Master of Science in Computer Science

The M.S. program in Computer Science is designed primarily to train students with professional goals in business, industry, or government, requiring a detailed knowledge of computer science concepts and applications. The program concentrates primarily on applied computer science, emphasizing software development, programming, computer systems, and applications. Each student is given the experience of working on a large-scale software or hardware development project involving analysis, design, evaluation, and implementation. The Department of Computer Science values diversity and makes admission decisions based on individual merit. Stony Brook University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic predisposition, criminal conviction, domestic violence victim status, veteran status andor military status and all other protected classes and groups in the administration of its policies, programs, activities, or other Stony Brook University-administered programs or employment.

Admission to the M.S. and Ph.D. programs are handled separately by the departmental admissions committee. The requirements for admission to graduate study in computer science include:

A. Bachelor's Degree: A bachelor’s degree, usually in a science or engineering discipline or in mathematics, is required. The transcript should show a grade average of at least B (3.0/4.0) in all undergraduate coursework, and in the science, mathematics, and engineering courses.

B. Basic Mathematics: Two semesters of college-level calculus, plus a course in linear algebra. Also desirable is a course in either probability theory or probability and statistics.

C. Minimal Background in Computer Science: As a measure of that background, the student must satisfy five of the following proficiency requirements: The student must have at least undergraduate level proficiency in the core computer science areas. If the student does not have a degree in computer science, he/she must demonstrate this proficiency via junior/senior undergraduate level coursework or relevant job/project experience preferably in the following core computer science areas: discrete mathematics, theory of computing, algorithms, programming languages or compilers, computer organization/architecture and operating systems. If exposure is lacking in one or two of the above areas, similar level of exposure in the following areas may be acceptable instead: computer networks, artificial intelligence, databases, computer security or computer graphics. Note that mere programming experience is usually not considered sufficient.

D. All applicants to the M.S. or Ph.D. program must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for the general aptitude tests. Applicants are encouraged to submit GRE test scores for the advanced examination in Computer Science as well.

E. Acceptance by the Computer Science Department and Graduate School.