Master of Science in Computer Information Systems Blended
Prerequisites | Core Curriculum | Concentrations | Course Schedule | Dual Degree Option | Additional Information
MET Computer Science department now offers a MS CIS program in a blended eLive format. This program combines the best elements of classroom and online teaching. Using the most current Internet and communication technologies, we support ongoing student/faculty collaboration and interaction while offering reduced face-to-face time. Our courses are designed to align with the latest research on cognitive learning and educational technologies. In addition to providing flexibility to suit busy professional lifestyles, eLive courses deliver a solid academic foundation, important practical skills, and critical business competencies.
All eLive courses use Blackboard Vista, one of the most robust learning management systems. Metropolitan College offers state of the art computer laboratories that support audio and video conferencing, lecture capture, live and recorded webinars, and hands-on technical labs. Students are provided detailed technical requirements and installation instructions, and offered training and support of all technologies required for each course prior to the beginning of the semester.
An eLive MS CIS course typically includes:
- Four on-campus sessions with lectures, discussions related to online course material, hands-on labs and activities to develop technical and business-critical skills.
- Online course content, conveniently accessible in Vista. This may include online lectures, videos, interactive animations, and instructor-led discussion boards. During the online weeks, students may submit homework assignments, projects, papers, and assessments via the course website.
- Interactive online seminars, during the weeks that students are not on campus, led by the instructors covering most important topics, providing homework guidance and answering student questions.
- A fifth on-campus session for the final exam or project presentation.
Continuous support for all academic, technical and/or logistical questions.
Program Location and Delivery
Boston-Charles River Campus | Online | Blended
Prerequisite Requirements
- Applicants to the program are required to have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and proficiency in the following areas:
- View admissions requirements here
Degree Requirements
- Students are required to finish the core curriculum and either a concentration or four no concentration electives.
- A minimum passing grade for a course in the graduate program is a C (2.0) but an average grade of B (3.0) must be maintained to be in good academic standing and satisfy the degree requirements.
Core Curriculum (Six required courses/24 credits)
- MET CS 520 EL Information Structures or MET CS EL 601 Web Application Development
- MET CS 546 EL Quantitative Methods for Information Systems
- MET CS 625 EL Business Data Communication and Networks
- MET CS 669 EL Database Design and Implementation for Business
- MET CS 682 EL Information Systems Analysis and Design
- MET CS 782 EL IT Strategy and Management
Database Management and Business Intelligence Concentration (Four courses/16 credits)
The Concentration in Database Management & Business Intelligence equips students with the tools necessary to utilize the vast amounts of information provided by large amounts of data. By focusing on the integration of information technology with business problems and opportunities, this concentration enables information systems professionals to understand technological issues in addition to business concepts and fundamentals.
Requirements
MET CS 674 EL Database Security
MET CS 699 EL Data Mining and Business Intelligence
MET CS 779 EL Advanced Database Management
And one elective selected from the following list:
MET CS 632 EL IT Project Management
MET CS 633 EL Distributed Software Development and Management
MET CS 684 EL IT Security Policies and Procedures
MET CS 693 EL Digital Forensics and Investigations
MET CS 695 EL Enterprise Information Security
MET CS 783 EL Enterprise Architecture (formerly CS 679)
MET CS 703 EL Network Forensics
MET CS 713 EL Advanced Digital Forensics
Health Informatics Concentration (Four courses/16 credits)
The objective of this program is to expose students to modern health information technology, including heath data collection, processing and storage. The primary focus of this program is on electronic medical data generated and stored in health care and public health organizations. Individuals graduating from this program will have a solid knowledge of health information technology and systems and electronic health records as well as a solid exposure to the latest medical technologies.
