Program Pre-Requisites
Most graduate courses in Computer Science include expectations that those taking them have a technical background in Computer Science similar to what an undergraduate computer science major would have. This background includes the following:
- Significant experience programming in an Object Oriented programming language such as C++ or Java, including the design and implementation of several programs of intermediate length and complexity (several hundred or thousand lines of code and comments), similar to what would be achieved in the following Drexel courses:
CS 171, 172 Programming I, II
CS 265 Advanced Programming Techniques
CS 350 Software Design
- A working familiarity with algorithms, data structures, and the mathematical foundations of computer science, similar to what would be mastered in the following Drexel courses:
CS 260 Data Structures
CS 221 Discrete Mathematics
One year of calculus: Math 121, 122, 123; or Math 184, 185, 186, 187
Linear Algebra: Math 201; or Math 261, 387
- A working familiarity with computer architecture and machine language:
CS 281, 282: Computer Architecture I, II
- At least two advanced undergraduate courses in computer science, such as:
CS 361 Concurrent Programming
CS 380 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
CS 440 Compiler Theory
CS 460 Theory of Algorithms
CS 461 Database Systems
The MS program does not provide an "immigration track" or "bridge program" whereby students can acquire the expected technical background in the above courses for graduate credit. Prospective students should defer applying until they have acquired the appropriate background. Students who meet all but a few of the above expectations may be provisionally admitted and required to take one or both of the pre-core courses:
CS 520 Foundations of Computer Science
CS 571 Programming Tools and Environments
Applicants whose deficiencies would not be remedied by taking the pre-core courses will be advised to remedy them before applying.
Applicants without the necessary technical background may also wish to consider Drexel's
Master of Science in Information Systems program.
