Computer Science, MASCS

Penn Engineering expands its graduate portfolio with the Master of Applied Science in Computer Science (MAS-CS), offered in both online and on-campus formats. Building on the success and legacy of the Master of Computer and Information Technology (MCIT) program, MAS-CS reflects Penn Engineering’s ongoing commitment to providing rigorous, accessible, and forward-looking education for a global community of learners.

The MAS-CS is designed for students from non-computer science backgrounds who seek to gain a strong foundation in computing and prepare for impactful careers in technology and interdisciplinary fields. The curriculum combines core study in programming, systems, algorithms, databases, and artificial intelligence with opportunities to take courses in emerging domains such as Data Science, Cybersecurity, Software Systems, Artificial Intelligence, and Innovation & Technology Leadership.

Through its applied and flexible design, the MAS-CS equips students with the technical fluency, analytical skills, and creative problem-solving mindset needed to thrive in today’s technology-driven world—whether on campus in Philadelphia or online anywhere in the world.

 

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2026 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

 Curriculum

A total of 10 course units are required for the MAS-CS degree.1

Required Courses 1
CIT 5910Introduction to Software Development 21
CIT 5920Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science 21
CIT 5930Introduction to Computer Systems 21
CIT 5940Data Structures and Software Design1
CIT 5950Computer Systems Programming1
CIT 5960Algorithms and Computation1
Electives
Select 4 Electives 44
Total Course Units10
1

It is expected that full-time MAS-CS students will take the six required courses during the first two semesters of enrollment and four electives during their second year.

2

Offered in the Fall semester only. These courses are prerequisites for CIT 5940 Data Structures and Software Design, CIT 5950 Computer Systems Programming and CIT 5960 Algorithms and Computation, respectively, which are offered in Spring semester only.

3

Courses can be waived or replaced only with the permission of the instructor. As of Fall 2016, students must pass a proficiency exam in order to waive a course. All CIT courses must be completed (or waivers obtained) during the first semester that the course is offered during the student's time in the program. Students may not waive or replace more than two required CIT courses. Courses that are waived need to be replaced with a suitable alternative.

4

Electives

  • MAS-CS students must also complete four graduate-level (5000 or higher) electives.
  • At least three must be a CIS course; one may be an approved non-CIS course.
  • The following courses are recommended for all MAS-CS students:
  • Additional suitable electives include:
  • Click here for all CIS graduate course options.

  • One course from the list of pre-approved non CIS graduate courses, found here, may be used as an elective. Graduate courses offered in other departments may count as an elective with the prior approval of the MAS-CS program director; in general, such courses must have a strong technical component in order to be approved.

Continuing in the Master of Science in Computer & Information Science (CIS/MSE) Program

MAS-CS students may apply to continue in the Master of Science in Engineering in Computer & Information (CIS/MSE) program. Students pursuing this dual degree route need to satisfy a minimum GPA requirement, have earned a high grade in at least one CIS elective, and have completed the majority of the MAS-CS requirements at the time of applying.  In addition to the ten courses required for the MAS-CS program, students continuing in the CIS/MSE program need to take six additional CIS graduate courses for a total of sixteen credits; satisfactory completion results in the awarding of the MAS-CS and CIS/ MSE degrees. Click here to access the CIS/MSE degree requirements. Click here to access the MAS-CS-CIS/MSE dual degree application.

Curriculum

The MAS-CS degree consists of 10 course units (CUs) and is designed to give students a solid foundation in computer science, while offering flexibility to explore a range of concentrations.

Core MAS-CS Curriculum 

Required Courses6
CIT 5910
Introduction to Software Development
CIT 5920
Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science
CIT 5930
Introduction to Computer Systems
CIT 5940
Data Structures and Software Design
CIT 5950
Computer Systems Programming
CIT 5960
Algorithms and Computation
Technical Electives3
Students must complete 3 Elective CUs from the list below.
CIS 5150
Fundamentals of Linear Algebra and Optimization
CIS 5210
Artificial Intelligence
CIS 5300
Natural Language Processing
CIS 5450
Big Data Analytics
CIS 5470
Software Analysis
CIS 5490
Wireless Communications for Mobile Networks and Internet of Things
CIS 5500
Database and Information Systems
CIS 5510
Computer and Network Security
CIS 5530
Networked Systems
CIS 5550
Internet and Web Systems
CIS 5690
GPU Computing for Machine Learning Systems
CIS 5810
Computer Vision & Computational Photography
EAS 5160
Mathematical Foundations for Machine Learning I: Probability
EAS 5170
Mathematical Foundations for Machine Learning II: Linear Algebra
EAS 5830
Blockchains
or CIT 5820
 Blockchains and Cryptography
EAS 5850
Imaging Informatics
EAS 5860
Medical Image Analysis
ESE 5410
Machine Learning for Data Science
ESE 5420
Statistics for Data Science
ESE 5460
Principles of Deep Learning
HCIN 6022
Digital Health 1
Open Electives1
Students may complete 1 Elective CU from the list below, or they may complete an additional 1 CU from the above Technical Elective list.
DATS 5750
Cloud Technologies Practicum
EAS 5240
Technology Ethics and the Legal Landscape
EAS 5740
How to Use Data
Total Course Units10
1

