CMU's Top-Ranked Computer Science DepartmentAdds New Course-Only Master's Degree ProgramProgram Begins Fall 2012; Offers Competitive Edge With Employers

Byron SpiceFriday, October 14, 2011

PITTSBURGH-Carnegie Mellon University's Computer Science Department has approved a new master of sciencedegree for students who seek advanced coursework in computer science.

The course-only master's degree,which will begin in fall 2012, offers a unique opportunity for outstanding students to learn from leading researchers and earn a degree from one of thenation's top-ranked graduate programs in computer science. This program is appropriate for anyone who seeks a deeper understanding of computerscience to build on their educational background and work experience, and toenhance their professional and career development. Applicants are notrequired to have an undergraduate degree in computer science.

"Computer science is everywheretoday - in every industry, in every academic discipline. No matter whatprofession you enter, the more computer science you know, the greater theadvantage you have over your peers," said Jeannette Wing, head of the ComputerScience Department.

"Increasingly, top industryrecruiters are looking for Carnegie Mellon graduates who have taken specific computerscience courses, or even taken courses from particular professors on ourfaculty. Recruiters recognize thesecourses as essential preparation for their technical leaders," Wing added."This master's degree can give new graduates - and even professionals who havebeen in the workplace for a while - a competitive edge."

The application deadline is Dec.15, 2011.

The Computer Science Department,created in 1965 and now part of the university's School of Computer Science(SCS), is a pioneer in computer science research and education, with anemphasis on interdisciplinary work and tackling real-world problems. SCS offersa number of specialized master's degree programs in such areas ashuman-computer interaction, software engineering and robotics.

The course-based master's degreeprogram does not include a research component and does not have highly specificcurriculum requirements. This gives students, in close consultation withfaculty advisers, the flexibility to develop their own course of study, saidKarl Crary, associate professor of computer science and director of the newmaster's degree program.

Some students with degrees in otherdisciplines, for instance, may seek general knowledge across the breadth ofcomputer science. Others may want to develop expertise in specialized areas,such as algorithms, networking, cloud computing,programming languages or machine learning.

It is expected that most studentscan complete the degree in three semesters, though a few may be able to do soin just two. In some cases, students may need an extra semester for additionalcourses, depending on their undergraduate preparation. Crary said part-timestudents can also be accommodated.

In all cases, admissions standardswill be uniformly high. "We're looking for people who have excelled or couldhave excelled in our undergraduate program," Crary added. "Successfulapplicants will need basic analytical skills and a strong aptitude in math,programming and logical reasoning."

For More Information

Byron Spice | 412-268-9068 | bspice@cs.cmu.edu