M.A. in Computer Science (HEGIS code 0701)

All students must take 30 credits of courses numbered 7000 and above and maintain at least a B (3.00) average. In addition, if a student is required to take one or more undergraduate courses, the student should also have a B average in those courses.

M.A. in Computer Science Course Requirements (30 Credits)

All students must complete 30 credits in courses numbered 7000 and above. These courses must include at least one course from each of the following five groups:

  1. Operating Systems and Compilers: CISC 7100X, 7120X, 7124X, 7310X, 7312X.
  2. Analysis of Algorithms: CISC 7200X, 7212X, 7214X, 7219X.
  3. Software: CISC 7700X, 7410X, 7412X, 7414X, 7440X, 7510X, 7512X, 7610X, 7620X.
  4. Theoretical Computer Science: CISC 7220X, 7221X, 7224X, 7226X, 7228X, 7422X.
  5. Architecture: CISC 7302X, 7320X, 7330X, 7332X, 7334X.

In addition, the 30 credits must include at least three advanced level courses. For a list of advanced courses, see Section VIII of this brochure or the Graduate Bulletin, where advanced level courses are labeled with an asterisk (*).

Up to 10 credits in courses in other departments may be substituted with the permission of the Graduate Deputy Chair. However, this approval is rare, and students are urged to take all of their graduate courses in computer science.

Graphics/Multimedia Concentration

Students who wish to have a concentration in graphics/multimedia should take any three of the following courses as part of their program in satisfying the degree requirements: CISC 7610X, 7620X, 7622X, 7630X, 7640X, 7642G, 7650X.

M.A. Thesis or Comprehensive Examination

All students must complete one of the following (for more details, see Section VI: Exit Requirements):

  1. Take CISC 7990G and submit a thesis acceptable to the department. No more than 6 credits in thesis research may be counted toward the degree.
  2. Pass a written comprehensive examination.

M.S. in Information Systems (HEGIS code 0702)

All students must take 36 credits of courses and maintain at least a B (3.00) average. In addition, if a student is required to take one or more undergraduate courses, the student should also have a B average in those courses.

M.S. in Information Science Course Requirements (30 credits)

All of the following: CISC 7520X; 7300X or 7310X; 7500X or 7522X, 7510X, 7520X, 7530X, and 7540X. (Students who have completed an undergraduate course in the area of one or more of these courses may, with department permission, substitute another 7000-level computer science course for each such course.)

Two courses chosen from the following: CISC 7100X, 7120X, 7124X, 7410X, 7412X, 7414X, 7512X, 7610X, and 7700X. Students who take the thesis option (see below) may, with permission of the department, present a maximum of 3 credits in the courses 7990G and/or 7992G, as a substitute for one of these courses.

One of the following: CISC 7330X, 7332X or 7334X

Two courses chosen from the following: CISC 7320X, 7532X, 7534X.

Three additional credits in CISC courses numbered 7000 or above. With the permission of the department chairperson, these credits may be in other departments (e.g., Business, Economics, Mathematics, Psychology). Two recommended courses are BUSN 7230 and BUSN 7276. On the whole, students are urged to take all of their graduate courses in computer science.

M.S. Thesis or Comprehensive Examination

All students must complete one of the following (for more details, see Section VI: Exit Requirements):

  1. Complete CISC 7990G, Thesis Research (this course may be counted as the additional 3 required credits), and submit a thesis acceptable to the department.
  2. Pass a written comprehensive examination.

M.S. in Health Informatics (HEGIS code 0799)

All students must take 30 credits of courses and maintain at least a B (3.00) average. In addition, if a student is required to take one or more undergraduate courses, the student should also have a B average in those courses.

M.S. in Health Informatics Course Requirements (30 credits)

All of the following: 7500X, 7510X, 7530X and 7450X.

One of the following: CISC 7320X, 7522X, 7532X and 7534X.

One additional CISC course numbered 7000 or above.

Three courses chosen from the following: HNSC 7110X, 7120X, 7140X, 7144X and 7150X, and KINS 7000X, 7044X, 7100X and 7342X.

M.S. Thesis

All students must complete one of the following (for more details, see Section VI: Exit Requirements):

  1. CISC 7990G and a thesis acceptable to the Department of Computer and Information Science.
  2. CISC 7900X and a project acceptable to the Department of Computer and Information Science.
  3. KINS 7990X and a project acceptable to the Department of Kinesiology, with the approval of the Chair or Graduate Deputy of the Department of Kinesiology.
  4. CISC 7980X and an internship acceptable to the Department of Computer and Information Science.

CUNY Ph.D Program

The Ph.D. Program in Computer Science at CUNY is conducted as a consortium of several senior colleges and the Graduate Center, located on 34th St. and 5th Ave. in Manhattan; students enrolled in the program may take courses at any of the locations. Most of the advanced graduate courses and seminars are offered at the Graduate Center, although many are given at Brooklyn College.

All 7000-level courses of the Brooklyn College CIS Department may be credited toward the CUNY doctoral degree with permission of the Executive Officer of the doctoral program. Many members of the CIS department faculty are also members of the doctoral faculty, and students who wish to do supervised research may work with any of those faculty members. About 10-15 Ph.D. students at Brooklyn College are supported, either by a tuition grant, as grad fellows, or through research projects. A number of doctoral students based at Brooklyn College get Ph.D.s each year.

Keep in mind that the Ph.D. in computer science is not necessary for most jobs in the field; it is intended to prepare selected students for careers of leadership in industry, research, and teaching in academia.

It is possible for a student with an outstanding record to be admitted to the Ph.D. program directly after receiving the Bachelor’s degree; however, it is more common to be admitted after receiving a Master’s degree. Students who wish to obtain the Ph.D. degree are invited first to complete the Master’s degree at Brooklyn College, where their Master’s work will count toward the CUNY doctoral degree.

Admissions Requirements

All applicants to the Ph.D. are required to have a minimum average of B in their undergraduate work and to have completed coursework equivalent to an undergraduate major in computer science. Exceptions may be made for students with degrees in related fields or with extensive experience in computer science.

Applicants must take the Graduate Record Exam. It is strongly recommended that the applicant also submit scores for the Computer Science advanced area test.

Students whose first language is not English are required to take the TOEFL. Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation and an official transcript.

For further information about the CUNY Ph.D. program, including the brochure “Prospectus for the Ph.D. Program in Computer Science,” consult the Graduate Deputy Chair of the CIS Department or the Executive Officer of the Ph.D. program in Computer Science (compsci@gc.cuny.edu; (212) 817-8190).

For applications, contact the Office of Admissions: The Graduate Center, CUNY, 365 Fifth Ave., New York NY 10016-4309 (212) 817-7470 http://www.gc.cuny.edu/Admissions