Computer and Information Science

Master of Science in Engineering in Computer and Information Science

About CIS Research Program Policies & Student Handbook

Program Overview

The CIS/ MSE program offers scholars the opportunity for advanced study in the scientific foundations of the rapidly growing field of computer science.  Applicants to the MSE program should have strong undergraduate training in mathematics and computer science; prior coursework should include such areas as operating systems, programming languages, data structures, discrete mathematics, linear algebra, algorithms and theory; coursework should be similar to the courses taken by computer science undergraduates at the University of Pennsylvania.

Program Requirements

Candidates who do not have an undergraduate major in computer science should consider applying to the Master of Computer and Information Technology program (MCIT). Dual degree/transfer information for current students can be accessed here. Submatriculation information for current students can be accessed here.

CIS/MSE students can pursue many areas within their curriculum, including AI, databases, security, programming languages, etc. The CIS Graduate Program prepares our students to be tomorrow’s innovators, leaders, and visionaries. Our MSE graduates have obtained a wide range of positions in industry and continued in doctoral studies. Here’s a sample:

  • Senior Programmer/Analyst, Computational Biology & Informatics Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania
  • Software Development Engineer, Microsoft
  • Researcher, Lincoln Laboratory, MIT
  • Systems Engineer, Lockheed Martin
  • Researcher, School of Medicine/Radiology, University of Pennsylvania
  • Doctoral Student, Computer & Information Science, University of Pennsylvania
  • Doctoral Student, Computer Science, Brown University,
  • Doctoral Student, Computer Science, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

 

To learn more about the application and admission requirements please visit:

Visit the Graduate Admissions website for additional FAQs.

Concentrations

  • 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

Systems

Artificial Intelligence

Theoretical Foundations

Computer Vision