Master of Computer Science and Engineering

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Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering

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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

Course Information

Program Length

SYNC SESSIONS

MSCE Courses

OFFERED TIMES

1-2 hours every other week

View Residency Requirements

Program Core: 36 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)

Policy on Sync Sessions

Sync Sessions provide a forum for collaborative learning by enabling “real time” interaction between faculty and students.
SyncSessions are conducted through the use of a meeting web-based application called Zoom. Your instructor will provide details as to how you will access a Zoom meeting. In order to participate in the session, you must be at a computer. To participate in the audio portion of the SyncSession, your computer will need to be configured with a microphone and/or headset.
Sync Sessions are 1-2 hours long and will be held every other week.
Attendance is required for Sync Sessions.
The Sync Sessions are spent having students defending and explaining their research assignment for that week. Assignment instructions and grading rubrics are posted in the Canvas course shell.

Technology Specifications

Technology Requirements

Following are the recommended general technical hardware/software specifications for students enrolled in all academic programs at the University of Fairfax. Please note that

a) these specifications are sufficient for the entire duration of the program,

b) need for specific applications/software would be determined by the actual course(s) registered and the availability of the applications, and

c) although students with Mac computers can access any applications/software by leveraging remote access tools, Mac platform is not recommended and supported, and

d) doctoral students will be required to use several open-source applications, hosted services, and publicly available virtual machines. This may include but is not limited to SAS (Statistical Analysis System) OnDemand, Oracle Virtual Box, Kali OS, Apache Web Server, GNU/Linux, OpenSSL, ROS (Robot Operating System), Blender (3D computer graphics), and Orange (Data Mining).

Minimum Recommended Specifications

1. Ownership of either laptop or desktop is mandatory. Mobile devices such as Tablets/Smart Phones cannot be used for running any applications. Mobile devices may be used for simple tasks such as accessing Canvas courses for checking messages, grades, due dates, and read the slides. For other tasks such as taking test, uploading assignments, and participating in discussion forums, mobile devices are not recommended and must not be used.

2. These recommendations are universal across all academic programs and provide a basic format for all courses. As you move further into a degree program, these requirements may increase (only minimal) based on the expectations of the program and the availability of applications.

Platform: Intel-based systems	Minimum	Better	Best
CPU	4 core 3.0 GHz.	6 core 3.0 GHz.	8 core 3.0 GHz.
RAM	16GB	32GB	32GB
Storage	500GB SSD	1TB SSD	1TB SSD
Graphics	{Integrated} OR {2GB} OR {1GB DirectX 11}	{Integrated} OR {4GB} OR {2GB DirectX 11} OR {NVIDIA 4GB} OR {NVIDIA 4GB DirectX 11}	{4GB} OR {NVIDIA 4GB} OR {4GB DirectX 11} OR {NVIDIA 6GB DirectX 11}
Operating System	Windows 11 64-bit (Professional Edition only), No Home Edition	Windows 11 64-bit (Professional Edition only), No Home Edition	Windows 11 64-bit (Professional Edition only), No Home Edition
Extras	2-3 USB 2.0 or 2-3 USB 3.0 Ports Microphone Camera External USB Drive for backup (minimum 1 TB)	2-3 USB 2.0 or 2-3 USB 3.0 Ports Microphone Camera External USB Drive for backup (minimum 1 TB)	2-3 USB 2.0 or 2-3 USB 3.0 Ports Microphone Camera External USB Drive for backup (minimum 1 TB)
Recommended Standard Productivity Applications	Access, Excel, OneNote, Outlook, PowerPoint, Power BI, Project, Publisher, Visio, Sway, Word, Forms, Delve Internet browsers like Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc. (recommend the use of multiple browsers) Document Management Application – Adobe Acrobat Professional Zoom Desktop Client (https://zoom.us/download) Free Video / Photo Editing (select 1 or2) Application – PowerDirector (best) – Google, Promeo – Best App for Social Media, iMovie – Video Editor App for Beginners, Splice – Free Video Editor for Trimming and Cropping, Quik – Best Video Editor for Montages, KineMaster – Video Editing App For Experienced Editors, Filmmaker Pro – Best for Vertical Editing, InShot – Best Video Editor App for Aspiring Social Media Content Creators, Mojo – Best for Any Kind of Social Media Post, VivaVideo – Best for Beginners Keep the system up to date with Windows Updates, .NET Framework etc.	Access, Excel, OneNote, Outlook, PowerPoint, Power BI, Project, Publisher, Visio, Sway, Word, Forms, Delve Internet browsers like Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc. (recommend the use of multiple browsers) Document Management Application – Adobe Acrobat Professional Zoom Desktop Client (https://zoom.us/download) Free Video / Photo Editing (select 1 or 2) Application – PowerDirector (best) – Google, Promeo – Best App for Social Media, iMovie – Video Editor App for Beginners, Splice – Free Video Editor for Trimming and Cropping, Quik – Best Video Editor for Montages, KineMaster – Video Editing App For Experienced Editors, Filmmaker Pro – Best for Vertical Editing, InShot – Best Video Editor App for Aspiring Social Media Content Creators, Mojo – Best for Any Kind of Social Media Post, VivaVideo – Best for Beginners Keep the system up to date with Windows Updates, .NET Framework etc.	Access, Excel, OneNote, Outlook, PowerPoint, Power BI, Project, Publisher, Visio, Sway, Word, Forms, Delve Internet browsers like Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc. (recommend the use of multiple browsers) Document Management Application – Adobe Acrobat Professional Zoom Desktop Client (https://zoom.us/download) Free Video / Photo Editing (select 1 or 2) Application – PowerDirector (best) – Google, Promeo – Best App for Social Media, iMovie – Video Editor App for Beginners, Splice – Free Video Editor for Trimming and Cropping, Quik – Best Video Editor for Montages, KineMaster – Video Editing App For Experienced Editors, Filmmaker Pro – Best for Vertical Editing, InShot – Best Video Editor App for Aspiring Social Media Content Creators, Mojo – Best for Any Kind of Social Media Post, VivaVideo – Best for Beginners Keep the system up to date with Windows Updates, .NET Framework etc.

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