Computer and Information Science

MSE in CIS Degree Requirements

Course Requirements

The MSE degree requires completion of ten course units that satisfies all of the following requirements:

  • Seven CIS courses – At least seven of the ten course units required for the degree must be CIS courses. These seven courses include four core courses and three CIS elective courses described below.
    • Four Core courses – Four from the following list:
      • Theory courses:
        • CIS 5020 Analysis of Algorithms
        • CIS 5110 Theory of Computation
      • Systems courses:
        • CIS 5050 Software Systems
        • CIS 5480 Operating Systems Design and Implementation
        • CIS 5530 Networked Systems
        • CIS 5550 Internet & Web Systems
      • Machine-learning courses:
        • CIS 5200 Machine Learning
        • CIS 5190 Introduction to Machine Learning
        • CIS 5210 Artificial Intelligence
      • Other courses:
        • CIS 5000 Software Foundations
        • CIS 5710 Computer Organization and Design
      • The four core courses must include 1) at least one systems course, or CIS 5710; 2) at least one theory course; and 3) at most one machine-learning course. (the other machine-learning courses can still be taken as electives.)
    • Three CIS elective courses
      • Any CIS courses numbered from CIS 5000 to CIS 7000
      • At most one CIS 7000 class can be included
  • Three CIS or non-CIS elective courses

Advanced study in a specific area of computer science is encouraged. Besides coursework, students may pursue Independent Studies to increase their depth of knowledge in a specific area – a maximum of two independent study credits can be used as electives for the CIS/MSE degree. Students are also encouraged to submit a master’s thesis (see below) which may count as two course units of Masters Student Thesis Research, CIS 9990.

FORMS: Click here to access Penn Engineering graduate forms, including the Graduate Petition for Action; click here to access CIS graduate forms.

Concentrations

Concentrations for CIS/MSE are available in the following areas – Computer Vision, Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Software Foundations, and Theoretical Foundations.

  • For the CIS/MSE program, concentrations are optional; you can declare one if you wish, but you can also graduate without one.
  • There is a limit of one concentration per degree.
  • If you declare a concentration, you would need to complete four courses (from the list below) in that concentration. These courses must be courses that count towards the CIS/MSE graduation requirements (but can count towards core or electives).
  • The chosen concentration will appear on your graduation transcript.
  • All concentrations are 4 CUs.
  • Pick any four CUs from a list below.

Please see the link for more details, rules, and list of courses – Here

 

 

Program Requirements & Resources

A student wishing to complete a master’s thesis may enroll in two course units of CIS 9990/Masters Thesis Research, which count as electives towards the ten credits needed for the CIS/MSE degree. The student first chooses a thesis advisor, who must belong to the CIS Graduate Group, proposing a suitable thesis topic. The thesis advisor and student discuss and determine the topic, scope, etc. of the thesis. The advisor and student also determine one other faculty member to be a reader for the thesis. The advisor and reader will evaluate the thesis and make the determination of its suitability as a research document. An oral presentation of the thesis is required. This can take the form of a public presentation open to all CIS faculty and students to attend, or in lieu of that, a conference presentation or poster presentation (decided by the thesis adviser). Once the final thesis document is approved, it is signed by the advisor, reader, and CIS/MSE Program Chair, Dr. Swapneel Sheth. Information re: thesis formatting and submission of the thesis to the Penn Engineering Research and Academic Services Office can be accessed here.  A copy of the approved version of the thesis should be emailed to the CIS Master’s chair.

A minimum GPA of 2.7 for master’s students must be maintained in order to be considered in good academic standing. If this minimum is not maintained, academic probation or dismissal from the program will be invoked. A 2.7 final GPA must be achieved to graduate in all situations. (Effective Fall 2007 class). Students are permitted to graduate with an F grade in a course; however, no grade lower than a D will be counted towards the degree.

  • Watch for email announcements regarding applying for graduation.
  • If needed, master’s thesis instructions should be obtained early on in the writing stage. You should make your advisor aware of the need for a timely reading and signature before graduation.
  • Check that your academic record is cleared of Incompletes, No Grade Reported, and Unsatisfactory Progress. and that your GPA meets the requirements..
  • Students who graduate in August or December may participate in the following May Commencement; a student graduating in August may participate in the May Commencement prior to graduation – contact Redian Furxhiu for information.
  • Make sure that your bursar’s bill is cleared before the end of the final semester.
  • Students are allowed a maximum of seven years to complete the MSE degree program.

Information re: requesting to be considered for a dual degree/transfer can be found here.

Requirements for engineering masters students requesting consideration to transfer to or do a dual degree with the CIS/MSE program:

  • Students interested in pursuing a dual or transfer should first talk with their current program.
  • Minimum GPA of 3.7
  • Transfer Requests can be made only after the end of first semester at Penn, but no later than the add/drop deadline of 3rd semester.
  • Dual-Degree Requests can be made only after the end of first semester at Penn, but no later than add/drop deadline of the student’s final semester.
  • External candidates must have received a grade of A- or above in a CIS graduate course.
  • Application Documents: in addition to the dual/or transfer application form, students must include a Personal Statement, Resume, copy of undergraduate transcript.
  • Note, submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance. The admission process is competitive.

Transfers requests only (in addition to above requirements):

Students requesting to be considered for dual degree status/transfer status should not make such a request until after completion, including posting of grades, of the first semester in the program to which they were originally admitted.

Such requests are evaluated with the same criteria used in evaluating candidates applying directly to our graduate programs; i.e. candidates should have the appropriate background, academic credentials, test scores, etc. Click here to access School of Engineering info re: dual degrees/transferring programs.

Accelerated Master’s: Undergraduate students applying for Accelerated Master’s status must have completed the courses listed below at the time of application:

  • CIS 1200, CIS 1210, CIS 1600
  • One theory course (CIS 2620, CIS 3200)
  • Any two of the following project oriented classes: (NETS 2120, CIS 3410, CIS/ESE 3500, CIS 4710/5710, CIS 3800, CIS 4120/CIS 5120, CIS 4500/CIS 5500, CIS 4550/5550, CIS 4600/CIS 5600, CIS 5050, CIS 5530)

The application must include a plan for completing all requirements for their current undergraduate and CIS/MSE program.  Applicants should have at least a 3.2 GPA in their major, as well at least a B+ average in the chosen six courses above.

School of Engineering Information regarding the Accelerated master’s option is accessible here.

The CIS/MSE Program is overseen by the CIS Graduate Group, and administered by dedicated faculty and staff.

Swapneel Sheth, Program Director & Faculty Advisor

Redian Furxhiu, Program Manager & Academic Advisor

Academic Resources

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