The Computer Security Track

The Computer Security track is intended for students who wish to develop state-of-the-art knowledge of computer and network security technologies. Security considerations pervade personal, corporate, military, governmental, and national infrastructure systems and networks. This track will help you develop leading-edge knowledge in security.

1. Overall Requirements

Students must complete at least a total of 30 graduate credits.

1. Fulfill the 12-credit core requirement; two core courses COMS-4115 and COMS-4118 are prerequisites for this track.
2. 2 required courses (6 credits): COMS-W4180 (Network Security) and COMS-W4261 (Introduction to Cryptography)
3. 3 elective courses (9 credits) selected from the list of section 4; at least 2 of these courses must be 6000-level CS courses.
4. 1 general elective graduate CS course (3 credits), at 4000 level or above
5. Students using Special Considerations to credit previous courses in fulfilling core requirements may complete the 30 graduate credits by expanding their electives beyond the base track requirements above.

For the 12-credit core requirement, students take four courses from the following six:

COMS W4115 Programming Languages & Translators

COMS W4118 Operating Systems 1

COMS W4156 Advanced Software Engineering

COMS W4231 Analysis of Algorithms 1

COMS W4701 Artificial Intelligence

CSEE W4824 Computer Architecture

2. Pre-requisites

Candidates must complete the core courses W4115 and W4118 or equivalent courses, to develop a fundamental understanding of computer systems. Ideally, students should complete these courses prior to pursuing track courses, but they may be taken concurrently with track courses.

3. Required Track Courses

Candidates are required to complete the following two courses:

Students who have completed equivalent courses with grades of at least 3.0/4.0 scale may apply these courses to satisfy these requirements and devote more credits to pursue elective courses.

4. Elective Track Courses

Candidates are required to complete 3 courses out of the following list*; at least two courses must be 6000 level CS courses:

5. General Electives

Candidates are required to complete at least one Columbia graduate course, approved by the Track Advisor.

6. Contact

Please direct all questions concerning the Computer Security Track to Prof. (2007-2008).

7. Graduation

Candidates preparing for graduation should submit a completed application for degree to the Registrar's Office and submit a track graduation form to C.S. Student Services (an example of a completed form is available here).

*The list of electives may be updated to reflect changes in the schedule of course offerings.

**Please note that Fall 2008 course offerings are listed on a provisional basis only and may change from what is listed here.

Last updated 3/13/2008.