Computer Information Systems eLive Option How to Apply

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Prospective students should contact Student & Corporate Outreach at 617-353-6000 or met@bu.edu.

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Master of Science in Computer Information Systems

The Master of Science (MS) in Computer Information Systems program is designed for students who wish to combine technical competence in information systems with knowledge of managerial and organizational issues.

CNSS and PMI Accreditation - Logos

The National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security designated Boston University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education for academic years 2007 through 2012, and a National Center for Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Research for academic years 2008 through 2013.

The Master of Science in Computer Information Systems has been accredited by the Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC).

Concentrations

Students may choose to pursue one of the following concentrations:

Program Options

Available on campus and in the following formats:

  • Online
  • eLive: By combining the convenience of online study and the dynamic of face-to-face learning, the eLive format provides added flexibility and new avenues of opportunity for those with demanding schedules.

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. Degree candidates in either program may apply 8 credits from one degree toward a second degree in one of these disciplines, thereby reducing their work by two courses. Students must be accepted by both departments, but they may request that application materials such as references and transcripts be forwarded from the first program to the second.

Admission Information

Prerequisite courses or evidence of proficiency in these areas must accompany the application to the program. If college-level credit courses are not in evidence, the department will determine what prerequisite courses must be completed in addition to the graduate degree requirements. Students claiming equivalent proficiency in prerequisite courses from non-academic sources must take an examination to demonstrate such proficiency.

Official transcripts of previous academic work, three letters of recommendation, personal statement and résumé are required as part of the application.

A maximum of two graduate-level courses (8 credits) taken at Metropolitan College before acceptance into the program may be applied toward the degree.

Minimum passing grade for a course in the graduate program is 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.

Apply here.

Academic Standing

No grade lower than C may be used toward degree requirements. Students must maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 in order to be in good academic standing and to graduate. Students with a grade point average of less than 3.0 are on academic probation and must be in a position to achieve a 3.0 within the 48 required credit hours for graduation.

Prerequisites

Applicants to the program are required to have a bachelor’s degree and proficiency in the following areas:

  • MET CS 201 Introduction to Programming
  • MET CS 231 Programming with C++ or
    MET CS 232 Programming with Java

If college-level credit courses are not in evidence, the department will determine what prerequisite courses must be completed in addition to graduate degree requirements. Students claiming equivalent proficiency in the prerequisite courses from non-academic sources must take an examination to demonstrate such proficiency.

A maximum of two graduate-level courses (eight credits) taken at Metropolitan College before acceptance into the program may be applied toward the degree.

Degree Requirements

A total of 40 credits is required.

Core Curriculum

(Six courses/24 credits)

  • MET CS 520 Information Structures or
    MET CS 601 Web Application Development
  • MET CS 546 Quantitative Methods for Information Systems
  • MET CS 625 Business Data Communication and Networks
  • MET CS 669 Database Design and Implementation for Business
  • MET CS 682 Information Systems Analysis and Design
  • MET CS 782 IT Strategy and Management

Students who have completed courses on core curriculum subjects as part of their undergraduate degree program must replace the corresponding core courses with electives. It is recommended that each replacement course be in the same technical area as the original core course. Students who have work-related experience in any of the core curriculum courses may apply for a waiver by submitting appropriate documentation. When a course waiver is granted, the student must substitute a graduate-level elective for the core course.

General Electives

(Four courses/16 credits)

Students who are not pursuing a concentration must select four elective courses from the following list. Electives other than those listed below must be approved by the student’s advisor. In choosing electives, students should make sure that they have all prerequisites required by the selected course. At least three elective courses must be at the 600 level or above:

  • MET CS 503 Windows .NET Application Programming with C#
  • MET CS 504 Green Information Technology
  • MET CS 532 Computer Graphics
  • MET CS 561 Financial Informatics
  • MET CS 565 Advanced Java Programming
  • MET CS 580 Health Informatics
  • MET CS 581 Electronic Health Records
  • MET CS 599 Biometrics
  • MET CS 605 Human-Computer Interface Design with .NET
  • MET CS 632 IT Project Management
  • MET CS 633 Distributed Software Development and Management
  • MET CS 651 Web Development with .NET
  • MET CS 664 Artificial Intelligence
  • MET CS 665 Design Patterns and Components
  • MET CS 667 Enterprise Java
  • MET CS 674 Database Security
  • MET CS 684 IT Security Policies and Procedures
  • MET CS 685 Network Performance and Management
  • MET CS 689 Designing and Implementing a Data Warehouse
  • MET CS 690 Network Security
  • MET CS 693 Digital Forensics and Investigations
  • MET CS 695 Enterprise Information Security
  • MET CS 699 Data Mining and Business Intelligence
  • MET CS 701 Rich Internet Application Development
  • MET CS 703 Network Forensics
  • MET CS 713 Advanced Digital Forensics
  • MET CS 732 Advanced Game Graphics
  • MET CS 733 Real-Time Multimedia Simulation
  • MET CS 734 Artificial Intelligence for Video Games
  • MET CS 751 Web Services
  • MET CS 773 Software Quality Management
  • MET CS 779 Advanced Database Management
  • MET CS 780 Database Administration
  • MET CS 783 Enterprise Architecture
  • MET CS 789 Cryptography
  • MET CS 799 Advanced Cryptography

Master’s Thesis Option in Computer Information Systems

(8 credits)

Students majoring in Computer Information Systems may elect a thesis option, to be completed within twelve months. This option is available to Master of Science in Computer Information Systems candidates who have completed at least seven courses toward their degree and have a GPA of 3.7 or higher. Students are responsible for finding a thesis advisor and a principal reader within the department. The advisor must be a full-time faculty member; the principal reader may be part-time faculty with a PhD (unless waived by department).

  • MET CS 810/811 Master’s Thesis

View all Computer Science & IT graduate courses.