Computer Science (M.S.) - Graduate - 2015 University Catalog

The Department of Computer Science offers a Master of Science degree in Computer Science and an MS in Computer Science with a concentration in Informatics. The concentrations consist of taking 3 courses in a computer intensive area, or in a specialized area complementary to computer science. An MS in Mathematics with a concentration in Computer Science is offered by the Department of Mathematical Sciences. This degree option is described under Mathematics.

The graduate program in computer science is designed for students interested in pursuing computer science theoretically as well as practically at an advanced level. While introducing students to newly developing areas of computer science, this program emphasizes the foundations and concepts of the field. Concepts are developed rather than routine programming skills. Students are prepared for professional work in the design and implementation of software systems, data base systems, operating systems, artificial intelligence, expert systems, graphics, simulation and algorithms for discrete and continuous structures that will aid in the solution of problems encountered in the scientific and business sector. The curriculum is designed to allow students to develop skills needed to achieve leadership positions in business, industry, and government in computer science or in related fields that are computer science intensive. The program also prepares teachers of computer science at the two year college, high school and middle school levels.

The graduate program in computer science began in 1978.  At present, there are 12 full-time faculty in the Department of Computer Science.  the special interests of the faculty include algorithms, artificial intelligence, automata theory, automated theorem proving, bioengineering, compilers, computer science education, complexity theory, computational linguistics, computational logic, cryptography, databases, data mining and knowledge discovery, design and management of information systems, expert systems, fault-tolerant computing, graphics, machine organization and architecture, neural networks, non-linear phenomena and fuzzy logic, operating systems, parallel and distributed computing, program verification, pixel and image processing, robotics, software engineering, scientific computing, and telecommunications. The department has the advantage of having professional computer scientists as both faculty and visiting specialists.  The visiting specialists are drawn from the aerospace, chemical, computer, and pharmaceutical industries. This mix of faculty affords students the opportunity to obtain an education in both the practical and theoretical aspects of computer science.

Computer facilities within the College of Science and Mathematics currently comprise a local area network (SCINet) of Sun servers and workstations, as well as Dell and Macintosh teaching laboratories. The Sun network comprises four Enterprise servers, a student laboratory with  twenty Ultra 10 workstations, and workstations in faculty offices. The computers of this network run under UNIX operating system.  Available software packages include: Maple, MATLAB, Iris Explorer, LaTEX, Rational Rose, SAS, Splus, Ingres, MySQL, JavaStudio, and JavaWorkshop.  Programming language include: C, C++, Java, Ada, FORTRAN, Pascal, LISP, Prolog, Perl and Smalltalk.  In addition, Montclair State University maintains a DEC Alpha 2100 (running the VMS operating system), on which any MSU student may establish an account.  Software available on this machine include: Ada, C, C++, COBOL, FORTRAN, GPSS, Ingres, LISP, Macro, Maple, Minitab, Pascal, PL/1, Prolog, SAS, SAS graphics, SPSSX and SPSS graphics. The University also maintains a number of microcomputer labs throughout the campus.  Access to the Alpha and CSAM Sun network is available from most of these microcomputers via a campus-wide local area network (MSUNet).  In addition, these microcomputers support a wide variety of software such as JMP, Mac Spin, Data Desk, Solo, Statistix, and Office for student use.  Montclair State University recently became its own Internet Service Provider (MSU-ISP). All students and faculty may establish Internet Accounts. These, as well as dial-up lines, provide remote access to computers on campus.

Students desiring to enter the MS in Computer Science without an appropriate background in computer science can obtain the necessary foundation in computer science and mathematics by taking courses in our prerequisite program.  Upon satisfactory completion of part or all of the program, students are admitted to the Master of Science program.

COMPUTER SCIENCE

Complete 33 semester hours - 52 semester hours including the following 3 requirement(s):

  1. CORE KNOWLEDGE

    Complete $H - 19 semester hours from the following as required by advisor:

    CSIT 501 Computer Science Foundations I (4 hours lecture) 4
    CSIT 502 Comptuer Science Foundations II (4 hours lecture) 4
    CSIT 503 Computer Science Foundations III (4 hours lecture) 4
    CSIT 504 Computer Science Foundations IV (4 hours lecture) 4
    MATH 503 Mathematics for Computer Science III (3 hours lecture) 3
  2. REQUIRED COURSES

    Complete 3 courses for 9 semester hours:

    CSIT 515 Software Engineering (3 hours lecture) 3
    CSIT 545 Computer Architecture (3 hours lecture) 3
    CSIT 571 Computer Algorithms and Analysis (3 hours lecture) 3
  3. ELECTIVE COURSES

    Complete 7 courses for 21 semester hours from the following (up to 4 grad courses may be taken from other depts w/written permission)

