The
challenge in the Internet field today is to harness the immense computing power
of computers, networks and storage devices so that people can discover and
share information as never before. In the early age of the Internet, graphic
designers created the static content and images. Now the field requires
professionals who are conversant in dynamic web pages, software agents,
information retrieval and web services.The Master of Science in Web Science
provides students with a rigorous background in software development with a
particular focus on software for today's Internet industry. With the University
of San Francisco's prime location in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area
and its proximity to Silicon Valley, USF graduate students enjoy an environment
rich with the many innovations and opportunities of this world-renowned region
of technology.
Foundational Requirements
The
foundation requirements are not required for admission to the graduate program,
but must be completed while at USF to achieve regular status as a graduate
student. The foundation requirements can be waived if met by previous studies
or work experience equivalent to the requirements:
· Introductory programming (two courses)
· Upper-division programming (one course)
· Discrete math (one course)
· Data structures (one course)
Degree Requirements
Regular
Graduate Students must pass 28 credits (7 courses). The courses must be chosen as
follows:
· CS 680 Web Systems and Algorithms
· Networking, one of:
- CS 621 Network Programming (4)
- CS 684 Human-Computer Interaction (4)
· CS 682 Distributed Software Development
· CS 662 Artificial Intelligence Programming
· Two semesters of Master's Project (CS 690) or Software
Development Workshop (CS 691 and CS 692)
· One elective course from:
- Programming Languages
- Algorithms
- Directed Reading and Research
Regular 2-year MS Web Science Degree
The typical
student takes two years to complete the MSWS degree, but it is possible to
complete in one year for talented and well-prepared students (see accelerated
program below).
- CS 662 Artificial Intelligence Programming (4) Year 1
Fall
- CS 680 Web Systems and Algorithms (4) Year 1 Fall
- CS 682 Distributed Software Development (4) Year 1
Spring
- CS 621 Network Programming (4) Year 1 Spring
- CS 690 Master's Project (4) Year 2 Fall
- Elective, Year 2 Fall
- CS 690 Master's Project (4) Year 2 Spring
Accelerated One-Year MS Web Science Degree
The
accelerated MSWS degree can be completed in an intensive 12 months. Applicants
must have very strong software development backgrounds to be accepted into the
accelerated program. Students take the usual two 4-credit course load the Fall
semester and then 3 4-credit courses in the Spring semester. After successfully
completing these courses, a student spends the summer taking two software
development workshops. These workshops are extremely demanding and require the
students to build very significant pieces of software, either in collaboration
with a silicon valley company or as part of a faculty member's research. A new
accelerated MSWS cohort is accepted each Fall.
Learning Goals/Outcomes for the Master of Science in Web
Science
Students
who complete the Masters of Science in Web Science will be able to demonstrate:
· An understanding of advanced topics in Internet-based
computing including software engineering, distributed computing, artificial
intelligence, networking, interface design, and Internet systems;
· The ability to design, implement, and debug large-scale,
Internet-based software applications;
· The ability to evaluate and understand advanced research
from the Internet computing literature;
· Effective communication and team participation skills with
respect to software development.
