M.S. in Computer Science

The Master of Science in Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Chicago offers a comprehensive and rigorous graduate program designed to prepare students for advanced roles in the rapidly evolving field of computing. This program provides students with a strong foundation in theoretical principles and practical applications of computer science, enabling them to address complex technical challenges across diverse industries. Students have the opportunity to explore a wide range of specialized areas, including algorithms, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, software engineering, cybersecurity, computer systems, and programming languages. The curriculum combines core coursework with electives allowing for customization aligned with individual career goals and research interests.

The program caters to both full-time and part-time students, providing flexible scheduling options to accommodate working professionals and those seeking to advance their careers. It emphasizes experiential learning through hands-on projects, research collaborations, and internships, fostering skills directly applicable to industry and academic pursuits. Faculty members are renowned experts in their fields, actively engaged in cutting-edge research, and committed to mentoring students toward academic excellence and professional development.

Students enrolled in the M.S. in Computer Science program benefit from access to state-of-the-art laboratories, innovative research centers, and collaborative opportunities within the vibrant Chicago tech community. The program also encourages interdisciplinary exploration, allowing students to integrate knowledge from fields such as cognitive science, engineering, and business to develop holistic solutions to complex problems. Graduates of the program are well-equipped to pursue careers in software development, data analysis, cybersecurity, academia, and research, or to continue their education through doctoral studies.

The University of Illinois at Chicago emphasizes a supportive academic environment, fostering diversity, innovation, and leadership in technology. Admission requirements typically include a solid background in computer science or related fields, demonstrated through academic transcripts, relevant work experience, and standardized tests where applicable. Overall, the M.S. in Computer Science program at UIC aims to produce highly skilled professionals ready to make meaningful contributions to technology and society.

• CS 401. Computer Algorithms I. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 411. Artificial Intelligence I. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 412. Introduction to Machine Learning. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 415. Computer Vision I. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 421. Natural Language Processing. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 422. User Interface Design and Programming. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 424. Visualization and Visual Analytics. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 425. Computer Graphics I. 0-4 hours.
• CS 426. Video Game Design and Development. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 440. Software Engineering I. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 441. Engineering Distributed Objects For Cloud Computing. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 442. Software Engineering II. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 450. Introduction to Networking. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 455. Design and Implementation of Network Protocols. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 466. Advanced Computer Architecture. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 469. Computer Systems Design. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 473. Compiler Design. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 474. Object-Oriented Languages and Environments. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 475. Object-Oriented Programming. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 476. Programming Language Design. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 477. Public Policy, Legal, and Ethical Issues in Computing, Privacy, and Security. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 478. Software Development for Mobile Platforms. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 480. Database Systems. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 485. Networked Operating Systems Programming. 4 or 5 hours.
• CS 486. Secure Operating System Design and Implementation. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 487. Building Secure Computer Systems. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 489. Human Augmentics. 3 or 4 hours.
• CS 491. Seminar. 1-4 hours.
• CS 493. Special Problems. 2-4 hours.
• CS 499. Professional Development Seminar. 0 hours.
• CS 501. Computer Algorithms II. 4 hours.
• CS 502. Design and Analysis of Efficient Algorithms in Computational Molecular Biology. 4 hours.
• CS 503. Applied Graph Theory. 4 hours.
• CS 505. Computability and Complexity Theory. 4 hours.
• CS 511. Artificial Intelligence II. 4 hours.
• CS 514. Applied Artificial Intelligence. 4 hours.
• CS 515. Advanced Computer Vision. 4 hours.
• CS 521. Statistical Natural Language Processing. 4 hours.
• CS 522. Human-Computer Interaction. 4 hours.
• CS 523. Multi-Media Systems. 4 hours.
• CS 524. Visualization and Visual Analytics II. 4 hours.
• CS 525. Advanced Graphics Processor Programming. 4 hours.
• CS 526. Computer Graphics II. 4 hours.
• CS 527. Computer Animation. 4 hours.
• CS 528. Virtual Reality. 4 hours.
• CS 540. Advanced Topics in Software Engineering. 4 hours.
• CS 541. Software Engineering Environments. 4 hours.
• CS 542. Distributed Software Engineering. 4 hours.
• CS 545. Formal Methods In Concurrent and Distributed Systems. 4 hours.
• CS 553. Distributed Computing Systems. 4 hours.
• CS 554. Advanced Topics in Concurrent Computing Systems. 4 hours.
• CS 559. Neural Networks. 4 hours.
• CS 560. Fuzzy Logic. 4 hours.
• CS 565. Physical Design Automation. 4 hours.
• CS 566. Parallel Processing. 4 hours.
• CS 567. Principles of Computational Transportation Science. 4 hours.
• CS 569. High-Performance Processors and Systems. 4 hours.
• CS 577. Object Stores. 4 hours.
• CS 580. Query Processing in Database Systems. 4 hours.
• CS 581. Database Management Systems. 4 hours.
• CS 582. Information Retrieval. 4 hours.
• CS 583. Data Mining and Text Mining. 4 hours.
• CS 584. Advanced Data Mining. 4 hours.
• CS 586. Data and Web Semantics. 4 hours.
• CS 587. Computer Systems Security. 4 hours.
• CS 588. Security and Privacy in Networked and Distributed Systems. 4 hours.
• CS 590. Research Methods in Computer Science. 4 hours.
• CS 594. Special Topics. 4 hours.
• CS 595. Departmental Seminar. 0 hours.
• CS 596. Individual Study. 1-4 hours.
• CS 597. Project Research. 0-9 hours.
• CS 598. M.S. Thesis Research. 0-16 hours.
• CS 599. Ph.D. Thesis Research. 0-16 hours.

