The Foundations of Computer Science track is intended for students who wish to develop state of the art knowledge of the theoretical foundations of Computer Science. The theory of computation plays a crucial role in providing solid foundations for all areas of Computer Science, including systems, artificial intelligence, security, and circuit design. This track will help you develop leading-edge knowledge of theoretical Computer Science and its applications.
1. Overall Requirements
Students must complete at least a total of 30 graduate credits:
- Fulfill
the 12-credit core requirement. One of the core requirements must be
CSOR W4231. In addition, COMS W3261 or past equivalent is a required pre-requisite (No MS credit for W3261).
- 1 required course: COMS W4236.
- 1 course chosen from the "Electives I" list: COMS W4203, COMS W4205, COMS W4241, COMS W4252, COMS W4261, or COMS W4281.
- At least 9 additional credits from the "Electives II" list,
excluding the course chosen from the "Electives I" list to satisfy above. At least 6 of the credits must come from 6000-level courses.
- Remaining credits from any qualifying graduate course (4000 and
6000 level).
2. Pre-requisite
| Course ID | Title |
|
COMS W3261 |
Computer Science Theory (not for Masters credit) |
3. Required Core Course
|
Course ID |
Title |
CSOR W4231 | Analysis of Algorithms I |
4. Required Track Course
|
Course ID |
Title |
|
COMS W4236 |
Intro. to Computational Complexity |
4a. Track Program: Electives I
Candidates are required to complete one (1) of the following courses:
|
Course ID |
Title |
|
COMS W4203 |
Graph Theory |
|
COMS W4205 |
Combinatorial Theory |
|
COMS W4241 |
Numerical Algorithms and Complexity |
|
COMS W4252 |
Introduction to Computational Learning Theory |
|
COMS W4261 |
Introduction to Cryptography |
|
COMS W4281 |
Introduction to Quantum Computing |
4b. Track Program: Electives II
Candidates are required to complete 9 credits out of the following list* excluding the course already taken; at least 6 credits must be at the 6000 level:
|
Course ID |
Title |
|
COMS W4203 |
Graph Theory |
|
COMS W4205 |
Combinatorial Theory |
|
COMS W4241 |
Numerical Algorithms and Complexity |
|
COMS W4252 |
Introduction to Computational Learning Theory |
COMS W4261 |
Introduction to Cryptography |
COMS W4281 |
Introduction to Quantum Computing |
|
CSEE E6180 |
Performance Analysis |
COMS E6204 | Topics in Graph Theory |
COMS E6232 | Analysis of Algorithms II |
|
COMS E6253 |
Computational Learning Theory II |
|
COMS E6261 |
Advanced Cryptography |
|
COMS E6291 |
Theoretical Topics in C.S. |
|
COMS E6717 (ELEN E6717) |
Information Theory |
|
COMS E6901 |
Projects in Computer Science |
COMS E6998 | Adv. Topics in Comp. Geometry |
|
COMS E6998 |
Adv. Topics in Complexity Theory |
COMS E6998 | Network Theory |
Algorithmic Game Theory | |
| COMS E6998 | Adv. Topics in Machine Learning |
| COMS E6998 | Formal Verification |
| COMS E6998 | Algorithms for Dealing with Massive Data |
| COMS E6998 | Algorithmic Graph Theory |
| COMS E6998 | Advanced topics in Programming Language/Compilers |
| COMS E6998 | Randomness in Computing |
CSPH G4802 | Incompleteness Results in Logic |
|
SIEO W4150 |
Intro. to Probability and Statistics |
|
IEOR E4407 |
Game Theoretic Models of Operation |
IEOR E6400 | Scheduling: Deterministic Models |
|
IEOR E6603 |
Combinatorial Optimization |
|
IEOR E6606 |
Advanced Topics in Network Flows |
IEOR E6608 | Integer Programming |
IEOR E6610 | Approximation Algorithms |
IEOR E6613 | Optimization I |
IEOR E6614 | Optimization II |
IEOR E6711 | Stochastic Models I |
IEOR E6712 | Stochastic motels II |
IEOR E8100 | Doctoral Seminar on Convex Optimization |
|
ELEN E6718 |
Algebraic Coding Theory |
|
ELEN E6970 |
Resource Allocation and Networking Games |
5. General Elective
Remaining credits from any qualifying Computer Science graduate course (4000 and
6000 level). Students may take up to 3 credits of non-tech course approved by the advisor. Please complete a non-tech approval form, and once it is signed, forward it to Janine Maslov or Remi Moss.
** Known non-tech courses**
IEOR E4550y Entrepreneurial business creation for engineers
6. Track Planning
Please visit the Directory of Classes to get the updated course listings. If you would like to see how often the courses are offered, please visit the course page on the CS Department website.
Not all courses are offered every semester, or even every year; a few courses are offered only once every two or three years or even less frequently. Among the core courses, 4115, 4118, 4701, and 4231 are normally offered every semester (fall and spring) but 4156 and 4824 are normally offered only one semester per year and which semester (fall vs. spring) may vary. Among the 4000-level track electives, only 4111 is normally offered every semester; none of the 6000-level track courses are offered every semester and some are not even offered every year. There are, however, typically one or more relevant 4995 and/or 6998 offerings each semester, and its generally possible to find a suitable 6901 project any semester. For more information, please see the SEAS Bulletin CS course-offering schedule (Please note that the course-offering schedule can change due to unforeseeable circumstances; thus, it should only be used as a reference).7. Contact
Please direct all questions concerning the Foundations of Computer Science Track to Prof. .
8. 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 these course offerings are listed on a provisional basis only and may change from what is listed here.
Last updated 2/14/2012
