MS in Computer and Information Science
About the Program
The Computer and Information Science master's degree program is designed to prepare students for professional practice, as well as further studies and research in the computing field. The program offers a 30-credit hour curriculum consisting of required core courses and technical electives.
The department schedules all CIS courses during late afternoons or evenings to enable students to earn their master's degree through part-time study. The program may be completed entirely on campus, entirely online, or through a combination of on-campus and online courses.
All courses have access to a wide variety of computing resources: local area networks, as well as the Game and Multimedia Environment Laboratory.
Depending on the option chosen, the program requires students to take four courses from two of the seven following concentration areas: computer graphics, geometric modeling and game design; computer networks and security; database management and analytics; software engineering; systems software; and web computing.
Students with an interest in pursuing doctoral studies or working in a research and development environment are encouraged to elect the thesis option.
If you have questions about the curriculum, please contact the program director: Dr. Jinhua Guo (jinhua@ umich.edu). If you have questions about the application process, deadlines, tuition, scholarships and assistantships, and other questions please contact the Office of Graduate Studies (umd-graduatestudies@umich.edu ).
Get an Inside Look
The flexibility of the program is phenomenal. Almost every course is offered after work hours so you can attend even if you're working full time.— ERIC ULICNY, MS-CIS '15
Program Details
- Students will be able to identify, explain, and apply knowledge of mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory in the modeling and design of computer-based systems in a way that demonstrates comprehension of the tradeoffs involved in design choices.
- Students will be able to analyze a CIS problem and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution.
- Students will be able to design, implement and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet desired needs.
- Students will be able to apply design and development principles in the construction of computer-based systems of varying complexity.
- Students will be able to compare various research contributions and communicate effectively as researchers and/or practitioners.
Applicants for the MS in CIS are required to meet the following requirements:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a grade point average of "B" or better. Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements may be offered admission. Admission in such cases will depend heavily on other indices of the student's ability to handle graduate-level work. These might include strong performance on standardized tests, GPA in the major, and/or other experiences that are clearly indicative of strong academic ability.
Preference will be given to students with a background in Computer and Information Science and Computer Engineering.
Satisfactory completion of the following:
- Calculus I & II
- One course in probability and statistics or linear algebra)
- Programming Language (Preferably C/C++ I & II)
- One course in data structures with algorithm analysis
- One course in computer architecture
- One course in operating systems
International applicants, applicants whose native language is not English or who have received their bachelor's or master's degree from outside the United States, Australia or England please refer to the following English Proficiency requirements.
Applicants who lack eligibility requirements in coursework have the opportunity to make up the deficiencies by completing appropriate courses within two years from the date of entrance. These courses may not be used to satisfy degree requirements. There is also an option to do the required coursework through the Personal Enrichment Program at undergraduate rates. Applicants can inquire about the Personal Enrichment Program through the University of Michigan-Dearborn Undergraduate Admissions Office (1145 UC, 313-593-5100).
CIS 310 - Computer Organization
- Prerequisite: MATH 115 and (CIS 200 or IMSE 200) and CIS 275
- Description: The architecture of computer systems and associated software. Topics include digital logic circuits, computer interfacing, interrupt systems, input/output systems, memory systems, assemblers, assembly language programming, and computer networks. (4 credits)
CIS 350 - Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis
- Prerequisite: MATH 115 and (CIS 200 or IMSE 200) and CIS 275
- Description: A focus on data and algorithm design. Data design topics include object-oriented discussions of hashing, advanced tree structures, graphs, and sets. Algorithm design topics include the greedy, divide-and- conquer, dynamic programming, backtracking, and branch-and-bound techniques. A significant discussion of algorithm complexity theory, including time and space trade-offs and elementary computability theory, is included. (4 credits)
CIS 450 - Operating Systems
- Prerequisite: IMSE 317, (CIS 350/3501 or IMSE 350 or (ECE 370, ECE/MATH 276, (ECE 372 or ECE 375))).
- Description: The study of operating systems as managers of computing resources. Management of CPU, memory, and devices. Case studies of popular operating systems. (4 credits)
IMSE 317 - Engineering Probability and Statistics
- Prerequisite: One year of calculus
- Description: Set theory, combinatorial analysis, probability and axioms, random variables, continuous and discrete distribution functions, expectations, Chebychev's inequality, Weak Law of Large Numbers, Central Limit Theorem, sampling statistics and distributions, point and interval estimation, and linear regression. (3 credits).
Curriculum
To satisfy the requirements for the MS degree in Computer and Information Science, all students admitted to the program are expected to complete thirty semester hours of graduate coursework, with a cumulative grade point average of B or better. The program of study consists of core courses, electives, and the coursework/project/thesis option.
Please contact the Computer and Information Science Department about the policy on the minimum grade for a course to satisfy graduation requirements.
The 30 semester hours of required coursework are distributed as follows:
All students are required to take one course from each of the following categories:
-
Category 1
- CIS 505 - Algorithm Design and Analysis
- CIS 535 - Programmable Mobile/Wireless Technologies and Pervasive Computing
-
Category 2
- CIS 527 - Computer Networking
- CIS 544 - Computer and Network Security
-
Category 3
- CIS 574 - Compiler Design
- CIS 578 - Advanced Operating Systems
Under the Project Option, students must take four courses from two of the concentration areas below). Under the Thesis Option, students must take two courses from one concentration area and one elective course.
