Students may petition the GPD to substitute COMP 460 with an extra course from the list above
COMP 471	COMP 458
COMP 473	COMP 487
COMP 474	COMP 488 (Artificial Intelligence related topics)
Four 400-level COMP three-credit electives	Four 400-level COMP three-credit electives	Four 400-level COMP three-credit electives	Four 400-level COMP three-credit electives