Computer Information Science, M.S.
Program Description
The M.S. Computer Information Science program provides students with a structured study of applied technical solutions to real-world problems. The program emphasizes the need to understand the program from definition, through implementation and review. The program uses real-world cases that develop problem solving techniques through the software engineering methodologies. The students also learn to manage the problem solution through the gathering of requirements, problem refinement, design modeling, implementation and user-testing. The curriculum emphasizes group interaction and problem solving skills through iterative processes and project management from problem definition through solution deployment.
The program emphasizes group work, presentation skills and collaboration through the use of technology. The M.S. Computer Information Science requires that students complete a capstone project to integrate core competencies with specific student goals based on the elective certificate. Examples of capstone projects are development and implementation of a new software solution or major extension to a completed software project; a research project on new trends or findings in software application development.
The M.S. Computer Information Science program is offered in an online format. It follows the traditional academic calendar of a fall and spring semester and a shorter summer semester. The fall and spring semesters are divided into two 8 week terms. A full-time graduate student carries a minimum of 6 semester credit hours. Some courses may require more hours per week in some areas of instruction. All courses are online and 3 credits in the length. The courses will meet both synchronously (optional) and asynchronously. Students are required to participate in chat sessions and/or discussion boards, which will take the place of classroom meetings. Synchronous sessions will be recorded for students who are not able to attend the actual session. Students who are not able to attend the synchronous sessions will be asked to complete a short assignment related to the recorded session. Depending on their personal schedules, students may elect to take courses every term or wait for the next term to continue studies. Courses in the summer are also 8 weeks in length. If a student decides to take two courses during the summer session, they will overlap in the time frame.
Mission
Graduate education in Computer Information Science will provide a forum for the study, investigation, discussion, and presentation of how technical solutions may be used to improve an individual’s productivity and to enhance departmental and corporate systems. In order to prepare computing professionals who will be able to keep pace with the dynamic nature of the discipline and contribute to its growth, this program will emphasize individual and group effort, as well as lecture and hands-on training. The approach will be consistent will the philosophy of graduate education at La Salle.
Program Specific Information
Progression through the Program
Ten courses (30 credits) are required for the degree. Each student is required to satisfy all six required courses (which includes the capstone), a grouping of 4 additional courses.
The design of this program assumes that the student has either a background in computer science or a related discipline or professional training involving programming.
4+1 Bachelor's in Computer Science to Master's in Computer Information Science
Students may earn both a B.A. in Computer Science and a M.S. in Computer Information Science or a B.S. in Computer Science and a M.S. in Computer Information Science by participating in the University’s 4+1 Program. Students would satisfy the undergraduate computer science major requirements during their first four years at the University, earning a minimum of 120 credits. A maximum of three undergraduate courses (9 credits) may be applied toward the graduate credits if the student maintains a GPA of 3.0 or better and the undergraduate course grade was B or better. Upon completion of a bachelor’s degree, students enter the M.S. in Computer Information Science program and complete the remaining 7 courses (21 credits).