Apply current technologies to meet the challenges of today while creating new technologies that meet the challenges of tomorrow.
The benefit of a master's degree in computer science has become an increasingly valuable field for professionals in the sciences, IT, engineering, cyber security, and application development.
Curriculum Combines Problem-Solving, Critical Thinking, Innovation, and Creativity
The Master of Science degree in Computer Science program prepares you with an advanced understanding of the principles that underlie the science of computing. Designed for the working adult, the program offers classes in the evening in accelerated, eight-week sessions, where it can be completed in as little as one year.
Offered on campus and online, the Master of Science in Computer Science degree program allows you to choose a specialization specific to your career goals and professional interests:
Software Engineering Concentration
In this concentration you will learn the development process of software for a wide variety of platforms and systems.
- Understand the foundations of software engineering concepts
- Understand the software development process, models, and ethics
- Learn the skills of software requirements engineering
- Learn the different software process methods including agile and waterfall methods
- Study embedded systems design
- Discuss distributed software engineering including client server computing and software as a service
- Study software architecture, design and evolution
- Utilize software testing, quality assurance, and security
- Monitor software development project management
Cyber Security Concentration
In this concentration you will learn how to identify the risks an organization faces due to cyber threats, and recommend steps to combat those risks.
- Create new responses to emerging cyber security problems to enable response to new attacks as they evolve.
- Describe how cyber-attacks against an organization can be monitored and investigated for actionable intelligence.
- Create tools for encrypting data, authenticating users, and verifying the integrity of data.
- Identify components of a modem information system and the threats that challenge security.
- Design software and networks that resist and mitigate cyber-attacks.
- Specify tools and architectures to help secure information systems both proactively and reactively.
- Reverse-engineer malware to determine how to defeat it.
- Extract and examine digital evidence from diverse platforms and media.
- Create tools for penetrating into systems and networks to identify and counteract vulnerabilities.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CONCENTRATION
This concentration focuses on the design and implementation of intelligent systems that perceive, act, and learn in response to their environment.
- Design and implement intelligent systems that perceive, act, and learn in response to their environment.
- Utilize machine learning techniques to improve the performance of systems.
- Derive experience-based models for solving problems.
- Integrate software with hardware to create autonomous systems that can do useful work.
- Create secure networks for communicating measurement data and commands among devices.
- Create software that preforms required computation while minimizing battery usage and processing lag.
DIGITAL FORENSICS CONCENTRATION
This concentration is enriched by supplementary courses from the Criminal Justice Department. A student may take up to 12 credit hours in graduate criminal justice courses, which provide a strong legal and technical background. Topics include:
- Cyber security essentials
- Foundations of digital forensics
- Issues and controversies in intelligence gathering
- Network forensics
- Mobile devices forensics
ENTERPRISE AND CLOUD COMPUTING CONCENTRATION
Many corporations, organizations and government agencies are moving their infrastructure, platform, storage and applications to the cloud. Therefore, it is becoming a necessity to prepare and qualify students to work in this emerging field. Topics include:
- Scalable data storage systems
- Distributed computing systems
- Infrastructure as a service, platform as a service, and software as a service
- Virtualization
- Cloud computing and virtualization security
- Enterprise networking and cloud computing
MSCS (NON-DECLARED CONCENTRATION)
This option provides students with the flexibility to design their own focus for the MSCS and develop a skill set of their desire, or as requested and needed by their employers. However, there is a set of knowledge units, students who are selecting this option are required to know. These units include the following:- Database design and processing
- Object oriented programming
- Research skills in computer science
Why Lewis for Your Master's Degree in Computer Science?
- Ranked as one of U.S. News & World Report's 鈥淭op Tier Colleges鈥�
- Faculty connections in the computer science industry bring job opportunities and real-world projects to Lewis
- New facilities and labs, including a software engineering and security and networking labs
- Access to the latest versions of commercial and open-source software
- Small average class size allows for high interaction with our experienced faculty
- Internship co-op program with Argonne National Laboratory and several other employers
- Hands-on projects for multiple industries and organizations, with a heavy emphasis on service
- Classes offered during weekday evenings and online allowing for flexibility for working professionals.
- Heavy integration of classroom technology to enable students to participate even on weeks when they can't come to campus in person.
- Foundation courses offered for working professionals wishing to change their career, so that they can quickly build an informed understanding of Computer Science.
- Adjunct faculty who are leaders in their fields, who actually practice the material they teach.
- Balanced curriculum that combines theory and practice, allowing for a deeper understanding of computer science technologies
Life after Lewis
What can you do with a master's in computer science? Jobs are not only plentiful in the field of computer science, but rewarding in terms of financial and professional fulfillment. By completing our master's in computer science requirements, graduates are qualified to work in many positions, including:
- Software Developer
- Database Designer
- Web Developer
- Network Engineer
- Cyber Security Engineer
- Cloud Computing Architect
- Video Game Developer
- Simulation Expert
Admission Requirements
Lewis admits candidates with a far range of backgrounds. You may still be considered for admission to the master's in computer science with an unrelated bachelor's degree. To be accepted for admission in the M.S. in Computer Science program at Lewis University, candidates must meet the following credentials:
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution of higher education
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students who have a GPA less than 3.0 may be conditionally admitted providing they earn a 3.0 or higher in their first 9 credit hours
- Application for graduate admission to Lewis University
- Professional resume
- Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
- Two-page statement of purpose
- Two letters of recommendation
- Undergraduate coursework in discrete mathematics, programming, and algorithms (Students without sufficient coursework will still be considered for admission, but may need to complete up to 13 credit hours of foundation courses offered at Lewis)
- International students are required to have a TOEFL test score greater than 550 (computer-based 213, internet based 79)
BACCALAUREATE-TO-MASTER'S Program Option in Computer Science
A Baccalaureate-to-Master's Program Option will enable high-achieving students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science to earn the Master of Science in Computer Science with just one additional year of study. Since they earn a BS in Computer Science, they will not have to take any of the Foundation courses. Furthermore, students may take up to three of graduate courses and count them toward their undergraduate requirements. They will then have to take 24 credit hours to complete their degree. Ambitious students may accomplish this in just two semesters (four eight-week terms).
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