M.A. and M.S. in Computer Science

These graduate programs and courses are offered by the Long Island, New York campus of Hofstra University.

Master of Arts

This program is designed to prepare students for diverse careers in computing, including the design of computer systems and equipment, the development of software to control operations and process information, and the research to satisfy the growing computer needs in all segments of society. New computer applications are expanding at a rapid pace in all areas including medicine, the media and entertainment, science, architecture, engineering and business. Business men and women, and science professionals will find electives specifically for their specialties. The program is also intended for computing professionals who wish to advance their careers by staying abreast of state-of-the art techniques for the design, implementation, testing and deployment of modern computing systems. The fundamental courses in algorithms, programming languages, and operating systems support the remainder of the course work. The program is designed to meet the needs of the technical and business-oriented markets allowing a student to tailor her/his individual program in consultation with an adviser. The seven elective courses provide the needed flexibility. Students are engaged with a project of their choice, approved by an adviser, as their capstone experience.

Graduates of this program have found challenging, fulfilling and lucrative positions in varied areas of industry including software manufacturers, communication and networking companies, banks, publishers, stock brokerages, and business consulting firms. They perform a wide range of tasks including programming, systems and network administration, database administration, systems analysis, and network security analysis.

For the most up-to-date info, see the Hofstra Bulletin

Master of Science

The objectives of the program are twofold: (i) to develop highly qualified professionals capable of adapting with ease to the dynamic field of computing; and (ii) to prepare students interested in pursuing doctoral studies in computer science or related fields. The program provides a strong foundation and breadth in computer science, in theory, hardware, and software, along with a focus and a specialization in the student's preferred area of interest. In addition to the fundamental courses in algorithms, programming languages, and operating systems, the students must select one course in theory and one in systems. Elective courses are offered in cutting-edge areas such as data mining and machine learning; networks and network security; distributed, parallel, and mobile computing; computer graphics and computer vision; artificial intelligence; and bioinformatics. In addition, a software management course is offered for interested students and students who are in leadership positions in the industry. The graduate courses are tailored to help students narrow down their area of specialization and develop expertise in that area. The program ends in a capstone experience which can be either in the form of a project or of a master's thesis. This is a 30-semester hour program.

For the most up-to-date info, see the Hofstra Bulletin