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.
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Students must complete at least a total of 30 graduate points and must maintain at least 2.7 overall GPA in order to be eligible for the MS degree in Computer Science.
- Foundations track requires:- Breadth courses
– Required Track courses (6pts)
– Track Electives I (3pts)
– Track Electives II (9 pts)
– General Electives (3pts) - 2 required courses: CSOR W4231 and 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 points from the “Electives II” list, excluding the course chosen from the “Electives I” list to satisfy above. At least 6 of the points must be 6000-level courses.
- Remaining points from any qualifying graduate course (4000- and 6000-level).
Please use the Degree Progress Checklist to keep track of your requirements.
1. BREADTH REQUIREMENT
Visit the breadth requirement page for more information.
2. REQUIRED TRACK COURSES
Students are required to complete the following courses. Students who have taken equivalent courses in the past and received grades of at least a B may apply for waivers and take other CS courses instead.
Course ID |
Title |
CSOR W4231 | Analysis of Algorithms I |
COMS W4236 | Intro. to Computational Complexity |
3A. TRACK PROGRAM: ELECTIVES I
Students are required to complete 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 |
3B. TRACK PROGRAM: ELECTIVES II
Students are required to complete 9 points out of the following list excluding the course already taken; at least 6 points 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 W4995 | Visit the topics courses page to see which COMS 4995 courses apply to this track. |
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 E6901 | Projects in Computer Science (Advisor approval required) |
COMS E6998 | Visit the topics courses page to see which COMS 6998 courses apply to this track. |
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 6616 | Convex Optimization |
IEOR E6711 | Stochastic Models I |
IEOR E6712 | Stochastic motels II |
IEOR E8100 | Doctoral Seminar on Convex Optimization |
ELEN 6717 | Information Theory |
ELEN E6718 | Algebraic Coding Theory |
ELEN E6970 | Resource Allocation and Networking Games |
* STAT 4001 taken Spring 2018 or prior may count as a substitute for Probability and Statistics/Advanced Data Analysis
4. GENERAL ELECTIVES
Remaining points from any qualifying Computer Science graduate course (4000- and 6000- level). Students may take up to 3 points of non-CS/non-track course approved by the advisor. Please complete a non-track approval form, get your advisor’s approval, and forward it to CS Student Services.
*Due to a significant overlap in course material, MS students not in the Machine Learning track can only take 1 of the following courses – COMS 4771, COMS 4721, ELEN 4903, IEOR 4525, STAT 4240, STAT 4400/4241/5241 – as part of their degree requirements.
** Known non-track courses**
IEOR E4550y Entrepreneurial business creation for engineers
5. TRACK PLANNING
Please visit the Directory of Classes to get the updated course listings.
Please also note that 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.
6. TRACK ADVISOR
Please direct all questions concerning the Foundations Track to Prof. Omri Weinstein.
7. GRADUATION
Candidates preparing for graduation should submit a completed application for degree to the Registrar’s Office and submit a track graduation form/checklist to CS Student Services.
Updated on 4/21/16