Master of Science in Internet Engineering

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 Internet Engineering (MSIE) 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.

Students typically begin by enrolling in CS 601, Object-Oriented Software Development, and CS 662, Artificial Intelligence Programming, in their first semester. CS 601 provides a strong foundation in object-oriented design and development and the development of dynamic web pages. CS 662 provides a strong basis in artificial intelligence algorithms and techniques and their application to software for the Internet.

The typical second semester includes CS 682, Distributed Software Development, and CS 680, Internet Systems Research. CS 682 follows the object-oriented course through further exploration of client-server web development as well as peer-to-peer, multi-cast, and agent-based software development. The Internet Systems Research course follows AI (CS 662) by studying innovative systems based on AI techniques including search engines, crawlers, personalized web interfaces, and the semantic web.

CS 689, Residency in Internet Engineering, is offered in the summer. Students apply their newly learned skills in a real-world project, generally working on-site at an affiliated organization with the directing professor. Students who cannot participate in the summer program may fulfill this requirement through a directed project during a fall or spring semester.

In the second year, students take CS 686, Human-Computer Interaction, CS 687, Digital Society, a graduate elective, and CS 690, Masters Project. CS 690 is the culminating course for the degree, with students completing a team software project and making use of the skills they have learned in the program.

Foundational Requirements

Students without a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science must complete the following foundational requirements:

• CS - 110 Introduction to Computer Science I
• CS - 112 Introduction to Computer Science II
• CS - 210 Assembly Language and Systems Programming
• CS - 245 Data Structures and Algorithms
• MATH - 201 Discrete Mathematics
• One upper-division software development course

Required Courses

• CS - 601 Object-Oriented Software Development
• CS - 662 Artificial Intelligence Programming
• CS - 680 Internet Systems Research
• CS - 682 Distributed Software Development
• CS - 684 Human-Computer Interaction
• CS - 687 Digital Society
• CS - 689 Residency in Internet Engineering
• CS - 690 Master's Project

Electives (One of the following required)

• CS - 621 Network Programming
• CS - 652 Programming Languages
• CS - 673 Algorithms
• CS - 698 Directed Reading and Research

Learning Goals/Outcomes for the Master of Science in Internet Engineering

Students who complete the Masters of Science in Internet Engineering 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.