Computer Science - Graduate Program in Computer Information Systems

Master of Science (MS) in Computer Information Systems

The Master of Science (MS) in Computer Information Systems program is designed for students who wish to combine technical competence in information systems with knowledge of managerial and organizational issues.

The National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security designated the Metropolitan College Department of Computer Science as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education for academic years 2007 through 2012, and a National Center for Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Research for academic years 2008 through 2013.

The Master of Science (MS) in Computer Information Systems has been accredited by the Project Management Institute’s Global Accreditation Center (GAC) for Project Management.

DELIVERY
MS in Computer Information Systems Program is also available online.

CONCENTRATIONS
Students in the Master of Science (MS) in Computer Information Systems may choose a Concentration in Security or a Concentration in Database and Knowledge Management.

The Concentration in Security provides in-depth knowledge of emerging security threats and solutions to prepare technical leaders to identify, develop, and implement highly secure systems and networks that support organizational goals.

Students pursuing the Concentration in Database Management and Business Intelligence will gain extensive hands-on experience with SQL using the Oracle and other leading DBMS and data mining tools. Students who complete this concentration will have extensive skill and experience in the design and implementation of operational databases as well as the data warehousing, data mining, and related business intelligence technologies for managing the enterprise. Database management systems play key roles in the operations and management of every organization across all industries. Career tracks include database and knowledge modelers, designers, developers, and business intelligence analysts.

Particularly valuable for those engaged in the administration of technical projects, the Concentration in IT Project Management introduces general concepts embodied in the Project Management Institute’s PMBOK, while exploring specialized techniques for software risk management, software cost estimation, and software quality management. Students also learn virtual project management, enabling them to manage geographically distributed software development. Students taking any course in this concentration are eligible to take a PMP® preparation course for free—an important step toward certification as Project Management Professionals.

PREREQUISITES
Applicants to the program are required to have a bachelor’s degree and proficiency in the following areas:

For students without programming experience:

MET CS 201 Introduction to Computer Science with C++
MET CS 331 Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming with C++

For students who have prior programming experience:

MET CS 231 Introduction to Computer Science for Programmers with C++
or MET CS 232 Introduction to Computer Science with Java

Students are advised to discuss their background with the graduate student advisor in order to determine the best sequence of courses.

ADMISSIONS INFORMATION
Prerequisite courses or evidence of proficiency in the above areas must accompany the application to the program. If college-level credit courses are not in evidence, the department will determine what prerequisite courses must be completed in addition to the graduate degree requirements. Students claiming equivalent proficiency in prerequisite courses from non-academic sources must take an examination to demonstrate such proficiency.

Official transcripts of previous academic work and three letters of recommendation are required as part of the application.

A maximum of two graduate-level courses (8 credits) taken at Metropolitan College before acceptance into the program may be applied toward the degree.

Minimum passing grade for a course in the graduate program is C (2.0), but an average grade of B (3.0) must be maintained to be in good academic standing and satisfy the degree requirements.

To apply, click here.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
A total of ten courses (40 credits) is required, as follows:

Core Curriculum
(Five courses/20 credits)

MET CS 546 Quantitative Methods for Information Systems (formerly CS 534)
MET CS 625 Business Data Communication and Computer Networks
MET CS 669 Database Design and Implementation for Business
MET CS 682 Information Systems Analysis and Design
MET CS 782 IT Strategy and Management

Students who have completed courses on core curriculum subjects as part of their undergraduate degree program must replace the corresponding core courses with electives. It is recommended that each replacement course be in the same technical area. Students who have work-related experience in any of the core curriculum courses may apply for a waiver by submitting appropriate documentation.
When a course waiver is granted, the student must substitute an elective for the core course.

ELECTIVES
(Five courses/20 credits)

Students in the degree program must select five elective courses. Electives other than those listed below must be approved by the student’s advisor. Students may select one or two graduate-level courses from the Administrative Sciences Electives list below. Three or four courses must be selected from the General Electives list. In choosing General Electives, students should make sure that they have all prerequisites required by the selected course.