-
Computer Graphics, Geometric Modeling, and Game Design
- CIS 505* - Algorithm Design and Analysis
- CIS 515 - Computer Graphics
- CIS 551 - Advanced Computer Graphics
- CIS 552 - Information Visualization for Multimedia and Gaming
- CIS 5570 - Introduction to Big Data
- CIS 587 - Computer Game Design and Implementation I
- CIS 588 - Computer Game Design and Implementation II
- CIS 652 - Information Visualization and Computer Animation
-
Computer Networks and Security
- CIS 527* - Computer Networks
- CIS 537 - Advanced Networking and Distributed Systems
- CIS 540 - Foundation of Information Security
- CIS 544* - Computer and Network Security
- CIS 545 - Data Security and Privacy
- CIS 546 - Security and Privacy in Wireless Networks
- CIS 548 - Security and Privacy in Cloud Computing
- CIS 549 - Software Security
- CIS 559 - Principles of Social Network Science
- CIS 5570 - Introduction to Big Data
- CIS 569 - Wireless Sensor Networks
- CIS 571 - Web Services
- CIS 584 - Advanced Computer and Network Security
- CIS 624 - Research Advances in Computer and Network Security
- CIS 647 - Research Advances in Networking and Distributed Systems
-
Data Management and Analytics
- CIS 511 - Natural Language Processing
- CIS 534 - The Semantic Web
- CIS 536 - Information Retrieval
- CIS 545 - Data Security and Privacy
- CIS 548 - Security and Privacy in Cloud Computing
- CIS 555 - Decision Support and Expert Systems
- CIS 556 - Database Systems
- CIS 5570 - Introduction to Big Data
- CIS 559 - Principles of Social Network Science
- CIS 562 - Web Information Management
- CIS 568 - Data Mining
- CIS 5700 - Advanced Data Mining
- CIS 571 - Web Services
- CIS 579 - Artificial Intelligence
- CIS 581 - Computational Learning
- CIS 583 - Deep Learning
- CIS 584 - Advanced Computer and Network Security
- CIS 585 - Advanced Artificial Intelligence
- CIS 586 - Advanced Data Management Systems
- CIS 658 - Research Advances in Data Management Systems
- CIS 679 - Computational Game Theory
-
Information Systems
- CIS 511 - Natural Language Processing
- CIS 536 - Information Retrieval
- CIS 540 - Foundation of Information Security
- CIS 550 - Object-Oriented Programming
- CIS 554 - Information Systems Analysis and Design
- CIS 555 - Decision Support and Expert Systems
- CIS 556 - Database Systems
- CIS 559 - Principles of Social Network Science
- CIS 564 - Principles of Organizational Information Systems
- CIS 571 - Web Services
- CIS 572 - Object-Oriented Systems Design
- CIS 579 - Artificial Intelligence
- CIS 585 - Advanced Artificial Intelligence
- CIS 586 - Advanced Data Management Systems
-
Software Engineering
- CIS 525 - Web Technology
- CIS 535* - Programmable Mobile/Wireless Technologies and Pervasive Computing
- CIS 549 - Software Security
- CIS 550 - Object-Oriented Programming
- CIS 553 - Software Engineering
- CIS 565 - Software Quality Assurance
- CIS 566 - Software Architecture and Design Patterns
- CIS 575 - Software Engineering Management
- CIS 577 - Software User Interface Design
- CIS 580 - Data Analytics in Software Evolution
- CIS 587 - Computer Game Design and Implementation I
- CIS 588 - Computer Game Design and Implementation II
- CIS 678 - Advances in Software Engineering Research
-
Systems Software
- CIS 505* - Algorithm Design and Analysis
- CIS 527* - Computer Networks
- CIS 535* - Programmable Mobile/Wireless Technologies and Pervasive Computing
- CIS 544* - Computer and Network Security
- CIS 548 - Security and Privacy in Cloud Computing
- CIS 550 - Object-Oriented Programming and Its Applications
- CIS 5570 - Introduction to Big Data
- CIS 569 - Wireless Sensor Networks
- CIS 571 - Web Services
- CIS 574* - Compiler Design
- CIS 578* - Advanced Operating Systems
- CIS 579 - Artificial Intelligence
- CIS 584 - Advanced Computer and Network Security
- CIS 589 - Edge Computing
- ECE 554 - Embedded Systems
-
Web/Cloud Computing
- CIS 511 - Natural Language Processing
- CIS 525 - Web Technology
- CIS 534 - The Semantic Web
- CIS 535* - Programmable Mobile/Wireless Technologies and Pervasive Computing
- CIS 536 - Information Retrieval
- CIS 540 - Foundation of Information Security
- CIS 544* - Computer and Network Security
- CIS 548 - Security and Privacy in Cloud Computing
- CIS 549 - Software Security
- CIS 550 - Object-Oriented Programming
- CIS 559 - Principles of Social Network Science
- CIS 562 - Web Information Management
- CIS 571 - Web Services
- CIS 579 - Advanced Artificial Intelligence
- CIS 584 - Advanced Computer and Network Security
- CIS 585 - Advanced Artificial Intelligence
- CIS 589 - Edge Computing
- CIS 624 - Research Advances in Computer and Network Security*
*May not be used as concentration course if counted as core course.
Students can take any graduate-level courses approved by the student's advisor, as described in the requirements for graduation.
Students must take a CIS elective course for 3 credit hours.
Core courses - 9 credit hours
Two concentration areas - 12 credit hours
Cognate courses - 6 credit hours
CIS elective course - 3 credit hours
Students must take CIS 695, Master's Project, for 3 credits.
- Core courses - 9 credit hours
- Two concentration areas - 12 credit hours
- Cognate courses - 6 credit hours
- Project - 3 credit hours
Students must take a CIS elective course for 3 credits and CIS 699, Master's Thesis, for 6 credits.
- Core courses - 9 credit hours
- One concentration area - 6 credit hours
- Cognate courses - 6 credit hours
- CIS elective course - 3 credit hours
- Thesis - 6 credit hours