Computer and Information Science

CGGT Degree Requirements

Course Requirements

The master’s degree requirements consist of completing 9 courses and a one semester design project over “three to four semesters” for a total of 10 courses.

Core Areas

(1) Creative Arts and Design (1 course)

  • DSGN 5005: 3-D Computer Modeling (required)

(2-4) Computer Science, Systems and Technology

  • CIS 5600: Interactive Computer Graphics (required)
  • CIS 5620: Computer Animation (required)
  • CIS 6600: Advanced Topics in Computer Graphics and Animation (required)

(5) Graphics Elective (select one):

  • CIS 5650: GPU Programming
  • CIS 5610: Advanced Computer Graphics
  • CIS 7000: Graphics-related Special Topics courses
  • CIS 5660: Procedural Graphics
  • CIS 5120: Introduction to Human Computer Interaction
  • DSGN 5023: User Experience (UX) & User Interface (UI) Desgin
  • FNAR 5004: Video I Production
  • FNAR 5025: Computer Animation
  • FNAR 5017: Cinema Production

(6) Math-Based Course Requirement (select one):

  • CIS 5610: Advanced Computer Graphics
  • CIS 5630: Physically-Based Animation (not currently offered)
  • CIS 5670: Scientific Computing
  • CIS 5810: Computer Vision
  • CIS 5800: Machine Perception
  • CIS 5190: Applied Machine Learning
  • CIS 5200: Machine Learning
  • CIS 5150: Fundamentals of Linear Algebra & Optimization
  • ENM 5030: Introduction to Probability & Statistics
  • ENM 5020: Numerical Methods & Modeling
  • ENM 5100: Foundations of Engineering Mathematics – I
  • ESE 5060: Introduction of Optimizing Theory
  • ESE 6050: Modern Convex Optimization
  • MEAM 5350: Advanced Dynamics
  • MEAM 5270: Finite Element Analysis

(7) AI/Machine Learning (select one):

Recommended AI/Machine Learning courses include: 

  • CIS 5190: Applied Machine Learning
  • CIS 5200: Machine Learning
  • CIS 5210: Artificial Intelligence
  • CIS 6200: Advanced Topics in Machine Learning
  • CIS 5690: GPU Computing for Machine Learning Systems
  • EAS 5870: Generative AI for Virtual Environments
  • ESE 6500: Learning in Robotics
  • ESE 6510: Physical Intelligence: Science & Systems
  • ESE 5390: Hardware/Software Co-Design for Machine Learning

(8) Technical Elective (select one):

(Any 5000-level and above course offered in the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS).)

Recommended Technical courses include:

  • CIS 5610: Advanced Computer Graphics
  • CIS 7000: Graphics-related Special Topics courses
  • CIS 5990: Independent Study
  • Computer Vision (CIS 5800 or CIS 5810)
  • Machine Learning (see any of the ML courses listed above)
  • Control Systems (ESE 5050, ESE 6190)
  • Numerical Methods & Optimization (ENM 5020, ESE 5080, ESE 6050)
  • ESE 6500 Learning in Robotics
  • EAS 5450: Engineering Entrepreneurship I
  • IPD 5150: Product Design
  • EAS 5070: Intellectual Property & Business Law for Engineers

Recommended Business & Entrepreneurship courses include:

  • EAS 5450: Engineering Entrepreneurship I
  • IPD 5150: Product Design
  • EAS 5070: Intellectual Property & Business Law for Engineers
  • MGMT 8010: Entrepreneurship
  • MKTG 7340: Idea Generation & the Systemic Approach to Creativity
  • OIDD 6620: Enabling Technologies
  • OIDD 6140: Innovation
  • EAS 5120: Engineering Negotiation

(9) Free Elective (1 course)

(Any 5000-level and above course offered at Penn – subject to approval by Director, that relates in some way to graphics, animation, and/or games.)

(10) Graphics Project-Based Course (select one):

  • CIS 5680: Game Design Practicum
  • CIS 5970: Master’s Thesis (Independent Study CIS 5990 also required)

Credit for Substantially Similar Coursework at Other Universities

Students enrolled in the program from outside the University who have taken substantially similar coursework at their undergraduate institutions also can petition the program for approval of appropriate course substitutions. Granting of such approvals will be at the Program Director’s discretion, and will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Additional Information