    CSIT 531 Robotics (3 hours lecture) 3
    CSIT 535 Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) (3 hours lecture) 3
    CSIT 537 Web Development (3 hours lecture) 3
    CSIT 540 Computer Networks (3 hours lecture) 3
    CSIT 547 Operating Systems (3 hours lecture) 3
    CSIT 551 Mobile Computing (3 hours lecture) 3
    CSIT 555 Database Systems (3 hours lecture) 3
    CSIT 560 Network Security (3 hours lecture) 3
    CSIT 574 Image Processing (3 hours lecture) 3
    CSIT 595 Topics in Computer Science (3 hours lecture) 3
    CSIT 615 Advanced Topics in Software Engineering (3 hours lecture) 3
    CSIT 635 Advanced Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) (3 hours lecture) 3
    CSIT 655 Advanced Database Systems (3 hours lecture) 3
    CSIT 656 Scientific Databases (3 hours lecture) 3
    CSIT 691 Independent Study: Computer Science 3
    CSIT 695 Readings in Computer Science (1-4 hours seminar) 1-4

Course Descriptions:

CSIT501: Computer Science Foundations I (4 hours lecture)

An introduction to programming using a structured high level language, design of algorithms, character strings, recursion, data structures, numerical computing. May not be used for credit by Mathematics or Computer Science majors. Previous course CMPT 505 effective through Spring 2015. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate coordinator's permission.

CSIT502: Comptuer Science Foundations II (4 hours lecture)

A continuation of CSIT 501. Introduction to assembly language, addressing techniques, subroutine linkage, input/output and macros. Introduction to computer organization including memory, logic design and computer architecture. May not be used for credit by Mathematics and Computer Science majors. Previous course CMPT 506 effective through Spring 2015. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: CSIT 501 and permission of graduate coordinator.

CSIT503: Computer Science Foundations III (4 hours lecture)

A continuation of CSIT 501. Design and analysis of data structures, pointers, linked representations, linear lists, trees, storage systems and structures, database design. Previous course CMPT 507 effective through Spring 2015. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: CSIT 501 and CSIT 504 and permission of graduate coordinator.

CSIT504: Computer Science Foundations IV (4 hours lecture)

Sets, relations, functions, graphs, trees, propositional calculus, induction and recursion, applications to computer science. May not be used for credit by Mathematics or Computer Science majors. Previous course MATH 501 effective through Spring 2015. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate program coordinator's permission.

CSIT515: Software Engineering (3 hours lecture)

Principles and methods for the analysis, design, implementation, testing, and verification of software systems. Topics include requirements analysis, domain analysis, implementation, testing, verification, and software management. Previous course CMPT 594 effective through Spring 2015. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval for students with Deferred or Conditional status.

CSIT531: Robotics (3 hours lecture)

Fundamental principles in robotics from the aspect of algorithms and computation. Includes fundamentals in robotic technology (inverse kinematics, actuation, sensing, manipulation, control, and motion planning), algorithms for robot communication and sensing, and current directions in robotics applications. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval for students with Deferred or Conditional status.

CSIT535: Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) (3 hours lecture)

Course content will include: science-based theories, models, and studies; and user interface design and development. Graphical user interfaces for desktop, web, and mobile devices. Assess usability by quantitative and qualitative methods. Conduct task analyses, usability tests, expert reviews, and continuing assessments of working products by interviews, surveys, and logging. Apply design processes and guidelines to develop professional quality user interfaces. Build low-fidelity paper mockups, and a high-fidelity prototype using contemporary tools and programming environments. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval for students with Deferred or Conditional status.

CSIT537: Web Development (3 hours lecture)

This course will discuss issues related to web tools, enterprise web services, and web design. It exams the current state of the arts web development technologies and tools that are used in developing web sites and web services. Previous course CSIT 570 effective through Spring 2015. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CSIT 501 or equivalent and departmental approval for students with Deferred or Conditional status.

CSIT540: Computer Networks (3 hours lecture)

Physical and logical aspects of data communications: analog-digital, broadband-baseband, TDM-FDM, protocols, modulation techniques, hardware for communication. Previous course CMPT 596 effective through Spring 2015. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CSIT 545 and departmental approval for students with Deferred or Conditional status.

CSIT545: Computer Architecture (3 hours lecture)

Basic computer organization and design, digital functions, data representation, microprogramming, CPU organization, the assembler language, and addressing techniques. Required of majors. Previous course CMPT 580 effective through Spring 2015. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval for students with Deferred or Conditional status.

CSIT547: Operating Systems (3 hours lecture)

Design and implementation of operating systems, multiprogramming, multiprocessor, device management, scheduling, virtual memory, case studies. Previous course CMPT 584 effective through Spring 2015. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CMPT 581 and departmental approval for students with Deferred or Conditional status.

