Part-time Study
Computer Science
Program Overview
The MS program in computer science at RIT consists of a core curriculum, a wide variety of clusters, and many additional electives. The core provides students with a solid background in the theoretical principles underlying computer science, which ensures that graduates acquire the intellectual tools necessary to keep up-to-date in this rapidly evolving discipline. The clusters provide students with the opportunity to obtain depth in a computer science discipline. The electives add the necessary breadth of knowledge required by industry. This combination prepares our graduates to engineer modern computing systems and contribute in all aspects of the systems' life cycles. They can also prepare students for academic or research careers in computer science or a related discipline, as well as further academic study.
Clusters are offerd in a variety of areas, such as computer graphics and visualization, database systems/data mining, distributed systems, intelligent systems, languages and tools, security, and theory. Certain preapproved courses from other departments may also be counted toward the degree.
Faculty members in the department are actively engaged in consulting or research in the area of articifical intelligence, wireless networks, computer vision, computational combinatorics, and distributed computing systems. There are many opportunities for graduate students to participate in these activities for thesis or project work and independent study.
Curriculum Review
Students whose undergraduate preparation or industrial experience does not satisfy the prerequisite content or grade point requirements may make up these deficiencies through up to a year of study, taking one or more of the following RIT courses, as prescribed by the graduate coordinator.
Career Outcomes
Job TitlesSoftware developer, software engineer, programmer/analyst, network administrator, database administrator, PC analyst
Functions
Software design & development, system design & development, technical support, new product testing
Recent Employers
Hewlett-Packard, Lucent Technologies, Dialogic Incorporated, Blue Lobster Software, Digital
Admission Requirements
Applicants should have a baccalaureate or an equivalent degree from an accredited institution and a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B). RIT undergraduate students in computer science, computational math, biomedical computing, or computer engineering technology may study for both their BS and MS degrees through accelerated programs.
Applicants from foreign universities must submit TOEFL and Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores. (GRE scores also can be considered for applicants whose undergraduate grade point average is lower than 3.0)
Applicants must satisfy prerequisite requirements in mathematics and computer science. If an applicant lacks any of these prerequisites, bridge program courses are available to allow students to achieve the required knowledge and skills. Generally, formal acceptance into the master's program is deferred until the applicant has made significant progress through these necessary courses.
Prerequisites
Mathematics
Differential and Integral Calculus
Probability and Statistics
Discrete Mathematics
Computing
Experience with a modern high-level language (e.g., C++, Java)
Data Structures
Assembly Language Programming
Software Design Methodology
Introductory Computer Architecture and Digital Logic
Operating Systems
Programming Language Concepts (including Lisp)
Students whose undergraduate preparation or industrial experience does not satisfy the above content or grade point requirements may make up these deficiencies through up to a year of study, taking one or more of the following RIT courses, as prescribed by the graduate coordinator.
Prerequisites
Applicants must satisfy prerequisite requirements in mathematics and computer science (listed below). If an applicant lacks any of these prerequisites, bride program courses are available to allow students to achieve the required knowledge and skills. Generally, formal acceptance into the master's program is deferred until the applicant has made significant progress through these necessary courses.
Prequisites
Mathematics
Differential and Integral Calculus
Probability and Statistics
Discrete Mathematics
Computing
Experience with a modern high-level language (e.g., C++, Java)
Data Structures
Assembly Language Programming
Sofware Design Methodology
Introductory Computer Architecture and Digital Logic
Operating Systems
Programming Language Concepts (including Lisp)