Admission Requirements

Applications are considered on an individual basis by the Graduate Admissions Committee. A complete set of transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work is required before an applicant is considered. In addition to the application requirements of the Office of Admissions and the policies set by the Graduate College, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

• Baccalaureate Field Computer science or computer engineering. Outstanding candidates from other related fields with substantial course work in computer science will also be considered.
• Grade Point Average At least 3.50/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study.
• Tests Required GRE General scores are required for financial aid applicants and all students with degrees from outside the U.S. A total score of 308 or above (new GRE scoring system as of August 2011) on the GRE General Exam (153+ verbal, 155+ quantitative and 4.5/6.0 analytical). For the old GRE scoring system (prior to August 2011), a combined score of 1200 or above (500+ verbal, 700+ quantitative, and 4.5+/6.0 analytical). All international students are required to submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or PTE-Academic scores as well.
• Minimum English Competency Test Score
  • TOEFL 570 PBT; 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based),OR,
  • IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores, OR,
  • PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
• Letters of Recommendation Two Required. Applicants for financial assistance must provide three letters of recommendation.
• Personal Statement Required.
• Deadlines The application deadline is the same as the Graduate College deadline.

Tuition and Fee Waiver

A limited number of tuition and fee waivers are available to graduate students. These awards provide an exemption from tuition fee (including differential), service fee, health service fee, AFMFA, LITA and $125 towards the cost of Campus Care health insurance (Fall & Spring only). Students must be registered for 12 hours of study during the semester in which they receive the waiver. A student who drops below the 12-hour requirement will be responsible for all tuition and service fees for the semester. Eligibility: Students should be in full standing (if admitted on limited standing, all requirements should be satisfied before applying) and GPI should be 3.0 or higher (on 4.0 scale). These are the minimum requirements for TFW eligibility. Application Procedure: Decisions for the following academic year (Fall and Spring semesters) are made during the Summer. Students must submit a completed application to their advisor, who should return the application to the Student Affairs Office (905 SEO) by the specified date. Applications for the Spring semester should be submitted to Student Affairs Office by mid December. Registration Requirement: At least 12 hours in Fall and Spring and 6 hours in Summer.

The Master of Science in Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Chicago is a comprehensive graduate program designed to prepare students for careers in research, industry, and academia. The program offers a rigorous curriculum that covers a broad range of topics in computer science, including algorithms, machine learning, artificial intelligence, data structures, software engineering, systems, and computer graphics. Students have the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research and collaborate with faculty members who are recognized experts in their respective fields.

The program typically requires the completion of a specified number of credit hours, which includes coursework, seminars, and a thesis or project component, depending on the track chosen by the student. The coursework is structured to provide both theoretical foundations and practical skills, ensuring graduates are well-equipped to address real-world challenges in technology and computing. The university encourages interdisciplinary approaches and offers opportunities for students to participate in collaborative projects with other departments and industry partners.

Admission into the MS in Computer Science program generally requires applicants to have a strong undergraduate background in computer science or related disciplines. Applicants are often expected to submit GRE scores, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and transcripts demonstrating academic achievement. While some students may opt for thesis tracks emphasizing research, others may choose non-thesis options focused on coursework and professional development.

The university provides various resources for graduate students, including access to state-of-the-art laboratories, research funding, career counseling, and professional development workshops. Graduates of the program are well-prepared for careers in software development, data analysis, cybersecurity, and research positions in academia or industry. Many alumni go on to work at leading technology companies or pursue doctoral studies.

The program emphasizes hands-on learning through internships, co-op placements, and collaborative projects, often in partnership with local tech companies and research institutions. The university also hosts seminars, guest lectures, and conferences that expose students to the latest advancements and trends in computer science. Overall, the Master of Science in Computer Science at UIC offers a strong academic foundation combined with practical experience, making it a competitive program for aspiring computer scientists.