Master of Science in Computer Science

San Francisco State University

The Master of Science in Computer Science prepares students for a wide variety of careers in computing or related industries as well as for advanced study toward Ph.D. degrees. Our program combines a solid and practical curriculum with high-quality research and project-based activities. In addition to a general core covering the breadth of the computing discipline, students may focus on software engineering in globally distributed environments, computing applications for biotechnology and the life sciences, data mining/big data, and business applications. All students share breadth requirements in the areas of computing foundations, computer systems, and software development. Students focusing on different areas then differ in the choice of courses that provide depth in the chosen area and in the work done for the culminating experience. Students are expected to decide on a focus area prior to enrollment in the second semester. Integrated into the curriculum are significant team and project experiences. There are two options for the mandatory culminating experience, the master’s thesis or the applied research project.

College of Science and Engineering