General Electives
Select three or four courses from the following:

MET CS 503 Windows .NET Application Programming with C#
MET CS 532 Computer Graphics
MET CS 561 Financial Informatics
MET CS 564 Advanced C++ Programming
MET CS 565 Advanced Java Programming
MET CS 580 Biomedical Information Technology
MET CS 599 Biometrics
MET CS 601 Web Application Development
MET CS 605 Human-Computer Interface Design with .NET
MET CS 632 IT Project Management
MET CS 633 Distributed Software Development and Management
MET CS 651 Web Development with .NET
MET CS 654 Network and Software Security
MET CS 664 Artificial Intelligence
MET CS 665 Design Patterns and Components
MET CS 667 Enterprise Java
MET CS 674 Database Security
MET CS 679 Enterprise Architecture
MET CS 684 IT Security Policies and Procedures
MET CS 685 Network Management
MET CS 689 Designing and Implementing a Data Warehouse
MET CS 690 Network Security
MET CS 693 Digital Forensics and Investigations
MET CS 695 Enterprise Information Security
MET CS 699 Data Mining and Business Intelligence
MET CS 701 Advanced Web Application Development
MET CS 703 Network Forensics
MET CS 713 Advanced Digital Forensics
MET CS 732 Advanced Game Graphics
MET CS 733 Real-Time Multimedia Simulation
MET CS 734 Artificial Intelligence for Video Games
MET CS 751 Web Services
MET CS 770 Object-Oriented Analysis and Design
MET CS 773 Software Quality Management
MET CS 779 Advanced Database Management
MET CS 780 Database Administration
MET CS 789 Cryptography
MET CS 799 Advanced Cryptography

Administrative Sciences Electives
Select one or two courses from the following:

CONCENTRATION IN SECURITY

In addition to the Master of Science (MS) in Computer Information Systems Core Curriculum (20 credits), students pursuing a Concentration in Security must also take three Security Requirements, one or two Security Electives, and no more than one General or Administrative Sciences Electives, as follows:

Security Concentration Requirements
(Three courses/12 credits)

MET CS 654 Network and Software Security
MET CS 674 Database Security
MET CS 684 IT Security Policies and Procedures

ELECTIVES
(Two courses/8 credits)

Security Electives
One or two courses from the following:
MET CS 599 Biometrics
MET CS 690 Network Security
MET CS 693 Digital Forensics and Investigations
MET CS 695 Enterprise Information Security
MET CS 703 Network Forensics
MET CS 713 Advanced Digital Forensics
MET CS 789 Cryptography
MET CS 799 Advanced Cryptography

General and Administrative Sciences Electives
No more than one course from the following:

MET AD 725 Negotiations and Organizational Conflict Resolution
MET AD 740 Planning and Operating New Ventures
MET AD 741 The Innovation Process: Developing New Products and Services
MET AD 746 Legal and Regulatory Issues in High-Tech and Biotech Industries
MET CS 503 Windows .NET Application Programming with C#
MET CS 532 Computer Graphics
MET CS 564 Advanced C++ Programming
MET CS 565 Advanced Java Programming
MET CS 601 Web Application Development
MET CS 605 Human-Computer Interface Design with .NET
MET CS 632 IT Project Management
MET CS 633 Distributed Software Development and Management
MET CS 651 Web Development with .NET
MET CS 664 Artificial Intelligence
MET CS 665 Design Patterns and Components
MET CS 667 Enterprise Java
MET CS 679 Enterprise Architecture
MET CS 689 Designing and Implementing a Data Warehouse
MET CS 699 Data Mining and Business Intelligence
MET CS 701 Advanced Web Application Development
MET CS 732 Advanced Game Graphics
MET CS 733 Real-Time Multimedia Simulation
MET CS 734 Artificial Intelligence for Video Games
MET CS 751 Web Services
MET CS 770 Object-Oriented Analysis and Design
MET CS 773 Software Quality Management
MET CS 779 Advanced Database Management
MET CS 794 Grid Computing
MET CS 780 Database Administration
MET CS 893 Agile and Advanced Software Engineering Methods
MET TM 648 Introduction to Electronic Commerce, Systems, and Web Design
MET TM 660 Web Technology and Languages
MET TM 737 Internet- and Wireless-Enabled Marketing Techniques

CONCENTRATION IN DATABASE MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

In addition to the Master of Science (MS) in Computer Information Systems Core Curriculum (20 credits), students pursuing a Concentration in Database and Knowledge Management must also take two Database Requirements, at least one Database Elective, and no more than two General or Administrative Sciences Electives, as follows:

Database Management and Business Intelligence Concentration Requirements
(Two courses/8 credits)

MET CS 699 Data Mining and Business Intelligence
MET CS 779 Advanced Database Management

ELECTIVES
(Three courses/12 credits)

Database Management and Business Intelligence Concentration Electives
At least one from the following:

MET CS 674 Database Security
MET CS 689 Designing and Implementing a Data Warehouse
MET CS 780 Database Administration

General and Administrative Science Electives
No more than two from the following:

