Computer Science, MS
Hempstead, USA
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 31,520 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus
Key Summary
About: The Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science at Hofstra develops computing expertise in data mining, machine learning, networks and network security, distributed, mobile computing, computer graphics, computer vision and artificial intelligence. Study on campus or online, access tutoring and advising at the INTO Hofstra Center, apply for scholarships. Paid co-op positions provide experience.
Career Outcomes: The DeMatteis Co-op Program provides paid, six- to eight-month co-op internships with industry partners. Graduates move into roles such as software engineer, data scientist, machine learning engineer, network/security engineer and computer vision engineer. International students use F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for placements.
Develop state-of-the-art computing expertise that will prepare you for a highly successful career when you enroll in the Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science at Hofstra University. Study dynamic areas such as data mining and machine learning; networks and network security; distributed, parallel, and mobile computing; computer graphics and computer vision; and artificial intelligence. Gain valuable hands-on experience through paid positions offered as part of our co-op program. Choose to take courses either online or on campus. Scholarships are available for qualified candidates.
Access to Full-Time Co-op Career Opportunities
The DeMatteis Co-op Program offers students an integrated educational and professional working experience. The co-op program is available to undergraduate engineering and computer science students after the first semester of their junior year. It is also available to students enrolled in our master's programs.
Co-op positions are paid, six to eight-month internships. Students gain hands-on experience working in a field related to their major. A co-op experience gives students valuable insight into how companies work and what is expected of new employees. It is a tremendous advantage for graduating students seeking full-time employment.
Launched in 2015, we now have approximately 200 corporate partners and have successfully placed more than 150 engineering and computer science students in technology firms nationwide. We continue to work hard to build and improve our program, which will attract additional top-ranked students as well as top-tier corporations looking to recruit from among our DeMatteis School graduates.
Co-op Program Application Procedure and Forms
Each student who wishes to participate in the program will be responsible for submitting to the Co-op office via email the following documents:
- Resume (Reviewed by the Center for Career Design and Development)
- Co-op Student Application Form
- Student Statement of Understanding
- Graduation Advisement Checklist (signed by SEAS advisor)
- For CS MS Student only - Certificate of Full-Time Graduate Status
- International students only – F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT-01) Application Form
Students applying for a co-op position must register for their next semester's classes in accordance with university deadlines. Class registration may be canceled once a co-op position is accepted.
Procedures for Receiving/Accepting a Job Offer:
- Submit a copy of your offer letter for approval to the Co-op Director. Offer letters must include start and finish dates and salary.
- Once the Co-op Director has approved your offer letter, sign and email a copy of the letter to the company and the Co-op Director.
- Notify other co-op companies where you have applied and have interviewed that you have accepted another offer.
- Contact Lori Castoria in the Engineering Office or Lynda Callahan in the Computer Science office to register for COOP199 (Undergraduate) or COOP299 (Graduate).
- Cancel any courses you’ve registered for in the upcoming semester.
- Contact the Co-op Director to schedule an appointment to review co-op responsibilities and procedures. All forms listed above must be submitted prior to the meeting.
The Master of Science in Computer Science requires the satisfactory completion of a 30-semester hour program, including either a 6-semester hour thesis (CSC 301 and 302) or a 3-semester hour project (CSC 300, 301 or 303). Full-time students can complete the program in four semesters. Part-time students usually complete the program in six or seven semesters. At least 27 semester hours must be in graduate computer science courses. Up to 3 semester hours of graduate courses in areas outside of computer science may be taken with the written approval of the graduate program director. At least 24 semester hours must be completed in residence at Hofstra. A minimum 3.0-grade point average with a grade of C or better in all courses is required.
The Master of Science in Computer Science Program requires the satisfactory completion of:
- three fundamental required courses (9 semester hours) and two thesis courses (6 semester hours) and 15 semester hours of elective courses, or
- three fundamental required courses (9 semester hours) and one capstone project course (3 semester hours), and 18 semester hours of elective courses.
Required Fundamental Courses - Semester Hours: 9
- CSC 204 - Algorithm Design and Analysis
- CSC 252 - Programming Language Concepts
- CSC 256 - Advanced Operating Systems Design
Electives
To complete the 30-semester hour program requirement, students select elective courses, including up to two independent study/research courses (CSC 290 A-Z). For the complete list of graduate courses see the course listings within this Bulletin.
Concentrations
Interested students may fulfill their elective requirements by fulfilling the requirements for the following concentrations.
(Courses in the concentration can be substituted only with the permission of the graduate program director.)
Web Engineering
Choose any three courses from the following:
- CSC 283 - Web Application Development
- CSC 285 - Mobile Device Programming
- CSC 254 - Database Design
- CSC 251 - Software Project Management
Networking and Security
Choose any three courses from the following:
- CSC 284 - Computer Communication Networks and Distributed Processing
- CSC 215 - Secure Systems/Ethical Hacking
- CSC 288 - Network Security
- CSC 203 - Privacy in a Wired World
Required Capstone Experience
The capstone experience (thesis or project) should be in the chosen area of specialization. The thesis is a 6- credit undertaking, composed of a sequence of two courses (CSC 301 and 302). The project is a 3-credit course (CSC 300, 301 or 303). The thesis is research oriented, with a much larger scope and depth than the project and with a substantial writing component. Both the thesis and the project include a written body of work and a presentation. Students must have completed 18 semester hours of computer science graduate course work prior to beginning their thesis or master’s project. Students should contact the graduate director as soon as they complete 18 semester hours and discuss a possible topic and elective courses that would prepare them for the capstone thesis or master’s project. A student must have a thesis/project adviser and a thesis/project committee prior to registering for a thesis or a project. A thesis/project proposal on approval from the adviser must be submitted to the graduate director. A student defends a thesis at an individual one-hour presentation, whereas a project is presented in a 15-minute presentation as part of a departmental colloquium (or an online presentation is made publicly available on the departmental Web site).
- CSC 300 - Independent Projects
- CSC 301 - Thesis Background Research
- CSC 302 - Thesis
- CSC 303 - Graduate Capstone Project
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of all program requirements.
- A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in overall graduate coursework.