Graduate Computer Science Information

Course Syllabi

The syllabi shown below are intended to provide information about course content. Textbooks and weighting of grades are determined by the instructor of each section. See your instructor’s webpage for specific information.

Graduate Courses

• CIS 730 Project Management
• CISC 7100X [701X] (PDF) Foundations of System Programming
• CISC 7124X [*709.2X] (PDF) Object-Oriented Programming
• CISC 7200X [714X] (PDF) Analysis of Algorithms
• CISC 7210X [*714.1X] (PDF) Graph and Network Algorithms
• CISC 7214X [*715X] (PDF) Algorithms and Complexity
• CISC 7220X [722X] (PDF) Introduction to Computability and Unsolvability
• CISC 7224X [724X] (PDF) Formal Languages and Automata Theory
• CISC 7228X [*728X] (PDF) Quantum Computing
• CISC 7302X [742.1X] (PDF) Computer Architecture
• CISC 7310X [704X] (PDF) Operating Systems I
• CISC 7312X [*705X] (PDF) Operating Systems II
• CISC 7320X [*739X] (PDF) Computer Security
• CISC 7332X [*748X] (PDF) Local Area Networks
• CISC 7334X [*749X] (PDF) Computer Communication Networks
• CISC 7340X [*744X] (PDF) Parallel and Distributed Systems
• CISC 7350X [746X] (PDF) Distributed System Administration
• CISC 7410X [716] (PDF) Artificial Intelligence
• CISC 7412X [716.5] (PDF) Artificial Intelligence II
• CISC 7414X [*718X] (PDF) Expert Systems
• CISC 7422X [712X] (PDF) Game Theory and Social Choice
• CISC 7500X [757X] (PDF) Introduction to Management Information Systems
• CISC 7510X [717.1X] (pdf) Database Systems
• CISC 7512X [*717.2X] (PDF) Advanced Database Systems
• CISC 7522X [765X] (PDF) Systems Analysis and Design
• CISC 7530X [761X] (PDF) IT Project Management
• CISC 7532X [759X] (PDF) Information Systems Management
• CISC 7534X [758X] (PDF) Information Systems Planning and Policy
• CISC 7540X [*763X] (PDF) Software Methodology
• CISC 7610X [*717.5X] (PDF) Multimedia Databases
• CISC 7630X [*751X] (PDF) Multimedia Computer Systems

Three-Year Schedule for Graduate Course Offerings

The three-year course offering is subject to change, depending on enrollment and staffing.

2025–26

2026–27

2027–28

Comprehensive Exam

Learn more about the comprehensive exam.

Guidelines for Master’s Thesis Proposals

1. The student must have a GPA of 3.50 or above.
2. The student needs to find an adviser who will mentor him or her for the thesis research.
3. With the adviser’s help, the student needs to write a research proposal that:
   • includes a statement of the goal of the research,
   • gives a short background of the research area with citations of relevant research,
   • describes exactly what the student’s contribution will be,
   • describes the outcomes that are expected, and
   • includes a timeline for accomplishing the research.
4. The student sends the proposal to the graduate deputy chair and the proposal is read by a committee of at least three faculty members that has been assembled by the adviser. Members of the thesis committee shall include a member of the Graduate Curriculum Committee and the thesis adviser. Once the proposal is approved, the student will be given permission to register for the thesis research course.
5. It takes most students at least a year to perform the research and write the thesis.

FAQ

Applying

What are the requirements for the master’s program?

The M.S. Program in Computer Science with specializations in computation, information systems, and health informatics is 30 credits of graduate classes. Review the exact requirements.

The programs are designed for students who have a significant undergraduate education in computer science, but it is also possible for students without the required background to take the necessary undergraduate classes. These undergraduate classes are in addition to the requirements listed above.

What are the prerequisites for the master’s program?

For the computation specialization, you need to have taken the following classes (Brooklyn College course numbers in brackets):

• Introduction to Programming in Java (CISC 1115)
• Discrete Structures (CISC 2210)
• Advanced Programming Techniques (CISC 3115)
• Data Structures (CISC 3130)
• Computer Architecture (CISC 3310)
• Calculus I (MATH 1201)

For the information systems specialization, you need to have taken the following classes (Brooklyn College course numbers in brackets):

• Introduction to Programming in Java (CISC 1115)
• Discrete Structures (CISC 2210)
• Advanced Programming Techniques (CISC 3115)
• Data Structures (CISC 3130)
• Computer Architecture (CISC 3310)
• Calculus I (MATH 1201)
• Probability and Statistics (MATH 2501)

For the health informatics specialization, you need to have taken the following classes (Brooklyn College course numbers in brackets):

• Introduction to Programming in Java (CISC 1115)
• Discrete Structures (CISC 2210)
• Advanced Programming Techniques (CISC 3115)
• Data Structures (CISC 3130)
• Additionally, you must have taken 18 credits in health-related classes (health, biology, kinesiology, etc.).

College rules prevent you from needing more than two of these when you are admitted as a matriculated graduate student.

Can I apply to the program without having completed all the prerequisites?

Yes. You can be accepted as a matriculated master’s student if you have only two or fewer of the prerequisite courses remaining to complete. If you need to complete more than two prerequisite courses, then Brooklyn College rules prevent you from being admitted as a matriculated graduate student. However, you can apply and be accepted as a nondegree student, complete the prerequisite requirements, and apply to become matriculated in the master’s program.

How do I apply?

All the information you need to know about application is provided by the Graduate Admissions Office.

What is the deadline to submit my application?

The formal deadline is November 1 for spring admission and March 1 for fall admission, although we will accept applications that we receive soon after either deadline.

How can I transfer to Brooklyn College as a master’s student?

First, you need to apply to Brooklyn College and be accepted. If you are accepted into a program, we can look at your prior record to see if there are any courses that are equivalent to courses at Brooklyn College. Such courses can be transferred, up to a limit of three courses. Note that you cannot transfer credits that were used toward a previous degree. Also note that you cannot use undergraduate credits for a graduate degree.

Financial

What is the cost of attending Brooklyn College?

Visit tuition and fees.

What financial assistance is there for master’s students?

In common with most master’s programs, the programs at Brooklyn College have very little financial support to offer incoming students. Once you are a student in the program, there are some scholarships available for master’s students at the college.

Classes

What are the start dates for the next semester?

Visit academic calendars.

What classes are being offered next semester? When are classes scheduled next semester?

Find classes in CUNY Global Search.

Which professors are teaching graduate classes next semester?

You can find this information in CUNY Global Search.

I have to take some undergraduate classes to complete the prerequisites for the program. Do I have to take these before I take graduate classes?

Yes. The course registration system will not allow a student to take graduate-level courses if the prerequisites have not been completed.

How do I check my academic progress? 

Visit DegreeWorks.

Contact Information

Department Chair

Hui Chen

Graduate Deputy Chair

Consult Katherine Chuang for graduate program advice.

All Other Inquiries

E: cis@sci.brooklyn.cuny.edu