Earn Your Degree from University of Fairfax
Master of Computer Science and Engineering
From a mainframe that took up an entire room, we’ve come to building an iPhone that can hold 100 times more data and process data 1000 times faster within a span of 50 years. Large-scale computing power that was only available to organizations the size of NASA and IBM in the 1990s has now been democratized and the same is now available to a 16-year old with a credit card – thanks to Cloud Computing. Computer Science Engineering has seen so much immense growth and evolution in the last 5 decades that no industry ever has in history. To fuel this growth, the industry needs leaders with a firm grasp on the fundamentals of advanced computing concepts. Equipping yourself with our Master of Computer Science and Engineering Degree is a great opportunity to become career-ready in this fast-growing industry.
This program fosters the development of students who:
- Are recognized as knowledgeable and qualified practitioners within the computer science and engineering sector.
- Possess an advanced level and depth of knowledge in computer science and engineering best practices.
- Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the analysis of issues relevant to computer science and engineering.
- Utilize secondary research competencies in the investigation and selection of best practice solutions to address computer science and engineering challenges and problems.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to address a variety of specialized areas within the area of computer science and engineering such as: software engineering, operating systems, database design and management, security in the digital age, design and development of security architectures, information security project management, computer networking and telecommunications, distributed systems, cloud computing, and big data and analytics.
Degree Program Outcomes
Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:
- Compare and contrast the various elements that compromise the field of Computer Science Engineering
- Create new and evolving concepts within Computer Science
- Assess the growing trend toward globalization and its effect on Information Technology
- Defend concepts of distributed systems
- Recommend appropriate principles to apply in a distributed system for a specific distributed system for a specific distributed infrastructure
- Argue the basic and advanced concepts associated with networking and telecommunications
Credit Requirements
The MCSE degree program consists of 36 semester credits.
RM8250: Web-Based Research Methods in Information Security
In this course, students acquire information retrieval skills and research competencies to identify and evaluate industry-relevant sources of information for the purposes of analysis and research in information security. Students compare and contrast the utility of publicly-available and subscription-based information sources for the purposes of meeting academic and professional requirements. (3 credits)
SD6000: Database Design & Management
In this course, students will explore database design, development, data warehousing, and the usage of data specification. Students will explore how to generate, patch, and reverse engineer databases utilizing the Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD). This course also includes Best Practices in database design and management as well as usage of data specifications. (3 credits).
SD6100: Operating Systems
In this course, students will explore computer architecture and various operating systems. Students will explore processing, storage, networking, monitoring, and the inner workings of how operating systems are configured and communicate with other computers and server-based system. (3 credits)
SD6300: Software Engineering
In this course, students will learn how to apply the best practices for large-scale software system engineering, including information security, user interface, architectural design, system models, verification, and validation. Students will strengthen their technique and deepen their understanding of high-level languages and system programming. (3 credits)
IA7000: Security in the Digital Age
In this course, students explore the eight domains of the (ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) in information security as a framework to critically analyze security awareness issues and to evaluate best practices in implementing security systems within the enterprise (3 credits)
IA8070: Design and Development of Security Architectures
In this course, students evaluate the principles, attributes and processes used in designing and deploying a comprehensive and resilient layered security architecture that supports the business and technical objectives of the enterprise. (3 credits)
PM8100: Information Security Project Management
In this course, students utilize PMI’s Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) as a framework to apply project management concepts in the information security arena. Each student develops a project plan for a security assessment which incorporates the technical and behavioral characteristics of high-performance teams. (3 credits)
CS6500: Computer Networking and Telecommunications
This course is designed to help students with an understanding of various methods of networking and telecommunications. The course with start with a basic foundation of networking. Topics to be covered include signal generation and analysis at the physical layer, Ethernet and WLAN performance, IP addressing and management, IP router generation, TCP connection control, and packet filtering. While the main focus of this course covers various methods of networking and telecommunications, software tools and techniques will also be examined. (3 credits)
CS6600: Distributed Systems
This course is designed to help students to understand distributed system application in today’s business environment. Topics covered include peer-to-peer sharing, collaborative computing, interactive services, and distributed computing. Students will also learn the underlying principles associated with distributed systems. These principles include processes, communication, security, fault tolerance, synchronization, and naming conventions. By the end of this course, students will have a fundamental understanding of distributed computing and will have the understanding necessary to develop distributed systems and applications. (3 credits)
CS6700: Cloud Computing
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the concepts of Cloud computing and its capabilities. The capabilities covered include Cloud service model infrastructures such as Infrastructure as a Service (Iaas), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Business Process as a Service (BPaaS). This course will also include the security aspects of Cloud computing and the associated challenges. Configuration and implementation of IaaS services will also be discussed in this course. (3 credits)
CS6800: Big Data and Analytics
Big Data Analytics provides an introduction to business intelligence and analytics. Big Data Analytics include the use of data, statistical and quantitative analysis and evidence-based methods to inform business decisions. This course is designed to help students gain an understanding of Big Data Analytics. Students will learn how to deploy Big Data applications in both a desktop and business setting. Some of the concepts discussed include Big Data Storage, processing, analysis, visualization, and applications. Students will also explore social and security issues associated with Big Data. (3 credits)
CS6900: Capstone in Computer Science Engineering
(Prerequisite: Must be taken in last term and all other courses completed) This course teaches students how proper application of Information technology enhances the overall operations of an organization and contributes to the overall success of the organization. The emphasis will be on the deployment of tools, applications, functions, and theories associated within the computer science discipline for the purpose of enhanced organization effectiveness. (3 credits)
Credits required for MCS: 36