CSIT551: Mobile Computing (3 hours lecture)

Course content will include an introduction into mobile device programming including environment basics, application basics, creating user interfaces, how to deal with data, how to accommodate different devices, basic widgets and more advanced user interface parts for multimedia and maps, and app publication. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval for students with Deferred or Conditional status.

CSIT555: Database Systems (3 hours lecture)

Secondary storage devises. Data transfer. Primary and secondary access methods. Sequential and random access methods. File design. File organizations and corresponding processing. File maintenance. Sorting large files. Databases concepts. Required of majors. Previous course CMPT 586 effective through Spring 2015. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval for students with Deferred or Conditional status.

CSIT560: Network Security (3 hours lecture)

An overview of the fundamental problems of intra and inter network security, followed by an in-depth analysis of the current solutions including encryption, authentication, web application security, internet architectures. Testing, analyze current security solutions, based on the three fundamental concepts: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. Previous course CSIT 520 effective through Spring 2015. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CSIT 504 and CSIT 501 or equivalent; and departmental approval for students with Deferred or Conditional status.

CSIT571: Computer Algorithms and Analysis (3 hours lecture)

Algorithms: definition, design and analysis; sorting and searching techniques and introductory dynamic programming studied as algorithms with complexity theory and optimization techniques applied. Required of majors. Previous course CMPT 583 effective through Spring 2015. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval for students with Deferred or Conditional status.

CSIT574: Image Processing (3 hours lecture)

This course provides an introductory and comprehensive treatment of pixel and image processing with applications to fine arts, face recognition, etc. Topics include sampling and quantization, convolution, equalization, filtering, image segmentation, image operations, morphological image processing. Previous course CMPT 574 effective through Spring 2015. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CSIT 545 and departmental approval for students with Deferred or Conditional status.

CSIT595: Topics in Computer Science (3 hours lecture)

Recent developments in the field. Topics such as Monte Carlo methods, graphics, expert systems, security, networks and special areas of applications. May be repeated twice for a maximum of 9.0 credits as long as the topic is different. Previous course CMPT 585 effective through Spring 2015. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CSIT 545 and departmental approval for students with Deferred or Conditional status.

CSIT615: Advanced Topics in Software Engineering (3 hours lecture)

This course examines (i) planned and systematic patterns of all actions necessary to provide adequate confidence that a product conforms to established requirements, and (ii) a set of activities designed to evaluate the process by which high-quality complex software products are developed. Previous course CMPT 694 effective through Spring 2015. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CSIT 515 or departmental approval for students with Deferred or Conditional status.

CSIT635: Advanced Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) (3 hours lecture)

This course will include an overview of the field of human-computer interaction, and- in a user-centered fashion - members of the class will choose and explore deeply a subfield of HCI (e.g. Technologies for Children, Technologies for Families, Augmented Reality). Students will critically assess, present, and improve upon recent research that is published in the most prestigious HCI conferences and journals. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CSIT 535 or departmental approval for students with Deferred or Conditional status.

CSIT655: Advanced Database Systems (3 hours lecture)

To develop in-depth understanding of data base concepts and issues. The major emphasis of the course is on the conceptual (logical) organization, retrieval, and manipulation of data. Required of majors. Previous course CMPT 592 effective through Spring 2015. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CSIS 555 and departmental approval for students with Deferred or Conditional status.

CSIT656: Scientific Databases (3 hours lecture)

The course aims to give students the tools and concepts they will need to work with scientific databases in an in-depth manner. It also aims to introduce student to advanced, state-of-the-art concepts as well as give the students the chance to explore scientific database issues within their fields of interest while still in their early stages of study. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval for students with Deferred or Conditional status.

CSIT691: Independent Study: Computer Science

Independent study under the direction of a faculty member, offering the opportunity to pursue topics in computer science which may be outside the scope of regular curricular offerings or may be an extension of an existing course or courses. Approval must be obtained from the graduate coordinator or and faculty advisor. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6.0 credits. Previous course CMPT 690 effective through Spring 2015. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval for students with Deferred or Conditional status.

CSIT695: Readings in Computer Science (1-4 hours seminar)

Guided study of selected topics in major field of interest. Previous course CMPT 695 effective through Spring 2015. 1 - 4 sh.

Prerequisites: CMPT 581 and CSIT 555 and CSIT 571 and departmental approval for students with Deferred or Conditional status.

MATH503: Mathematics for Computer Science III (3 hours lecture)

Differential and integral calculus, infinite series, applications to computer science. May not be used for credit by Mathematics and Computer Science majors. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate program coordinator's permission.

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