The Software Systems track is for students who want to pursue knowledge of software development and software systems methodologies and technologies. Software plays the key role in practical, real-world computing systems and applications. This track enables students to understand and master classic and current software systems, and provides the fundamentals for later self-study as well as construction of future software systems.
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.
- Required track courses: COMS W4115, COMS W4118 and COMS 4156.
- Four breadth courses, two of which can be covered by the track requirements, plus one course chosen from Theory and the other from AI and Apps.
- Two 4000-level elective track courses (6 points) selected from the list of section 3.
- Two 6000-level elective track courses (6 points) selected from the list of section 4.
- Three points of general elective graduate courses.
- Students using previously taken courses to waive one or more of the required track courses may complete the 30 graduate points by expanding their electives, selected either from the track or from other graduate courses; at most three points overall may be “non-track” graduate courses. Waived courses cannot be used to fulfill the breadth requirement nor the track electives.
1. BREADTH REQUIREMENT
Visit the breadth requirement page for more information.
2. REQUIRED TRACK COURSES
Course ID |
Title |
COMS W4115 | Programming Languages and Translators |
COMS W4118 | Operating Systems I |
COMS W4156 | Advanced Software Engineering |
3. 4000-LEVEL ELECTIVE TRACK COURSES
Students are required to complete at least two 4000-level courses (6 points) selected from the following list of track courses:
Course ID |
Title |
COMS W4111 | Introduction to Databases |
COMS W4112 | Database System Implementation |
COMS W4113 | Fundamentals of Large-Scale Distributed Systems |
COMS W4117 | Compilers and Interpreters |
COMS W4130 | Principles and Practice of Parallel Programming |
COMS W4170 | User Interface Design |
COMS W4181 |
Computer Security I |
COMS W4444 | Programming and Problem Solving |
CSEE W4840 | Embedded Systems |
COMS W4995* | Topics in Computer Science (Visit the topics courses page to see which COMS 4995 courses apply to this track.) |
*Topics in Computer Science (4995) sections must be approved as qualifying “software systems” track courses by your Software Systems Track Advisor. Typically this would mean topics offered by a software systems faculty member or by an affiliated adjunct.
COMS W4187 Security Architecture and Engineering is no longer offered; students who took 4187 when it was offered in the past may include it as a 4000-level track course. It has been replaced in the track by COMS W4181 Computer Security I. COMS W4186 Malware Analysis and Reverse Engineering is not acceptable as a 4000-level track course effective with the Fall 2020 semester; students who completed 4186 prior to Fall 2020 may include it as a 4000-level track course. It has been replaced in the track by CSEE W4840 Embedded Systems.
Check the registrar’s website for definitive information as to which courses are offered a given semester.
4. 6000-LEVEL ELECTIVE TRACK COURSES
Students are required to complete at least two 6000-level courses (6 points) selected from the following list of track courses:
Course ID |
Title |
COMS E6111 | Advanced Database Systems |
COMS E6113 | Topics in Database Systems |
COMS E6114 |
Advanced Distributed Systems |
COMS E6117 | Topics in Programming Languages and Translators |
COMS E6118 | Operating Systems II |
COMS E6121 | Reliable Software |
COMS E6156 | Topics in Software Engineering |
COMS E6424 |
Hardware Security |
COMS E6901* | Projects in Computer Science (Advisor approval required) |
COMS E6998* | Topics in Computer Science (Visit the topics courses page to see which COMS 6998 courses apply to this track.) |
*Projects in Computer Science (6901) and Topics in Computer Science (6998) courses must be approved as qualifying “software systems” electives by your Software Systems Track Advisor. Typically this would mean topics/projects offered by a software systems faculty member or by an affiliated adjunct. Although rarely applicable, COMS E6900 Tutorial in Computer Science (with an appropriate faculty member) can be substituted for E6901 with the advisor’s approval.
5. GENERAL ELECTIVES
Students are required to complete at least 3 additional graduate points at or above the 4000-level approved by the track advisor.
At most three points overall of the 30 graduate points required for the MS degree may be “Non-CS/Non-track” but must still be technical in nature.
*Due to a significant overlap in course material, MS students not in the Machine Learning track can only take one of the following courses – COMS 4771, COMS 4721, ELEN 4903, IEOR 4525, STAT 4240, STAT 4400/4241/5241 – as part of their degree requirements.
Important note: Not all COMS or SEAS courses qualify as “technical”, a few are considered “non-technical” (most non-SEAS courses are considered “non-technical”, but a few may be deemed “technical”). Please complete a non-track approval form, get your advisor’s approval, and forward it to CS Student Services.
** Known non-track CS courses **
COMS W4995 The Business of Software Delivery
CSOR E4995 Financial Software Systems
6. 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 few years.
7. TRACK ADVISORS
Please direct all questions concerning the Software Systems Track to your designated advisor, which should be Prof. Ken Ross, and Prof. Roxana Geambasu.
8. 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.
Last updated February 19, 2020