Requirements
MET CS 570 Health Sciences and IT
MET CS 580 Health Informatics
MET CS 581 Electronic Health Records
MET CS 781 Advanced Health Informatics
IT Project Management Concentration (Four courses/16 credits)
Particularly valuable for those engaged in the administration of technical projects, the concentration in IT Project Management introduces general concepts embodied in the Project Management Institute’s PMBOK, while exploring specialized techniques for software risk management, software cost estimation, and software quality management. Students also learn virtual project management, enabling them to manage geographically distributed software development. Students taking any course in this concentration are eligible to take a PMP® preparation course for free—an important step toward certification as Project Management Professionals.
Requirements
MET CS 632 EL IT Project Management
MET CS 633 EL Distributed Software Development and Management
MET CS 783 EL Enterprise Architecture (formerly CS 679)
And one elective selected from the following list:
MET CS 674 EL Database Security
MET CS 684 EL IT Security Policies and Procedures
MET CS 693 EL Digital Forensics and Investigations
MET CS 695 EL Enterprise Information Security
MET CS 699 EL Data Mining and Business Intelligence
MET CS 703 EL Network Forensics
MET CS 713 EL Advanced Digital Forensics
MET CS 779 EL Advanced Database Management
Security Concentration (Four Courses/16 credits)
The Concentration in Security provides in-depth knowledge of emerging security threats and solutions to prepare technical leaders to identify, develop, and implement highly secure systems and networks that support organizational goals.
Requirements
MET CS 684 EL IT Security Policies and Procedures
MET CS 695 EL Enterprise Information Security
MET CS 674 EL Database Security or MET CS 693 EL Digital Forensics and Investigations
MET CS 703 EL Network Forensics or MET CS 713 EL Advanced Digital Forensics
No Concentration
Students who are not choosing to complete a concentration should select four courses (16 credits) from the list below.
- MET CS 632 EL IT Project Management
- MET CS 633 EL Distributed Software Development and Management
- MET CS 674 EL Database Security
- MET CS 684 EL IT Security Policies and Procedures
- MET CS 693 EL Digital Forensics and Investigations
- MET CS 695 EL Enterprise Information Security
- MET CS 699 EL Data Mining and Business Intelligence
- MET CS 703 EL Network Forensics
- MET CS 713 EL Advanced Digital Forensics
- MET CS 779 EL Advanced Database Management
- MET CS 783 EL Enterprise Architecture (formerly CS 679)
Dual Degree Option
Appreciating the converging nature of management skills and technology, the Computer Science Department has a special relationship with Metropolitan College’s Administrative Sciences and Actuarial Science Departments. Students in either program are able to use 8 credits from one degree toward a second degree, thereby reducing their work on the second degree by two courses. Students must be accepted independently by both departments, but they may request that application materials such as references and transcripts be forwarded from the first program to the second.
Additional Information
Ongoing collaboration between students and faculty leverages the latest video collaboration technologies that combine online meeting and videoconferencing functionality. To complete online portions of Blended courses, students will use their computers; participation in real-time collaboration sessions will require standard webcams and headsets. Metropolitan College also offers state of the art laboratories which are equipped with everything that is necessary for successful completion of Blended courses. Students will be provided with detailed technical requirements and installation instructions, and offered training and support with all technologies used in a particular course before the course starts. Some of the technologies used in Blended courses are described below.
Blackboard Vista is a course management system that provides access to online course content and support various learning activities like assignment and quiz management, discussion boards, grade book, etc. Technical requirements and support information are listed at vista.bu.edu. All students will be enrolled in Vista orientation course prior to semester start date, and will have an opportunity to get familiar with the system.
Live Classroom is an online meeting capability that can be used for real-time collaboration activities that do not require multipoint videoconferencing. Live Classroom does not require webcams; students can use computer headsets or conventional phones (toll charges apply) for voice communications.
Virtual PC Images will be used in some courses to provide pre-installed lab environment as an alternative to installing course lab software on your PC. To use virtual images your PC will need minimum of 1 GB memory and a DVD drive.
Other technologies will be introduced in some courses; students will always be provided with necessary support, as well as with physical or virtual access to MET Labs for those who want to use MET computing resources.