CS M.S. Programs

The department offers a M.S. in Computer Science suited to individuals with an undergraduate degree in several fields, including CS, Math, Physics, Economics, Biology, and other social, natural, or physical sciences or the humanities. The M.S. is an effective gateway into CS for students with backgrounds in other disciplines (basic programming and data structures, as well as quantitative aptitude are the only requirements.)

Those obtaining the degree may pursue careers in industry or enter a Ph.D. program in Computer Science.

Students are required to take the following 3 core courses:

• CS 526: Algorithms or CS 523 Data Structures and Algorithms
• CS 551: Systems Programming
• CS 534: Machine Learning

In addition, students are required to take at least 4 concentration electives (12+ credit hrs) from among many electives such as:

• CS 524: Theory of Computing
• CS 554: Database Systems
• CS 540: Software Engineering
• CS 556: Program Language and Compilers
• CS 557: Artificial Intelligence
• CS 562: Advanced Computer Systems
• CS 570: Data Mining
• CS 580: Operating Systems
• CS 581: High Performance Computing
• CS 584: Topics in Computer Science

Students are required to choose ONE of the following tracks:

1. Thesis:

   An acceptable masters thesis and oral defense (9 credit hours).
   
   

2. Project:

   Completion of one approved elective course (3+ credit hours), AND a faculty supervised project, formally taken by registering for CS598 (for up to 6 credit hours). The project may be external as long as it is approved and co-advised by a faculty advisor. The project result may be in the form of a report or documented software. Satisfactory completion of the project requires approval by the faculty advisor.
   
   

3. Coursework:

   Completion of  9 additional electives hours. Courses outside the department (e.g., from the sciences, schools of medicine and public health, or the business schools) may be taken if they coincide with the degree objective of the student. Approval of electives will be by the Computer Science Committee.

Practicum: all MS students will be required to complete a practicum (CS596R: Computer Science Master's Practicum) involving a substantial project either under the direction of an Emory faculty member or a Computer Science/Informatics expert in Industry.

This requirement is intended to provide students with practical experience with real life projects, an essential element of an applied discipline such as Computer Science. In order to graduate, every MS student should successfully complete at least one CS596R. As an "R" designated course, students may repeat this once, and in exceptional circumstances, one additional time with permission from the Director of Graduate Studies.

Students may substitute at most one of the above electives with a relevant course from Mathematics, Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biomedical Informatics, the Rollins School of Public Health, School of Medicine, and appropriate schools at Georgia Tech through the ARCHE program. When substituting courses, a student must obtain prior written approval from the thesis advisor and CSI DGS/program director(s).

All MS coursework must be completed with a grade of C or higher. The GPA of all core, elective, and additional courses must be 3.0 or higher, i.e. a B average or better. Information on the web pages are for information only, definitive rules are in the graduate handbook.

The departments of Computer Science, Biomedical Informatics, and Biostatistics jointly offer a M.S. in Computer Science with a Biomedical Informatics concentration suited to individuals with an undergraduate degree in an appropriate discipline, e.g., mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a natural, physical or social sciences subject.

Those obtaining the degree will be exceptionally well-prepared for next-generation careers in industry, government, or public health, or to enter a doctoral program in Informatics, Computer Science, Biostatistics or Statistics.

Students are required to take the following 3 core courses:

• BMI 500: Introduction to Biomedical Informatics (3)
• BMI 510 Biostatistics for Machine Learning (4)
• CS 534 or BMI 534: Machine Learning (3)

In addition, students are required to take at least 4 concentration electives from many possible choices including:

• BIOS 510: Probability Theory I (4)
• BIOS 511: Statistical Inference (4)
• BIOS 540: Introduction to Bioinformatics (2)
• BIOS 545: Introduction to to R Programming (2)
• CS 540: Software Engineering
• CS 563: Digital Image Processing
• CS 570: Data Mining
• CS 581: High Performance Computing
• CS 584: Topics in Computer Science
• IBS 523: Cancer Biology I (4)

Students are required to choose one of the following tracks:

• Thesis: An acceptable masters thesis and oral defense (9 credit hours).
• Project: Completion of one approved elective course (3+ credit hours), AND a faculty supervised project, formally taken by registering for CS598 (for up to 6 credit hours). The project may be external as long as it is approved and co-advised by the faculty advisor. The project result may be in the form of a report or documented software. Satisfactory completion of the project requires approval by the faculty advisor.
• Coursework: Completion of 9 additional elective hours. Courses outside the department (e.g., from the sciences, schools of medicine and public health, or the business schools) may be taken if they coincide with the degree objective of the student. Approval of electives will be by the Computer Science Committee.

Practicum: all MS students will be required to complete a practicum (CS596R: Computer Science Master's Practicum) involving a substantial project either under the direction of an Emory faculty member or a Computer Science/Informatics expert in Industry. This requirement is intended to provide students with practical experience with real life projects, an essential element of an applied discipline such as Computer Science and Informatics.

In order to graduate, every MS student should successfully complete at least one CS596R. As an "R" designated course, students may repeat this once, and in exceptional circumstances, one additional time with permission from the Director of Graduate Studies.

Students may substitute at most one of the above electives with a relevant course from Mathematics, Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biomedical Informatics, the Rollins School of Public Health, School of Medicine, and appropriate schools at Georgia Tech through the ARCHE program. When substituting courses, a student must obtain prior written approval from the thesis advisor and CSI DGS/program director(s).

All MS coursework must be completed with a grade of C or higher. The GPA of all core, elective, and additional courses must be 3.0 or higher, i.e. a B average or better. Information on the web pages are for information only, definitive rules are in the graduate handbook.