HCIN 6022 should only be taken as an elective if students plan to apply for the Graduate Certificate in Health Care and Technology from the Perelman School of Medicine. All SEAS students entering the Graduate Certificate in Health Care and Technology must take this course as part of their degree studies. SEAS students taking this course for credit in an engineering degree must complete a final project focused on an area of computer science.

 
 

Concentrations

Engineering Entrepreneurship

MAS-CS Core6
Entrepreneurship Electives3
Students must complete 3 Elective CUs from the list below.
EAS 5070
Intellectual Property and Business Law for Engineers
EAS 5240
Technology Ethics and the Legal Landscape
EAS 5440 Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship (In Development)
EAS 5470
Engineering Product Management from Theory to Practice
EAS 5720 Design Thinking (In Development)
ESE 5400
Open Elective1
Total Course Units10

Artificial Intelligence

MAS-CS Core6
AI Electives3
Students must complete 3 Elective CUs from the list below.
CIS 5210
Artificial Intelligence
CIS 5300
Natural Language Processing
CIS 5690
GPU Computing for Machine Learning Systems
EAS 5240
Technology Ethics and the Legal Landscape
ESE 5410
Machine Learning for Data Science
ESE 5420
Statistics for Data Science
ESE 5460
Principles of Deep Learning
CIS 5980 Artificial Intelligence Capstone (In Development)
Open Elective1
Total Course Units10

Data Science 

MAS-CS Core6
DS Electives3
Students must complete 3 Elective CUs from the list below.
CIS 5450
Big Data Analytics
CIS 5500
Database and Information Systems
ESE 5410
Machine Learning for Data Science
ESE 5420
Statistics for Data Science
DATS 5980
Data Science Capstone
Open Elective1
Total Course Units10

Software Systems

MAS-CS Core6
Systems Electives3
Students must complete 3 Elective CUs from the list below.
CIS 5470
Software Analysis
CIS 5490
Wireless Communications for Mobile Networks and Internet of Things
CIS 5510
Computer and Network Security
CIS 5530
Networked Systems
CIS 5550
Internet and Web Systems
CIS 5690
GPU Computing for Machine Learning Systems
DATS 5750
Cloud Technologies Practicum
EAS 5830
Blockchains
Open Elective1

Cybersecurity 

MAS-CS Core6
Cyber Electives3
Students must complete 3 Elective CUs from the list below.
CIS 5510
Computer and Network Security
CIS 5560
Cryptography
CIS XXXX HCI & Security (To Be Developed)
Open Elective1
Total Course Units10

On Campus Program 

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCourse Units
CIT 5910 Introduction to Software Development 1
CIT 5920 Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science 1
CIT 5930 Introduction to Computer Systems 1
 Course Units3.00
Spring
CIT 5940 Data Structures and Software Design 1
CIT 5950 Computer Systems Programming 1
CIT 5960 Algorithms and Computation 1
 Course Units3.00
Second Year
Fall
CIS Elective 5000 level or higher 2
Non-CIS Elective (Approved List) 1
 Course Units3.00
Spring
CIS Elective 5000 level or higher 1
 Course Units1.00
 Total Course Units10.00

Online Program

Example Plan of Study for Part Time Online (3 Years)

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCourse Units
CIT 5910 Introduction to Software Development 1
 Course Units1.00
Spring
CIT 5920 Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science 1
 Course Units1.00
Summer
CIT 5930 Introduction to Computer Systems 1
 Course Units1.00
Second Year
Fall
CIT 5940 Data Structures and Software Design 1
CIT 5950 Computer Systems Programming 1
 Course Units2.00
Spring
CIT 5960 Algorithms and Computation 1
 Course Units1.00
Summer
EAS 5240 Technology Ethics and the Legal Landscape 1
CIS 5210 Artificial Intelligence 1
 Course Units2.00
Third Year
Fall
ESE 5460 Principles of Deep Learning 1
 Course Units1.00
Spring
ESE 5420 Statistics for Data Science 1
 Course Units1.00
 Total Course Units10.00