MET AD 725 Negotiations and Organizational Conflict Resolution
MET AD 740 Planning and Operating New Ventures
MET AD 741 The Innovation Process: Developing New Products and Services
MET AD 746 Legal and Regulatory Issues in High-Tech and Biotech Industries
MET CS 503 Windows .NET Application Programming with C#
MET CS 532 Computer Graphics
MET CS 564 Advanced C++ Programming
MET CS 565 Advanced Java Programming
MET CS 599 Biometrics
MET CS 601 Web Application Development
MET CS 605 Human-Computer Interface Design with .NET
MET CS 632 IT Project Management
MET CS 633 Distributed Software Development and Management
MET CS 651 Web Development with .NET
MET CS 654 Network and Software Security
MET CS 665 Design Patterns and Components
MET CS 667 Enterprise Java
MET CS 679 Enterprise Architecture
MET CS 684 IT Security Policies and Procedures
MET CS 685 Network Management
MET CS 690 Network Security
MET CS 693 Digital Forensics and Investigations
MET CS 695 Enterprise Information Security
MET CS 701 Advanced Web Application Development
MET CS 703 Network Forensics
MET CS 713 Advanced Digital Forensics
MET CS 732 Advanced Game Graphics
MET CS 733 Real-Time Multimedia Simulation
MET CS 734 Artificial Intelligence for Video Games
MET CS 751 Web Services
MET CS 770 Object-Oriented Analysis and Design
MET CS 773 Software Quality Management
MET CS 789 Cryptography
MET CS 799 Advanced Cryptography
MET TM 648 Introduction to Electronic Commerce, Systems, and Web Design
MET TM 660 Web Technology and Languages
MET TM 737 Internet- and Wireless-Enabled Marketing Techniques

CONCENTRATION IN IT PROJECT MANAGEMENT

In addition to the Master of Science (MS) in Computer Information Systems Core Curriculum (20 credits), students pursuing a Concentration in IT Project Management must also take one IT Project Management Requirement, at least two IT Project Management Elective, and no more than one General or Administrative Sciences Electives, as follows:

IT Project Management Concentration Requirement
(One course/4 credits)

MET CS 632 IT Project Management

ELECTIVES
(Four courses/16 credits)

IT Project Management Electives
At least two from the following:

MET AD 643 Project Leadership and Communications
MET AD 646 Program Management and Planning
MET CS 634 Global IT Management
MET CS 633 Distributed Software Development and Management
MET CS 679 Enterprise Architecture
MET CS 773 Software Quality Management

General and Administrative Science Electives
No more than one course from the following:

MET AD 725 Negotiations and Organizational Conflict Resolution
MET AD 740 Planning and Operating New Ventures
MET AD 741 The Innovation Process: Developing New Products and Services
MET AD 743 Managing Professionals in Innovative Organizations
MET AD 746 Legal and Regulatory Issues in High-Tech and Biotech Industries
MET AD 765 Management in a Changing Environment
MET CS 503 Windows .NET Application Programming with C#
MET CS 532 Computer Graphics
MET CS 564 Advanced C++ Programming
MET CS 565 Advanced Java Programming
MET CS 599 Biometrics
MET CS 601 Web Application Development
MET CS 605 Human-Computer Interface Design with .NET
MET CS 651 Web Development with .NET
MET CS 654 Network and Software Security
MET CS 664 Artificial Intelligence
MET CS 665 Design Patterns and Components
MET CS 667 Enterprise Java
MET CS 674 Database Security
MET CS 684 IT Security Policies and Procedures
MET CS 685 Network Management
MET CS 689 Designing and Implementing a Data Warehouse
MET CS 690 Network Security
MET CS 693 Digital Forensics and Investigations
MET CS 695 Enterprise Information Security
MET CS 699 Data Mining and Business Intelligence
MET CS 701 Advanced Web Application Development
MET CS 703 Network Forensics
MET CS 713 Advanced Digital Forensics
MET CS 732 Advanced Game Graphics
MET CS 733 Real-Time Multimedia Simulation
MET CS 734 Artificial Intelligence for Video Games
MET CS 751 Web Services
MET CS 770 Object-Oriented Analysis and Design
MET CS 779 Advanced Database Management
MET CS 780 Database Administration
MET CS 789 Cryptography
MET CS 799 Advanced Cryptography
MET TM 648 Introduction to Electronic Commerce, Systems, and Web Design
MET TM 660 Web Technology and Languages
MET TM 737 Internet and Wireless-Enabled Marketing Techniques

(Last updated 11/8/08)